Arriving a week too early for the Cherry blossoms. Staying a few days in Ginza as it is close to Tokyo station. Strolling around Shinjuku Gyoen, most of the cherry trees were ready to bloom. Some yoshino cherry trees escorted by a few plum trees were already in full blooms. I had wondered in the past, why the cherry trees back at home were not as magical as the ‚sakura’ although they are the same kind. After visiting the park I realized, the ‚Sakura‘ is magical when it is leaning toward the water and attended by the black pines, trained well to stand with their dancing posture in an open area. Pretty was the young Japanese mother dressed in her traditional kimono. Perfect for my shots.
Asakusa was pleasant, however, it was not for us as we both are not lover of ponzu sauce. The river bank was a bit too cold at that time of the year and it looked bleak without any green. The only color we got were from a few tourists taking pleasure enjoying being a Japanese in their rented kimonos.
The next morning, we decided to take the Shinkansen and headed toward Fujikawaguchiko with it‘s best Hoto noodles.
On the fourth day, heading to Kyoto for a few days.
Before leaving Japan, decided to be back to Tokyo and spent a night in the hotel next to Ueno park to celebrate the first night of Sakura festival at the park and to see Tokyo in bloom. The day started with the blue sky. Later on just before dusk, a few shower on and off. Despite the chilly weather, crowds were still lingering underneath the cherry blossoms (Hamami) with their SAKE to keep them warm.
The next morning, I planned to wake up before sunrise, to go to the park, which is only few steps away. However, the night before was too long and the flu was getting worse. By the time we got to the park, the crowds had already beaten us. Walking around the *too many* crowds is not my thing, as I need space to take my shot. We decided to go back to the hotel after walking around the park for one last chance before heading to the airport earlier than we had planned.
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