in flames
After a further walk around I left for the streets, headed west and then chanced upon the sprawling Ninna-ji 仁和寺 complex, looking particularly resplendent with sakura 桜 in bloom throughout.
Seen here, the lower structure of the temple's bell tower, crisp branches and fluffy flowers.
memory lane
The grounds of Ryōan-ji 龍安寺 were mostly empty.
These days, with four times the number of tourists visiting Japan annually, perhaps it would be rarer to have this experience.