Just few pics from Rikugien Garden.
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Hanami
Hanami means “flower viewing” (hana – flower, mi – see) – ancient Japanese tradition to contemplate the beautiful blooming sakura over the nice cup of green tea bear with friends. I think it is one of the most important social events for every Japanese during the year. It is very much like Christmas in Western culture. Time to meet with you friends, relatives, let the bad steam off, recharge you cells and go back to crazy pace of everyday life.
- Blooming Sakura
Odawara Castle in the spring
There is a nice place to visit in spring nearby Tokyo – Odawara. It is directly reached by train from Tokyo and perfectly suits for one day trip. Odawara Castle is one of the many interesting places in this area. I publish just one picture I really like.
Odawara Castle in the spring
Other popular tourists spots are: Ishigakiyama Ichiyajo Historical Park, Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History. Detailed description of the Odawara highlights as well as events schedule can be found here.
Harbor Future 21 of Yokohama
Minato Mirai 21 (“Harbor Future” in English) is a nice place to spend weekend for those who don’t want to go far from Tokyo but still want to experience very special and totally different atmosphere of the city.
Yokohama is the exception among Japanese cities thanks to strong historical influence of tight relations (overseas trade, etc.) with other countries over the time. As a consequence it least reminds “classic” Japanese town having European layout, architecture, broad streets, parks, etc. Foreigners come here to feel themselves at home driven by unavoidable nostalgia in fall.
- Well organized team of Santa Clauses working hard to deliver presents to (or maybe from) jewelry store.
Rock Tatami of Nagatoro
Nagatoro is a small country town in Saitama Prefecture famous for its magnificent sights of blooming sakura, rock cliffs of Arakawa River ravine, legendary mountain Hodo-san (name literally means “mountain which stops fire”), rare weeping cherry trees, …
Last weekend I escaped from ultra-urbanized Tokyo to Nagatoro to enjoy late fall in the open air. The wheather was greeting me with solid leaden clouds and dribbling rain. So, I was able to take only few photos. Please enjoy them with me.
- Arakawa River Ravine
Where Tama starts its journey…
Okutama is beautiful place near Tokyo (only 2 hours by train 
). This mountainous region is famous for its majestic sceneries, hot springs, musical caves. Here are several photos from my last trip to the source of the Tama river (Tamagawa in Japanese) in the heart of Okutama.
Tamagawa's Valley