Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail, Part Three: Spring-Shades and Candy-Lit Tokyo.

Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail, Part Three:  Spring-Shades and Candy-Lit Tokyo.

“And so the spring buds burst, and so I gaze,

And so the blossoms fall, and so my days ...”

Uejima Onitsura

Tokyo Mid-Town

Our final destination in the Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail is the country’s capital, Tokyo. Here we get glimpses of nature’s cheery transformation after a monochrome-skied winter. It’s a gift that is in abundance for all, for the haves and have-nots, for all ethnicities, races, colours, genders, and ages. A gift that speaks in the language of flowers. Spring.

The Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail

For the locals, the cherry blossom season is a special time of the year. The cherry flowers are also known as sakura in Japan, meaning ‘sacred flower’. For the Japanese, the sakura is an unspoken symbol of appreciation, and in this post, I will focus more on the spring flowers rather than about metropolitan city itself.

By the way, I have included some extracts from Parts One and Two here, in case you have missed them.

Roppongi and Tokyo Mid-town

During our visit, we stayed in the famous Roppongi district. Who? Me? At Roppongi? Yep, I received many raised eyebrow reactions when I mentioned this to my friends.

A walk in spring

Well, Roppongi is noted as the nightlife district of Tokyo. It is known for its foreigner-friendly bars and restaurants. I am not exactly a late-night explorer (plus, I was doped up on anti-allergy medication for hay fever…), so I missed out on seeing the neon lights and night-time activities. I wasn’t too disappointed, though, because I woke up early to the sights of beautiful dew-filled, low-hanging, pink-blossom clouds. The enchanting pictures in this post are from the surrounding neighbourhoods of Roppongi,  Mid-Town, Roppongi Hills, Shiroyama Garden, Izumi Garden, and ARK Hills.

A serene cherry-lit pond

Apart from being the centre of nightlife, Roppongi is also home to many foreign embassies, so you’d feel safe (or should I say even safer) walking along these streets.

Spring-shades 

Mid-Town, which was just a few hundred meters away from our hotel, was recently opened in 2007. Mid-Town is essentially a city within the city. There are plenty of commercial, residential, and entertainment facilities located in the neighbourhood, making it easy to access everything you need without having to leave the area.

Around Roppongi neighbourhood

I am sure you would recognise the leading brands in Roppongi, such as the Mori Building Company, The Pokémon Company, Fuji Xerox, Google Japan, Yahoo Japan, and Ritz Carlton.

Hanami (and coffee) at Tokyo Mid-Town

In the picture below, you will notice people picnicking and having drinks with their eyes gazing at the blossom-filled landscape. All were awestruck and silent. I was too. This activity of just picnicking under the cherry blossoms is a centuries-old practice known as Hanami.

Silent admiration. That's a Mount Fuji replica, in case you missed the real one.

What is the Cherry Blossom?

In very few words, it’s a flower grown on trees. But it’s no ordinary flower. It symbolises friendship and peace. It also expresses a time of renewal and the fleeting nature of life. It’s also the national flower of Japan.

Interestingly, all cherry trees produce a small number of edible cherries. The trees are of genus Prunus—the family of plums, apricot and peaches. They are also known as Ume trees.

Spring, spring, spring shades

There is a wide variety of cherry blossom species and hybrids today, and the most popular one in Japan is Somei Yoshino. Each species produces a unique bloom, creating a variety of cherry flower sizes, colours, thicknesses, shapes, and fragrances.

What is the Cherry Blossom Season?

Just as the name suggests, this is the season when the cherry flowers (sakura) bloom. This happens only for a short period, usually starting in late March and ending in early April. Having said this, I also learnt that cherry flowers also blossom in the autumn months. So, there is more than one opportunity to see cherry flowers in the year.

Colour me sweet

When is the (Spring) Cherry Blossom Season in Japan?

