Kyoto is home to many famous cherry blossom viewing spots, with the ancient city’s temples, shrines, and old-fashioned streetscapes forming splendid scenery beside the dazzling pink flowers.
In this article, LIVE JAPAN international editors Chia-chi and Timothy will introduce two activities to make cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto even better!
Introducing our Kyoto cherry blossom explorers!
・Chia-chi (Photo: Left)
Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Chia-chi has been a resident of Japan for 7 years. She prefers relaxing, indoor trips, often seeking out cafes, charming old buildings, and people-watching while reading books. She also enjoys taking photos of flowers and buildings. Placing great importance on sleep, she always thoroughly checks an accommodation’s bedding, room temperature, airflow, and noise levels before settling in.
・Timothy (Photo: Right)
Born and raised in New York, Timothy has lived in Japan for more than 20 years and is an expert in all things Japan. His hobbies include cycling, trekking, and other outdoor activities, and he is always embarking on active, adventurous trips. He also likes cooking and eating, along with sake, beer, wine, and whiskey. He is well-versed in the cuisine of Japan, but prefers everyday, hearty meals over luxury dishes. His smile and carefree personality are his self-proclaimed charms!
Kyoto Cherry Blossom Experience #1: Dash through the streets of Kyoto on a rickshaw
The first experience we’ll introduce is the “Rickshaw Cherry Blossom and Town Tour.” For this article, we rode with Ebisuya, a sightseeing rickshaw company that has been operating for more than 30 years, founded in Kyoto’s Arashiyama.
In addition to Kyoto, they also offer rickshaw rides in many of Japan’s famous tourist areas, like Kamakura, Asakusa, and Yufuin.
Along with being a surprisingly effective way to get around, rickshaws let you see the local sights from a higher vantage point and at a different speed than a car or on foot.
The rickshaw driver will also provide guidance on each sightseeing spot, and the ones in Kyoto have a deep knowledge of the city, letting you discover more about its history and culture.
Rickshaws first appeared in Japan during the 1870s and gained particular popularity during the Meiji and Taisho periods as a convenient means of transport.
Nowadays, they are generally used for sightseeing and can be spotted at many well-known tourist destinations across the country.
Our First Experience of an Ebisuya Rickshaw Ride!
On the day of our booking, we headed to the designated meetup point to find our Ebisuya rickshaw (the meetup point depends on the course, and will be confirmed at the …
