Mar 13, 2014 - 1 min read

Kyoto Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

Fragrant air from more than 1500 blooming plum trees

By Tomoko Kamishima

Community writer

Just before the start of a ceremony, Shinto priests walk into the sanctuary

Visitors enjoyed a pleasant walk between the trees

“Two bows, two claps, and one bow” is the basic method of prayer

After they have finished taking a school entrance examination, many students and their parents came to give thanks to God

Entrance gate of Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

Plum blossoms of Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

The air is fragrant and still a bit cold

A peaceful spring breeze brought with it the delicate sweet fragrance of plum blossoms

These cattle also looked very happy under the beautiful plum blossoms

A great variety of colors and sizes of flowers were contested with one another

A peaceful spring breeze brought with it a delicate sweet fragrance of plum blossoms on that day. Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine has a large plum blossom garden with 50 varieties of plum and 1500 plum trees. Thick pink, light pink, greenish-white, or clear white. A great variety of colors and sizes of flowers were blooming, competing with one another for our attention. Visitors enjoyed a pleasant walk amongst the trees. Cattle, which represent messengers of the enshrined deity that you will see here and there in the shrine grounds also looked very happy under the beautiful plum blossoms.

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Find out more about Kitano Tenmangu.

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By Tomoko Kamishima

Community writer

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Tomoko Kamishima Photographer 10 years ago

Yes, I took these photos in late Feb. this year.

Tyra 'nell Pille-Lu 10 years ago

Oh yeah, everything's white with snow by then. That's another great photography, too. Is this taken this year?

Tomoko Kamishima Photographer 10 years ago

Thank you, Simply Me, Chai! Here in Japan, we have almost no colors in February. But in this shrine, you will catch attractive colors here and there even in winter!