Taken on April 22, 2014.
I visited Akasaka Hikawa Shrine.
I was having a pre-shoot.

Photographed on April 22, 2014.
Near the chozuya at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, azaleas were in bloom.
Upon closer inspection, a bee was coming to sip nectar.

Today I love to recommend a place in Tokyo which is Yushima Tenjin Shrine. Spring in Japan isn't just about enjoying the cherry blossoms, spring begins with the beautiful fragrance of plum blossoms, and you can witness the ume matsuri, or plum festival at Yushima Tenjin Shrine. It is near the Ueno park area and this festival usually held in 1st week of March. Ume lasts much longer than sakura, so its beauty can be enjoyed for a long time. Around 300 plum blossom trees are spread over the temple premises which are visited by many visitors every day. Besides, during this festival, various cultural events are held on the temple ground during the holidays.

Taken on April 22, 2014.
I visited Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.
It was around 8:30 in the morning.
In the afternoon, I tried facial yoga.

Photographed on March 7, 2014.
This is the flower water offering at the omikuji (fortune-telling paper strips) distribution area of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

A vibrant gift found at Tokiwa Shrine🌹
Even on a cloudy day, seeing this red color somehow makes me feel energized.

Taken on March 7, 2014.
This is the flower water offering at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Taken on March 8, 2014.
This is the flower water at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on March 8, 2014.
This is the flower water at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

The 18th Spring Baki Horse Festival "Tokkome Yosai – Rakugo and Skit"
―――

A Rakugo performance by the Kan'entei Ichimon will be held in the area associated with the famous "Kongen-tei Basho"!
Enjoy a variety of Rakugo performances and the unique atmosphere of a live performance that you can't experience anywhere else.
This year is the Year of the Horse! There will be a special lottery to commemorate the Year of the Horse 🐎 We hope to see you there! ✨

【Date】Saturday, May 9th
【Time】Doors open: 1:00 PM, Performance starts: 1:30 PM
【Venue】Kirari Kamagaya Civic Center Kirari Hall
1-1-3 Tomioka, Kamagaya City, 3rd Floor Shopping Plaza Kamagaya
3-minute walk from Hatsutomi Station on the Keisei Matsudo Line (Public transportation recommended)
【Capacity】500 people (all seats reserved)
*Admission for preschool children is not allowed.
*Preschool children can enter only in the parent-child seating area (first 8 seats, reservation required)
【Application】Kamagaya City Cultural and Sports Division (phone, in-person, application form)
By 5:00 PM on Thursday, May 7th
【Fees】Advance tickets: 2,000 yen, On-the-day tickets: 2,500 yen
(No on-the-day tickets will be sold if advance tickets are sold out)
1,000 yen for junior high school students and under (same price for advance and on-the-day tickets)

Please check the city’s homepage for more details!

【Cultural and Sports Division】
https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/smph/kanko-bunka-sports/bunka/kunishiseki/harunomakiuma/18harumaki.html

Taken on March 25, 26.
This is Maestro on the 1st floor of Resona Koedo Terrace, open every Wednesday from 10 AM to 3 PM.
It features Winter Berry Mocha and a financier made with buckwheat and matcha.

Taken on April 18, 2014.
This is the Koedo Risona Terrace and the double cherry blossoms.

Taken on April 15, 2014.
This is the Yae Cherry Blossom at Resona Koedo Terrace and the Kurazukuri townscape.

In the gentle spring scenery, a single flower 🌷
standing tall makes me feel somewhat encouraged.

Taken on April 12, 26.
This is the Yae Cherry Blossom at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.
If you look closely, there is a Yae Cherry Blossom in the lower left with 🩷.

Taken on April 18, 26.
This is the Sasara Lion Dance of Ishihara.

Photographed on April 18, 2014.
This is the Sasara Lion Dance from Ishihara.
It features the lion and the mountain deity.
A performance will take place today as well.

I attended the grand festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and Kakinomoto Shrine.
Around Kakinomoto Shrine, you can see Gioiko, a type of double-flowered cherry blossom known as green sakura.

Taken on March 15, 2026.
This is the matcha basque cheesecake with sakura topping from LEC COFFEE.
It has a fragrance of sakura.😊🌸

Taken on March 15, 2014.
This is a black latte from LEC COFFEE.
What a lovely latte art!

Taken on March 15, 26.
This is a quiche plate from LEC COFFEE.
This time, it features quiche with cherry tomatoes, new onions, bacon, and cabbage. It comes with homemade ham, salad, white vegetable potage, and homemade bread.
I visited around the time the cherry blossoms of Shingashi River started to bloom.

Taken on April 15, 26.
After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kanetsuki-dōri Store.
I had an oat milk latte and blueberry rare cheesecake.
I consumed anthocyanins.🫐
Thank you for the lovely latte art.😊

The camellia blooms gracefully under the sunlight 🌺
It was a vibrant red, as if sharing the strength of spring✨️

Taken on April 9, 2014.
This is a windmill next to the main hall of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Today, I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This is the Nagori-zakura, set up in conjunction with the annual festival at the Gokoku Shrine. It was taken on April 12th.

Taken on April 1, 2014.
This is a café latte and a cinnamon crumble tart from cafe andon.
What a lovely latte art! 😊

Taken on April 1, 26.
This is the cinnamon crumble tart from cafe andon.
The tart crust is layered with homemade marmalade jam and topped with cinnamon crumble. It has a wonderful aroma of cinnamon and marmalade.

Taken on March 8, 26.
This is the café latte from CAFE ANDON and a matcha shortcake with strawberries and red bean paste.
The mug and the green of the matcha look beautiful.

Taken on March 8, 2026.
This is the matcha shortcake with strawberries and red bean paste from cafe andon.
When we think of spring, we think of Kawagoe Matcha and strawberry cake.🍰

This year's cherry blossoms are coming to an end👀✨
In the end, I encountered the gently swaying weeping cherry blossoms against a backdrop of blue sky.
Watching the petals flutter down makes me feel a bit lonely, but I'm glad I could capture this moment in a photo...
The seasons pass quickly, but I think I will keep this spring scenery in my heart forever.
Thank you for this year's cherry blossoms🌸