Smorgasbloom!!

I really wanted to experience spring in Japan because of the cherry blossoms.

Obviously, a big chunk of my Japan trip was all about searching for the best spot for sakura watching.

I’m glad Tokyo and Kyoto did not disappoint. Sakura hunting in Yokohama was a bust though. It was all about family time in Yokohama.

Although it seemed like cherry trees are found just about anywhere in Japan, here were the spots we were able to visit and enjoyed the  spectacular view of the blossoms:

1.  Ueno Park

Number 1 in my list is Ueno park. First of all, it was within walking distance from our hotel. Also, the cherry blossom tunnel inside was such a beauty. It was crowded though as Ueno Park is one of the popular places to do hanami (cherry blossom party). Plus, when we arrived it was the first day for the peak bloom of the sakura.

2.  Ryogoku (near Edo Tokyo Museum)

The area surrounding the Edo Tokyo Museum is not really a popular spot to do cherry blossom watching. But I loved its university campus vibe. I loved the trees lining up the street beside the museum. I couldn’t help but imagine, discounting the fact that we don’t have spring in the Philippines, how UP’s Acad Oval would look like if it were  lined with cherry trees.

Last days in Japan: The family that eats together…

The last leg of our trip was devoted to spending time with my Tita Gie and her family.

While ate and I frolicked at Sanrio Puroland, my brother was touring around Yokohama with my Tita and her daughter, Ate Mari. When we were done revisiting our childhood, we were picked up at the Higashi-Kanagawa station (on route, we experienced what we had tried to avoid for the past days, riding the train during peak hours)  and headed to Yokohama where Tita Gie and husband lives.

We had dinner with the entire family and then headed to Ate Mari’s place where we would stay during our last days in Japan.

We started the next day by doing a little shopping at Ikea. Had another shop envy and yet again hoped for somebody to bring Ikea to Manila.

We were famished by the time we  checked out our purchases especially my nephew, Ryota. The poor kid had to tag along while we do our rounds. Our next stop was the most logical choice, Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.

The Ramen Museum was designed as if it were a neighborhood in the 50s. The highlights of the museum, however, are the 8 ramen shops sourced from the different parts of Japan.

Japan Day 6: Just Imperial Palace (because I can’t think of a fun title)

We left Kyoto in the early morning again aboard a shinkansen. But not before saying goodbye to our hosts.

We stayed in Matsubaya Inn, a  family operated ryokan. The Msatsubaya Inn is centrally located. Within walking distance from Kyoto station and found within a picturesque neighborhood.

Like any other ryokan (Japanese traditional hotel), at Matsubaya Inn we slept on futons which we had to lay out every night on top of the tatami mats. And we were able to treat ourselves to hot cups of green tea each night.

saying goodbye to the proprietor of our kyoto hotel. when we left, the cherry blossoms were starting to fall on the ground. too sad.

We hoped to see Mount Fuji but it was cloudy and Fuji-san was nowhere to be found. When we got to Tokyo station, we left our luggages in a coin operated locker and soon made our way to the Imperial Palace for our guided tour. One could only get inside the palace via a guided tour  and to be able to join the tour,  you need to make a reservation in advance with the Imperial Household Agency which I was able to do a couple of months back.

while waiting for our tour. we came from the Tokyo station. The facade was under renovation that time but the brick building was still very prominent.

The sun was at its brightest that day. Well, we dont call Japan as the Land of the Rising Sun for nothing!!

It was too hot and we did all we could to protect ourselves from the sun. But the sky was beautiful. A good backdrop for the pink cherry blossoms.

From top-left clockwise: (1) yamashita-dori; (2) nijubashi bridge; (3) ate covered up; (4) fujimi yagura tower ; and (5) fushimi yagura tower

After our tour, we headed to the East Garden. Unlike the Imperial Palace grounds you don’t need to make a reservation to be able to visit the East Garden. It is a favorite picnic spot for locals and tourists alike. We didn’t last long though because it was just too hot.

it was too hot. we decided to eat an ice cream treat from the vendo found at one of the rest stops just outside east garden

We quickly went back to our hotel, had an early dinner and discovered the wonders of vendo dining. But I’ll save that for another post.

We ended our day early to recuperate after days of traveling.

cheers,

Japan Day 5: Silver and Gold… and blur

It was raining on our 2nd and last day in kyoto. But the rain didn’t stop our sightseeing. After all, we had lots of places to to tackle.

To start our day, we had gyudon for breakfast. For 250 yen a bowl, it was our cheapest meal ever!!

Our first stop was at Ginkankuji Temple, or more known as the Silver Pavilion. Ginkankuji was inspired by Kinkankuji or the Golden Pavilion. It was supposed to get the silver leaf treatment but the people behind its construction never got around to doing it. It nonetheless retained the name. To get to temple, we  had to do a short hike. Since it was raining, I got to have my quintessential Japanese moment, walking  in the rain with a see-through umbrella.

Japan Day 4: Of Buses and (Bullet) Trains

We left Tokyo aboard a shinkansen. Packed with our bento boxes and snacks, we were prepared for the 3-hour ride to Kyoto.

