In this blog world, the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms haven’t bloomed yet. I’m desperately trying to keep up with the real-world calendar, but it’s proving quite a challenge.
Well, one day in early March, someone told me there’s a rare, giant mimosa tree at Kuramae Shrine in Taito Ward, and it’s apparently in full bloom. I went to check it out right away.
It’s truly enormous, bigger than I’ve ever seen. And just as the previews promised, it’s in magnificent full bloom.
What’s more, early-blooming cherry trees (Kawazu cherry, perhaps?) were also in full bloom at the same time within the shrine grounds, creating a veritable spring feast woven by the giant pink and yellow trees.
Actually, I had visited Kuramae Shrine before, but since it was a different season, I couldn’t imagine this scenery and hadn’t noticed it. Apparently, while I was daydreaming, this place has become a famous spring spot.
People lining up to worship, people lining up for shrine stamps, and people like me who gave up on worshiping and instead enjoyed sightseeing and photography—the grounds, never particularly spacious, were filled with this crowd. The surrounding cafes were apparently bustling since morning with early spring flower-viewing visitors.
Unfortunately, the sky was overcast, but occasionally, a faint sun would peek through capriciously.
Since the mimosa and cherry blossoms are drawing so much attention, let’s end with the camellia, which is blooming beautifully in a corner of the temple grounds yet goes completely unnoticed.
So that was Kuramae Shrine, a springtime spot I was the only one who didn’t know about.
Thanks so much to whoever told me about it!
