Cherry blossom trail

After a few months at home to complete some of those regular maintenance jobs , catch up with friends and relax time, we are on the go again. You guessed it a train trip……Japan by rail. Odd for us but we have joined a small group tour that will take us around the countryside. Our guides are a husband and wife team and as the wife is Japanese, we have enjoyed meeting her family and sharing some of the sites with them…..a more personal approach with 14 other guests.

So enough of this rambling for today and tomorrow you are in Tokyo. You have arrive on the red eye and are about to get your first lesson on catching trains….three of them , to the hotel. Heaven, all the lines are colour coded and you know how much I like a good list and organisation by colour. Off at Shinagawa station , we have time to enjoy a shower before joining some of the group to explore the Tokyo National Museum…two train lines . Tokyo has grown from a tiny settlement ruled by competing feudal Shogun or rulers ,to a single ruler with a class system (the country was isolated from foreign influence) and then a gradual movement to the present system of a figurehead ,the Emperor (female for the first time) and an elected government. Each series of diorama is detailed and was reproduced from woodblock books as the Samurai were interested in education. Unique hand made figures show aspects of life in the Endo ( time of castles) in minute detail.To replace one tiny figure would be ¥10000 or $150. The lacquer work on the castle gate intricate and the Japanese garden looked realistic.

Lunch was a traditional bento box….well you didn’t think we would head for Maccas did you?

Deserted by the group, we headed to Akihabara. This is famous as the electrical paradise of Tokyo. Any electrical gadget ever made is available and salespeople can explain its operation and intricacies. We didn’t buy anything. It is also known for cosplay. This is where people dress up in costumes and act out the part. Unfortunately we didn’t really see anyone so employed🙁.

Back on a train we headed to the original Tokyo Station built in an English style. From here, the Imperial Royal Palace with its deep moat is a mere two blocks away. An outside visit only as its massive with a similar queue , my feet hurt and my body clock says sleep.

Now going to a food court in Japan is a whole new experience. You do the walk around and then choose what you think you recognise in the pictures in a machine. You don’t speak to the sellers and say I’ll have a bento box hold the miso soup…no you put your money in, push a button and get a ticket. Now you may go to the seller, give them the ticket.They give you a buzzer and off you go and find a seat till you collect your meal…..I decided against an ice cream cos I couldn’t find a picture on the machine,😞

Cherry Blossom time. Winters can be harsh in Japan so spring is anticipated eagerly. Cherry blossoms are the signifier of this return to growth and warmth. As the blossoms emerge in each region it is announced. People prepare picnics and head for the parks. Many dress in traditional costume to be photographed with the blossoms while others simply sit and enjoy the moment,catch up with friends and enjoy Hanami, ( the word for all that eating and sake drinking with family and friends.

Starting at the National Theatre, we joined thousands of locals, and the odd tourist experiencing the beauty of these trees. Shinjuku Gyoen is the largest of the parks and used to belong to one of the feudal lords. After a quick coffee stop, we visited the Yasukuni Shrine.

This is where all those who gave their lives in conflicts are remembered daily in prayers. It has a small traditional garden but every where there is a sense of peace and reverence. Sorry you cannot linger because more blossoms await.

Chidorigafuchi is near the Imperial Palace. A path lined with cherry trees leads you to park of 260 different species of Cherry.

You will be part of the one million visitors today. Takako, our guide has organised Onigiri ( rice balls) for lunch. Her sister has a shop famous for them.

Another quick train trip brings you to your final stop for the day. The best is always last, Rikugien is a beautiful garden designed to linger and enjoy scenes created to represent poems from the 1700’s. It has a magnificent weeping cherry. Its limbs are supported, roots protected from human feet and has regular visits from the arborists to make sure it remains part of the garden beyond its 80+ years.

Tonight a traditional meal. Raw fish, squid, lots of mushrooms,chicken, salads and ice cream. All exquisitely presented for you to try. Hold the sake, you do have to get back to the hotel for an early state tomorrow. Your train leaves precisely at 8.10am. It’s a fast one 250-300 kmph.