One thing I've noticed about hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is that it brings everyone together. Coworkers, friends, families, foreigners and locals all gather to witness and appreciate the beauty of the sakura blossoms. These precious flowers attract all walks of life and hanami doesn't stop at "flower viewing" but it really is a social event, where you can bond with those around you. There was a large group of salary men next to us at Yoyogi park and they were eating pizza and drinking beers and they got quite loud. But they seemed to be having a lot of fun. At Shinjuku Gyoen, there were many families with young children running around on the grass. Some of them were blowing bubbles and others were jumping rope. I really enjoyed Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden because although Shinjuku is one of the busiest places in Tokyo, the park itself is like an oasis where time moves a little slower and your surroundings are quieter. Of course, at the ticket gate it was crowded, loud and crazy. But when I walked further into the park (it's huge by the way), I found myself relaxing and really taking in the beauty that surrounded me. I could see that others were doing the same, finding tranquility in the midst of chaos.
Side Note: If you ever hanami, bring your own mat or picnic sheet to sit on! I saw many people using tarps at Yoyogi Park, which helped because the ground was muddy. I didn't have any with me but it would have been really nice to sit under the dancing cherry blossoms that fell from trees each time the wind blew.
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I got this brochure called "Tokyo Metro Guide" and it contains a map of the subway system (click here for some info about commuting by train), it also contains a more simplified map that shows you all of the most popular must-see destinations while in Tokyo along with descriptions of each place. This brochure is pictured below. I'm sure you will be able to pick one up at the airport once you land. Also, if you ever go to Tokyo for a visit, this guide will help you hit a bunch of different places in a single day because you will know exactly which station you need to get to. This guide gave me a better idea of where things are and helped me to plan out where I have to see. If you are unable to get your hands on this brochure/map, or if you'd rather have an electronic version, I was referred to this app called Tokyo Subway Navigation (for tourists), which I also posted on my Helpful Phone Apps page. You can download the app onto your smart phone and easily access it wherever you are! There's free wi-fi at subway stations so you can still access it without a Japanese SIM card or pocket wifi. Below are some screenshots of this app.
Overall, I am happy with the location of my dorm. Although it does seem far at first, looking at its location relative to all of these other places puts things into perspective and I don't think it's bad at all!
The maps and train routes pictured above were taken from the app: City Rail Map. I did mention Tokyo Rail Map Lite on my page of Helpful Phone Apps; however, I guess that app is out of date? So you can get the same results with City Rail Map. it's the same company. |
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