Return to the Sakura of Hirai

March 25th found me headed through Ikebukuro Station.

Where even the plush animals were wearing face masks.

I had been thinking about where to see sakura in an uncrowded place. First however, there was lunch in a familiar place. 

Comfort food time. MOS Burger shrimp sandwich. That lemony tenderness was just as good as I remembered it.

And the onion rings! I will keep saying that MOS Burger makes really good onion rings. Crisp outside, warm and delicious onion inside. 

So where was I? On a sidewalk distracted by this fun skeleton signage.

I was back in 平井, Hirai.

Where I was last year. Headed to 旧中川, the Kyunaka River. 

With it's wonderful view of Tokyo Skytree tower.

While there were less people there than in some other sakura viewing locations, there were groups and families there.

Still, the views of sakura were wonderful.

And there was enough space to safely enjoy the beautiful trees.

So the rest of this post will be just photos of the lovely views of sakura.

A Very Long Day

Last day of this trip. Waiting to take the N'EX train to Narita International Airport. Getting a little caffeine before the long journey begins. One thing I discovered this trip, there are a few decent cans of coffee in Japan. I don't remember if this was one of them. It was a long day.

On my way to Narita I continued my little tradition. Kirin's Salty Litchi. I found that this is actually really good when it is hot out, possibly because it helps replace salts in the body? Also the melon pan from Boulangerie Asanoya is really good. 

I caught sight of the gnome again! Some day I will have to go see him.

And of course, Sky Tree.

Crossing the Naka River, which runs next to the Arakawa river in this area. That may be the Katsushika Harp Bridge in the distance.

Finally another day of lovely weather, and I had to leave. I really wanted to stay longer. This, I need to do. Some day.

All I can say about my flight back to Canada was it was not good. I was feeling fine but unable to sleep thanks to other passengers. Some who even upset the flight attendants. I do have this photo of how I was able to get my Moi-même-Moitié obi back without it being crushed in a suitcase. It is nicely made and I love the color.

A couple hours in Vancouver International Airport. I got something to eat and drink at Vino Volo. Both were delicious, but the wine only increased my sleepiness. 

But I survived it all. Waiting for the small plane to take us back to Oregon. One of these days I will spend more time in Vancouver. Those mountains look enticing.

Those mountains from the air. From what I can find online, this is the North Shore Mountain Range.

A look heading over the islands off of Washington State.

Mount Baker in Canada, seen from the air over Washington, United States. Impressive.

Heading down the Puget Sound.

Below is Seattle.

Washington State and Canada in the distance.

Passing by Mount Rainier.

Another wonderful view of Mount St. Helens.

Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. This is why I get a window seat on this side of the airplane.

And finally Oregon's Mount Hood. I need to go visit it this summer.

Reaching the Columbia River with Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens on the horizon. On our way to safely land at Portland International Airport. And the end of this trip, all done in one very long day.

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.