Spring time in Japan

Staying at home for two full weeks, although amidst never ending home works for the kids and my own assignment, makes me take the liberty to dig up my files and post some old photos and videos. I realised I have tons of them even from 10 years ago, when we lived in Geneva, Switzerland , and took so many photos during our road trip to more than 20 countries in Western and Central Europe. Well, let's see whether I can bring them back alive and put them in My Purple World.

One thing for sure, it is now spring in many parts of the world, particularly in the western hemisphere. In Indonesia, spring is probably all year long, as we only have dry and rainy seasons along the year. 
And I love spring.
It always brings back the colors and the fun after a long, dull, cold winter.
It brings hope for new beginning, a new chapter of life.
Something to look forward to.

Well, as we are now fighting the pandemic, wherever we are, we long for that beautiful and warm spring, don't we? But as many of us are practising physical and social distancing, some are even in lock down, let's celebrate spring virtually. 

Morning cherry blossoms walk in Ueno Park, Japan

I still have so many photos of spring that I haven't really put here.
Including those from Spring time in Ueno, Japan, back in March 2018.
I transited in Tokyo on my way to Noumea, New Caledonia in the Pacific.
It was two years ago but it felt like yesterday.
That was also my first time coming to this Land of the Rising Sun.

I just managed to make the video of my spring trip to Japan.
I know..it's been too long but not that long enough to forget how lovely the trip was.

Feel free to enjoy the photos as much as I do and tell me what you think about spring.

I did manage to go to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden as well to see more cherry blossoms and enjoy more spring in Japan.

But hey, spring time in New York City is also beautiful.
We had so much time enjoying the cherry blossoms in Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the UN Rose Garden, and Flushing Meadow, Corona Park, Queens.

Cheers from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden

Now I kinda miss the UN Headquarters which looks lovely every spring due to those beautiful lines of cherry trees blooming in the Rose Garden, against the background of East River and the Queensboro Bridge. Well, you can see how I miss those places!

Happy spring, everyone!

So how do you enjoy spring in your place?
Is it your favorite season?

Meanwhile, wherever you are, stay healthy, happy and safe!
Happy spring and cheers..

Ueno Park and the Surroundings - Photo Album

Before coming back with more stories, allow me to share some more colorful photos taken at the Ueno Park and its surroundings.

I really enjoyed walking around the areas and observing the peaceful morning.

I stopped at Bentendo Temple and paused for a while.

The colors and the intricate details of the temple is amazing. 

But of course, the main attraction of Ueno Park is the cherry blossoms.

Although it was not yet fully blooming, some of the trees shown the pinky petals already and  that's enough for me to have a taste of the Japanese spring.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do and happy spring!

WW: Ameyoko Market, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan

Some colorful snaps from Ameyoko Market, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan

Ameyoko market is one of the busiest markets in Tokyo.
Ameyoko market is also uniquely known as the 'American' market as Ame here is the abbreviation of America, since back then in the years after the second world war, this place was famous as the black market packed with American goodies.

some of my favorite cartoons. Doraemon :)

But as I read on the sign, this market is originally named Ameya Yokocho, Ameyoko in short, or literally translated as candy store alley. And I have to admit there are so many cute stores selling candies, cookies, chocolate and many other Japanese traditional snacks. 

Not to mention the souvenirs. We can get a lot of cute Japanese  items in here as well.

We can find many restaurants and fresh meat and veggies as well in some corners of the market.

 

fancy some Japanese candies?

Pokemon socks!

pardon my selfie

Again, Japan is so fascinating indeed and I have to admit I have so many drafts from my last traveling notes.  So bear with me and happy traveling!

Meanwhile, join us on Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the linky party

Cherry Blossoms at Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Before enjoying spring in New York City, I was privileged to see the cherry blossoms at Ueno Park, while I was Tokyo, Japan.
Click here to read my little story in Japan : Hello Tokyo

Ueno Park has been famous to be one of the most favorite places to enjoy cherry blossoms.

And I chose this place to stay over as it is the last stop of Skyliner, the fast train taking us to and from Narita International Airport.

Located at Japan, 〒110-0007 Tokyo, Taitō, Uenokoen, ５−２０(as I copied from Google Maps), Ueno Park covers quite a huge area to explore. It have several museums in the surrounding area and more temples as well as shrines to explore. It also has big pond and famous Zoo here. Too bad I only have limited time so I didn't manage to see them all.
But if you want to see the 'old' Japan, with more traditional houses and temples and less skyscraper buildings, then Ueno will be the perfect place for you.

And back to the cherry blossoms!
Be it in the morning, or at night, sakura is forever beautiful.

Those pinkies, rather small petals are fully blooming in a beautiful way.

It looks fragile, yet it stands the test of the wind.

For only the strong one stay and bloom.
Pretty much the survival test of nature.

When I arrived in Ueno on the first leg of my flight, it was already dark. It was only 5.30 but the sun set already and it was dark. Yet as I stepped out of Ueno Park, it was bright  as lights from the neon signs illuminated the pinky flowers dotting the trees. I stopped there, lining up with others as people started taking photos and selfies with the cherry blossoms.

Here's the map of Ueno Park:

Some tips for enjoying cherry blossoms:

1. If you happen to be around, make sure you come down here early in the morning before the park is packed with people, especially in beautiful, warmer days. I came to the park at 7.30 AM and it was beautifully serene, with a few joggers and runners joining me. 

2. Makes sure you wear your comfortable shoes as you can walk along the park and it was quite a distance. And mind you, Ueno park is huge, covering many temples, museums, statues, shrines, ponds and even Zoo. As for the cherry trees, it is lining up from Shitamachi Museums to Tajo-Ten jin Shrine/Hanazono Inari Shrine.

3. Get ready to line up. Many people want to enjoy the cherry blossoms as well so people tend to line up neatly and take their turn politely, considering that many people love to do the same.

4. If you have allergies to pollen or similar substances, better stay away of course. Or if you still can tolerate it (and I do know people who have allergies but still can enjoy cherry blossoms to certain extent), better get yourself prepared with the medicine needed.

5. Thinking of having a picnic? Bring the mat and the food you love to have or snatch them from the nearby restaurants or cafes. Well, when I came here the cherry blossoms were not fully blooming so I didn't see too many people yet. By the way, I found the Ueno Station has a great bakery and the pastries are exquisite. I bought some from there and they are yummy indeed.

4. And finally, don't forget your camera and/or your phone. Sometimes we get so excited about seeing something new we forget the important things. Well, that happened to me before.

So, enjoy the cherry blossoms and cheers.

Join us also on Skywatch Friday and enjoy those magnificent sky from every corner of the world.

WW: Cheers from Ueno, Tokyo, Japan

Cheers from Ueno, Tokyo, Japan.

I was lucky to get to see some cherry blossoms here at the Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo.
They just start blooming I guess and I saw some of them while strolling around Ueno Park, although many of them are not yet blooming. I just took some snaps with my phone while enjoying one cloudy morning at this park.

Join us on Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the linky party