Had to take a walk in such a nice day. Today, I visited Hirano Shrine. This shrine is famous for the good spot of cherryblossom. Every spring so many people visit to enjoy the cherryblossom and sometimes small recitals are held, surronded by the cherryblossom. Here in Hirano Shrine, even 1200 years ago, many nobles came around to enjoy the cherryblossom, like we do now.

There are more than 50 species and 400 cherry trees. Among them, some cherry tree called “Sakigake(=front runner) zakura” bloom earlier than the others, so people say cherryblossom in Hirano Shrine tells us the coming of spring in Kyoto.

Unfortunately, cherryblossom season has been over way too long ago, however, I could enjoy the green of the sacred tree, which is camphor tree and whose age is 400 to 500 years. It’s good to forest‐bath under the such a big tree.

By the way, do you know about the stone right next to the sacred tree? This is called “Suehirogane” and this is a natural magnet stone. The weight is around 200kg, height is 80cm and the thickness is about 27cm. This is literally the biggest natural magnet stone in Japan. A long time ago, people believed sacred sprit stay inside and worshipped thsi stone.
Right next to it, some magnets are placed, so you can feel the magnetism of it.

o Hirano Shrine, around 15 minutes walk from Kyo miyabi. Please come and visit here in the next spring to enjoy the beautiful cherryblossom.