Decided to go back to Gyoda again this weekend. We had such a good time last time we went we decided we wanted to check out the cherry blossoms this spring. Managed to visit some really nice places. We originally wanted to use the rental bicycles that they have in front of the station but we got there past noon and all of them were taken unfortunately. Fortunately for us, it ended up getting a bit colder later on so it actually worked out. We got lucky as there was a really convenient sightseeing bus that rolled through the station to all of the major places in the city every 45 minutes or so. We checked out the cherry blossoms at Gyoda Castle and they had the Hanachozu (花手水, pots of flowers floating in water). We were able to see a few of these throughout the city which was nice. They also had traditional umbrellas on display in a few areas around the castle which was really pretty. After Gyoda Castle we visited the Sakitama Burial Mounds which had some really beautiful views of the cherry blossoms. There was also a flock of herons flying around the area but I wasn't able to get a very good photo of any of them. Luckily we got some great photos of the cherry blossoms and the main mound and had a really enjoyable time. We also stopped by Suijo Park and there were some food stalls in the area, but we got there when everything was just about closed so we only got to see a few of the vendors. We managed to get a really tasty lemonade and a latte though. Both tasted really good. Surprisingly there were a lot of cosplayers at the park. We probably saw like 20-30 people cosplaying using the bridges and cherry blossoms in the area. On the way back to the station we managed saw this river during the bus ride and so we backtracked a little bit after getting to the station (about 5 minutes walking) and got to enjoy some really phenomenal views of the cherry blossoms along the river. There were hardly any people there as well, surprisingly. Overall it was a really awesome time!

Folding screen cherry blossoms seen from the window of the exhibition

At Odawara Castle Castle tower, cherry blossoms and bulbul

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

Chiba Prefectural Boso no Mura Cherry blossoms are in full bloom again this year

Sogo Reido in Narita is a quiet cherry blossom viewing spot

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!

Tokyo Skytree

From my home in Saitama City, I encountered a bright red "angel ladder".

Moon Desert Memorial Statue in Onjuku Town, Chiba Prefecture Shooting just before dawn Imagine two people leaving early in the morning to avoid public attention

[English/Japanese] The day before yesterday, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that cherry blossoms had bloomed in Tokyo. In Japan, the weather forecast at this time of the year tells not only the temperature and weather, but also the cherry blossoms. Hanami, a traditional Japanese event, began 1,300 years ago and is popular among foreign tourists. In this issue, we will introduce the etiquette of Hanami. (1) The star of the show is the cherry blossoms Cherry blossom viewing means eating and drinking under the cherry trees. Cherry trees are very delicate plants. When eating, do not place a sheet at the base of the cherry tree. The base of the cherry tree is where it breathes. Please place the sheet away from it. Also, do not break the branches of cherry trees just because of their beautiful blossoms. Cherry blossoms are a plant that easily decomposes. You may also have to pay a fine for "damage to property" if you break a cherry blossom branch. Please be careful. (2) Rules of the park During the holidays at this time of year, the number of people viewing cherry blossoms in the park increases greatly. Some of them are also lit up at night, making them popular date spots. Each park has different rules, so be sure to check the park's rules before going hanami. For example, some parks prohibit the bringing of alcoholic beverages, while others do not allow the use of fire. Also, be sure to take your trash home with you and clean up properly before you finish your hanami. Even though it is spring, the nights can get very cold, so be sure to take warm clothing. (3) Cherry blossom motif goods Cherry blossom viewing is not limited to parks. During this season, you can see many cherry blossom-inspired decorations in the city and in stores. At cafes, you can enjoy cherry blossom latte art and pink-colored cakes. At general stores, you can find products with pictures of cherry blossoms. Since they are only available during this season, they are popular as souvenirs. Please look for them! Hachioji, where our school is located, has many famous cherry blossom viewing spots. Some parks are lit up at night, so be sure to visit them! The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that cherry blossoms had blossomed in Tokyo the day before yesterday. In Japan, the weather forecast at this time of year tells not only the temperature and weather, but also the state of the cherry blossoms. The traditional event of the Japan, "cherry blossom viewing", began 1300 years ago and is popular with foreign tourists. This time, I will introduce the manners of cherry blossom viewing. (1) The main role is cherry blossoms Cherry blossom viewing refers to eating and drinking under the cherry blossom trees. Cherry is a very delicate plant. When eating, do not put a sheet on the base of the cherry blossoms. The base of the cherry is the place to breathe. Lay a sheet at a distance. Also, you should not break off branches just because the cherry blossoms are beautiful. Cherry is a perishable plant. Also, if you break a cherry tree branch, you may have to pay a fine as a "property damage crime". Let's be careful. (2) Park rules On holidays at this time, the number of people watching cherry blossoms in the park increases a lot. In addition, some places are lit up at night, making it a popular date spot. The rules differ from park to park, so be sure to check the rules of the park before cherry blossom viewing. For example, there are places where alcohol is prohibited and fire is not allowed. Also, take your trash home properly and clean it properly before finishing the cherry blossom viewing. Even in spring, the nights are very cold, so don't forget to take measures to protect yourself from the cold. (3) Goods with cherry blossom motif Cherry blossom viewing is not limited to parks. During this season, you can see many cherry blossom-inspired decorations in the city and shops. At the café, you can eat cherry blossom latte art and pink cakes. In general stores, products with pictures of cherry blossoms are lined up in the store. Since it is limited to this season, it is also popular as a souvenir. Please look for it. Hachioji, where our school is located, has many famous cherry blossom spots. Some parks are lit up at night, so be sure to visit them!

