Originally the spring equinox was taken up by a Shintō festival called 'Shunki kōrei-sai' (春季皇霊祭), created in 1878 and centered around imperial ancestor worship.

In 1948 this was repackaged as a day for admiring nature and all living things.
#Kyoto #Japan #Nara #sakura #桜

Spring's arrival in Kyōto is marked by the blooming of the sakura tree at Modori-bashi, the 'Resurrection Bridge'.

The tree's early flowering blossoms are some of the first to appear, and can gather quite the crowd🌸😅

#Kyoto #桜 #sakura #cherrryblossoms #京都 #Japan #Modoribashi #戻橋