It’s in the spring months of March and April. The weather cannot be predicted, so when planning a trip, it’s good to pad in a couple more days before and after the forecasted dates.

Speed of the blossom .... just like at a race track

Just cross-check your travel itinerary with the latest Sakura Calendar issued by Japanese Meteorological Agency. It captures the cherry blossom stages and dates by region and comes in handy when deciding on your cherry blossom plans. This calendar sure makes planning so much easier, don’t you agree?

Here are the forecasted dates for all major cities in 2019.

According to the dates shown, the full bloom forecast in Tokyo was on 27 March 2019. If you want to take part in this local celebration of confetti but missed out on it, don’t fret. You are not at all late for the next one!

  

Winter sakura, on the other hand, start blooming in autumn and continue to bloom sporadically throughout the winter. Even if you miss that, there is always next spring! Unfortunately, I do not have the calendar for the winter sakura.

Near the hotel

How Long is the Cherry Blossom Season in Japan?

In addition to buffering in a few additional days before and after your trip, do take note that these cotton-candy flowers can only be sighted for a short while. There’s only about two weeks between when the buds form to when they drop off. Stay longer if you wish to see the full progression.

Fairyland

Do you notice the fallen petals on the grass? When I first saw them, I thought the grass was covered in frosted ice!

Frosted ice? I don't think so, just the fallen spring petals

When more petals start to fall, they form a lovely carpet of snow-white petals. It begins to get a little sad, but as long as there is the sun, there will be another season. A renewal of hope, as they say.

What are the Stages of the Flower Formation?

The flowers bloom in six stages. As the blooming progresses over several days, you can experience different ambiances that generate a different aura for each person witnessing the trees’ beauty. To understand the stages better, here is the countdown:

• Stage 1—The formation of green buds indicating the arrival of spring.
• Stage 2—Florets become visible. This usually happens 14 days prior the peak bloom. Here is when the countdown begins.
• Stage 3—The florets are extended. This is usually 12 days before the peak bloom.
• Stage 4—Flower stems can be noticed. This is often six days before the peak bloom.
• Stage 5—Fluffy white/pink/red flowers are formed. This is usually on days 10 and 11.
• Stage 6—The peak! At this point, almost 70% of the blossoms have bloomed. 

Where Else Can We See Cherry Blossoms?

If you are not able to go to Japan, do not fret. These delicate flowers can be found in many other counties. Japan has given the sakura to many countries as gifts. Today, sakura can be found all over the world, especially in temperate zones (such as in the US, Germany, Netherlands, Nepal, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, and Australia). It’s easier than ever to see the glory of these flowers!

Here is a list I have gathered of all the places you can go to see these magnificent blossoms. Do let me know if I have missed out your country. I will add them in. After all, the flowering season is for everyone!

  

Have I listed your place?

What Do You Do During Cherry Blossom Season?

• Hanami. This is the tradition of welcoming the spring. Just sit, take a walk, relax, read, or sip a drink amongst the gentle, fluffy petals. Take it all in. For me, this was a humbling experience and quiet appreciation of scent and colours.

Now its time for coffee (and wine).  RD 's coffee with some Tokyo blossoms

• Create a Yearly Sakura Album or Journal. Capture photos of blooms every day, from the time the buds say hello until the time the petals say goodbye. The sakura is a sacred flower, and so this activity is widespread among the locals. Did you notice the cell phones pointing to the flowers?

Snap away

• Snap away. Well, thank God for digital cameras; otherwise, I would have to spend a fortune for the Kodaks, and so would this gentleman here. His model was his car, and the studio setting was the empty, spring-pastel-shaded street. I wanted a mugshot with the car but got a bit too tongue-tied to request. Remember what Kobayashi Issa, the Japanese poet, said? ‘In the cherry blossoms’ shade, there's no such thing as a stranger.’ That is almost true. Look—I took a picture of him and his car instead. (His face and car plate have been blurred off for privacy reasons.)

