A Special Forces-Style 2-Day Weekend Dash Through Kyoto for Cherry Blossoms!

A Weekend Warrior's Shanghai-Kyoto Round Trip to Catch the Last of the Cherry Blossoms Saturday early morning Shanghai-Osaka flight 7:00-10:20, prepared for a smooth immigration process. With Haruka delayed by 40 minutes, decisively opted for the bus. Bus departed at 11:20, arrived in Kyoto around 13:00 after a 1.5-hour journey. Headed straight to Philosopher's Path from Kyoto Station. Day 1 Route: Philosopher's Path - Daifuku Shrine - Nanzen-ji Temple - Maruyama Park - Kodai-ji Temple. Power walked the entire route, finished touring by 16:30 and returned to hotel. Stayed near Shijo Kawaramachi, very convenient with shopping right downstairs. After shopping at drugstores, returned to hotel for a brief rest and even managed to join a conference call. Went downstairs for dinner at 19:00, walked to Takase River (8-minute walk) to photograph cherry blossoms at night. Found a random yakitori place in Kiyamachi, after dinner took a digestive walk along Kamo River. Day 2 Route: Woke up early to visit Sewaritei (unfortunately it rained on April 13), only stayed briefly. Took train from Sewaritei to Fushimi Jukkokubune (30 minutes). The Fushimi boat rides start at 10:00, so arriving around 9:30 is fine. Fushimi Jukkokubune was in its cherry blossom snowfall period - Kyoto's aesthetics are truly flawless and extremely photogenic. Left at 11:00 for Takashimaya to grab lunch and continue shopping. Afternoon bus to Kansai Airport 17:10-18:49, more shopping at duty-free shops, finished shopping and caught the 21:30 flight back home.