Went to Rikugien Gardens over the weekend! The weather was really nice and the flowers were beautiful. I was hoping to see the yukitsuri, but unfortunately they'd already been taken down. We bought some bikes recently so we decided to ride them to the park. It's been really nice to get a bit of a leg workout in instead of riding trains all the time. It was only about 25-30 minutes too and we were able to avoid all of the packed trains and get some fresh air. I was pretty happy that we got to see the popular view from the top of the hill 3rd photo. I've seen many photos of it before and finally was able to see it for myself. I never knew that the park had turtles in the pond either, so that was pretty cool to see. There were a bunch swimming all over the pond, sitting on rocks, etc. We managed to spot a crane as well, but it was in a spot were we couldn't really take a good photo of it so I decided to pass and just admire it without a photo. We stopped for a short break at one of the small cafes inside the park and got a quick snack. I'm not a fan of manju, but my girlfriend likes them so she got a coffee and one sakura manju. She seemed to like it, but decided to take off the flower from the top as she didn't want to eat the petals. The melon soda float was nice too. Definitely a nice place to visit and hoping to visit again in the fall to see the leaves after they've changed color.

Spring in Tokyo is a symbol of Japan I unintentionally released the shutter, the spring-colored city of Shibuya The pink nature of the city is still beautiful to look at. Location: Sakurazaka, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

This photo was taken in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. The Yae cherry blossoms next to the teahouse stood out and were beautiful.

Found a nice izakaya in Kanda today. The name is Kakuuchi Inagaki 角打 いながき. I think that's the reading for the kanji at least... The place had a really nice atmosphere and some really good food at very reasonable prices. I ordered the Saba no Shioyaki さばの塩焼き, salt grilled mackerel and it was really tasty and only cost 750 yen as well. Definitely a nice place to drop by for some after work drinks with a friend or coworker or just for lunch like I did. It seems like they serve nikomi and oden later at night as well, so if you like that I definitely recommend it.

[Englsh／日本語] Hachioji, where our school is located, is a city with a deep history. Here you can experience a variety of traditional cultures. Two students are holding kuruma ningyo (carriage dolls). School events offer experiences that let students engage with Hachioji’s culture as well as Japan’s. Hachioji City, where our school is located, is a historic town. Here you can experience many traditional cultures. The two students are holding “Kuruma Dolls.” School events provide opportunities to experience not only Japanese culture but also the culture of Hachioji.

Was nice weather over the weekend so I did a little exploring. Found this nice little temple near the Sumida River called Hozoin Temple 寳蔵院 in Arakawa. I wasn't sure where exactly I was allowed to go inside the temple, and I didn't have much time anyways, so I just took a peak through the gates and snapped a photo. It was a really quaint place and apparently it has some landscape paintings and itabi tablets. From what I saw, it looked like there was a garden across the ground. Maybe a rock garden or something of the sort, I wasn't able to get a good look at it though. The area around the temple was the hunting grounds of the Tokugawa Shogunate as well it seems. Pretty amazing to imagine there was enough greenery in the area to hunt in the past. Also managed to stop by a nice udon/soba restaurant for lunch. It was called Sunaba 砂場 I believe. I ordered the kamo duck nanban udon and it tasted great. Haven't had duck in a while, but it's always a treat. The lady taking orders was really nice as well. Overall a great place!

【English／日本語】 These are cherry blossoms at Shinshoin, a temple in Nishi-Hachioji. This temple was founded by the daughter of the famous warlord Shingen Takeda. Unlike ordinary temples, it features feminine decorations and a very glamorous atmosphere. Our school visits once a year. Before the visit, students study in class the tragic love story for which this temple was built. There are many historical buildings near the school. Nishi-Hachioji can be said to offer an excellent environment for learning Japanese. These are the cherry blossoms at Shinshoin, a temple in Nishi-Hachioji. This temple was founded by the daughter of the famous warlord Shingen Takeda. Unlike ordinary temples, it has decorations that feel feminine and is very ornate. Our school visits once a year. Before the visit, students learn in class about the tragic love story that led to the temple's founding. There are many historical buildings near the school. Nishi-Hachioji can be said to be a very good environment for studying Japanese.

