Late March brings cherry blossoms to the ponds of Sankeien, and by November the garden's old Kyoto pagoda stands among red leaves. Early June adds fireworks over the harbor for the port's birthday, and a Lunar New Year lion dance fills Chinatown with drums in winter. The same waterfront walk feels like a different trip in every season.
Away from the bay, the hills of Yamate keep Western houses from the treaty-port days, and Motomachi's shops run along the river below. Summers here are hot and humid, while winters turn chilly and drier. A Local Friend keeps the plan loose, so a sudden shower becomes a long lunch in Chinatown and a clear afternoon sends you back to the water.
