Saturday, March 19, 2016
Sakura is the name of the Japanese cherry trees and they are almost in bloom this week. I can see pale colors of blossoms on many trees which are on the verge of opening as we walk around Tokyo.
The Sakura Festival is an important time of year throughout Japan. It’s a season of excited anticipation and hope for good times and happiness for the coming year. Pink signs were everywhere brightening Tokyo with color. Lanterns were hanging in every park for evening strolls and picnics.
We checked out of the New Otani Hotel (highly recommended!) and walked to the Toyku Stay Yotsuya Hotel to join the Overseas Adventure Travel tour group to see the rest of Japan during the next two weeks.
Today was a cool rainy spring day so, after we left our luggage in the new hotel, we took the JR train to Ueno Park to visit the Tokyo National Museum to see traditional Japanese art.
Afterwards we stopped in a cafe down the street from the museum and discovered “Japanese sweet milk tea” which was warming and delicious.
We took the train back to the new hotel. Japanese people work very long hours so many of the people, of all ages, were sleeping on the train.
After we rested in the hotel, we ventured out to look for a restaurant for dinner.
