Friday, April 11, 2008

Hanami 花見

Hi Hi sisters,

So sorry for the disappearing act, hope everyone has survived the week. Just saw both my sister and nephew off yesterday, thereby have officially ended my 3 weeks of ‘blind leading the blind’ life as a tour guide. By the time I write this, they should both be safe and sound in Toronto and New York respectively. They each came at different times from different countries for different purposes, but have coincidentally converged in this world famous city. You see, of all my time in Toronto, I may get rare visits from overseas relatives here and there. My guess is their planes either got hijacked or a wing fell off and the pilot had no choice but to make an emergency landing there :(


Perhaps because Tokyo, besides being a tourist destination, is also a gateway to Asia and North America, most people love to include Tokyo into their itinararies – what else, for shopping and sushi la! Hehe, even I have been getting my tiny share of steady stream of visitors. Some I know, some I’ve never met before, but regardless, I love to show off the best of Tokyo to visitors, loud and proud :)

This year the cherry blossoms bloomed from late March to the 1st week of April around the Tokyo area. Since this is our first time for Hanami 花見 はなみ (Sakura viewing and partying), we searched within and outside Tokyo for the best viewing of Sakura. Please enjoy ......

Big Buddha (Daibutsu) in Hase, Kamakura

Engakuji Temple in Kita-Kamakura

The beautiful Sakura path (Wakamiya-ohji St.) leading to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura

A quiet lane in Gora, Hakone

Outside Imperial Palace wall

Close up of Imperial Palace pink blossoms

Against modern architecture

Artsy Midtown

Same scene at night

More Sakura illumination

A Sakura-lined slope

Reminds me so much of home, imagine it's lined with maple trees .....

Hehe don't worry, I'm not homesick yet :) Have a great weekend!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is georgeus
Thank you for sharing this.


Moontime

Anonymous said...

Hi Jaime,

This brings me back to my memory lane, 1994. I was in Japan (Soma & Tokyo) from middile of May to end of April, the Hanami time. It was one of the best times in my life.
Thanks for taking me back to those unforgetable days .....
Have a nice weekend dear.

love,
Y.

gosijo said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful Hanami pictures with us, dear Jaime. I'm sure your visitors enjoyed their time with you and that you discovered much in your blind-leading-blind explorations.

Our dear YJ looks like he would like to join you all but must reluctantly stay indoors, either because of commitments or else so as not to cause a riot.

jaime said...

Hi Hi moontime,

Thank you for liking it and I am so happy that you enjoyed the photos. In fact, I find the evening illumination even more stunning :)

love ... Jaime

jaime said...

Dear Yee,

I am so happy that these pictures bring back good meomories for you. You like to come here next year for hanami? Actually Korachan mentioned that cherry blossoms forecast for Hokkaido is early May, there is still time :) I'll wait for you here.

love ... Jaime

jaime said...

my dear gosijo,

I have indeed experienced a lot of places like the Mount Fuji hot springs during my sister's visit. Hahaha, those onsen (hot springs) are addictive though :)

Hehe, I can be YJ's private tour guide anytime (if he trusts my Japanese, which is probably worse than his :)

Have a great weekend! (I heard the weather is beautful in TO, please enjoy :)

love ... Jaime

vegasbyj said...

Hi Jaime!

Wah, those pictures of the sakura are beautiful! Every time you or bb share pictures, it makes me want to travel even more. One day - one day!!

Thanks so much for sharing!
Take good care!

jaime said...

My dear vegas,

So nice to hear from you. Please come to Tokyo, I love to show you around with my limited knowledge. Hehe, I am very blessed to have the best guide in the city - our wonderful cloudnine onni :)

Please take care!

love ... Jaime

vegasbyj said...

Thank you Thank you Jaime!
I will one day and I look forward to having you as my tour guide.
And yes, you are very fortunate to have Cloud Nine onni as well!!

From all that you have shared, it seems you are enjoying your new home and surroundings. Japan has so much to offer - culture, food, entertainment, history, etc...

I'll see you there soon.

Anonymous said...

These are so beautiful, Jaime -- Japan seems to be such a graceful country! I was in Tokyo about 20+ years ago -- I don't remember that much except there was a HUUUGE Macdonald's right downtown, hahaha!

Please make sure to read the comment I just posted on your April 4th entry, ok?

much love,
coco

Anonymous said...

Hi, hi Chinggu!

I enjoyed all the pictures that you posted & these makes me feel so much a part of the tour that you've conducted together with our dear Cloud Nine with your sister & nephew.

Sounds like you'll be adding another wonderful qualification in your resume besides drawing, homemaker par excellence, a sweet as can be daughter & sister, and the best of all, a dear & very reliable friend through thick & thin.

Love yah! And keep happy!

Judy

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures, Jamie!!!!

Toujours_BYJ said...

Wow, so beautiful, thanks Jaime for sharing.

jaime said...

hi chief,

I am glad you like the sakura. Sorry, I'm so behind on my emails. I saw your comments and I will write to you soon, ok?

love ... jaime

jaime said...

hey chinggu,

thanks for dropping me a comment despite your busy schedule. Hang in there, ok? We're with you all the way! Fighting!

love .. .jaime

jaime said...

Hi Hi tamar,

glad you like the pictures. Any sakura in your area?

love .. .jaime

jaime said...

my dear camille,

I am so happy to hear from you. I have been so busy the last few weeks. I will write to you soon, ok?

love ... Jaime

Anonymous said...

Actually we do have Sakura around here. Pretty, pretty, pretty!