Mar 30, 2013 - 1 min read

Sakura of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka

Kyoto's Higashiyama blossoms in Springtime

By Bonson Lam

Community writer

Stone bridges and cobbled walkways make Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka Kyoto a pleasant place to stroll

Handbags and accessories from 500 yen at one of the many handicraft stores on Sannenzaka Kyoto

Cherry motif cloth for sale in the many handicraft stores on the hills of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka Kyoto

If you are cycling you may need to disembark and walk the narrow laneways up hill to Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka

Weeping Cherry of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka moments from Gion and Higashiyama in Kyoto

Weeping Cherry of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka moments from Gion Kyoto

Weeping Cherry of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka Kyoto

Weekend Crowds on the Steps from Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka Kyoto

The Weeping Cherry of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka makes a dramatic contrast to the Higashiyama hills of Kyoto

The labyrinth of lane ways heads up every so slowly from Kyoto and Gion towards Kiyomizu dera, and as you climb each step, you take a step back in time. In Springtime the cherry blossom trees, some of which are over a hundred years old, are adorned with pink and white petals, announcing the start of new life and a new season. Nearby are shops selling cherry blossom themed sweets and fashion. Whether you would like some cherry leaf mochi rice cakes or a fan decorated with cherry blossoms, the colorful wooden shops of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are sure to please. Many people from around the world make the pilgrimage here at the beginning of April when the cherry blossoms are at their peak, so head here early in the morning to avoid the crowds.