Hanami

Post date: Apr 06, 2014 9:26:52 AM

Konichi-wa from Tokyo Arrived last night for a v short stay. Leave Tuesday. Have meeting Mon and Tuesday so today was my sightseeing day. The cherry blossoms have been blooming for about 3 weeks. Unfortunately there were storms here last week so blooms definitely passed their best. However I found some. Probably the single most beautiful tree is the one right outside the hotel which has its own sense of irony but I travelled much further to see trees. I did not go to Imperial Palace where for the first time in 30 years the gardens have been opened to the public. As the queues for this were reportedly hours long I thought I should leave that privilege for the Japanese. This shot was taken at Ueno Park which was one of the places Adrian has recommended for cherry blossoms. Picnicking under the cherry blossoms (hanami) is meant to bring you good fortune - certainly many people were hoping so judging from the large number of picnickers.

Also visited the Rainbow Bridge. I don't think this bridge celebrates homosexual relationships which is what Rainbow connections appear to mean in NZ but I think refers to the evening lights. Anyway bridge is about 3km suspension bridge from Tokyo side to an Island that is created from reclaimed land. Has lovely beaches and v large shopping malls with Lego land, Madam Tussads etc. I do find myself doing things that I think Tony would have liked - certainly walking on the edge of a suspension bridge 22m above the sea is not the easiest thing I have ever done. But I did it.