Tokyo Spring・東京桜
- When the Tokyo streets turn pink -
If you want to see Japan in it's full beauty, there is no doubt you have to come and visit it in Spring. It is no wonder why Sakura - the cherry blossoms are one of the symbols of this country.
Every Spring the streets change their color to pink and the town comes alive again after a cold and grey winter. The weather is now warmer and people are out in the streets enjoying the nature and each others company while snacking on seasonal snacks and sipping some (sometimes not non-alcoholic) drinks.
The life of the sakura flowers is very short - even if there is no strong wind or rain, they only bloom for about ten days. They are a great reminder that everything is fleeting and we should always find the time to enjoy the moments that we are living through.
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Aoyama reien
青山霊園
Meguro River
目黒川
Sakurazaka
さくら坂
Sakurazaka translates as a "sakura hill" and you can find a number of streets bearing this name in Tokyo (And probably in other Japanese cities as well). I found this one by an accident when I was taking a walk in the Tamagawa area.
It made me think about how nice is must be to live in a house on this street and be able to see the beautiful view from outside your window. If it were me, I would place my work desk by the window, enjoying every spring season to its fullest.
Aoyama reien is a cemetery in central Tokyo. In fact, if you search for cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo you will find a number of cemeteries. It might be a bit surprising but actually with the sakura representing the fleeting beauty of life and time, it makes perfect sense.
I have been in Japan for a few years now but every now and then I still find places that seem unreal. Such as this small street which was lined by blooming sakura trees on one side and koi fish swimming in the stream of the other side. Just as is if it jumped out of a Hayao Miyazaki movie.
I take photos of the cherry blosooms lining Meguro River every year and it really is no wonder why it is one of the most popular sakura viewing spots in Tokyo.
The ideal route is to get off at the Meguro station, grab a coffee and enjoy the 20-minute walk by the river to the the Nakameguro Station.
You will also find a number of restaurants and cafes along the road to refresh in case you get a little tired. I do recommend coming early in the morning though, before the crowds flood the place.