Photo By: Natalie Priddle

Top Readers’ Photos In Japan: March 2020

Kicking it old school.

March in Japan marks the start of the much-awaited cherry blossom season. Normally, this would be the time to plan out that insta-worthy cherry blossom viewing party. However, because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, those plans were likely placed on an indefinite raincheck.

Even still, as we spend our time indoors we can live vicariously through photos taken just a month ago to keep our chins up and help us move forward. For this month’s theme, we’re taking it back a few hundred years and featuring a more traditional side of Japan.

Every month, we select our favorite travel images from readers. Tag your photo on Instagram with #GaijinPotTravel for a chance to be featured on our site!

10. Good things come in threes. A trip to Asakusa wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Senso-ji Temple.

9. Meiji Jingu’s garden providing a calm place amongst the chaos.

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Good morning beautiful people! Ohayou gozaimasu! おはようございます! The best part about living in Tokyo is that there’s an endless list of things to do. New cafes, restaurants, art galleries, exhibitions, gardens, festivals, observation decks, markets.. I’m completely spoiled by the choice. Some places are a little expensive, so when I’m trying to save money, I usually just pick an area and wander around with my camera. On this day I wanted to explore Harajuku’s Meiji Shrine. It’s free to enter the main shrine, but if you want to explore the Inner Garden it’s ¥500 per person. I highly recommend paying the extra yen for the Inner Garden to experience the beautiful traditional tea house, the gorgeous sprawling lake (covered in lillies in summer), seasonal flower displays and of course Kiyomasa’s Well. Kiyomasa’s Well is said to be a cosmic ‘power spot’ where people go to absorb the powerful energy of the bubbling waters. Word on the street is that if you take a photo of the well and set it as your phone background, you will be blessed with good luck! I’ll never forget how lucky I am to live in this magical city! Have you visited Meiji Jingu or the Inner Garden? What season did you go in? ??

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8. Care for some good luck? Check out this adorable rabbit themed charm from Ujigami Shrine in Kyoto.

7. Matsumoto Castle is nicknamed “Crow Castle” because of its dark exterior and is the oldest castle in Japan. Cool, huh?

6. That gradient, tho. Definitely worth the early wake-up call. Taken at Oarai Isosaki Shrine in Ibaraki.

5. Nagoya Castle is lookin’ pretty majestic from this perspective.

4.  A not-so-hidden secret within the busy Tokyo metropolis is Nezu Shrine.

3. Kinkaku-ji shining as bright as ever.

2. Stunning at any time of day, Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a quintessential Kyoto landmark.

1. It doesn’t get any more classic than the Kamakura’s Great Buddha.

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Join our Cherry Blossom Contest that runs until April 30 from home! Use #GaijinPotSakura2020 and #StayatHome when posting your entries!

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In these trying times, it's important to cheer each other up and think positive. #Stayathome and post your original sakura photos from any year whether it was taken in 2020 or 2001 to enter our #GaijinPotSakura2020 photo contest. We’ll re-share some of the best ones throughout the week to keep everyone in good spirits! ⁠ ⁠ You could win a pair of Shinkansen tickets that can be redeemed at any time, regardless of the year (just let us know before you arrive) or a goodie box filled with sakura snacks that are perfect for munching while you're stuck at home!⁠ ⁠ We’re here for you. Leave a comment down below and let us know how you are. ⁠ ⁠ ( Photo credit: @m.e.rlyn )⁠ ⁠ #かんひざくら #cherryblossoms #gaijinpotsakura2020 #gaijinpotsakura #gaijinpottravel #gaijinpotgiveaway #sakura #cherryblossoms #contestgram #giveawaycontest #japangiveaway #? #cherryblossomstokyo #cherryblossomsjapan #sakuratokyo #sakuraseason #sakuraseason2020 #photocompetition #tokyo #cherryblossom #instagramjapan #spring #nature #tokyo2020 #sakuraphotography #桜 #tokyosakura #tokyosakura2020

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