Smile, you are on candid camera

And then, of me, away from that handsome car. That is my car … in my dreams.

Hello again

• Admire the flowers during the day and night. At night, these wonders look like rain clouds under the moonlight.

When night falls on the blossoms ....

Towards the end of the season, the petals form on a snow-like carpet—the confetti of spring. I always thought fairyland was something just in my head. After seeing cherry blossoms in Tokyo, I know such magical places exist. It’s time to trust your instincts again, hear that voice, even if it’s a call from Peter Pan.

Did you hear that?  Peter Pan?

Henry Ward wrote ‘Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul in to’. But under the sky of flowers, I felt the soul of the cherry blossoms as they whispered to each other.

The soul of the flowers

I am filled with a little sadness as I end this article. So, I decided to do what I do best—counting those hopeful stars … Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi. I know there will be another pretty spring soon. I am bugged by the spring shades.

Counting those hopeful stars ... Reaching Delphi

Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail, Part Two: Humbled Amongst the Flowers of Silence in Nagoya.

Unspoken words are the flowers of silence – Japanese Proverb

Cotton-candy blossoms around Nagoya Castle

Our next destination in the Japanese Cherry Blossoms Trail is Nagoya, a city with a captivating history. In this post, we will learn about Nagoya and see the beautiful cherry blooms in stages 1, 2, 3, and 4. In Part One of this series, I mentioned that the flowers bloom in six stages. Don’t worry if you cannot remember the sequence. Here is a recap:

• Stage 1—The formation of green buds indicating the arrival of spring.
• Stage 2—Florets become visible. This usually happens 14 days prior the peak bloom. Here is when the countdown begins.
• Stage 3—The florets are extended. This is usually 12 days before the peak bloom.
• Stage 4—Flower stems can be noticed. This is often six days before the peak bloom.
• Stage 5—Fluffy white/pink/red flowers are formed. This is usually on days 10 and 11.
• Stage 6—The peak! At this point, almost 70% of the blossoms have bloomed.

Below is a picture of the cotton-candy flowers in the early bloom stages. Can you identify the stages based on the sequence listed above? 

Mixture of blooms in Nagoya

This picture of humbling pink, purple, and white shades against the sun’s rays may seem ordinary, but it is one of my most cherished. I have used it in many posts, and here is why.  A wise person once said that a ‘picture is worth a thousand words’. For me, the sun rays are the messages finding their way to me and a reminder that relief will shine through when the time is right.

Rays of hope

By the way, I wish to remind readers that this post is not from a recent trip, but it’s topic is timely given the season.

Cherry Trees Around the World

Today, Sakura can be found all over the world, especially in temperate zones (such as in the US, Germany, Netherlands, Nepal, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, and Australia). It’s easier than ever to see the glory of these flowers!

In the US, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrated in the spring of each year in Washington, DC, to commemorate the gift of Japanese cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo City to DC on March 27, 1912. It represents the symbol of a lasting relationship.

The cherry blossom is called sakura after the Japanese cherry (trees of the genus Prunus).

Japanese Cherry - the Sakura (genus Prunus)

Where is Nagoya?

Nagoya needs minimal introduction. It is located in the central region of Honshu Island. In terms of size, Nagoya is the largest city in the Chūbu region and fourth largest in Japan. Nagoya’s capital is Aichi Prefecture. Over the centuries,  Nagoya has grown into a very prominent industrial hub for the region.

Toyota owners, did you know that Toyota’s headquarters is in Nagoya? It is indeed.

Getting to know Nagoya

Nagoya is also known as the castle town of the Chūbu region. Nagoya Castle is one of the three most famous castles in the country.

Speaking of captivating history and the number three, Nagoya is where the three notable daimyo, or feudal lords, of the 17th century—Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Leyasu—were born. You will read about them again in a short bit. A lot of the Nagoya’s history is centred on these three feudal lords.