Japan 100 Famous Castles and Sakura Castle Cherry blossoms in Sakura Castle Park

Gem Exhibition Winter starry sky in Tsumagoi Village. There were very large diamonds and brilliant stars scattered all over the place.

A edgeworthia chrysantha that blooms at Yabitsu Pass in Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

In the Chichibu Basin, fog often occurs at night when the air near the surface cools, and a sea of clouds is formed to cover the urban area. It is attracting attention as "the closest sea of clouds from the city center".

Drive to Sakaki Isomae Shrine in Ibaraki Seems to be able to get rich

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.

Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Oarai Isosaki Shrine Torii gate of Kamiso A winter morning produced by a good scale group

It was taken at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple.

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

This photo was taken at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. ? When I visited for the first time, I was attracted by the beauty of the five-storied pagoda on the site and took this photo. We were able to get a glimpse of 1500 years of history.

The shrine and its nearby area at China town, Yokohama were well decorated with lights and lanterns before the Chinese new year. It looks very beautiful and charming.

Just some more photos to wrap up our trip to Nikko. I took a bunch of photos of different monuments and buildings that seemed important or had lavish decorations. I can't make out what the writing on the monument says but I can at least make out the kanji for heart (心). I also liked the golden palanquins inside the the building in the forth photo, although I'm not sure if they were used at some point or are simply for decoration. The other photos are from Futarasan Chugushi Shrine (二荒山中宮祠神社) located in front of Lake Chuzenji. Unfortunately we didn't have time to go inside the shrine but I was at least able to take some nice photos of the torii gate. Apparently it has a kagura hall as well and the entrance to Mt. Nantai is located inside the shrine as well. And finally, just an assortment of food that I haven't posted yet. All of it tasted great. It was definitely a trip I'm never going to forget!

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.

Some more photos from our trip to Nikko. There were so many awesome monuments, landmarks, and buildings that it'd be impossible to fit it all into one post. I was so glad that I had my mobile battery with me because I was taking so many photos that I was just burning through my battery lol. I really liked how the incense burner looked and I tried looking up how old it was but I wasn't able to find anything about it, only the one in front of Tokugawa Ieyasu's burial site. I would have liked to use the chozuya as well, but unfortunately it was closed off due to covid. I also liked seeing the sake barrels as well as they always brighten up shrines. The "Ippon Toro" lantern was interesting as well. I'd never heard of Empress Tofukumon'in before either, so it gave me some interesting things to read about Japan's Edo Period. Apparently she helped rebuild prominent temple in Kyoto and collected art and pottery from famous artisans of the time and even those of the past. Some buildings I'd have to look at a map to know their names but there was definitely no shortage of decorations. Unfortunately we weren't able to take photos inside some of the main buildings, but a few of them had ceiling paintings done by famous painters. Many of them were birds, and I'm not an expert, but I think they were mostly cranes and they were all really beautiful.

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.