The plum trees in blossom in Kitano Tenmangu, Kyoto

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We visited this shrine in Kyoto in March 2022. It is famous for its plum trees garden blooming in March. We visited it once during the day and few days later we came again during the night when they light up candles in the trees.

The shrine was first built in 947 to appease the angry spirit of bureaucrat, scholar and poet Sugawara no Michizane, who had been exiled as a result of political maneuvers of his enemies in the Fujiwara clan.
The grounds are filled with Michizane's favorite tree, the red and white ume or plum blossom, and when they blossom the shrine is often very crowded. The Plum Blossom Festival is held on February 25, coinciding with the monthly market.
Source Wikipedia

© PHOTOS BY JC DUMONT