Cherry Blossom Season at Nagoyama Temple!

I haven't been to Nagoyama Temple in awhile, but today was a beautiful sunny day, and since it's about 10 minutes away by bicycle, I couldn't resist! Nagoyama is absolutely stunning during cherry blossom season! I know everyone crowds into Himeji Castle for cherry blossom viewing, but I definitely think Nagoyama's cherry trees are of comparable beauty; perhaps some might find the idea of flower viewing in a cemetery depressing, but wow, this is probably the most beautiful cemetery I have ever seen!

Also, there were cats everywhere. Would they be considered temple cats or graveyard cats?

Can you spot Himeji Castle (in its scaffolding)?

The cemetery extends for quite a ways around the main temple, and there were cherry trees everywhere!

A small garden nestled between the hills of graves. You can see the city stretching out behind it!

I love how, at certain angles, the main temple seems to float above a sea of cherry trees.

This cat really wanted his rump photographed. Can you see him?

This kitten kept running off every time I got close; I think it became a game for him. He briefly stopped to let me get one quick photo of him, though.

This statue was serenely sitting under a tree.

I loved the effect of the fallen flowers in this rain gutter, they looked beautiful!

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Autumn Leaves and Castle Cats

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Daley-sensei's Adventures in Himeji, Japan.

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