Sakura in Winter

The best illumination that I experienced on my December trip to Tokyo isn't mentioned on illumination list websites. In fact, not many people were there enjoying it. I had seen it briefly during the train ride from Narita to Ikebukuro. So I decided to go to 五反田駅,the Gotanda train station and see if there was anything really there. 

After a few turns and a little walk, I reached 目黒川,the Meguro River. A section of the most direct way was closed so I ended up further down river at 大崎光の滝公園, Osakihikarunotaki Park. Which was just the start of these pink lit trees.

The sakura trees along the Meguro River were dressed in sparkling pink lights, mimicking the beautiful flowers that appear in spring.

Please excuse my not great photos, but I really want to share how lovely this all was. 

A few businesses also had holiday lights, adding to the magic. In a way my not so in focus photos do share the mystical feeling that was there.

On and on the illuminated trees went. The reflections in the river added to the beauty. 

And when the trees draped over to form a tunnel, I couldn't help but feel this how romantic it was. Almost like a fairy tale.

I was really surprised there weren't more people enjoying this. A few couples but mostly locals walking home from wherever they had been. 

 It was like walking in a dream. Sakura in winter.

Not the best photo but these blue lights under the pine trees gave a very cool and mysterious feeling to this part of the walk. I had to walk over there. 

As much as I like blue, these pink trees were a wonderful experience.  

It was a long cold walk, but it was worth it. A wonderful experience. And it made me look forward to sakura in the spring even more.

From Meguro to Ginza

I'm always looking for interesting things to see when I travel. One day during my last trip to Tokyo in March this year, I found myself walking along a long river under sakura trees. 

It's interesting and sometimes sad to see what Japan does with their waterways in their urban landscape. Not just the sides are bricked up, but the bottom too. 

Even so, it was a pretty river. And even prettier when when the sakura bloom. 

Along the way I came across what I think is Jizo, possibly for travelers along this river side road.

Along with this balcony full of aliens. 

Sadly the sakura were not blooming yet. The buds meant it would happen soon. 

As for the river, it was Meguro-gawa. 

and in Meguro, I was headed to this place. 

However I didn't realize there was a number of steps required to enter the building. First one went in another building to get a number. It appeared people were filling out forms there. After that one had to wait in this line. Information that is missing on the English Starbuck's website. 

I wasn't too bothered by this, since Starbucks isn't high on my list of places to visit, in part because there are Starbucks everywhere in the US. I just thought it would be interesting because it was brand new in Tokyo.

Heading back to the Naka-Maguro Station, I still wanted something to drink. I stopped in this cute little restaurant Longcafe Stand.

I enjoyed a bit of iced tea while figuring out where I wanted to go for dinner. 

One train ride later I found myself back under that moon. 

In the luxury shopping center of Tokyo. Where I made a reservation for dinner the next night at the Vampire Cafe.

Yes it's Ginza again. 

Fun to see this Queen pop-up shop in front of one of the ritzy stores. Japan still loves Queen. 

It was nice to see again the astrology clock of Ginza Diamond Shiraishi.

Since the Moi-même-Moitié collaboration dinner at Vampire Cafe didn't start till the next day, I headed over to my other favorite place in Ginza. TAU Hiroshima Brand Shop. I thought I would try the Italian place upstairs, MERI Principessa. But unfortunately the whole restaurant was reserved for a company that evening. My luck this day was not going well.

So I ended up at a place I'd eaten at before. But the name of the place had changed. It's now Koi Koi. But they still serve Hiroshima okonomiyaki.

And they still have the long grill where it gets a little warm. So it was one of those moments that a tall beer was welcome. 

While I watched the show. Fire up that okonomiyaki! 

Or slather it with this white gloop. That white gloop was grated mountain yam, naga-imo.

And that was my okonomiyaki. 

 And it was quite good. I was happy to sit down and enjoy this meal. If you happen to be traveling to Tokyo and want to try okonomiyaki, Koi Koi in TAU Hiroshima Brand Store in Ginza is one place you can do that.