One piece at Mejiro Garden Reflection on the surface of the water at dusk

Peeking into the Sky Tree from the cherry blossom frame The water bus that stopped at the Sumida River was also cherry blossom colored. Location: Sumida Park

It's finally starting to feel like spring. Loving the cherry blossoms around Tokyo already, it just needs to get a bit warmer. Temperature feels a lot more up and down this year, but maybe it's just my imagination. Hoping I can get out this weekend and enjoy some more views outside of Tokyo. I'm not sure how much the cherry blossoms have bloomed in Saitama, but I enjoyed seeing all the photos and videos of the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival. It's a bit too far/expensive for a day trip 6 hours on a train doesn't sound fun, but it'd be nice to see them one day. From my knowledge, the cherry blossoms tend to stay in bloom longer there so it'd be nice to see them eventually. Either way, I'm just happy spring is finally here!

Kawamosan / Tokyo

In the middle of summer, in the Ogasawara Islands, South Island. The contrast between the vivid green and blue is truly paradise. Feeling like you've come to the end of the earth.

Yakiniku Yakiniku Yakiniku Ushimiyagi@Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo YAKINIKU GYUGUJOU＠Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan Yakiniku Ushimiyagi Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Udagawacho 12-9 Jules Shibuya 5F YAKINIKU GYUGUJOU Joule Shibuya 5F, 12-9 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

I happened to see it in Okutama, It is an icicle like a lying woman.

Beautifully decorated Yokohama China town during chinese new year using red lantern, chinese hoardings and lantern dragons.

This photo was taken in Tachikawa Green Springs, Tokyo. It was Christmas, so I took a picture of a stuffed animal costume costume as Santa in my hand.

Famous Dragon Dance during Chinese New Year Festival at Yokohama's famous China Town. The dragon dance is very cute, funny and interesting. It was a vibrant and colorful festival.

Vibrant and colorful attire, graceful performers ,jolly faces .... Every good things were present during the 38th Samba festival of Asakusa.

Although the samba dance is from Brazil but I saw it 1st time in Tokyo at Asakusa area. It was from 38th Asakusa Samba carnival in 2019. I was really very excited and happy to see it. Unfortunately from 2020 because of corona the event is not happening but I wish this 2022 I could see it again.

On the occasion of Chinese new year the Yokohama China town was well decorated during pre corona situation in 2019. It was my first chance to enjoy Chinese new year in China Town. It was really a great fun. Wish after corona it will be back in full form.

[English/Japanese] Snow is predicted to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, many tourist destinations like Hokkaido are popular for winter sports, but snowfall in Tokyo is relatively rare and the city is not prepared for it. As a result, even a 5 cm accumulation of snow can cause various problems. In this article, I will explain how to cope with snow in Tokyo. 1 Transportation When it snows, train schedules are often disrupted. Trains may be cancelled or services reduced, so you may be late for work. On snowy days, try to leave home earlier than usual. Roads can also become congested, and few people buy snow tires for such infrequent snowfall. Consequently, many people drive with regular tires on snowy days, which can lead to slipping accidents. Try to avoid walking close to cars on snowy days. 2 The day after it snows Unlike in Hokkaido, snow that falls in Tokyo has a high moisture content. For that reason, roads are often icy the day after snowfall. With so many buildings in Tokyo, sunlight may not reach some streets and the snow may not melt even after a week. Some people slip on the frozen roads and suffer serious injuries. On the day after snowfall, try to walk along sunlit routes. 3 What to wear What you wear the next day matters more than what you wear while it is snowing. Roads become very slippery, so wear long boots or other slip-resistant shoes. Also wear gloves because ice can cut your hands if you slip and catch yourself with them. A hat is necessary to protect your head. A backpack or other hands-free bag is also a good idea. If you don’t have boots, a life hack to reduce slipping is to stick adhesive bandages to the soles of your sneakers. Give it a try. Many students at our school come from warm countries. Some, seeing snow for the first time, have overdone it playing in the snow and caught colds. Enjoy snow play in moderation. This time, we plan to spread a snow-melting agent in front of the dormitory. If neighbors are struggling with shoveling, let’s help them out — it’s also a chance to make friends with Japanese people. Also, it’s best not to go outside too much on snowy days, so finish your shopping as early as possible! Snow is predicted to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, many tourist destinations such as Hokkaido are popular for winter sports, but snowfall in Tokyo is not that common, so the city is not set up to handle snow. Because of that, even just 5 cm of snow can cause various problems. This time, I will tell you how to deal with snow in Tokyo. 1 Transportation When it snows, train timetables often get disrupted. Trains may be suspended or their frequency reduced, so you might be late for work. On snow days, try to leave home early. Roads can also get congested. Very few people buy snow tires for snowfall that may or may not occur in a year. For that reason, many people drive on ordinary tires on snowy days, and some cause slip accidents. On snowy days, avoid walking close to cars whenever possible. 2 The day after it snows Snow that falls in Tokyo differs from that in Hokkaido in having a higher water content. Therefore, the day after snowfall, roads are often frozen. Tokyo’s many buildings block sunlight, and snow may not melt even after a week. People sometimes slip on frozen roads and sustain serious injuries. On the day after snow, choose streets with sunlight when you walk. 3 Clothing What you wear the next day is more important than what you wear while it is snowing. Roads are very slippery, so wear wellingtons or other slip-resistant footwear. Also wear gloves because ice can cut your hands if you fall and use them to brace yourself. A hat is necessary to protect your head. For bags, a backpack or similar hands-free option is best. If you don’t have wellingtons, there’s a life hack: sticking adhesive bandages to the soles of your sneakers makes them less slippery. Try it out. At our school, many students come from warm countries. For some, seeing snow for the first time led them to play too much and catch colds. Keep snow play moderate. We plan to spread de-icing agent in front of the dormitory this time. If neighbors are having a hard time shoveling snow, let’s help — it’s also an opportunity to become friends with Japanese people. Also, because it’s better not to go out much on snow days, complete your shopping early!