Flowers of the lords and the people at Nagoya Castle gardens

Just like many other cities in Japan, Nagoya attracts a large number of visitors annually. I am proud to say that I am one of them. One of the reasons for my visit to Japan was to catch up with my two dearest friends, Hiroko San and Shogo San. The pink and white sakura, the need for a little breather in between projects at work, and some saved-up money made this vacation to Japan possible.

Did you notice I used the word San after their names? San is an honorary title, just like Mr./Ms./Mrs. It’s a respectful way to address a person.

I first met Hiroko San, then an expat in Malaysia, many years ago at a local bus stop in the neighbourhood where we both stayed. She was off to meet some friends in Chinatown, and I was rushing off to work. Shogo San, her husband, an engineer, was posted on an assignment to Malaysia. They lived in Kuala Lumpur then. Though they returned to Japan a year or two later, we remained friends. Here is a little secret: I got my first golf lesson from Shogo San. It’s been decades since then. Did I make it to the LPGA squad? What do you think… Regardless, I am glad for the bus that arrived late that morning.

We meet again in Nagoya

Nagoya is also known to have the best Japanese food. Since I am not a food junkie, I am not getting into that area.

How to Get to Nagoya and Beyond

The fastest and most comfortable way is to reach Nagoya from any major city in Japan is by high-speed bullet train. When in Japan, I would recommend you hop on to a super-speed Shinkansen at least once just for the experience. The ride is quality at its height!

You can get coffee on board  :) 

The cost of individual train tickets can be a pinch to the pocket, so we decided to purchase the Japan Rail Pass. If you are not familiar with how this works or the services it covers, don’t worry. The helpful staff at the stations are always quick to guide and recommend the best domestic travel options.

The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) worked out well for us.  In case you are not aware, the JR Pass is a short-term pass that allows unlimited travel across Japan. It allows the pass holder to ride on almost all regional and local trains and local buses. JR Pass is only available for foreigners, and at the time we visited, this pass could be purchased only through an appointed agent or online, outside Japan. As I understand, today for a limited period,  visitors can also buy the pass at major airports and stations too.  JR Pass is an economical way to travel if you intend to cover long distances within the ticket validity period (7, 14, or 21 consecutive days); otherwise, the rides will turn out to be an expensive option. Prior trip planning is essential to maximise its benefits. If you are travelling to only one region/city, a regional or city pass would be the wiser choice.

Shinkansen, what an elegant creature!

I wished the bullet train ride had been longer for me to enjoy its top-notch comfort, but I was even more anxious to get off when I saw Hiroko waiting at the platform in Nagoya.

What Do You Do in Nagoya? 

• Visit Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle was our first sightseeing stop. Bear with me a little—there are so many names to remember!

Exploring Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle was built initially by Imagawa Ujichika in the 1520s. In 1532, it was seized by Oda Nobuhide. The castle was abandoned after the 1580s, and at the same time, there were several violent outbreaks or disruptions in the region. Tokugawa Leyasu turned out to be the victorious leader, and he rebuilt the castle in 1609.

The Tokugawa clan was a very powerful and influential family in Japan. Under Tokugawa, the castle flourished, and as a feudal lord, he had general authority over others.

Warriors protecting Nagoya Castle

Let’s fast forward a few hundred years. Almost all of Nagoya Castle was destroyed during World War II. The surviving artefacts were kept safe, and they have been reused when rebuilding the structure after the war.

Some of the surviving artefacts in Nagoya Castle

Here are some pictures around the beautiful castle. Do you see the blooms? Shogo San referred to these as half-blooms. According to him, the half-blooms create a very calm and serene atmosphere. If you listen carefully, you can hear them whisper, he told me.

Hauntingly peaceful - half blooms of Nagoya

We took our time to admire the petals in the making. I am pretty sure I heard the humming serenade of leaves and flowers, and then that whisper. It was hauntingly peaceful.

