Japan is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. What I love about this unique place is their language, culture, food and nature scenery. Furthermore, with their 4 distinct seasons, you can visit this amazing place any time of the year.
In 2006, I visited Japan in spring season to witness the sights of cherry blossoms, also known as Sakura. In order to view the cherry blossoms blooming, you need some planning and luck especially if your trip is short. The best time to enjoy Hanami in Tokyo is around late March to Mid April.
Haru (春 . はる) = SpringSakura (櫻 . さくら) = Cherry Blossoms
Hanami (花見 . はなみ) = Flower viewing / viewing of Cherry Blossoms
Origami (折り紙 . おりがみ) = The art of paper folding
Owaraji (お草鞋 . おわらじ) = Big Straw Sanda
First stop, we went to Ueno Park in Tokyo. This is a public park which attracts many visitors during the spring season. People come to this park for the rows of cherry trees, and this is also a very popular place to hold Hanami parties; people will sing, dance and eat under the trees of beautiful flowers.
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| Rows of Cherry Trees in Ueno Park. |
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| Cherry Blossoms at peak bloom. |
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| Festival stalls lined up the street. |
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| Grilled Fish can be found in the festival stalls |
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| close up with Sakura. |
After all the Sakura photos at Ueno Park, we went to Asakusa district to visit the Sensoji Temple which is the most famous temple in Tokyo. And within the same compound, we also managed to see Asakusa Shrine and Dempoin Temple. All these temples can be easily reached by foot.
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| Kaminarimon (Kaminari Gate) |
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| Sensoji with Sakura decoration |
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| Colorful Origami |
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| The Giant Straw Sandal - Owaraji |
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| Japanese Paper Lanterns with Sakura |
Next we went to the Tokyo Imperial Palace, the former ground of Edo Castle and also the residence of Japan’s Imperial family. Although the inner area of the palace is closed for the public, you still can visit the outer garden, east garden and the park. Do check out the beautiful Niju-bashi Bridge from a distance across the moat to get a picturesque view.
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| Nijubashi |
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| The Front Gate of Imperial Palace |
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| Statue of Kusunoki Masashige outside Tokyo's Imperial Palace |
In the night after our dinner, we walked around Ikebukuro area, and I bumped into my childhood friend, Sonic. So nice to say Hello to him!
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| Mascot Sonic at 池袋ギーゴ in Ikebukuro |
That's all for my 1 trip day in Tokyo, these are the places you can visit if you only have 24hrs in Tokyo.
Next stop, Hakone . 箱根町
:::::::::: What We Saw ::::::::::
Ueno Park
Address: 〒110-0007 東京都台東区 上野公園・池之端三丁目
Location: Click Here for Map
Getting There: Alight at Keisei Ueno Station / Ueno Station >> walk >> Ueno Park
Year visited: 2006
Asakusa Shrine
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa Taito, Tokyo 111-0032 Japan
Location: Click Here for Map
Getting There: Alight at Asakusa Station >> walk >> Asakusa Shrine
Year visited: 2006
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Tokyo Imperial Palace
Address: 〒100-8111 Tokyo, Chiyoda, 千代田１−１
Location: Click Here for Map
Getting There: Alight at Tokyo Station >> walk >> Imperial Palace
Year visited: 2006
Nijubashi Bridge . 二重橋
Address: 1-1 Kokyogaien Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0002 Japan
Location: Click Here for Map
Getting There: Alight at Tokyo Station >> walk >> Nijubashi Bridge
Year visited: 2006
池袋ギーゴ . SEGA
Address: 1 Chome-21-1 Higashiikebukuro Toshima, Tokyo 170-0013 Japan
Location: Click Here for Map
Getting There: Alight at Ikebukuro Station >> walk >> 池袋ギーゴ
Year visited: 2006 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Following Trip: 2008 Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
Written by: Q.J.
Photography by: Q.J.
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