"Hanami" -- Cherry Blossom Viewing

I strolled through Gion area yesterday.  Cherry blossoms around Sannen Zaka are fully bloomed now.

In front of "Il Ghiottone" -- a very popular Italian Restaurant that reservation has to be made a few months ahead!

"Bun-no-Suke" Tea House.

Ryozen Kannon in Maruyama Park. 

View from the parking lot in Kodai-ji Temple. 

And tea house in Kodai-ji.

Weeping cherry in front of the south gate of Yasaka Shrine.

Path of Nene (Nene-no-Michi).

The precinct of Yasaka Pagoda. 

Cherry blossoms in front of the west side of Yasaka Pagoda still haven't come out.

It seems that "Hanami (cherry blossom viewing)" can be enjoyed for awhile in Kyoto!

Tsuboniwa Garden Now

We had our tsubo-niwa garden of Maeniiya Guest House re-designed yesterday.  This was how it looked first.

Then we changed the design in January, 2010. Unfortunately the ground cover "dragons beard" had difficulty thriving in our garden, and 90% of them died after all.

So, this time we had them replaced with black pebble stones, and added three new plants -- Asebi (ericaceae), Yukino-shita (saxifraga) and Beni-shida (red fern).  Then, we placed this beautiful hand-made clay lamp.

*Asebi (Ashibi)*

*Yukinoshita*

*Benishida*

Weeping Cherry of Sannen Zaka

It is reported that cherry blossoms in Tokyo are already in full bloom.  In Kyoto, the blooming of cherry blossoms was announced just three days ago.

However, the big weeping cherry tree in Sannen-zaka is fully bloomed now.

Girls in kimono and cherry blossoms are beautifully matched.

And tomorrow is a full moon -- another great match with cherry blossoms!

Toji Temple's Flea Market Part 3

In fact, flea markets at Toji Temple are held twice a month -- "Kobo-san" on the 21st, and "garakuta ichi" on the first Sunday.  ("Garakuta" literally means junk and "ichi" means market in Japanese.)

Of course Kobo-san is much larger, and many food related venders participate on the 21st.  

I ended my visit with Japanese udon noodle and oden (Japanese pot-au-feu).  It was a fun day!

Toji Temple's Flea Market Part 2

Used bicycles are really cheap and very well maintained.

Toji Temple's Flea Market

On the 21st of each month, a very famous flea market called "Kobo-san" is held at Toji Temple.  

It was a perfect weather for a flea market and there were lots of people browsing through the market.

There were many venders outside the Temple as well.  

Kimono and Obi belts are very popular items for foreign tourists.  Some are very cheap, about 500 yen.  Cheap, old kimono and obi are great to remake something new.

Ichi-no-den

Ichi-no-den is a Kyoto style miso marinated fish store called "Saikyo Zuke."  They are in business for more than 80 years near Nishiki Market, and offer Kaiseki lunch on the 2F of the store.  

First plate is an appetizer -- turnip, herring roe, ball shaped "Temari" sushi, deep fried oyster, etc.  

Next is Kani Shinjo (a bowl of soup with grilled and dumpling crab).

Simmered "Shogoin" Japanese radish and very creamy cod milt -- wonderful combination!

Main dish is a grilled Kanburi (yellow tail) marinated in Saikyo miso! 

Miso soup, pickles, and rice cooked in "donabe" clay pot were all delicious.  And Japanese dessert "Ukishima" was served at the end.

Lunch is 3,150 yen and menu changes daily.