Spring colors

Most Japanese people think of the Yoshino Cherry when they enjoy the blossoms. Not sure what the tree in this photo is. Perhaps the Weeping Cherry? (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_species.html)

I believe there is a kind called "Yanagi-sakura".

Often they have nice shots on the JT photo thing, but, sorry, for all the trees that are blooming and all the photos that are taken of them, this time they have chosen a rather boring shot...

Note: This tree is on the road called Sakuradori, which is blooming beautifully in the spring during hanami. Wish they could've used a better shot of the whole street tbh.

zichi - Maruyama koen is a fantastic place for viewing. I remember seeing a huge "yanagi zakura" tree when I was there more than 30 years ago. Stunning colors in the photo, too bad, as Lowly mentions, they couldn't get a better angle, or different tree.

Yes, the flowers are gorgeous. But don't forget to get close up and treat yourself to their scent.

Beautiful trees, and even more beautiful when you have them blooming together, or nearby, as with The Mint in Osaka.

Here and there, Japan has Sakura Matsuri, usually on the hill side on big river. People bring Jubako filled lunch and appreciate viewing sakura trees' blossoms.

From this distance, this flowers look more like peach blossom.

sensei:

But don't forget to get close up and treat yourself to their scent.

Maybe my sense of smell isn't that great but I hardly smell anything from sakura. Ume and chinjouge, on the other hand, are really fragrant.

You guys, Zichi and Kurobune,

gotta get some better places for sakura viewing in Kyoto. Maruyama is packed and noisy and the huge tree Kurobune remembers is diseased and has had to be cut a couple times in recent years so it is no longer big, grand, nor a pretty shape. For easy to get to places if you don't know the geography, I recommend the river (kamogawa), which is so wide and long that even if full of tourists you don't ever feel crowded, also it stretches up north, so that you get an extra week of viewing where it is a couple degrees colder (flowers are later). Or the Imperial palace, central and easy to get to, also so big you can't ever feel crowded, and less windy than the river if a cold day. For night viewing, Kiyamachi st. which is lit up (parallel to and between Kawaramachi st and Kamogawa river) is pretty and central.

For secret uncrowded places only locals would know about, just walk anywhere away from touristy areas, give yourself an hour or two and you are bound to discover a few spots. At least one.

I don't mean to dis your Maruyama experience, but take it from this long-time Kansai neighborhood resident, Kyoto sakura are best enjoyed away from the crowds!

zichi,

You seem to have the situation well under control. I leave you to it!

Nice picture. :)