A Virtual Trip to Kyoto to View Cherry Blossom with Heygo!
For as long as I can remember I have wanted to go to Kyoto in Japan to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom in spring!
And who would have thought I would have got there today in the middle of lockdown…well virtually any way!
How did that happen?
Virtualtrips changed their name to Heygo following the posting of this article.
Heygo gives you the opportunity to take a trip with an experienced tour guide to literally hundreds of locations throughout the world every hour of the day (1624 tours in 258 locations to be precise).
Fancy a wander through through the Grand Bazaar in Turkey? Do you want to visit the famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris? Or even discover the nightlife in Cartagena in Colombia? Well, it’s all there!
Just scroll through and see what takes your fancy, then book!
On the recommendation of the fabulous ‘5 Kilo Traveller‘ I have been eyeing up Heygo for a few weeks. BUT I’ll be honest…I’m all Zoomed out, all Teamed up…I want the REAL world! And REAL world tours!!
However, I had a free morning – nowhere to go, no one to see…just me, myself and I (again)!
So, I decided to check out Heygo.
As I perused, I spotted ‘A Night Stroll Under the Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto’. Well, that tickled my fancy, so I signed up pronto!
Just for the record – I have a real thing about cherry blossoms (or Sakura as they are called in Japan). Every year, I melt at their ephemeral beauty. Love them!
And wahoo I was not disappointed!
What happens on a Virtual Trip?
So, you sign into your tour. On the left-hand side of the screen is an expandable map so you can see where your tour guide is taking you.
On the right there is a chat box, where you can meet your fellow tourists and ask questions to the tour guide if you so wish. There were over 100 people on my tour!
And guess what? You can even take photographs on screen whilst on the tour and send postcards direct to your friends via WhatsApp! How cool is that!
Cost – the cost is down to you. It’s a tipping service. You’re given the option at the end to tip. You don’t have to, but like many occupations in the tourist industry tour guides have seen their income drop significantly…
Length – my tour was 30 minutes, but they vary.
A quick overview of my tour
A Night Stroll Under the Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto
My tour guide, Kinya was lovely, super friendly and very knowledgeable.
Camera in hand, he strolled down Shirakawa Street in Kyoto’s Higashiyama Neighbourhood famous for its Geisha houses and beautiful spring cherry blossoms.
We were treated to the rosy, pink canopy of blooms in all its glory. Sakura, sakura everywhere…absolutely gorgeous!
Kinya provided us with a brief history of the relationship between the Japanese people and the cherry trees as he wandered. He shared the philosophical connotations behind the cherry blossoms, and how this is woven into the fabric of Japanese life.
Just look at Japanese literature, art, poems and media – invariably you will see the cherry blossom!
He gave an insight into how cherry blossom, the national flower of Japan, marks the beginning of spring and with it, the symbolism of hope, beauty and new life.
How much we need that right now!
He explained that normally at this time of year, people would gather under the pink blossoms for Hanami (Sakura viewing). Hanami parties are a way for people to shed off the winter and welcome in the joy of spring. This year, having just emerged from a national lockdown, the usual gatherings for Hanami are not permitted.
Our guide also showed us some of the traditional style wooden housing and a Shinto Temple (Shintoism is one of the main religions in Japan alongside Buddhism), and explained its significance and relationship with the Geisha community of Kyoto.
Oh and he even told us about the different types of cherry blossom…
A whistle stop trip – all that in 30 minutes!
What was a highlight?
As I said, I love cherry blossom and I’ve always wanted to go to Japan in spring. This tour gave me the opportunity to gain a little glimpse into what I would experience if I were to go.
Did it satiate my desire to travel to Japan? No, of course not. In actuality, it has put it high on the list of places to visit post lockdown! A little taster before the real thing!
If you fancy this trip book quick! The blossoms will rain down soon!
Any negatives?
Not really, only that I want to be there in person!
Will I take any more virtual trips?
Absolutely! This has wet my appetite for more.
There are so many on offer and what a great way to learn something new!
Next stop: Pink City (Jaipur)
Feeling inspired…
After my virtual Kyoto Trip with Heygo I felt inspired to revisit some poems I’ve written with Sakura in mind…
A Response to Lockdown
Let's take this time to contemplate, the small and delicate pleasures in life, The emerging spring, the abundant fragility of cherry blossom, and the whispering tales of the wind. Let's be grounded, with two feet firmly rooted to the earth. And let's, with our hearts, branch out, calmly and with tender care.
Wishing for Sunnier Days
Tavistock Square, under grey London skies. Gandhi, dripping with rain. Protective branches of a cherry blossom, sweeping arms, bent low, damp and laden with rose coloured snow. Those old black boots, frosted with sweet flower falls. Umbrella in mourning with rain. Silently praying for reasons why and wishing for sunnier days. In answer, Sakura whispers… her blossoms, shroud in secrets. Of fleeting pleasures, ephemeral glances. Bound loose, open and transient, to the spring of eternal love.
Enjoy your trip!
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