Tokyo Cherry Blossom

Tis the cherry blossom (sakura) season in Japan right now and one can see a load of them not just in parks but also lining many streets.

Many of the back streets are where a load of the sakura trees are hidden. They look lovely by day and also look great at night too. This particular street of sakura trees went on for a few hundred meters. The lanterns would light up at night giving the sakura a different look and feel which makes it worth going back for a look when its dark.

Many sakura trees were removed from this road which was a shame - looked lovely last year.

The cherry blossom season lasts for a few weeks. The act of viewing sakura is called Hanami [花見].

You can look for hanami spots online at Mapple - this link is for Tokyo but you can go to the top page and search for spots all over Japan.

A few snaps as we walk to the next sakura destination.

Roadworks are usually carried out with a guard standing by with his mini light saber.

This area was once train tracks not so long ago.

The other bunch of sakura trees just down the road.

Have not had time to go to see the sakura at Meguro river which you saw last year. The views there are gorgeous. You can just make out the white dots in this photo which are actually sakura petals dancing in the gentle breeze. T'was just like a scene from an anime which I still remember clearly to this day.

Rather fitting - Nanako Sakura out to view some sakura. I think this was the first time I carried out a scale figure in my pocket ^^;

Love our neighborhood - has a load of old buildings rubbing along with the new.

Some food before heading off for more hanami.

Om rice with some fried chicken. About 800 yen.

Then its off to Komazawa Olympic Park for more hanami.

The park used to be a golf field which then became the Komazawa Olympic Park for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
Bits of the James Bond film "You Only Live Twice" was filmed in the park and is also said to be the model for the main park in Futari Puricure.
You Only Live Twice action below.

Hanami is also when a load of folk sit under the trees on mats drinking alcohol and munching on snacks. We just ate when we got here - laid out our mat and had an afternoon nap under the trees instead.

Hanami usually passes without incident despite the amount of people crowded into a small area where most of them are drinking. I usually saw fights when groups of people started to drink outside back in the UK.

Not all hanami places allow food and drinks under the trees - especially the ones that line roads. The big parks usually do allow beverages and mats though.

Also took some nice photos when we went for hanami at Mitsuike Park last year.

Komazawa park is huge with a jogging and bicycle track that runs the circumference of the area. Reminded me much of that beachside place in Singapore where you can rent bicycles. You can rent them here too.

Many sporting activities going on including baseball matches and skateboarding. Cant skateboard but can rollerblade and have been meaning to do Tokyo Roller Trooper soon - need to spray my rollerblades white though ^^;

Picking up some snacks to munch on. The mini Oreo is fab.

There is a huge stadium at the park which was running some sort of high school sporting activities at the time. Entrance is free. Hmmmm. Maybe we could rent the space for Tokyo CGM Night - would not need to worry about space like the previous times ^^;

A few races were going on. Here we see the women's 200 meter dash.

Some more running girls. Was most interesting to see that once they crossed the line, they all turned back to the audience to give a bow.

Used to be fast on the legs when I was a wee lad.

Some young lads larking about while waiting their turn.

Then its time for the lads to run.

And the next giveaway question - what is the name of the guy number 5 and where does he live?

Some folks practicing their dance moves.

The lady in the white t-shirt was an awesome dancer. I need to learn some more moves. Took a dance trooper video at Roppongi Hills the other day - still need to edit it.

Komazawa Olympic Park also has tennis courts and an outdoor pool too.

Many folks stay out for hours on end while having a hanami session - many stay throughout the night.

No fishing in the middle of the grass.

In crowded places, the womens toilet are usually crowded like this.

Most of our trip back home was under sakura trees which lined the back streets.