Rainy Season Kyoto Hyrdrangea

梅雨いりの京都上七件の紫陽花

Rainy Season has begun on most of Japan's main island Honshu.

For cyclists in Kyoto, that means a mix of weather: from cool mornings and even blue skies, to downpours and high humidity.

The commute on Monday was cool - literally a breeze - but by late morning it was sticky and muggy.

Back on the positive side, rainy season also brings with it a riot of hydrangea.

This plant is at the western end of Kamishichiken, a geisha district that is adjacent to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.

We prefer this species to the more bulbous mophead type of flower.

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Cycling Kyoto Four Geisha Areas

自転車で京都花道を乗る

For those with the geisha-bug, here is a route map for cycling to see the four main areas in Kyoto where the women ply their trade.

Three of the four - Pontocho, Gion, and Miyagawacho - are all close to one another.

The final area, Kamishichiken, is in northwestern Kyoto, about 30 minutes on a bike from Pontocho or a bit more from Gion.

In places, it is not possible to ride. Pontocho for example is too narrow; Gion can be brimming with tourists.

Parking can also be an issue. For Pontocho, cyclists will want to park somewhere along Kiyamachi - no easy trick - and then walk to and along Pontocho.

Happy cycling.



View Kyoto Geisha Theaters (Gion Kobu, Miyagawacho, Pontocho, Kamishichiken) in a larger map


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Telephone Poles and Wires Buried in Kyoto Kamishichiken Geisha Area

上七軒、すっきりどす　「北野をどり」前に無電柱化完了

Street work in Kyoto's oldest geisha area, Kamishichiken, is now complete.

The unsightly telephone poles and wires have been buried under the street.

The photo above right is dated and gives an idea of what the otherwise lovely streetscape looks like.

Those poles and the wires overhead are now gone, hidden below street level.

This follows the example in areas of Gion.

We are hoping in the current political climate that some of the Abenomics windfall will make its way down to Kyoto and start work on burying the rest of the city's wires.


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Kyoto Rainy Season Hydrangea in Kamishichiken

梅雨いりの京都上七件の紫陽花

Rainy Season has begun in Honshu.

For Kyoto, that means a mix of weather, not all of it bad.

The first few days have been cool, which is often the case.

The mugginess will come, but for now nights and early morning require long sleeves.

It also means the blossoming of hydrangea.

This spectacular bush is at the western end of Kamishichiken, a geisha district that is adjacent to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The new street paving can be seen in the distance.

We prefer this species to the more bulbous mophead type.

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Kyoto
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