■ Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Hello, I’m TOSHI, a Japanese woman.

My husband took me to Kyoto as a reward for my hard work.

Since it was plum blossom season, I said I wanted to go to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (北野天満宮).

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Kyoto City) is the head shrine of all Tenmangu shrines and Tenjin shrines across Japan, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin), and is famous as a “famous plum blossom spot.”

Due to Michizane’s great love of plum blossoms, the temple grounds are home to approximately 1,500 plum trees representing approximately 50 varieties.

The “Plum Garden” opens to the public during the peak viewing season.

The garden is usually open from early February to late March, and I’ve heard that with the wide variety of plum blossoms, you can enjoy it for a long time.
I heard there will also be light-ups and artist installations, so I was looking forward to it.

I love plum blossoms.

In my hometown, there are only a few plum trees, but they bloom beautifully. When they’re in full bloom, they resemble large, weeping jewels—a truly beautiful sight.

I’m excited to think what it would be like if there were 1,500 of them.

It was a huge shrine, just as I remember it. It’s truly the head shrine of all Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines across the country.

I thought it would be better than cherry blossom season, but there were still a lot of people there, and it was bustling.

■Omikuji (Fortune Slip) that Reveals Characters When Dipped in Water

I made a sincere wish, “May my writing also go well,” and then drew a fortune slip that reveals characters when dipped in water. It’s very tasteful.

I think it turned out to be good luck, it was pretty good!

It said that “wishes” bring good fortune!!

■Plum Garden and Installation

Now, on to the plum garden.

I love flowers in full bloom.
On this day, the flowers were in their “early blooming, peak viewing” period, so it was still a little early for the weeping plum blossoms (March 21st, 2026).

Still, it was a lovely, warm day, with lots of flowers in bloom, and I thought,
“Ah, winter is over. Spring has come.”

There’s an artificial, undulating stream in the temple garden, perhaps used for the Kokusui no Utage (Sound-filled Water Banquet), and the clear murmuring of the water could be heard throughout the day.

Suddenly, I was reminded of playing in the irrigation canal beside the footpath as a child.

I remember hearing the same murmuring back then, and catching crayfish with my friends.

That was about 45 years ago, and I had completely forgotten about it. The road is now paved, and I don’t think there are any crayfish there anymore. But then, all of a sudden, I remembered.

In the installation, the plum trees were strung with lots of sparkling, transparent ornaments, and their sweet, colorful glow was truly beautiful.

Then, a little girl gazed intently at the large, shiny, transparent ornament and said,

“Daddy, it’s amazing when you look inside. It’s so beautiful.”

I’m actually not very good with children, but at that moment I was moved,

and thought,

“Today is such a beautiful day. It’s peaceful here, and I’m so happy right now.”

I wanted to stay there forever, listening to the sound of the water. It was like paradise.

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I look forward to your continued support.

I look forward to your engagement, follows, likes, and comments are welcome.

I plan to reply to the comments.

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※TOSHI, I had been a writer who mainly focuses on food for around 5 years. I am looking for media that will publish my essays about Japan,  gourmet Mystery novel (※), etc. Feel free to contact me via ClubRosy’s X (Twitter) DM. https://twitter.com/ClubRosy

or Email toshijprose●gmail.com (change ● to @ please)

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amazon page of TOSHI’s book（竹井夙 Toshi TAKEI’s book）⇩⇩ [美しい人々　Beautiful people] etc.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%9C%AC-%E7%AB%B9%E4%BA%95-%E5%A4%99/s?rh=n%3A465392%2Cp_27%3A%E7%AB%B9%E4%BA%95+%E5%A4%99

As for our daily life, I, or “Rosie-chan,” tweet on Twitter at Club Rosie, almost everyday. so please take a look if you like. It seems that it may be possible to translate with Google.

Club Rosy Twitter
https://twitter.com/ClubRosy

【What is a Japanese cuisine that men love?】Beautiful stories from far away From Japan
https://clubrosy.jp/article/3665.html

【Japanese brides weren’t allowed to eat】Beautiful stories from far away From Japan

https://clubrosy.jp/topimg/3565.html

The articles I wrote

TABIZINE　⇩⇩
http://tabizine.jp/author/toshi/