Cherry Blossom; March 26-31, 2022

 

Tokyo had the cherry blossom season this week.

The flowers were open in the parks, along the streets, and in the temples and shrines.

The full bloom continued about a week and I enjoyed walking many times.

 

This is the third cherry blossom season under the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restrictions of behavior are weaker this year than ones in the previous two years. Still, people are asked to refrain from having fusses.

I did not find any drinking parties of big groups under the cherry trees.

Most people were walking along the cherry trees and taking photos. Some were with their dogs.

Some were with their baby carriages.

Kids were playing in the park.

This photo is taken at Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya City, western Tokyo.

I also found a beautiful cherry at Rokusho Shrine in Setagaya City.

 

 

Street scenes and skyscrapers in Shibuya and Roppongi: March 12, 2022

 

The season is turning to spring in Tokyo.

The days are getting warmer and brighter.

The ume (Japanese apricot) blossom is over and other spring flowers began to open.

 

I walked in Shibuya. 

There was an open-air market in front of the UN University in Shibuya area.

I moved to Roppongi area in downtown Tokyo.

People enjoyed walks in a sunny day.

I found new skyscrapers under construction in Roppongi area. The project is organized by Mori Building Co. and plans to build three skyscrapers, including a 330-meter-high building. It will be the highest building in Japan when it is open in 2023.

The construction site is not far from the Tokyo Tower. The tower is 333 meter high. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

The landscape of Tokyo is changing drastically even when the economy is gloomy in the COVID-19 pandemic.

I looked at Roppongi area from the Aoyama cemetery. The Roppongi Hills and other skyscrapers, as well as the Tokyo Tower, were in the sight. (See also the top photo)

People pray for peace at Ukraine Embassy in Tokyo: Marche 12, 2022

  

More than two weeks have passes since the first day of Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Cities have been destroyed in Ukraine; many people have been killed; and millions of people have fled from the country.

I visited the Ukraine embassy in central Tokyo. It is a small embassy in a residential area.

Photos of the war were displayed on the walls. Yellow and blow flowers were placed on the table at the entrance. (See the top photo)

Several people were there. They prayed for peace and left messages in the message cards. So did I. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

I also visited the Russian embassy. It is a big facility.

There were several small groups protesting against the Russian invasion.

 

There are many policemen and police cars around the embassy. It was probably to prevent violent actions by demonstrators or political groups.

Large-size demonstrations were held on several days, including Feb. 26 and 27, in several areas in Tokyo.

It looks that many Japanese people are still overwhelmed with the large-scale war.