13817

Last Sunday we checked out the irises at Horikiri Park and decided that even though a week had passed, we should check out the park that we missed in Kanamachi.

Well, it was good that we did, but also bad because it was so krazy hot.

Thank goodness that ant wasn't real...

There weren't many irises left...boo!

But, it was so nice to see open skies!

To take off our masks while walking with no one else around

Best thing 400 yen (tax included) could buy!

It doesn't look like anyone is around...we're all in the shade!

Loved this metal artwork in the window frames of the Green Plaza, a community center on the property.

We'll be back for the sakura (cherry blossoms) and maybe this Fall...anyway we'll be back when it is cooler...

Mizumoto Park

3-2 Mizumotokoen

Katsushika, Tokyo

Open 24 hours

tamagawadai park

I've known about this park since we moved here, but it was my first time to check it out.

This park is about 15 minutes by train from where we live and is next to the Tamagawa Sengen Shrine

There are many kofun (historical burial mounds) throughout the park and some cherry trees, and if I am not mistaken there are about 3000 hydrangea plants.

There were many families out and about especially with their dogs.

In the park is a little pond with water lilies...so pretty!

This little guy had a net so big, not sure what he intended on catching with it, but I'm pretty sure he would fit in it!

It was a beautiful area to walk around and hard to believe this was in Tokyo.

I'm glad we checked out this place and it was nice to bond with nature for a little bit...we'll be back.

Tamagawadai Park

1-63-1 Denenchofu

Ota, Tokyo

Open daily

hibiya park

One place that Satoshi found near his workplace is Hibiya Park.

This park is large and a nice way to get away from the hustle of the city for a bit.

He said he eats his lunch here.

From his photos, I think this is Kumogata Pond.

I haven't explored this park (yet), but look forward to in the future.

Have a safe weekend everyone.

merry christmas

Merry Christmas! Hope you are enjoying the holidays.

Unfortunately it isn't a holiday here, so Satoshi went to work.

I went to Gotanda to check out the Nemu no Ki no Niwa...Nemu no Ki is a Persian Silk Tree...Niwa is Garden.

This tiny park is located on the land where the former Empress Michiko's childhood home once stood.

I think this would be nice to visit in Spring, when there are more flowers blooming...I'll be back.

Lunch was from Ikedayama.

Their tuna tapenade...tuna mixed with olive tapenade in a baguette...delicious!

And their croquant...reminded me of kouign amann....mmm! this version had lots of walnuts.

They have a seats to eat at...I'll be back!

When I got my new cell phone, the cell company gave me 3000 yen to spend using mobile payment called "pay pay" for being a long time customer.

It was my first time using it at the market and I'm glad the cashier knew what to do.

The weather is fahreezing, grey and cloudy...hope you are having a good week!

Ikedayama
5-10-18 Higashigotanda
Shinagawa, Tokyo
Phone: 03.5488.8046
Open daily 8:00-19:00

shinjuku gyoen

Sunday I went to Shinjuku to do a little shopping.

Since I got there before the department stores opened, I walked over to Shinjuku Gyoen to check out the fall colors.

It was pretty early, so there weren't the krazy crowds.

There was a man pulling leaves off the tree branches that were "interrupting" his shot of this pond...ahem!

Most of the leaves were yellowish-brownish in color.

The reddish ones were only at the very tippy tops of the trees.

Still, I'm glad I got to bond with nature a little.

If you'd like to see more pictures/videos, check here.

shinjuku

Spent most of Tuesday with V and K.

Since their flight back to Hawaii wasn't until almost midnight, they had lots of time to kill after check-out.

We first walked part of Kita-Shinagawa, which Satoshi and I first explored back in May.

Then we took the Yamanote line to Shinjuku, where we had V's favorite tonkatsu at Katsukura.

The yuba wrapped veggies (cut into pieces) were delicious.

While the chestnut mushroom croquette (not cut) didn't really have much chestnut in it.

Talk about kanak attack afterwards...for those of you who don't know what that is, kanak (kah-nack) attack is when you eat way too much then feel super sleepy afterwards...(thank you again for lunch)

V and K did some shopping and then we went to check out Shinjuku Gyoen.

A huge park literally in the middle of the city.

There is a small admission fee, but it is worth it.

It was my first time here and I look forward to maybe braving the crowds for cherry blossom season (maybe).

I'm glad we got to spend more time together and got most of V's shopping done.

I hope they enjoyed their trip and had a safe trip back to Hawaii.

Katsukura
Shinjuku Takashimaya 14F
Hours: 11:00-23:00
Open when Takashimaya is

Shinjuku Gyoen
11 Naitomachi
Shinjuku, Tokyo
Hours: 09:00-16:30 (Entry until 16:00)
Closed Monday (if Monday is a national holiday, closed the next day), New Year's (Dec. 29th-Jan. 3rd)

inokashira park

Last year, we said farewell to Satoshi's friend, Gen.

Since then, his family moved out of his company housing and back to Kichijoji, which is where his wife, Kinuko is actually from.

Ever since we moved to Tokyo, Kinuko and I have been trying to coordinate getting together and finally were able to last Thursday.

From the Keio Kichijoji station, Inokashira Park is about an 8 minute walk.

The park is huge!

This was the first time I've seen canned bread and cat purses in a vending machine.

And super spicy snacks.

We had crepes at Cafe de Lievre while we chatted and watched all the doggies out for walks and rides in their strollers.

Even though this was the first time Kinuko and I had actually sat down to chat, I'm glad we were able to find some things in common.

Hopefully we'll be able to get together again more often.

Satoshi also wants me to bring him here, so we'll be back.

Inokashira Park
1-18-31 Gotenyama
Musashino, Tokyo

Cafe de Lievre
1-19-43 Gotenyama
Musashino, Tokyo
Phone: 0422.43.0015
Hours: 10:30-19:00

tire park

There is a park I've been wanting to check out called Tire Park.

From the Keikyu Zoshiki station it is about a 10 minute walk.

Apparently, they use old tires from airplanes and trucks.

I think Satoshi said that the tire he is posing in was from an airplane...big yeah?!

It was something to see.

I'm glad we got to check it out.

Nishi-Rokugo Tire Park
1-6-1 Nishi-rokugo
Ota, Tokyo

me time

I often have a lot of me time, but recently I've had more than usual.

Satoshi has been helping with a little league tournament, and he's had drinking thingies with various school baseball alumni so he's been MIA many weeknights and the past two weekends.

Anyway, since the ume was blooming at Hattori Ryokuchi, I decided to check it out on Saturday.

Finding where the ume was blooming in the park was tricky as the map of the park does not specifically indicate "ume forest" or anything like that.

So I was walking towards the Japanese garden where I thought it might be but stumbled upon the trees in their "round flower bed" area....

Click on this photo to see the short video.

It was definitely nice to get out and about.

Especially since we've had dreary rainy weather and the temps dropped back down to single digits.

Even with the sun out, the wind was still very icy.

The weather dude says that we will have warmer "almost summer-like" temps next week...which I hope he is wrong because the sakura (cherry blossoms) will start blooming and then we really will nose dive into summer...

Lunch was at Zenigata.

The only thing I order here is their keema curry udon.

I forgot how spicy it was...and it is still delicious.

Almost halfway through March...too fast!