JR pass is really worth buying. Imagine, for a 7-day pass which costs about 28,000 yen each, we got an unlimited ride for a week at all JR trains which included the Yamanote line (the circular line which stops at all major areas in Tokyo), the line going to Kyoto (and even as far as Osaka) and back again (which alone would have set as back for 26,000 yen), line going to Yokohama (where Tita Gie lives) and many others. Sulit talaga!

Since it was tourist season, the seats we were able to reserve were separate from each other. I just decided to sleep during the train ride. A couple of hours later, my brother woke me up and prodded me to look out the window. There  in all its glory was Mt. Fuji. According to travel books, Fuji-san is very elusive. You would only get to see it on a clear day. Lucky lucky us 🙂

Japan Day 3: Hachiko and the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world

A couple of years back I saw Richard Gere’s film about this dog who would wait for his owner (played by Richard Gere) to return from work at the local train station. The owner died and the dog would still go back to the train station hoping to see his owner again. Anyway, I cried buckets watching that film. A couple of quick internet research and I learned that the film was a remake of a Japanese film who was in turn based on a true story of a dog of the same name who for years would wait at the Shibuya station for his long dead master. His story was so moving that, in his honor, there is a Hachiko statue erected just outside the station.

From then on, I vowed to pay the Hachiko statue a visit. On our 3rd day in Tokyo, I did just that. Wee…

Our third day also marked the first extensive use of our JR passes. Early in the morning, we took the Yamanote line and stopped at the Harajuku station.

We went for a trek (yep, I consider that a trek) to the Meiji Shrine. Stopped by a bit at the refreshment shop and had Sakura flavored soft-served ice cream. Wee!!!

on our way to the shrine, we saw the biggest wooden torii (shrine gate) of that style in Japan which was made from a 1500 yr old cypress tree

Before heading to the shrine, we did the washing of the hands and mouth rites. It was serene inside the complex. We were surrounded by forest and the people were very quiet. The smell of nature didn’t agree with me though.

us performing the cleaning(?) rites and leaving our wishes and prayer at the temple

Japan Day 2: To Old Tokyo and Back

Tired from the previous day’s excitement, our 2nd day started late.  Instead of heading directly to Asakusa, we decided to go back to Ueno Park and eat the bento boxes we bought at the station.

we were all around ueno that morning. exchanged our JR orders for our passes, bought lunch, had picnic at ueno park (again) and spent a considerable amount of time looking for the shitamachi bus stop to catch the bus which would take us to asakusa. one resident suggested us taking a cab. hahaha. at least, we didn't look like tourists on a budget. in japan the citizens are richer than the tourists, even that man above with the interesting headdress.

Our 2nd day was all about Old Tokyo. So while we got our JR passes early in the day, we didn’t use them and instead got a one day pass for the Shitamachi bus and all city buses operated by Toie company.

Since we were running late, we decided to go to Ryogoku and visit the Edo Tokyo Museum. We took the wrong bus though and ended up outside the Tokyo Sky Tree. It wasn’t really part of our itinerary but we didn’t pass up the opportunity to have our photos taken with the tower.

we took the wrong shitamachi bus and ended up at the tokyo sky tree.

Japan Day 1: Of premium seats and sakura explosion

I’ve always dreamed of going to Japan. Last year, I was closed to realizing my dream. Bought our tickets, booked our accommodations and prepared our IT. But, March 11 happened and the rest was history.

This year was different. I finally got to go!! Weee.

Our day started early. I didn’t sleep actually so I was a little groggy when my ate picked me up at around 4am. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that we were bumped to the premium class 🙂 The flight was uneventful but we were happy we were fully rested in preparation for our high-activity vacation!!

We arrived at Narita at around 1pm. We immediately got one-way tickets to Ueno via Keisei Skyliner. We were cheapskates and got the train with the cheapest fare so we ended up taking an 80 min train ride to the city.

Our hotel was very close to the Ueno Station and was very easy to find.  Thanks to the detailed instructions we got from our hotel’s website. We rested a bit and soon got a message that our Tita Gie was already waiting for us at the lobby. When we got down, we were surprised to see our cousins, Ate Marie and her family and Kuya Keiichi. After a short reunion at the hotel lobby, we headed out for dinner.

our no muss, no fuss hotel. i highly recommend for the location and its super friendly and helpful staff. had our mini reunion with our tita gie at the hotel’s lobby.

But not before dropping by at Ueno Park to experience our first sakura in full bloom. The blossoms were breathtaking. The park was jampacked.

cherry blossom watching at ueno park. i was blinded by the white and pink blooms all around the park, they were like little balls of cotton

All my bags are packed, I’m raring to go!

Just got my passport, JR pass exchange order and dollars from my brother!! Woot woot…

I’m so excited to go. I wish it were Saturday already.

Oh, these 5 days will be torture!

cheers,

Countdown to Kitty Chang

It’s official. Nine more days and I’m off to the land of Hello Kitty.

I cant wait to go an a picnic under the cherry blossoms. For now, I must satisfy myself with photos!

source: http://www.japan-guide.com

source:www.panoramio.com (photo by user miyo0117)

source:www.virtualtourist.com (photo by user rabbityama)

cheers,