Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival
Ueno Park is one of the most popular spots for hanami in Tokyo. During the festival, 1000 lanterns illuminate the park at night. There are also other events.
spring
Chiyoda Cherry Blossom Festival
The Sakura front has finally reached Tokyo! The city is now covered in white from the cherry blossoms. On Saturday, I went to Yasukuni shrine and the Chidorigafuchi area (north of the imperial palace) for the Chiyoda Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Festival). Although peak bloom was supposed to start a few days later, it was already quite spectacular.
Hike from Yoshino Baigo Plum Park to Mount Hinode & Mount Mitake
After the plum festival at Yoshino Baigo in Ome, I went on a hike to Mount Hinode and Mount Mitake. At the end of the day, I took the Mitake funicular to get down to the valley then walked from the lower station to the Mitake train station.
Plum Festival at Yoshino Baigo in Ome
The Yoshino Baigo Plum Festival in Ome City is taking place until the end of March. It features more than 1,000 plum trees displaying white and pink flowers, which makes it the largest plum festival in Tokyo. The closest station is Hinatawada on the Okutama line.
Kyoto walk: Imperial Park / Kamo River / Higashiyama
On my last day in Kyoto, I went on a random walk: I passed through the Imperial Park, walked along the Kamo River and visited the Higashiyama neighbourhood.
Osaka
Osaka is the biggest city in the Kansai region. By train, it takes about 30min to get there from Kyoto.
Kyoto
I finally visited Kyoto (as well as Osaka and Nara) this week.
I took the Shinkansen in Tokyo on Monday morning and arrived a bit more than 2 hours later in Kyoto. I walked from the train station to Sanjusangendo Temple and its 1000 statues of Kannon. Then I continued to Kiyomizudera Temple. Part of it is currently undergoing renovation so I could not visit all the buildings. I walked for a bit in the area (known as Higashiyama) and visited the Ryozen Kannon war memorial as well as the Kodai-ji Temple and its zen garden. I then made my way to the Yasaka Shrine and then on to the huge Heian Shrine. After that, I took the bus to Ginkaku-ji Temple (“Temple of the Silver Pavilion”). Not having reached temple overload yet, I ended the day at Kinkaku-ji Temple (“Temple of the Golden Pavilion”). Contrary to the Silver Pavilion (not actually covered in silver), this one is indeed plated with gold leaf. I then went back to my hotel, near Kyoto train station.
Annecy - Thônes - Faverges by bike
Gorges du Fier & Château de Montrottier
The Fier is a river that flows through Haute-Savoie and Savoie into the Rhône. Near Annecy, it has created a narrow canyon that is worth a look: The so called Gorges du Fier. The Castle of Montrottier is a medieval castle not far above the canyon, built to safeguard the crossing of the river.
Paris Rive Gauche
Paris Rive Gauche is the neighbourhood of Paris surrounding the National Library of France (BnF). The district is on the left bank of the Seine river and is bordered by the railway tracks of Gare d’Austerlitz and the Périphérique.