Wisteria: Uji Byodoin vs. Nara Manyo Botanical Garden 🌿

On Monday (April 21, 2025), I visited Uji Byodoin, where the wisteria was in full bloom. 🎢🌟 On Tuesday (April 22), I went to Nara; for photos, see the previous note. 🌸🍃Byodoin's wisteria mainly has two locations, one inside and one outside the temple. The shapes are relatively simple, just two large pavilions. With a ticket, you can capture the wisteria framing Byodoin. 🎢🌟 Even without a ticket, the wisteria outside the gate is stunning. 🌸🍃The outer circle has shorter, grape-like clusters, while the center has longer, more ethereal strands. The light outside the gate is better . 🎢🌟 After the 17:30 closing time, using the red walls as a backdrop for portraits creates a very clean look. Many people are torn between Uji and Nara for wisteria viewing: 🌸🍃Sightseeing: Uji has Byodoin, while Nara has Kasuga Taisha and Todai-ji. Nara wins here. Food: Uji is famous for matcha, while Nara is known for Manyo porridge. Uji takes the lead in this category. Wisteria: Nara has a greater variety and better-shaped wisteria. Nara is the clear winner here. 🌸🍃 Experience: Uji has the Uji River, and Nara has deer. The Uji River is lovely, but petting deer on an empty stomach is not ideal. Nara wins big here. 🌸🍃 If you can only visit one, it has to be Nara. #Kyoto 🌿#Wisteria 🌿 #UjiVsNara 🌿