Hanami in Tokyo & Yokosuka

This year I took a bus tour to see the cherry blossoms (sakura) in Tokyo. It was a beautiful day and the flowers were at their peak. Many people were enjoying hanami (flower viewing), which typically involves lounging on blue tarps and eating and drinking under the trees...with lots and lots of other people!

Sumida Koen

Tokyo Skytree

Weeping sakura (shidarezakura)

Skytree and Sumida River

The most popular place for hanami in Tokyo - Ueno Koen

Hanami time

Awesome setup with shoe cubbies and everything!

Kaneiji Temple

Unusual tree from Kyoto with single/double flowers within the temple grounds

Chidorigafuchi near the Imperial Palace

Yasukuni Shrine

Jizō statues at Zojyoji Temple at the base of the Tokyo Tower

The next set of pictures are from our neighborhood, Sakuragaoka (which literally means "cherry blossom hill"). This year the trees started blooming March 25 and now they are all falling down. In general, the blossoms only last two weeks or less.

Hashi with the sakura in full bloom at a park by our house

Sakura falling

The lanterns are lit up at night

Yozakura - "night sakura"

This is the best my camera can do at night

We walk around this ravine every day

Tokyo skyline with the Skytree way across the bay from our house

Yaezakura - sakura with more than 5 petals

Looking down the hill towards our house

Sunday Stroll: Azabu-Jūban

Azabu-Jūban is a small residential neighborhood in Tokyo literally right behind the bustling Roppongi Hills complex. This area has many embassies and therefore many expats - apparently a lot of celebrities live here too. It's decidedly upscale (lots of fancy luxury cars), but still has a "homey," quaint vibe with traditional Japanese shops nestled among the fancy bakeries and cafes. This neighborhood couldn't be farther from the Roppongi nightlife scene yet it's just a short walk away.

Starting the day off with some delicious yuzu shoyu ramen at Afuri

Early blooming sakura

Admiring the blossoms

500 yen pizzas?? We might be back :)

Dogs, dogs everywhere!

Don't know what this restaurant was, but if there's a line, it's gotta be good

High rise condo building next to a temple

Otaru

As a side trip from Sapporo we went to Otaru. Otaru is a lovely little port city known for its old warehouses, scenic canal, and glassblowing industry. Every winter they build snow sculptures along part of the canal and string lights across it for the magical Otaru Snow Light Path. A winter wonderland!

All aboard! Otaru is about 30 minutes from Sapporo by train.

Steam powered clock, a gift from Vancouver

Inside the Orgel Music Box Museum. I have never seen so many in one place!

Most of them were a little gaudy for my taste

"Bulge man" - Marimokkori, the mascot of Hokkaido

Apparently this is related to some kind of candy...hmm

Hokkaido is known for its seafood

Igor finally noticed the "no photo" sign after he took this LOL

Beginning of the light path

Snowplow train