7 Apr 2015

Night Sakura, Tokyo, April 2015

by KumaDog | posted in: Saitama, Spring | 0

Night Sakura, Tokyo, April 2015 – Last weekend we took the opportunity to visit a new yakiniku restaurant and attend a local night sakura viewing festival. Hanami time is so far one of my favorite times of the year in Japan. The trees are beautiful, the temperatures are rising and you can feel the eagerness an d light hearted feeling of everyone around you as we all know spring is coming into bloom and summer will soon be here. We made our way to the park and as we approached we could see the first sakura lit only by the night sky of moon and stars. Once in the park lanterns of different shapes and colors were strung across the open areas and also generously amongst the trees. What a beautiful site. The place was fairly crowded on this cool spring night. Families, friends, groups of people from work and school all came out to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms at night.

25 Mar 2015

Spring is Close and the Sakura Are Coming Alive

by KumaDog | posted in: Spring, Tokyo, Ueno | 0

Sakura trees are blooming now. Really glad spring is finally coming to Tokyo. We have been lucky as the winter was mild compared to last year…but it has been long. Sometimes I thought it would never end; the cold days and short nights. But on a recent trip to Ueno Park to visit Bentin Summa and see the lake coming back to life…I was surprised to see the cherry blossoms sprouting and the trees filling the twilight with a pink hue against a blue sky. I love this country.

3 Apr 2014

Tasting the Essence of Hanami Season in Tokyo

by KumaDog | posted in: Bars, Entertainment, Spring, Tokyo | 0

It’s a bit rainy today but the forecast is for clearing skies around Tokyo for the weekend. Sakura are blooming like mad and maybe now is the perfect time for a Hanami Party with friends and lovers.

Hanabi is popular Bar in Meguro — View from Hanabi tables

We’ve done a little research and have discovered a few pubs, bars and meeting places that are perfect for the Hanami season. Bar Hanabi in Nakameguro is a great place. You can find them at 2-16-11 Aobadai, Meguru-ku, tel. 03-5456-4404. Once you are in Meguro you can find Hanabi on a beautifully cherry blossom lined street. Their website is ( http://www.hanabi-nakame.jp )

Hanabi offers party rental facilities are tables for intimate groups and couples. What I like the most, besides the great food, is that there are more than 100 varieties of cocktails. So great food and drinks in a beautiful little place with an amazing view.

Hanabi Bar offers perfect mix of dood and cocktails — Delicious food available

Meguro is a beautiful city and perfect for watching Sakura or Hanami. At night the lanterns that line the river give a special beauty to the sakura lined walkways and streets that wind through the area. Hanabi offers perfect viewing opportunity to enjoy all of it. Doubt me? Just take a look.

The street around Hanabi, perfect for Hanami season.

Enjoy the soft glow of the lanterns at night. Best idea is to come in the afternoon and watch the changing colors as the sun sets over Meguro. This Hanami season enjoy the sakura from different and new places around Tokyo.

Hanami season in Meguro — View from hanabi

1 Apr 2014

Sakura in full bloom in Tokyo

by KumaDog | posted in: Rivers, Spring, Tokyo | 0

First Sakura – 2014

Spring has finally come to this cold place. Families are out and about, children run and play and enjoy the warm sun and the air is filled with the sweet smell of sakura trees blooming and showing their flowers for the first time since last spring.

Usagi and I spent the day strolling through the neighborhoods of Asakusa and Akihabara, visiting shrines and temples and praying for Japan and for our families.

This is my first time to be in Japan during a glorious spring. I have usually come to stay in the fall and winter and could never understand fully, the attraction for Japanese and for visitors from around the world, the draw, the need to see and bathe in the beauty that are sakura.

We spent part of the afternoon, after visiting the Imato (maneki-neko) shrine in Asakusa we walked across busy streets and crowded passage ways until we made our way to the Sumida gawa (Sumida river). The trees you see here line the river in a park that stretches on for miles. The photo above shows the world famous Tokyo SkyTree which is just on the other side of the Sumida.

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