Ume Blossom@Umegaoka:Feb.18, March 11, 2012

Nearly two months have passed after the midwinter (the winter solstice) day. But we still have chilly days. Temperature goes down sub-zero in the morning in Tokyo. We had snow yesterday.

The ume (plum) blossom usually start in mid-February (See the posts in 2010, 2011). It delayed this year because of cold weather.


I visited Hanegi Park in Umegaoka, one of Tokyo’s famous ume garden. The local community holds Ume festival form Feb. 4 to 26.


Only a few trees (out of about 650 trees) opened flowers.
The sky was blue and the air was clean (probably because of the yesterday’s snow).

I also visited the park on March 11. About 30% of the flowers was open.

Wadabori Park, Feb. 04, 2012

We have very cold winter this year. The islands have been hit by series of cold waves since mid-January. Tohoku and Hokuriku districts (northern parts) were hit by heavy snow. Temperature went down below zero in Tokyo.

I visited Wadabori Park in Suginami ward, northwest part of Tokyo. The park lies along Zenpukuji River.


Colorful kingfishers are seen in the park. People were waiting photo opportunities around the pond. I also saw people enjoy jogging (in the road along the river) and playing ball games 8in the playfields.)


It is not too much to say that Tokyo’s history began in the area. People started to live along Zenpukuji River and other rivers in the region about 30 thousand years ago. Many dwelling sites were found.


A replica of bronze-age house was built in the park.

There are several leisure facilities including artificial fishing pond in the park.

There is a shrine called “Omiya Hachiman” in the area. It geographically locates at the center of Tokyo and the shrine stresses it.