The "Special Traveling Radio Gymnastics and Gymnastics for Everyone" started in 1978 is held at about 10 venues nationwide. This photo was taken at the Edo-Tokyo Tatemonoen-mae Square in Koganei City in the summer.

Odaiba fireworks festival. The Rainbow Bridge, houseboats, and fireworks harmonized to color the midsummer night!

Was passing through Komagome the other day and stumbled across this quaint little shrine in front of the station. Apparently it was established in the Edo Period but didn't actually look like a shrine until the Meiji Period. It's also dedicated to Okuninushi who has a lot of different mythology surrounding him, but according to what I could find, he was the head of the gods on earth. There are also a lot of legends and folklore about him in the Kojiki as well it seems, the most interesting sounding one being 'The White Hare of Inaba" 因幡の白兎 where he apparently wins over a princess that his brothers wanted to married and then is subsequently killed by them with the use of a flaming boulder and he is then brought back to life by the gods after his mother goes up to heaven to ask another deity to bring him back, after which he is brought back to life as a handsome man. And that's why I like reading about Japanese mythology lol. So much interesting stuff to read about

I took a picture of Koinobori at Tokyo Skytree Station! It is at the time of the season. It's perfect for Japan occasions! It smells of a refreshing breeze and healing seasons.

The first visit is an important event held at the beginning of the year in Japan. Everyone comes to worship. In Coronavirus pandemic, dispersed worship for the first time is now becoming the mainstream. Somehow, everyone is trying to make their first visit to the shrine. That's how important this event is. The location is Tokyo Yasukuni Shrine It is early morning on New Year's Eve.

Was walking through Shimokitazawa the other day and found some really cool street art on the shutter of some shop or something not really sure what the building was. Just thought it was cool to see this. Don't see much street art in Japan, which isn't necessarily a bad thing as usually it involves vandalism, but this doesn't look to be vandalism, although I could be wrong. Either way I think it's a nice improvement to the empty shutters and definitely adds a little spice to the area. Aesthetically I'm a huge fan since I enjoy learning about Japanese history, especially samurai, swords, etc., even if this is a fantastical rendition of the likes you'd find in some anime or manga. Shimokitazawa is a pretty cool place though. It seems like a lot of younger people go shopping in the area and there's a lot of restaurants as well. If you're into coffee, cafes, and unique shops with trinkets, etc. it's an enjoyable place to visit. Really trendy

First visit ⛄ Igusa Hachimangu Shrine in Ogikubo, it was ⛩😊 a large and cozy shrine

Meiji Jingu shrine during snowfall

Was walking past a park in Arakawa the other day and came across this interesting statue. I think the name is read as Honda Takatomo 本田 貴侶 but it was difficult to find any information. I kept finding stuff showing the same statue but instead of "聖なるもののリピドー" they all show "聖なるもののリビドー" I'm not sure what the differences are though. Perhaps there are multiple statues in different locations? All the ones I saw referred to this statue in Arakawa though so maybe there's a misprint or something? Also I'm not sure what "リピドー" or "リビドー" means, but if anyone has any idea about what the statue's meaning is I'd love to hear it! Either way it's a nice looking statue. I always enjoy finding things like this around different parts of Japan, they really add to the atmosphere of the city.