sakura walk (kinuta park)

Yesterday, I had a dental appointment which I found out that I need some work to be done after Golden Week...boo!

Afterwards, I went one train station over to an area called Yoga and walked to Kinuta Park.

There are signs that lead you through a beautiful kind of artsy neighborhood.

Kinuta Park was huge!

Though there are areas where bicycles and pets are not allowed.

The cherry trees look huge but are several trees growing in a cluster.

I noticed many people having their lunch with wine!

And the concession stand was also selling alcohol.

The winds picked up while I was there making cherry blossom blizzards.

Hope to check out a few more places this weekend.

sakura walk (inokashira park)

Yesterday was one of the only days with a "sunny" mark in the weather forecast (other days started out sunny but was expected to get cloudy in the afternoon).

I got out and about early and went to Inokashira Park.

The amount of boats/swan paddle thingies in the pond was krazy!

The sun was out and it was warm but every so often there was a cool/cold breeze.

I bought a bacon avocado baguette and a pistachio bread filled with sakura flavored cream cheese from Boulangerie Epee and found a bench to sit on and have lunch.

The baguette was delicious with a decent amount of avocado and bacon.

The pistachio bread was soft and the sakura cream cheese was lightly flavored...nice.

I hope to go back to have lunch at the shop next time I'm in the area.

My lunch view.

Only a couple more days to enjoy this season...way too short but I'm glad I've been able to get out and about to explore different cherry blossom areas in Tokyo.

Boulangerie Epee
1-10-4 Kichijoji Minami-cho
Musashino, Tokyo
Phone: 0422.72.1030
Open daily: 9:30-23:00 (closes 22:00 on Saturdays & Sundays)

sakura walk (akabane iwabuchi)

The backstory: On our way to Gunma, as the train crossed over the Arakawa (Ara River), I noticed a line of (bald) cherry trees that went as far as the eye could see.

After returning from our trip, I figured out where the spot was and then waited for cherry blossom season.

Fast forward to yesterday, I went to check it out and it didn't disappoint...there were even some shibazakura (moss phlox).

The line of cherry trees reminded me of Yawata, which we visited in the past.

The wind was icy but at least the sun was out and I'm glad it wasn't crowded.

Afterwards, I went to Oji Station and had lunch at Meijido.

Apparently, this bakery has been in business since 1889!

On the 2nd floor is their cafe.

You can eat your baked goods there (with purchase of a beverage), or order from their menu.

I had their butter pretzel (chewy and filled with butter!), tandoori cheese bread (loved the burnt cheese bits) & nut danish...everything was so good!

I also bought a half loaf of their sakura (cherry blossom) & matcha (green tea) patchwork bread for our breakfast today.

Not much walking on this day but I'm glad I got to visit this part of Tokyo.

Meijido
1-14-8 Oji
Kita, Tokyo
Phone: 03.3913.4662
Hours: 6:30-21:00
Closed Sundays

sakura walk (kugahara-tamagawa)

Yesterday started out sunny, so I got out and about.

I started at Kugahara then walked towards Tamagawa, stumbling upon these koi (carp) at Mine Hakusan Shrine.

The green grass with the pink-ish flowers and blue sky was nice to see.

The trees were not in full bloom, but way more in bloom than the past two times I've been here.

It was nice to see people here and there picnic-ing.

The cherry trees are HUGE yeah?!

Be sure to turn around too or you'll miss Mount Fuji.

Glad I got out and about early as the clouds came in after lunch.

sakura walk (honmonji)

On my way to the bakery yesterday, I noticed several trees along the Nomi River.

Then on my way from the bakery to the market, I took a side trip to the area around Honmonji.

There was an area filled with tulips.

Many were admiring the cherry blossoms.

Glad I was able to do my errands and also check out some cherry blossoms before the rains came.

p.s. the new era was named "Reiwa"...if you are interested, you can read more about it here.

sakura walk(s) (sakurazaka & meguro river)

Sunday started out cloudy and cold...we went to check out Sakurazaka which was almost in full bloom.

The area near Tamagawa wasn't quite ready, so hopefully I'll be able to go sometime this week.

As dusk approached we went to check out the light up of the Meguro River.

It was pretty! (photo by Satoshi)

We stayed around the Ikejiri-Ohashi Station area because we knew the area closer to the Nakameguro Station would be krazy.

Today is the start of a new fiscal year and also a new era will be named.

The emperor will "retire" at the end of April and the Crown Prince will become the new Emperor at the start of May...to read more about this check out the article here.

Hope to get in more sakura spots this week, hope you aren't getting sick of all these sakura posts.

sakura walk(s) (chidorigafuchi, nakameguro & toritsu university)

Yesterday, it was still overcast and cold.

We started out at the Chidorigafuchi moat area...walking down Daikancho-dori then crossing over to Kitanomaru Park then coming back around through the Chidorigafuchi Green Way.

There were a lot of row boats out and about.

It was so pretty to see and even though there were a lot of people, it wasn't totally packed.

We also checked out the Meguro River starting out at Ikejiri-Ohashi and walking down towards Nakameguro.

FYI: The closer you get to Nakameguro, the more crowded it will be.

It was nice to see but enjoyed the area near Ikejiri-Ohashi best.

After going home and resting a bit, we went to Toritsu University Station to check out their illumination instead of braving the crowds to see the light up of Meguro River near Nakameguro.

Apparently, this area only started lighting up their cherry blossoms last year, so it wasn't crowded.

It also started to rain while we were there.

We hope the rain will stop so we can get out and about tomorrow.