The weather is still cold here in Kyoto.

Can you imagine how crowded it will be in Arashiyama in the prime season of cherry blossom?

But somehow it’s a little too early for that. Not a single blossom can be seen today around the Togetsu bridge. Ohanami (blossom viewing) season is yet to come….

Having said that...

I found it!!

I found a decent cherry tree proudly blooming in its grace!

It was in the graveyard of ABE NO SEIMEI in Saga district.

With regard to ABE NO SEIMEI, a famed Onmyoji (yin-yang master) in Heian era in Kyoto, Seimei shrine in Kamigyo-ward is famous whereas Seimei’s tomb in Saga close to Togstsu bridge is hardly known in general. It’s a very small graveyard in a residential district so that not a many tourists have knowledge to access there.

But as a matter of fact, it’s the secret power-spot known by many enthusiasts.

It looks like the power that fills this space is real. Beyond the thousand years of time, ABE NO SEIMEI’s spirit seems to have enormous force on this place and make this one particular cherry tree to bloom in its sublime beauty.

The graveyard of ABE NO SEIMEI is located on the south side of the “Chokei Tennoh Sagano Higashino Misasagi (graveyard of Emperor Chokei in Saga East)”. It’s pretty close to Saga station of Randen railway, Arashiyama-line.

Access from Yumeyakata

Take Kyoto bus No.75

Karasuma gojo -> Shijo Omiya

Take Randen

Shijo Omiya -> Saga