The Regent’s Weeping Cherry

This weeping cherry tree at the entrance to Sanboin at Daigo-ji in Kyoto is associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who in 1598 gathered over 700 cherry trees from across the region for a famous blossom-viewing banquet and oversaw a major restoration of the temple. An annual cherry blossom event on the second Sunday of April commemorates his contribution. The tree was depicted in a painting by Okumura Togyu that became well-known enough to be reproduced as a postage stamp. Nearby stands the world's first cloned cherry tree, planted in 2004. The combination of historical weight and living horticulture makes this corner of Daigo-ji worth seeking out during blossom season.