Spring in Tokyo (Part 1 of Japan Trip)

Day 7: Yasukuni Shrine, Chidorigafuchi, Kitanomaru Park, Koishikawa Korakuen, Naka-meguro, Meguro River, Takeshita-dori, Golden Gai

It’s finally Day 7. The last full day we had in Tokyo. We’ve saved the best for last, partly in the hopes that the sakura already have had enough time to reach full bloom. After all, it was already April 3rd.

Well, we were wrong. We needed *just* a few more days.

Ander amongst the blooms

We first headed to Yasukuni Shrine, Kitanomaru Park and Chidorigafuchi, since they were all clustered around the Imperial Palace of Tokyo.

It felt surreal standing under this enormous torii (gate)

Nikuman (Pork Buns)

Kitanomaru Park

Chidorigafuchi is one of Tokyo’s most famous cherry blossom spots. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see it during full bloom. Perhaps next year we’ll go back and have a romantic stroll on a boat. Teehee.

Chidorigafuchi

The streets of Chiyoda-ku were lined up with sakura trees.

I also spotted the cute sakura bus I saw a few months ago.

Sakura bus amongst the sakura

For lunch, we have stumbled upon a little neighborhood Indian restaurant, and let me tell you: I haven’t had authentic curry this good in my entire existence. The butter curry I had was heaven. We will be back.

We wanted to kill time (the reason for which you will find out later). So we headed to Koishikawa Botanical Garden.

Aside from this large tree, there wasn’t really something interesting there. I bet it’s magnificent during mid-spring or autumn, though.

Okay, I Googled. Damn.

The next stop was the final one, and my favourite: Meguro River.

Cherry Blossoms along Meguro River

There were a lot of stalls selling sakura sparkling wine and curiosity got the best of me, being me. I tried a glass and it tasted good!

Ander got a stick of grilled meat.

Got this limited edition Coke bottle, finally. I’ve been looking for this for a while and even had my mom and dad in on finding it, to no avail. Ah, Japan and your seasonal thingamajigs.

Limited Edition sakura Coke bottle

Alas, it was starting to get darker. The lanterns were lit. I wanted the timing to be right so we could see Meguro River both during the day and at night, that is why we had to kill time earlier.

Lanterns along Meguro River

Unfortunately for us, the rain started pouring. Hard. We didn’t bring umbrellas with us that day. Heck, most of Tokyo probably didn’t as it wasn’t in the forecast. We didn’t have a choice but to head to the nearest station and catch the train. I missed this view, FYI. Ander assured me again we will be back next spring. So hooray, I guess?

We made one last stop at Harajuku that night (despite the torrential outpour) because the aunties wanted to shop there again. I assured them there will be a lot of tiangges (well, it was the closest we could get to tiangge in Japan) in Osaka, but they were so pushy. Ander and I took shelter in a coffeeshop while they braved the rain and shopped for whatever it was they needed to buy. Thankfully the rain stopped after a short while. Ander and I had crepes (again) and croquants.

Something savory, for a change

We had dinner somewhere in Shinjuku.

Shinjuku’s Golden Gai

Shinjuku is one of our favourite areas in Tokyo. Ander and I are such city people.

Shinjuku at night

Day 7 expenses:
Train/subway fare: P910
Koishikawa Korakuen: P364
Food: P3,115
TOTAL: P4,389

Day 8

The next morning was the day we were to head to Osaka. But before checking out, Ander and I went one last time to Shinjuku Gyoen to see how much the blooms have changed. Hint: not much. I still managed to take a few snaps. Gotta make the most out of it!

Hola, I woke up like this

Here’s a summary of our expenses (for two) so far:
TOTAL WITHOUT SHOPPING: P20,293
TOTAL WITH SHOPPING: P28,682
TOTAL INCLUDING TOKYO ACCOMMODATION: P47,117

On my next post we’re off to Osaka!

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