Hello everyone!
It has been so long since my last post! Now it’s already April and Sakura season has almost ended here in Tokyo, Yokohama and its surrounding. Since i came back to Japan from my spring holiday in the right timing, this year I could enjoy the beauty of Sakura in Tokyo! So, let me share you my story about this year Hanami (Japanese tradition of flower viewing experience!
26 March 2015 – Ueno Park
Access : JR Ueno Station, ~3 minutes walk
Entrance fee : Free
This spot is really popular because they have numerous sakura trees lined up where you can do hanami just underneath. Spaces are already provided and partitioned, according to the rules you can use it for about 1 hour. Not only you can do Hanami here, but you can also visit many museum, Ueno Zoo, and many temples. You can also enjoy local delicacies by buying snacks from food stalls (Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Grilled Corn, etc.)
I went there when the Sakura had not bloomed 100% yet but the place was already quite full. So please expect it to be really crowded during Sakura full bloom. P.S : try the Sakura Cake from Starbucks located nearby, it’s so delicious!
27 March 2015 – Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Access : Tokyo Metro Shinjuku Sanchome Station (Shinjuku Gate) ~5 mins walk, Tokyo Metro Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station (Okido Gate) ~ 5 mins walk
Entrance fee : 200 Yen for Adults, 150 Yen for Group Admission
One of the most popular hanami spot in Tokyo due to its vast lawn, selections of park, and selections of beautiful sakura trees. Beware! The park is very huge! Do take the map and take a look carefully on where the sakura trees are located. Generally sakura trees are clustered around English Landscape Garden (nearer to Okido Gate). There are also some individual trees located in French Formal Garden and Japanese Traditional Garden.
During the time i went there it was pretty early so only some sakura trees had bloomed. We had the chance to watch some early blooming Sakura : Yokohama Hizekura (bright pink one), Youkou Sakura (light pink), and Ooshima Koshioyama Zakura (white)
29 April 2015 – Tama Plaza
Access : just outside Tama Plaza Station of Den-en-Toshi-Line
Entrance fee : Free
There is a street lined with sakura trees just outside Tama Plaza Station and it’s quite beautiful.
31 April 2015 – Tokyo Institute of Technology Suzukakedai Campus
Access : Den-en-Toshi Line Suzukakedai Station (5 mins walk)
Campus is (surprisingly) lined with beautiful sakura trees! The sakura trees are just everywhere! It lined up beautifully on the main intersection, it grew also in the canteen area (and there were dozens of it), and also it scattered in some other spot, like near J1 Building.
I went to the Suzukakedai PPI Tokodai Mini Hanami, it was fun to eat just under the sakura trees!
3 April 2015 – Naka Meguro River Side
Access : Tokyu Toyoko Line Naka Meguro Station, Main Exit (~3 mins walk)
Who said that sakura can only be viewed during daytime? Night time sakura viewing is called Yozakura (夜桜）and it is as popular as the regular hanami! The several meter line of sakura trees were lit up during Naka Meguro Festival! It created such a spectacular and beautiful view. You can also enjoy the atmosphere by eating some locally sold Yakitori, and Grilled Sausage. I went here with Kak Ay, my former band friend, and also met new friends there! 🙂
4 April 2015 – Shinjuku Gyoen
I visited Shinjuku Gyoen once more and this time with PPI Tokodai (Tokyo Tech Indonesian Student Association). At this time, it was the first weekend after the full bloom, so the park was packed with people! But still the park was huge, it was still spacious! The sakura was sort of falling into the ground, creating a lush beautiful pink carpet on the grass and also on the lake! I did a little photoshoot with Hilda and explore the park more than my last time.
We didn’t only get beautiful sakura pictures but also our own picture ! (happy, thank you Hilda)
After that, we did the hanami! The activities were fun from Potluck, games and cooking competition. Today, i had breaded chicken cutlet and tamagoyaki with sesame-mayo dressing, i also had green salad with olive-sesame dressing I tried to join the cooking competition and got a takoyaki maker as a prize. Happy!
So in overall my Hanami for this year is perfect! See you in next year’s Hanami, Sakura!
Love
Afifa Ayu Koesoema
Afifa Ayu's Music Box 