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 every year. 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, 26. This is le bilboquet near Akasaka Station. This week's lunch features pork belly and green peas with butter rice.

Taken on April 22, 2014. This is the wisteria trellis in front of Sanno Saryo at Hie Shrine.

In the garden at dusk, small cherry blossoms bloom softly against the backdrop of the three-storied pagoda, adding a gentle touch to the scenery of Chinzan-so.

Taken on April 22, 2014. I visited Hie Shrine. The azaleas were very beautiful.🌺

Taken on April 22, 2022, in the 26th year of the Heisei era. This is a flower water offering (a traditional Japanese practice) at Akasaka Hikawa Shrine.

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.

Shinobazu Pond The strong winds from the day before scattered the petals, and the Someiyoshino cherry blossoms in Tokyo are nearing their end. After the storm, brilliant light pours into the clear blue sky, and I set out for one last cherry blossom viewing, embracing the spirit of Taisho Roman. The white, red, and Kanzan cherry blossoms are now in full bloom under the sunlight. Swaying in the light and wind, the vibrant purple blossoms shine brightly.

Meguro River Night cherry blossoms and the Meguro River, lit crimson by lanterns. The cherry trees in full bloom are still vibrant. In a week, the river will take center stage as petals drift like a floating raft of flowers.

Sumida Park A row of cherry trees at dusk caught my eye, and I stopped at a particularly dark patch among them. Looking more closely, countless pigeons perched on a black tree of twisted branches, with no flowers or leaves. At first glance, it was a little bit like a horror scene. Beneath my feet, fresh green shoots; above, a canopy of pink cherry blossoms; in the distance, the Skytree gleaming in the sunset—and so many pigeons. Although the composition should have felt lively, the image took on an eerie quality, producing a strangely contrasting shot.

Shinobazu-ike Bentendo Temple After the rain, the sky is a striking blue. The cherry trees around Shinobazu Pond are blooming a little later than elsewhere in Tokyo; many blossoms that withstood the wind and rain remain as buds, so they are about 90 percent in bloom. Though the spring breeze shakes the branches, the petals remain strong and vibrant. It’s a scene of spring in full bloom.

I went to the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum on my graduation trip.

My first visit to Japan turned magical when I found a lone Sakura at the entrance to Ueno Park, blooming early on the first day of March. Locals, tourists, people of all ages, and even birds were enjoying the symbol of Spring. To immortalize their joy, I simply had to photograph the birds enjoying the blossoms. I feel proud of this photo, and very lucky to have witnessed such a magical Spring moment in the heart of Tokyo.

I took part in an exchange event at Hachioji Municipal Dairoku Elementary School! Activities with the second graders and school lunches with each grade made for a very fun day 😊✨

Photographed on January 23, 2014. This is a lucky beckoning cat talisman from Kanda Myōjin Shrine. 🐈

Photographed on January 23, 2014. This is the Shishiyama at Kanda Myōjin Shrine.

Photographed on January 23, 2014. This is Sukuna Hikona, the enshrined deity of Kanda Myōjin Shrine.

Photographed on January 23, 2014. I visited Kanda Myōjin Shrine during the winter holidays. Akari Jinba looked sleepy. 🐴

Photographed on January 21, 2026. This week's lunch at le bilboquet in Akasaka is chicken thigh and Chinese cabbage simmered in a ginger cream sauce. With ginger 🫚 in the dish, it warms the body.

Photographed on January 21, 2014. These are the hana-chōzu (flower water basins) at Akasaka Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on January 21, 2014. This is the dog-year omikuji from Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. It has a lovely retro vibe. 😊

Photographed on January 21, 2014. This is the twelve-zodiac omikuji from Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. It's cute. 😊

Photographed on January 21, 2014. This is Tokyo Daijingu Shrine at around 7:30 a.m.

Photographed on January 21, 2014. These are New Year decorations at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.🎍

I attended a tea ceremony class held in Hachioji and was delighted by my first experience 🍵✨

Photographed on January 21, 2014. This is the 'Musubi no Kirameki Flower-Hand-Water' at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, along with a good-luck horse talisman for the Year of the Horse. 🐴✨ This seasonal flower-hand-water display is for a limited time, and today is the final day.

Photographed on January 21, 2014. This is the “Musubi no Kirameki” floral water basin at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. It is on display for a limited time until January 27.

Photographed on January 22, 2014. This is the New Year “Musubi no Kirameki” flower water basin at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. It is on display for a limited time until Tuesday, January 27. I start work at my new workplace today. With a fresh start, I will do my best. 😊