We hopped the Shinkansen (or bullet train) and arrived in Kyoto tonight. After checking in to our hotel, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo, we oriented ourselves with a walk around the area.
We were trying to make our way over to Pontocho area to get some food, but somehow ended up at Kiyamachi Dori, a picturesque, one kilometre street with the Takasegawa canal running through it. Better yet, it was lined with 200 cherry blossom trees in full bloom.
It’s a beautiful walk to take in the illuminated blossoms at night, but heads up, Kiyamachi Dori is also a nightlife hotspot. We saw so many locals, foreign students and ex-pats partying it up. The street was heaving with nightclubs, hostess clubs, pubs, ramen and izakaya shops.
However, it was still a wonderful little surprise on our first night in Kyoto. And as Sean tells me, sometimes the best surprises are ones we stumble across.
If you happen to be in Kyoto during cherry blossom season, here are 14 other sakura spots to check out.
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