Plum Blossom Festival - Tenmangu Shrine

Late February is Plum Blossom season, an often overlooked time of particular beauty wherever these subtle blossoms bloom.

Plum Blossoms appear to be viewed by most Japanese as the poor cousins of the fanatically worshipped Cherry Blossom, but this seems to only add to their charm. Whereas the approaching Cherry Blossoms are scrupulously followed in the media as they bloom in various parts of the country, the Plum Blossoms seem to come and go without anyone really noticing.

That being said, everyone who did notice showed up at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine all at once for the festival. The Japanese don't seem to mind enjoying the wonders of nature with busloads of their closest friends.

The Tenmangu Shrine, where the festival is held each year, is in the Northern part of Kyoto and is home to vast groves of plum trees.

All things being considered, I think that the Tenmangu Shrine is my favourite in Kyoto. Despite the fact that the place was absolutely thronging with people, I could really get a sense of the beauty of the place. A vast and sprawling complex of shrine buildings and gardens, Tenmangu is just far enough off of the standard tourist path that it escapes most peoples' notice altogether.

Just like the monkey page and the Jigokudani Onsen page, this one will have to remain a work in progress. I haven't been able to develop any of my own pictures as yet, and these were all shot with the digital. Keep an eye open here, as I will be posting them as soon as I am able!