Day 2 - Sakura hunting part one
How one family had a 2 week holiday to Japan - Day 2 - Sakura hunting part one
After a night dreaming of cherry blossom trees, we altered the day’s plan to bring forward a visit to Ueno Park to catch the Sakura season. It turns out that seeing the cherry blossoms in their full-glory was especially important to my wife. Frankly, due to the UK school holiday times we were always going to be a little late for the Sakura season but as luck had it we did arrive in time to see the cherry blossom.
Before heading to Ueno we needed to source breakfast. Still getting our bearings another visit to the golden arches was proposed which I swiftly vetoed. Needing another safe option, I took us to Denny’s instead. This, it turned out, was a fantastic option for a family of four. While the menu is western led, it does have Japanese dishes and is varied enough for everyone in a family of all ages to be pleased. The value is outstanding and this chain quickly became a family favourite we could rely on.
Ueno Park: lovely, but not that kind of park
Asakusa to Ueno is a simple enough Metro trip but we hit a slight snag. This wasn’t the right sort of park!?!
For those that aren’t from the UK or haven’t visited these fair green isles our park lands are dominated by open spaces of grass. So, upon arriving at Ueno Park while the cherry blossoms were in full-bloom it wasn’t the picturesque park views someone was expecting.
Did we have three guide books where this could have been evaluated before travelling? Yes we did. Why had we switched our daily plan only for people not to know where we were going? Who can say!
DAD HINT - Family members should have to complete a 90 minute holiday onboarding presentation and achieve a 60% pass-rate on a 50 multiple choice question before flying.
Pedals, petals and pondside peace
Luckily our trip to Ueno had a path of interest that everyone was pleased enough with. Walking around Shinobazu Pond, which was absolutely stunning in the Sakura season. With a light breeze the kids and I had a game of trying to catch the falling blossom petals. Then my wife, much to my kids' delight, decided we needed to go on the pedalos. And as you can see from the photo of Bella and I, I hated every moment of it.
A smoky slice of Tokyo life
After that was lunch and we took a local coffee shop called Coffee Sun Crest.
Unexpected family favourite: Yanaka Ginza
I was surprised how much the whole family enjoyed Yanaka Ginza. There are plenty of people but it’s still quiet. Music played on a local PA adding to the relaxed atmosphere of this retro, shopping district.
Gently strolling taking in the sights and sounds we also got our first Gachapons, bought some authentics Japanese sweets and jewellery.
We ended up spending so much time at Yanaka Ginza we had to go for another coffee break. Another fortunate find meant the kids could snack while sitting on tatami mats. It was a little pricey but for the location and experience we took it on the chin (also knowing we could save money at Denny’s helped).
Buses, the Golden Poo, and dinner victory
By late afternoon, my family’s confidence in my (Google Maps) pathfinding route was high so there was no fears when I suggested we jump on our first bus trip. We took a bus from Nippori back to the Golden Poo. Using a combination of Google to find the right bus and our IC cards to pay for it couldn't have been simpler and once “home” it was time for dinner.
For the evening we went to the Skytree and after a brief wander around the village ended eating at Excelsior Café, (after I won a battle to not eat at Starbucks). The staff couldn’t be more helpful, despite the language barrier, we found a table for four and enjoyed a light but adequate meal.
Dads carry things—including the kids
It had been a long day however and all of sudden the 30 minute pedalo and 18000+ step count meant James couldn’t walk anymore.
So Daddy did what dads do and carried his 8 year old son the 10 minute walk back to the hotel. Learning from the importu workout (a blessing in disguise), I ensured that the next day would be lighter on the step count.
Bella struggled to sleep, possibly due to jet lag or just the unfamiliarity of the hotel bed. I also took a while to drift off, but mainly due to excitement—as the next day, one of my dreams would come true.
DAD HINT - Family members should have to complete a 90 minute holiday onboarding presentation and achieve a 60% pass-rate on a 50 multiple choice question before flying.
Pedals, petals and pondside peace
Luckily our trip to Ueno had a path of interest that everyone was pleased enough with. Walking around Shinobazu Pond, which was absolutely stunning in the Sakura season. With a light breeze the kids and I had a game of trying to catch the falling blossom petals. Then my wife, much to my kids' delight, decided we needed to go on the pedalos. And as you can see from the photo of Bella and I, I hated every moment of it.
Mighty mini-trees
The pedalos wasn’t planned but being in this part of Ueno park was. Exiting this side of the park gave us a 10 minute walk to our next destination. A genuine Japanese bonsai tree shop. The stock on display was wonderful to behold and meant we got to tick-off another personal to-do off the list.
The pedalos wasn’t planned but being in this part of Ueno park was. Exiting this side of the park gave us a 10 minute walk to our next destination. A genuine Japanese bonsai tree shop. The stock on display was wonderful to behold and meant we got to tick-off another personal to-do off the list.
A smoky slice of Tokyo life
After that was lunch and we took a local coffee shop called Coffee Sun Crest.
I really enjoyed this genuine slice of Tokyo life but be warned (as we were by the staff) smoking is allowed. While not a smoker myself eating while inhaling toxic fumes helped me reminisce of simpler albeit unhealthier times in the late 90s when you could still do this in the UK. With cheese toasties and iced drinks all round I already had the next destination scoped. A one stop journey from Nezu to Sendagi meant we could visit Yanaka Ginza.
Unexpected family favourite: Yanaka Ginza
I was surprised how much the whole family enjoyed Yanaka Ginza. There are plenty of people but it’s still quiet. Music played on a local PA adding to the relaxed atmosphere of this retro, shopping district.
We ended up spending so much time at Yanaka Ginza we had to go for another coffee break. Another fortunate find meant the kids could snack while sitting on tatami mats. It was a little pricey but for the location and experience we took it on the chin (also knowing we could save money at Denny’s helped).
Buses, the Golden Poo, and dinner victory
By late afternoon, my family’s confidence in my (Google Maps) pathfinding route was high so there was no fears when I suggested we jump on our first bus trip. We took a bus from Nippori back to the Golden Poo. Using a combination of Google to find the right bus and our IC cards to pay for it couldn't have been simpler and once “home” it was time for dinner.
For the evening we went to the Skytree and after a brief wander around the village ended eating at Excelsior Café, (after I won a battle to not eat at Starbucks). The staff couldn’t be more helpful, despite the language barrier, we found a table for four and enjoyed a light but adequate meal.
Dads carry things—including the kids
It had been a long day however and all of sudden the 30 minute pedalo and 18000+ step count meant James couldn’t walk anymore.
So Daddy did what dads do and carried his 8 year old son the 10 minute walk back to the hotel. Learning from the importu workout (a blessing in disguise), I ensured that the next day would be lighter on the step count.
Bella struggled to sleep, possibly due to jet lag or just the unfamiliarity of the hotel bed. I also took a while to drift off, but mainly due to excitement—as the next day, one of my dreams would come true.
YouTube Playlist Day 2:
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment