“Snow isn’t just pretty. It also cleanses our world and our senses.” — John Burnside

 

As someone from a city where it never snows, I rarely see the cleansing aspect of it. I don't see the whiteness transform into the bright colours hidden underneath, glistening with the dirty washed away.

And yet, in Kyoto, when I left the main hall of Sanjusangendo, what was white was suddenly bright greens and oranges and gleaming in the sunshine, umbrellaed by a crisp blue sky.

That experience was priceless for me. It is rare to see a first in nature by my age, yet it never ceases to astound me.

Sightseeing at it's best.