We were hoping to see some locals enjoying the day and doing 'hanami' - cherry blossom viewing. It turns out that we chose a fantastic park because upon entering this is what we saw....
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| Shinjuku Gyoen entrance |
The Cherry blossom trees are massive and absolutely breath taking. What the cherry blossom season shows the outsider is a side of the Japanese people that is often over looked. I (and i think a lot of people) have always seen Tokyo and the Japanese people as very hard working, intense people who live in the most high-tech city in the world who wouldn't have the time to relax.
The truth reveals something else entirely. I saw a relaxed people who were totally one with nature spending hours examining blooming flowers that are only on display for about 2 weeks of every year. Families playing in the park and work colleagues spending their lunch hours sitting under some of the most beautiful trees in the world. It was such a happy atmosphere. You couldn't help but absorb some of the happiness that was all around.
I saw a group of women some with cotton gloves on delicately holding and examining the blossoms. So much respect is shown for the trees and their flowers.
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| Up close and personal with the cherry blossoms |
Shinjuku Gyoen is a very large park with internal lakes and so many beautiful spots to see. My favourite spot would have to be this one. A cherry blossom that has over the decades grown over the water to look like this...
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| Blossom hanging over the water |
Another unexpected beauty that arises from the cherry blossoms is when their petals fall to the ground and forms a delicate blanket.
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| Me standing under a canopy of cherry blossoms with their petals on the ground |
As you walk around the park you get to see so many different views of the surroundings. Designing gardens has been an art of the Japanese for centuries and they have mastered it within this park.
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| Internal lake |
What I never realised until I saw the cherry trees up close is that the flowers bloom in bunches. Each branch has many of these bunches and the whole tree must have thousands of bunches. No wonder the Japanese spend hours viewing these trees and flowers as it seems the more you look, the more you find.
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| Bunches and bunches of cherry blossoms |
Blossoms in all their glory.
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Stay tuned for more cherry blossom adventures.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you want some advice or tips for planning your Japanese adventure.
G
P.S You can click on the photos to enlarge them.
