The Sakura of Owl Road

There was a reason I decided to eat in the Azuma area of Ikebukuro. Even though the weather was gloomy, I still wanted to see sakura. So I walked past 威光稲荷堂, Inari Shinto Shrine.

Past the stone with it's little cat image.

Besides cats, this part of Ikebukuro, Minami-Ikebukuro and Zoshigaya, has become a favorite place of mine for seeing sakura.

Because the little Owl Road has beautiful sakura trees that line the way to the shrines and temples there.

Along with the sakura at the temples and shrines.

I stopped at 観静院, Kanjoin or Kansei-in Temple, to pay my respects to Benzaiten. Of course seeing the sakura there was also a part of this.

威光山法明寺, Ikosan Homyoji Temple and it's Sanomon Gate were amazing.

I told myself at the beginning of this trip that I would see these trees in bloom. I think I said that also last year when I was here. Honestly, it is so beautiful and I am glad I did see them.

Even the grey skies could not subdue the beauty of these trees.

Zoshigaya Cemetery

March 28th and my thoughts were about having Indian curry for lunch. I headed through a mostly empty Ikebukuro Station. This was highly unusual for what is normally one of the busiest train stations in the world. 

 It was the start of Tokyo's stay home policy in trying to protect people from the virus. So many shops were shuttered.

Since I did need to eat and my room did not have anything to cook with, I took the Yurakucho Line to where I had hoped I could get lunch. Once again, lots of room and social distancing on the train.

Unfortunately the restaurant was closed. So I decided to take a walk through a place I had thought about visiting before. 雑司ヶ谷霊園, Zoshigaya Cemetery. 

Established in 1874, the Tokyo Metropolitan government opened Zoshigaya Cemetery as a public cemetery.  

Something notable of the cemetery is the number of Japanese writers, artists and people of historical importance that have been laid to rest here. 

For many walking through a cemetery isn't their idea of a place to go, but during this pandemic time, it was a way to be outside in a spacious area with interesting things to see.

While many of the grave markers are Japanese, there are western style touches here.

 The cemetery is also a place with beautiful flowers.

Including gorgeous sakura flowers. 

Which remind one of the impermanence of life. 

Like Aoyama Cemetery, there are a few western style graves here. 

One noted site is for Catholic nuns of the Society of Sacred Heart in Japan. The graves are for nuns who passed away, during the time from 1916 to 1953.

There was one grave I was interested in seeing. 小泉 八雲,Koizumi Yakumo. Better known to westerners as Lafcadio Hearn, a writer who opened up a lot of Japan to people unable to travel there back in the late 19th century.

I will finish my post with a few photos of the beautiful flowers in and near by the Zoshigaya Cemetery.  

And of course the gorgeous sakura trees. 

A Few More Treats that First Full Day Back in Tokyo

My first full day in Tokyo in March, I really wanted to see some sakura. I took the Futokushin Line train from Harajuku to one place that I knew had sakura trees that would not be crowded. Zoshigaya.

My first stop was the Keyakimamiki Shopping Street. Sadly the stores were closed but I was able to pick out those very old Zelkova trees. 

They were still dormant but the bark of these approximately 600 year old trees was interesting to see. 

The closed stores means I need to plan for another visit in the future. Perhaps also look for a few manga related places also. And there is a little retro restaurant around here that I want to stop in at. When times are better.

I wasn't the only person curious about those trees from the 1500's.

A look at Kishimojin Temple as I walked to Owl Road, which is lined with sakura trees.

At Owl Road, that lovely pedestrian friendly walkway, the sakura trees were just beginning to bloom. But I had a few more days in Tokyo so I made a promise to come back before I left. 

Heading back to Zoshigaya Station, I noticed Shinjuku in the distance! The day was so nice I could see Cocoon Tower and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The construction barriers are for the Toden-Arakawa Tram Line. One day I want to ride this, especially if it is summer. Also called the Tokyo Sakura Tram, the streetcars are known for the roses that bloom along it and for their retro image.

I thought about having curry for dinner, but there was something I was craving. Something about these times made me want to go back to one of my favorite restaurants in Japan. That place that only plays Beatles music.

Of course my last stop for this first day back was at Manmaru. Ah, starting with the sake.

I really need to get a glass set like this. It's a luxurious feeling, the sake overflowing into the saucer below. Jumai gingo was happening.

For a salad, I went with the tomato. Absolutely the most delicious tomato I have ever eaten. I should have asked where it came from. There was definitely a "pushuuu" heard from me.

Followed that with an unagi don and I was feeling wonderful. This was a double "pushuuu" moment.

I did my best to treat myself this day, and yeah, that happened. What I didn't do was go to the Penguin Bar, but I did take a photo just to prove it does exist. Staying in this area of Ikebukuro, there are definitely interesting places.