Captured Once-in-a-Lifetime Photos at Miidera 📸✨

#cherryblossom25
I didn’t do much research before chasing the cherry blossoms this time, but somehow ended up with the luckiest day ever!

I originally thought Miidera was just an ordinary "cherry blossom version of Rurikoin," but —
full-bloom cherry blossoms 🌸 + a vast, grand temple + perfect weather ☀️ literally moved me to tears!

Seriously, how many hidden gems are there in Shiga Prefecture?! 🤍

🏯 Miidera Temple (official name: Onjo-ji Temple)

Located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, just two JR stations away from Kyoto Station — super easy to get to!
Right by Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan
Head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect, founded in the 7th century to pray for Emperor Tenji
Recognized as one of Japan’s "Four Great Temples" — it’s way more impressive than I imagined!
🛖 Inside the temple grounds, there are 19 cultural heritage buildings (like the Bell Tower, Three-storied Pagoda, and Kannon Hall), making it feel like an open-air museum.

🚶♀️ Walking slowly along the winding paths uphill, you’re accompanied by breathtaking cherry blossoms at every turn — the scenery changes with each step, and it’s just mesmerizing.

🏔️ Once you reach the top —
✨ You’re greeted with the sparkling blue waters of Lake Biwa
✨ Rolling mountains stretching into the horizon
✨ The combo of lake + cherry blossoms is just soul-stirring.

💬 And the BEST part —
There were almost no Chinese tourists that day!!
No crowds at all — it was peaceful and quiet, making it feel like I had the entire place to myself.
Every photo looked straight out of a Japanese drama!

#travel