桜

Today I went for a walk around Shinjuku.

I headed to Shinjuku Gyoen to see how the cherry blossoms were coming along.

Apparently they have bloomed about 5 days early this year, so they're already at full bloom in Tokyo; which is bad luck for a couple of reasons.

The blossoms only last for about a week after full bloom (wind and rain are a factor in how quickly they fall off the trees).

So,

1) Emma may find that the trees are bare when she gets here

2) By the time we get to Kyoto/Osaka, the cherry blossoms may be done and dusted there as well.

Anyway, I'll just have to console myself with o toro for like $3.50 a piece.

The park was lovely:

People were taking photos of people standing amongst the cherry blossoms pretty much everywhere you looked.

The blossoms themselves varied from almost complete white

to a beautiful shade of pink

some trees just couldn't help themselves and seemed to be taking the piss.
I said "pink"

a bridge

the view from same

everyone else was doing it

After which I headed past the queue of several hundred people waiting to get into the park (there's an entry fee and so tickets. I'm not sure if there was an increase in traffic at lunchtime as I was leaving, or the gate I entered by was just way less busy that the one I left via)

I wandered the back streets and alleys of Shinjuku, for a bit.

Did some shopping, and then headed over to the government building.

It has an observation deck.

The view.

the Roppongi hills observatory if I'm not mistaken

Shinjuku Gyoen

All up the day was a bit smoggy.

After which I headed back to the hotel to write this, and think about what to have for dinner.

Will it be Sushi?

Stay tuned for scenes from our next episode:

It's Sushi.