Before the Pilgrimage Starts - Sakura Viewing!

I planned to spend several days before the Tour to do some Sakura viewing. My first thought was to visit Kyoto but there were problems of overtourism. I decided to go to Wakayama Prefecture, just south of Kansai Airport where I would be flying into. In addition, there was a direct ferry service from Wakayama City to Tokushima City, making it easy to get to the starting point for the Pilgrimage.

There were several Sakura viewing spots near Wakayama Station where I was staying.

Wakayama Castle

Mt. Takatsuko Observatory

Kimii-dera Temple

I would also have a free day in Tokushima City since the first day of the Tour was only checking into the first accommodation in the evening. Just behind my hotel near Tokushima Station was Mt Bizan which had two listed Sakura viewing spots.

Skipped the Naruto spot which was near the Pilgrimage start

Seibu Park

Bizan Park