Hanami in Tokyo Spring

Finally my dream came true. Thanks to my dearest hubby for his generous sponsorship on my entire trip to Tokyo recently, together with my mum. Though it was a shame that he couldn't join us due to his tight project deadline. My whole family, including the kids were supposed to travel to Tokyo in Spring on last year April, but the plan was dashed due to devastating 11th March earthquake+tsunami+nuclear meltdown.

In last year spring, hanami which was a very much looked forward event by everyone especially the locals, was taken lightly, mostly still mourning over the saddening crisis. Thus, this year's hanami, was a hit, after Japan has bounced back and standing firm once again. Everyone was eagerly looking forward for a better hanami celebration this year. Hanami is cherry blossom viewing and partying, picnicking with dearest families and close friends, hoping new wishes and better year ahead blossom like the beautiful sakura. It is a very meaningful event where the locals will allocate time to gather under sakura trees.

It was a memorable trip to visit Japan in Spring. You can feel the spirit in them during this hanami season....they really love their sakura. You can't even see anyone who will pluck the blossoming flowers off the branch. They would just stand under the sakura trees, admiring them, and taking some shots for momento...

See Tokyo at its prettiest in the month of April, free of charge in most of its gardens or gyoens. During the 8 days Tokyo trip, we visited a few gyoens which are popular for hanami viewing, such as Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Imperial Garden. Although you can expect to see sakura almost everywhere in Tokyo during Spring season.

Sakura snapshots occupied 70% of my DSLR memory cards. There are tonnes of flower pictures, proven that I was so fascinated with this prettily blossoming sakura....not only the trees, but Japanese are so madly in love with sakura, everything from souvenirs, amulets, food, beverages, or even lingerie, were made related to sakura.....what a spirit they have! To prove that...scroll down for pictures....

Somei Yoshino....5-petaled white sakura....

Kanzan...30-50 pink petals. The fresh leaves are coppery brown.

Ukon...10-20 petals with coppery leaves. Ukon trees are easily recognized by their yellowish color petals.

Ichiyo... has about twenty, light pink petals per blossom. The fresh leaves are green.

Ukon..

The bloody red petaled sakura...in Imperial Palace.

A sakura charm/amulet...sold in a temple in Ueno Park

The visit to Ueno Park on the 2nd day was a wet wet encounter...raining non-stop the whole day....and it was damn freezing cold....After Ueno Park, we quickly found a small little cafe tucked in a corner under a subway, near the park. We got ourselves hot coffee and some sakura filling an pan buns. The filling tasted just like some other sakura tea I had tasted before. As you can see, they wrapped the bun with a piece of real sakura leaf....but it was left untouched...I just devoured the bun :)

The Amo's sakura concept bras...hmmmm......do you think I will get this for myself?

Dessert and snacks made from sakura...in Takashimaya basement foodcourt....confectionery corner.

Some bento.....price comes not cheap, ranging from S$20 above per bento. But it was the perfect take away meal for hanami viewing. You can see many would picnicking under sakura trees in parks all over Tokyo, with home-packed or take away meal from major departmental basement foodcourts.

Lip smacking desserts...

Another sakura made dessert...beautifully handcrafted!

Even the world wide known hamburger chain, McDonald offers limited period burger Teritama to suit the taste of local consumers. This Sakura Teritama with light pink sakura sauce, with sakura printed wrapper, consists of a mouth watering juicy pork patty with ginger flavored teriyaki sauce, fried egg, lettuce and sweet lemon sauce. Teritama’s “Teri” is from Teriyaki and “tama” is from Tamago (egg).

Seriously this was so damn nice...why we do not have this in Singapore??

The popular tamago with sakura tinted flavour...sold in Tsukiji

Lastly, some snacks which I bought from Narita Airport before flying back to Singapore...Kit Kat which is a must buy in Japan, because they come in many coatings, there are green tea (matcha), strawbie, sakura (like shown in the picture) and some others which I forgot. I wouldn't even dare to take a double look on those knick knacks sold in Tokyo, not even stepping into more boutiques and shops selling super kawaii and highly fashionable clothings...the idea of hauling back the goods...makes me want to cry! Stay tuned to find out the reason why...It would be different if my lovely hubby was around, who wouln't mind to help me carry my almost ripping luggage....after all the shopping! Contemplating next round..shopping spree in Tokyo with hubby!.....heheheee *evil laughs*