Kansai Route – Cherry Blossoms and the Romance of Youth
1. Route Recommendation
• Itinerary:
Day 1: Osaka Castle Park – Kyoto Daigoji Temple – Gion
Day 2: Nara Park – Mount Yoshino
• Route Features: Kimono, cherry blossoms, and deer — an irresistible romantic experience.
• Best for: Women or couples
• Time Needed: 2 days (Late March)
• Transportation: Train, Taxi
Route Description: The old-world charm of Kansai and the fluttering cherry blossoms complement each other perfectly. Stroll through the cherry blossoms of Kansai, with its shrines, temples, streets, and parks, each of which offers beautiful backdrops. In Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, you can rent kimonos, and some large rental shops allow you to return the kimono at a different location. Start your day by wearing a kimono and strolling around Osaka Castle Park. In the afternoon, visit Kyoto’s Daigoji Temple for a spiritual cleanse, and in the evening, head to Gion to encounter geishas and enjoy the night sakura along the Shirakawa River. On the second day, head to Nara Park in the morning, where you can wear another beautiful kimono and dance with the deer among the cherry blossoms. If you’re energetic, head to Mount Yoshino in the afternoon to witness the breathtaking sight of thousands of cherry blossoms in full bloom.
2. Itinerary Highlights
• Kimono and Cherry Blossoms: In Kansai, you can rent a kimono in Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. Be sure to book your kimono a few days in advance and choose your preferred style. Osaka Castle Park, with its traditional architecture from the era of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, is a great place for a leisurely stroll.
• Daigoji Temple: This temple, established over a thousand years ago, boasts numerous varieties of cherry trees, with the hundred-year-old weeping cherry trees being the most famous.
• Shirakawa River: A small river that runs through the Gion area, the banks are lined with neatly arranged stone slabs. At night, lanterns light up the sakura along the river. You can enjoy dinner at a riverside restaurant while taking in the cherry blossoms — it’s a truly romantic setting.
• Deer in Nara Park: Nara Park is famous for its deer, with about 1,200 living in the park. The deer will bow to ask for food. Wearing a kimono and dancing with the deer among the cherry blossoms will give you a truly magical experience.
• Mount Yoshino: If you’re still craving more sakura, you must visit Mount Yoshino, where over 200 varieties of cherry trees, with more than 30,000 individual trees, bloom from the base of the mountain to the summit. The layers of colors and the sheer scale of the blossoms are indescribably stunning.