Visit Japan, Travel Japan, Discover Japan: 2014

4/14/2014

Celebrating Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) Vol. 2

The sakura season, as I mentioned on the previous post, usually starts in early March in the southern part of Japan. And the sakura front finally reaches the northern part of the country in May.

But it all depends on types of cherry blossoms. There are actually many sakura cultivars. Some naturally exist in the nature and some of them start blooming even in January. On the other hand, there are sukuras which are artificially made. Somei-Yoshino is the most famous and popular artificial species of cherry blossoms and people generally refer to it as sakura.

Somei-Yoshino was made for the cultivation (probably for gardening) purpose and has been planted almost everywhere on the Japanese soil. By the way, I heard Some-Yoshino are all clones. Anyway it's exquisite and so enjoyable to watch, more specifically to throw a hanami party under the flowers.

I didn't have much enough time to have a hamami party this season, but just walking down Nakno Street which is one of famous hanami spots in Tokyo is quite fun.

I am listing some of popular hanami spots in Tokyo below.

See also;

1. <The Best Season to Visit Japan - Celebrating Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2014/04/the-best-season-to-visit-japan.html
2. <When To Visit Tokyo> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/09/when-to-visit-tokyo.html

3. <This Is the City Hosting the Olympic Games in 2020 – Scenes of Tokyo> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/09/this-is-city-hosting-olympic-games-in.html

FYI: Popular Hanami Spots in Tokyo

- Ueno Park: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3019.html
The most popular park for hanami. But too crowded. I wouldn't recommend.

- Yoyogi Park: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3034_002.html

I think this park is the best to have a hanami party. It's not so super crowded, because it's spacious. A variety of people enjoy their hanami party everywhere in the park. You can sometimes join their blast, if they are drunk enough.

- Inokashira Park: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inokashira_Park

This park is also recommended. It's less crowded than other famous parks because of the advantage of its location. While other popular parks lie in and around downtown Tokyo, Inokashira Park is a little bit distant from the central area. But it takes only about 20 minutes to reach by a train ride and you can have more mellow time without the hustle and bustle.

- Shinjuku Gyoen: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3034_001.html

Shinjuku Gyoen is also good. But you need to pay entrance fee which is just JPY 200 though.
This park is pretty enjoyable even if it's not in the sherry blossom season. Very beautiful and well maintained.
See also; <Heal yourself in the busiest town in the world> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/heal-yourself-in-busiest-town-in-world.html

- Chidori-ga-Fuchi Park: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/cityscap/chidorigafuchi.html
I haven't been to this place in the cherry blossom season. I just heard viewing the flowers from a boat on the moat is awesome. But I never heard there is a good hanami party spot in and around the park, because it's just nearby the Imperial Palace. You gotta behave yourself.

- Yaskuni Shrine Park: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2321.html
Japan Meteorological Agency uses cherry blossoms of this park as a benchmark to monitor if the cherry blossoms come into bloom in Tokyo. I think this is a OK place for viewing and partying.

- Megro River: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meguro,_Tokyo
This is not a park. But walking down the riverside roads are quite fun. I don't think you can throw a hanami party in the area, but don't worry. There are bunch of ding-out places around there. Choices are variety.

FYI:

Other Hanami Spots in Tokyo: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3050.html
About Somei-Yoshino: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_%C3%97_yedoensis
About Cherry Blossoms: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom

Nakano St.

Nakano St

Nakano St.

4/10/2014

The Best Season to Visit Japan - Celebrating Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)

I can say spring is the beat season to visit Japan. Why? Because the weather is so nice. Not too cold, not too hot and usually sunny. It just makes people feel happy.

In addition to the mild weather, there is another factor that makes the country so adorable. It's the beauty of Sakura ( = cherry blossoms). They first become in full bloom in the southern part of Japan in early March and the sakura front gradually comes up to the north. In the Tokyo area, it usually reaches between in late March and early April.

But just looking at the trees and flowers might be boring. I know some don't care about them. When it comes to tulips, for example, I don't care. What the cherry blossom season makes special in this country is Hanami (= literally flower viewing) . A popular ( probably the most common and enjoyable) hanami style is to hold a picnic party under Sakura flowers. In other words, it's time to eat and drink by leveraging the beauty of sakura and good weather !

Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to throw a hanami party this time in Tokyo. But walking down the streets under the pink decorated sky was still quite fun.

FYI:

About Hanami: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanami
How to Do Hanami: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_how.html
When cherry blossoms to bloom in Japan: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_when.html
Nakano Central Park (Japanese): http://www.nakano-centralpark.jp/
Tetsugakudo Park: http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/175/Tetsugakudo-Park

@ Nakano Central Pk

@ Tetsugakudo Pk

3/23/2014

Typical Winter Days of the Yonezawa Area.

These are the scenes of the winter in the Yonezawa area. The pictures indicate the typical weather conditions of the winter season.

The dreary days usually starts from late October in the region. We hardly have clear days, only 1 or 2 days a week, as Halloween approaches. Those gloomy days last till the end of March.

During the middle of the winter time, everyday is like these photos. All in gray. No sunshine. Freezing. Everybody and everything stop till the snow disappear. What a tough area to live.

See also to compare to the summer scenes;

1. <Summer Photos in the Yonezawa Area Vol 1.> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/08/summer-photos-in-yonezawa-area-vol-1.html
2. <Summer Photos in the Yonezawa Area Vol 2.> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/08/summer-photos-in-yonezawa-area-vol-2.html
3. <Summer Photos in the Yonezawa Area Vol 3.> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/08/summer-photos-in-yonezawa-area-vol-3.html
4. <Summer Photos in the Yonezawa Area Vol 4.> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/08/summer-photos-in-yonezawa-area-vol-4.html
5. <Scenes of the Summer in the Yonezawa Area> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/07/scenes-of-summer-in-yonezawa-area.html

FYI:

Travel info of the Yonezawa Area: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/yamagata/yonezawa.html
Weather in the Yonezawa Region: http://www.thetimenow.com/weather/japan/yonezawa

3/21/2014

@ Yonezawa - Uesgi Snow Lantern Festival

Yonezawa - Uesgi Snow Lantern Festival is the main winter event annually held in the city of Yonezawa, Yamagata. Snow blocks (look like big tofus) are sculptured not only by professional artists but by ordinary people (participants to the event).

It was held from February 8th to 9th this year at Uesgi Shrine Park. Usually there is much enough snow to make the snow sculptures at the park, but there wasn't this year. The event staff members had to bring tons of snow up to the venue from the nearest soccer field.

FYI: