Cherry @Baji Park, Gotokuji Temple, Kitazawagawa Walkway: March 30-31, 2013

Tokyo’s cherry blossom was its peak in the last week of March (March 24-31). I enjoyed cherry this weekend (March 30 and 31).

Towns were colored with pink. Flower petals fell slowly in the wind. Many roads and gardens were covered with flower carpet.

I visited Baji Park (Equestrian Park) on March 30. Swans swam elegantly in the pond of Japanese Garden. Tens of cherry trees were planted around the pond.


Families enjoyed picnic under cherry.

I visited Gotokuji Temple on March 31. Flower carpet spread before the tower and main buildings.

I also walked along Kitazawagawa Walkway. Many people enjoyed Hanami picnic.

Shanghai (off off Tokyo): March 23, 2013

I walked across Shanghai eastward from Hongqiao area to Waitan (the Band) through Yan’an Road and Nanjing Road. It was more than 10 kilometers. I found daily lives (it was Saturday) and commercial activities of the city.

I passed Inner Ring Elevated Road after about 30 minutes walk. Tianshan Park and Kaiqiao Green Land lied just inside the Ring road. Shanghai is said to have fewer green areas than other major cities in the world and the city is trying to increase green areas. Kaiqiao Green Land was developed removing 1257 families and 12 factories, according to the explanation in the board.

I arrived at Jing’an Temple. The temple has long history, but it has converted into a modern building made of cement. New construction works were under way in the inner court.

The ground floor of the temple (outside, not inside) was used for shops and restaurants. It was like temple-commercial complex.

People’s Square was crowded with people seeking information for marriage matching. Personal information (e.g. 25 years old woman, seeks a man with more than 180 cm and income of xx thousands yen).

Part of East Nanjing Street was vehicle free. It was crowded with local people and tourists.

I arrived in Waitan. Visitors were taking pictures with Pudong’s skyscrapers (at the opposite side of the river) in their back.

Suzhou's spring (off off Tokyo): March 22, 2013

It was late autumn when I visited Suzhou in 2011. Today, I enjoyed the city’s spring.

Spring flowers blossomed and the leaves were fresh green in Humble Administrator’s Garden.

I heard various birds singing. Fishes swam slowly.

The streets outside the garden preserve traditional atmosphere. Local people as well as visitors walked slowly and spring fruits were sold there.

Hangzhou (off off Tokyo): March 21-22, 2013

I came to Hangzhou, one of China’s best tourism cities, and enjoyed its nature and history.

I walked around West Lake in two different occasions – in the afternoon and in the early morning.

It was lightly cloudy in the afternoon of March 21. The willow leaves were fresh green and colorful spring flowers were open. People enjoyed walking around the lake.

There are many historical spots and monuments in and around the lake. Great poets Du Bu and Li Bai (in the Tang era) made poems here. Another great poet Su Shi (in the Song era) was here as a high rank government officer and was engaged in construction works of banks in the lake.

I walked one of the banks in the early morning of March 22. It was rainy. The willow in the rain was mpressive.

People gathered to play T’ai Chi. ch'uan and other excises.

I also visited Lingyin Temple. It is in the mountain and I could walk in the nature.

There were many people. They prayed with burning incense in traditional Chinese style.

Tourists in packed tour wore same caps. Many of them are farmers from other areas.
The temple was clean and people’s manner was not bad (no garbage were found in the ground). It was a big change from decades ago, according to my Chinese friend.

New Shibuya: March 17, 2013

Shibuya is one of the most popular shopping and cultural area in Tokyo. The town had a dynamic change this weekend.

Old station of Yokyu Toyoko Line, which connects Shibuya and Yokohama, located in the 2nd floor of the terminal building. It was closed on March 16. New station opened under the ground.

I found many people gathering at “closed” old Tokyu station and taking pictures.

The new station was linked to Subway Fukutoshin Line, which connects Shibuya and Wako City, Saitama Prefecture. That means Yokohama and Saitama Prefecture was linked directly. New underground station is, of course, modern.

Shibuya is the terminal of other five lines: JR Yamanote line, Tokyo Denentoshi Line, Inogashira Line, Subway Ginza Line and Subway Hanzomon Line.

Urban developments are taking place in many areas in Tokyo. Shimokitazawa starion, used for Odakyu Line and Inogashira Line, is under renovation works and new station will open next weekend.

Flower season and spring picnics @ Parks: March 16-17, 2013

It is getting warm. The light is becoming brighter.

Tokyo’s cherry started to open on March 16 (Official announcement is made by the Meteorological Agency when it observes first opening of cherry blossom at Yasukuni Shrine).

People enjoyed picnic in Hanegi Park in Umegaoka, Setagaya ward. Ume (Japanese apricot) and Asian origin apricot flowers were still open.

People also enjoyed warm spring afternoon in Yoyogi Park near Shibuya. Open air market of organic foods attracted visitors.

We will have Spring Equinox Day this week.

Haze in Tokyo:March 10, 2013

Weather changes rapidly at this season this year.


We had a nice and hot morning today. The temperature went up to about 25 degree at 1:00 pm in Tokyo.

After an hour, it turned to haze (a phenomenon where dust, smoke and other small particles float in the air). The temperature went down by about 10 degree in an hour.


The scene from my apartment suddenly turned unclear. The lower part of the sky was gray. The upper part was clearer. I could not see the building 2-3 kilometers from my house.

The difference is clear when today’s picture is compared with one taken in a fine day.


I first thought it was Asian dust. It was reported that the yellow sands flow from China to western Japan today, but not to Tokyo.
I refrained from walking outside.