• Visit Nagoya Port

Nagoya Port, the largest and busiest port in Japan, is an hour’s drive from Hiroko San’s residence. Located in Ise Bay, the port area is Shogo San’s favourite spot. He comes here regularly for inspiration and for his canvas-subjects.  Yep, he’s an artist, and I am a proud owner of one of his autographed paintings.

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is in the port area. We got a chance to visit the well-maintained aquarium and catch a friendly dolphin show. Those dancing dolphins were so well trained, their performance flowed rhythmically.

Around Nagoya Port area

• Other Attractions

There are so many different attractions in Nagoya. These include the famous Toyota City and Toyota Museum, the colourful Korankei Park, and Legoland. However, since we were down with a rather bad pollen attack, our travel was somewhat limited. 

Underneath the Japanese moonlight

You’ll find parks of varying sizes all over Japan. With the help of a couple of anti-allergy pills and lots of hot green tea, I got to enjoy many long walks and chats with our hosts in the blossom-lit neighbourhood.

Where to Stay in Nagoya

Hotels in Japan can be rather expensive, but you can still find alternative options. Check out this post, Why pay more? Grab the best hotel deal possible, for ways on how to get better hotel deals.

A little Minshuku flavour

To experience a local flare in Nagoya, try Japanese-style accommodations, like Ryokan or Minshuku. We didn’t want to trouble our friends, so we booked a room at an eco-friendly Airbnb, partly Minshuku style. Nobuyo San and Fujiko San were our lovely hosts. Fujiko prepared a great local vegetarian meal for us, and to top it off, she grounded freshly roasted beans to satisfy our caffeine needs. Those hot coffees helped ease up the nasal passages. 

Fresh brew. Look at the awesome breakfast!

Hiroko San insisted we stayed with her for the remaining trip, so we said “Arigato” and “Sayonara” to Nobuyo and Fujiko San and stayed with Hiroko and Shogo for a few more nights.

Coffee in Nagoya

Coffee is a huge deal in Japan. We visited an art-cafe belonging to Shogo’s friend, which I absolutely loved. The zen-like surrounding and fragrance of the fresh, hot brew would definitely make this place one that inspires new ideas.  I did not look out for cherry trees specifically, but there were plenty of plants around.

Zen Art-Cafe in Nagoya

Inside, we ordered delicious fresh-baked cookies with our coffee. I wished I didn’t have to get going to our next destination.

Coffee and delicious cookies 

All good relationships bloom gracefully like the delicate Sakura.  And just as the spring flowers, they too are present in our lives for a while but create a lifetime of pleasant memories—memories of the seasons that return time after time. It may no longer be cherry blossom season when you read this post, but as long as the sun shines, there will be another opportunity to see the beautiful Sakura. I can still hear those whispers, the unspoken words of the flowers … of silence … Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi. See you again in Part Three.

Wait, there is more!

Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail, Part One: The Green Buds and Pink Florets of Osaka-Kyoto-Nara

‘Look at the cherry blossoms!

Their colour and scent fall with them,

Are gone forever, yet mindless

The spring comes again’  Ikkyu Sojun

‘Tis the season, the time when Japan is filled with trails of scented blossoms of pink, red, and white. It’s even cherry blossom season in other parts of the world, so today I bring you this post on the delicate sakura—the Japanese cherry blossom.

Early blossoms

This is the first of the three-part series on the Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail. In this series, I will share facts relating to the sakura, my travel experiences to Japan during this season, and some useful information for your travels to this country. 

Here are some fun-facts for our first reading:

• The cherry blossom is called sakura after the Japanese cherry (trees of the genus Prunus).
• Did you know that the sakura is the national flower of Japan?
• Today, sakura can be found all over the world, especially in temperate zones (such as in the US, Germany, Netherlands, Nepal, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, and Australia). It’s easier than ever to see the glory of these flowers!
• There are many varieties of cherry trees, the most common being the Somei Yoshino (which is believed to be native to the Nara district in southern Honshu,  Japan)

Full blooms away from Osaka

You have those facts memorised? Great! Next, we often hear that cherry blossom season lasts two to three weeks. Does this mean we need to be at the location for all days? That’s entirely up to you, but I would love to someday.

