Spring Morning Walk through Historic Higashiyama | Kyoto, Japan 4K

Video Description

A quiet spring morning walking along Shirakawa River and Canal with sakura cherry blossoms in early bloom. I had intended to focus on the riverside as I thought cherry trees and traditional Japanese buildings would combine nicely with the gently flowing water sounds...but I figured since Gion was right there it might be nice to take a look in the early morning while the streets were quiet and empty. From there it seemed a shame not to walk through Yasaka Shrine and see it's famous weeping cherry tree in bloom. There were a number of stalls sitting idly by waiting for the hanami crowds that I'm sure would soon arrive. There were a number of crows waiting as well. From there I climbed the steps to Chionin Temple, just as the monks began to chant their morning prayer. Eventually I made it back to Shirakawa River, and walked along at water's edge through a quiet neighborhood, past the large torii gate in front of Heian Shrine, up Keage Slope (an old boat ramp connecting the Kyoto - Lake Biwa Canal), and finally along the aqueduct to Nanzenji. When I was thinking about the route, I thought it would take a little over an hour of walking, but with the diversions it ended up being closer to two. I hope you enjoy this extended walk through some beautiful areas of Kyoto just as spring begins. I hope the seasons are treating you well. I've linked the walk below if you're interested . Route Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1FIsvFIPun9WWT9ADBheRIfuK9Bewglo&usp=sharing March 31, 2025 *Subscribe* for more dawn walks in Japan and elsewhere: https://bit.ly/3IO4oxS **Playlists** **Dawn Walks** https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh9Rliu52xop6xDpoETQ3Yos-hYNfkU5 **Japan Less Traveled**: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh9Rliu52xq1HdvglrnJxz7vwdqBxHV5 **Japan Well Traveled:** https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh9Rliu52xpfk_D6oRuo_m86OOVjSnjP **Relaxing Environments:** https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh9Rliu52xq8PitzXKxwhvYA-uc_kP1N **Rain, Snow, and Weather:** https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh9Rliu52xrwO_Iy7r6r4D0ghHM7pYb4 **Cities at Night:** https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh9Rliu52xph6UUdZhlBX0MHQtgaRkou 00:00 Intro 00:30 Shirakawa River 09:49 Sakura street 18:10 Tatsumi Bridge 22:58 Shirakawa Canal 30:36 Gion 40:57 Yasaka Shrine 48:04 Gion Weeping Cherry Tree 52:04 Chionin Temple 01:08:13 Chionin Kuromon 01:15:12 River Terrace 01:25:31 Heian-Jingu Shrine Grand Torii 01:35:02 Keage Incline 01:42:25 Keage Boat Reservoir 01:52:50 Nanzen-ji Suirokaku #sakura #cherryblossoms #kyototravel #spring