The Irises of Koshikawa Korakuen

Not far from the pond at Koshikawa Korakuen is something very beautiful when in bloom.

Just before the wisteria trellis is a field of irises.

In the shining sunlight, they looked like butterflies amongst the long green leaves.

Of course a visit to Japan is not complete without seeing a large-billed crow. Or being seen by one.

This area also has a rice paddy.

Which is why the long channel of water.

So beautiful. I am very glad I finally was able to see this.

I have to say, this is now my favorite garden in Tokyo.

Next is a stop at that place just beyond this oasis.

Inokashira Park

 One day in March I decided to head to Kichijoji to look at a ring. I didn't buy the ring, but I had noticed there was a very large park nearby. So I headed over to it.

Even though most of the sakura trees were waiting to bloom, there were still pretty flowers to be seen as I walked through the park. 

Inokashira Park is known for a few things, besides being a bit of an oasis in the vast concrete area of Tokyo. Inokashira Pond is one of the two primary sources of water for the Kanda River. 

There are a number of monuments through out the park, as any good Japanese park has. 

Including this, Ochanomizu. As the name implies it was a spring fed source of water, including water used for a tea ceremony by shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa.

The water now comes from a well but it still goes into the end of the pond and then into the Kanda River at the other end of the pond. It was a really nice water feature.

Various flowers were blooming through out the park.

Including some in the ume or plum tree garden. 

Hidden behind some branches and a couple spraying fountains were the buildings of Inokashira Benzaiten Shrine. 

There were magnolia trees also showing off. 

I think there is a monument to shogun Iemitsu Tokogawa up there. I didn't go up to look. I had a bit of walking to do this day so going up more stairs wasn't in my plans.

One of a couple long bridges that stretch across the pond. This one is near the Inokashira Park Zoo. 

I didn't go in there but there was plenty of wildlife to see outside of it. Like this Large-billed Crow. 

The park is actually a great place for bird watching. 

Including swan boats. 

There really are a lot of birds there. Like this Eastern Great Egret. 

And these Grey Herons. 

Inokashira Park is also known as the place where the Ghibli Museum is located. But this day I had dedicated to looking at flowering trees. Some other time possibly I will visit the museum.

So this was a little bit of my walk around Inokashira Pond in the park. But there was something I did visit there and that will be my next post.

Kyu-naka-gawa and Kawazu-zakura

During my trip to Tokyo in March, there was one thing that I wanted to do. Besides of course enjoying good music. So on one of the days prior to the concerts, I set out to do that one thing. Even though the sky over Ikebukuro was cloudy. 

I headed to a place that isn't a usual tourist destination. Edogawa. But I find it relaxing to get away to the less busy places in Tokyo. Taking the JR Tobu line I ended up outside of Hirai Station. 

Where I stopped in at the local MOS Burger for a little refreshment before my long walk. 

Getting to the place I wanted to be required walking through a mixed residential and business area. Not much of interest to see, but there was one impressive Large-bill Crow.

Finally I reach this pathway. 

 Which leads to the Fureai-bashi (bridge). But I'm not going across it. Instead I went down below it.

Which is where you will find this. 

Still cloudy overhead but I hoped for some clearing. 

Even with that, the Kawazu-zakura were beautiful. 

These are early blooming sakura trees and their location along the Kyu-naka-gawa or Kyunaka River is wonderful. 

The trees attract a lot of birds. These are probably Brown-eared Bulbul. 

 I walked under the train bridge to get a close-up of Sky Tree. I still haven't visited it. I would have more photos of it here, but this post and my trip to Edogawa was about the sakura.

Looking back under the railroad bridge. I was surprised there weren't more people here, but then it was a working day. It really was a lovely place to be. 

The Fureai bashi with a little more sunlight. The clouds were finally giving up a little. 

I was reminded of how the year before I also was able to view the moon during the day through sakura blossoms. 

There are a few more photos in this post than normal, but even this doesn't express how moved I was this day by the beauty of these trees and flowers. 

This little bit of enchantment is located in Edogawa by the Fureai bridge that crosses the Kyunaka River. If you use the Hirai Station to get there, it puts you on the right side of the river.