Okame-zakura cherry trees at Chotoku-ji blossom

　It was cold and raining, but the Okame-zakura cherry trees at Chotoku-ji temple have started to flower. It will still be cold tomorrow, so the best time to see the cherry blossoms may be after the middle of next week.
　Plum blossoms are also at their best in Kyoto at the moment, and some people often mistake cherry blossoms for plum blossoms. Both have pink or white flowers, so they look very similar, but the easiest way to tell them apart is by the shape of the petals. Cherry blossoms have an incision at the tip, while plum blossoms have round petals.
　With the early cherry blossoms in bloom, Kyoto will be at its most beautiful for the next month or so. Be sure to visit the beautiful cherry blossom spots and feel the spring.