The flowers bloom in six stages. As the blooming progresses over several days, you can experience different ambiances that generate a different aura for each person witnessing the trees’ beauty. To understand the stages better, here is the countdown (drum roll):

• Stage 1—The formation of green buds indicating the arrival of spring.
• Stage 2—Florets become visible. This usually happens 14 days prior the peak bloom. Here is when the countdown begins.
• Stage 3—The florets are extended. This is usually 12 days before the peak bloom.
• Stage 4—Flower stems can be noticed. This is often six days before the peak bloom.
• Stage 5—Fluffy white/pink/red flowers are formed. This is usually on days 10 and 11.
• Stage 6—The peak! At this point, almost 70% of the blossoms have bloomed. 

I was lucky to see almost all these stages over one rather short visit. How so? you may ask. Well, we need to take note that the different stages above are not mathematical formulas. Not all of the flowers are necessarily formed on day 0 across the country, and not all 100% florets become visible on next day, and so forth. So, if you plan your travel accordingly, you can get to see the blossoms in different places at different stages. There is a general bloom season (almost always perfect in Japan😉), but there are slight variations depending on where you are. Get the picture now? Just cross check your travel itinerary with the Japanese Sakura Calendar issued by Japanese officials. It captures the cherry blossom stages and dates by region and comes in handy when deciding your cherry blossom plans.

Preparation for the spring

My cherry blossom trail in 2017 covered three districts over eight days. It started in Osaka (Kansai district, the south-central region in Honshu), travelled north to Nagoya (Chūbu region, the central region in Honshu), and ended our trip in Tokyo (Kantō region the south-eastern region of Honshu). In this post, we will only explore the blooms in the surrounding areas of the Kansai district. In terms of stages, I will show you pictures representing stages 0–2 of the blooms.

Sakura buds

As I mentioned earlier, this trip was my first visit to Japan and also the first time I got to see cherry flowers in the making. That year, the cold climate lingered a little longer than forecasted, so I was lucky. The cherry blossom season was in the making for the grand display when I arrived!

For the south-central visit, Osaka was our home base. From here, we made day trips to Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima.

Exploring Kinkaku-ji,  Kyoto

KinKaku-ji’s official name is Rokuon-ji. It translates to “Temple of the Golden Pavilion.” This is one of the most visited Buddhist temples in Kyoto district.

Interestingly, the temple  was built as a villa in 1397 and belonged to Saionji Kintsune, an influential statesman at that time. The building was later bought by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who transformed it into building complex. Upon his death, the complex was converted to a Zen temple. The golden structure we see here is the only one left of this complex and was rebuilt in 1955. The rest of the arrangements here were destroyed over the years during different wars.

Buds, florets and the Golden Pavilion

Kinkaku-ji is located in northern Kyoto. You can get here by train. The nearest train station to Kinkaku-ji is Kyoto Station. From Kyoto Station, take the local Kyoto intercity transfer, a bus, to the building complex.

In ‘Between stops there's a Chiyo somewhere’, I talked about a beautiful geisha named Chiyo (from the novel, Memoirs of a Geisha) in Kyoto. Years on, she still lives in my head.

Here are some photos of the surrounding area. Can you see the cherry buds and the florets? Yep, it’s stages 1 and 2.

More buds and florets

Exploring Nara Park, Nara.

Nara Park is located in Nara. Nara’s history dates back to the 8th century, when it was Japan’s first permanent capital. Today, Nara Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara Park is also one of the oldest parks in Japan.

Who are you trying to get a picture of, me or the Geisha?

To get to Nara, try a local train. Nara is easily accessible from Osaka in just 45 minutes.

