Mar 21, 2013

千鳥ヶ淵 Chidorigafuchi is perhaps the most famous moat in Japan. It is found north of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. In spring throngs of people flock to this spot. The must-see? 夜桜 yozakura or “night sakura”, cherry trees lit up to create an other-worldly atmosphere. Chidorigafuch Ryokudo (“green road”) is a 700m long promenade...

Apr 8, 2012

I’ve been asked by an acquaintance, who has been in Japan for about three months, about my favorite 花見 hanami (lit. “flower viewing”; is more like a “cherry blossom appreciation party”) spot in Tokyo. Kudos to her for wanting to go—a key to understanding Japan is to observe (or better yet, participate in) the phenomenon that is...