The main attraction in Nara is the deer park. You will go wild seeing them! Nara is home to over one thousand free-roaming deer.  In the Shinto religion, the deer is considered a sacred animal.  It is funny how things pop out because just as I was writing this post, CNN also posted an article on these deer.  Check it out!

Caught you!

Some of the deer can get aggressive, but it looks like they decided to behave on the day I was there.

I dare you to get nearer

Look here—the deer below were still napping in the sun.

How many of us do you have?

Visitors to the park will also get a chance to see Kofokuji. This is the temple of the once most powerful clan in Nara. Within the park grounds, you will also see a thousand-year-old pagoda. Just look up to see it!

I hope you spotted the lovely cherry buds and flowers among these photos.

How do you get to Osaka and other areas in the Kansai region?

• Plane

• Kansai International Airport (domestic and international)

• Osaka / Itami Airport (domestic only)

• Kobe (domestic only)

• Train (domestic only)

• Bullet trains

• Regular trains

• Road
• Buses
• Car/Taxis
• Bicycles—Mama-charis are bicycles. They are available for rent or for purchase. 

What is the official language in Japan, and can I get by with only English?

Japanese is the national language. Most tourist locations have trained English-speaking staff. If you are more adventurous or prefer independent travel, it would be helpful to know a few essential phrases to get by. Otherwise, there is always Google translation apps.

On that note, don’t worry if you do not have Wi-Fi services for online translations. But maybe try something more personal and go for a human interpreter instead. 😊 You will notice many local students at the train stations offering you help to locate the right platforms and trains or even volunteering to show you around. It was such a pleasure to accept their company. This student in the picture below made sure we got on the right train to Nara. She was practising her English with me while I was learning more about her culture.

It's all about learning

How are Wi-Fi connections in Japan?

Free Wi-Fi is available in most cities, but if you wish to have a consistent and reliable service, you could pick up a pocket Wi-Fi as I did. It is a service provided by a company called Japan Wireless. I pre-ordered the Wi-Fi router before I arrived and picked it up from the local post office where it was sent.

I need coffee, can I get some in Japan?

Welcome to the land of awesome, healthy green tea and delicious hot matcha drinks. But coffee? Would you be surprised if I told you that coffee is popular in Japan too?  I was surprised that the coffee-drinking community here is huge. In fact, it is the fourth largest in the world. The large number of customer-packed cafes and shops selling coffee beans is a testimony to this. So, not to worry—your coffee needs will be taken care of. Starbucks is popular everywhere in Japan, and quite frankly, I must admit that liked the Japanese Starbucks. Perhaps it was the cup, or the water, or the milk, or the bean, or even the barista. I cannot explain why. 

Classy look

If you are a coffee lover, remember to also check out a kissaten or a local coffee shop.

Most of the coffee for Japan’s consumption is imported. A small amount of local coffee beans is grown in the Okinawa districts. Coffee was introduced to Japan in the 1800s by the Dutch Trading Company.

While in Nara, I also got a chance to visit the Japan Coffee Festival, where I sampled plenty of strong drip coffee that kept me awake all night.

Japan Coffee Festival

I want to sample local delicacies in Japan. What should I do?

Sushi. Tempura. Udon. Soba. These are just a few. In Japan, visitors will get the opportunity to savour both regional and seasonal cuisines. My preferred choice is anything vegetarian. Usually it is not easy to get the vegetarian version of local dishes, but we managed to find a couple in Osaka.

If you have a sweet tooth, do not leave without trying an Ichigo Daifuko. It is a soft, chewy mochi (glutinous rice cake) with sweet stuffing.

Oh my sweet love

Did you get a chance check out the Sakura Calendar I mentioned earlier? Can you still make it for this season?

A healthy choice

I am smitten by the buds of spring. I cannot wait for them to bloom more. I am counting the days! While I do that, here a few recent pictures of spring from our friends.  Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi. See you again in part two.