Thursday 4th April 2024

Thursday 4^th April

SHE SAID:

We all headed back into the city, to the Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens, for the cherry blossom “show” which was mostly out here. The pale pink ones seem to come on first. Many other people had the same idea as us & the long queues to get into the gardens started as we crossed the road to the main entrance.

Kiyoka suggested a light snack at one of the Japanese Tea Houses which were dotted around the garden, which was a nice break from the crowds & from taking photos!

Julian had to head back home to do some work, but Kiyoka was happy to continue her tour guiding. We ambled back to the station through small narrow old alleyways of Shinjuku, finding a temple & many strangely named tiny bars & oddities to photograph.

It was an hour's ride in the train to the brewery in Hagiyama, which both Julian & Kiyoka wanted to show us, for dinner. Thankfully, we got a taxi to & from the station to the brewery. I know Geoff & I were pretty knackered. Mum must have been shattered, but put on a brave face. We were back to the house around 9.30pm.

It was a lovely day & dinner, a great final day in Japan. The time has flown past.

HE SAID:

The Shinjuku park was very big, and very crowded, with long queues at the entry payment gates. Overall I think we walked around 7km today, which gave us all sore feet, more from being on our feet for so long rather than the distance covered. Varena and Jan were very pleased with the sights and blossoms, while I thought that the people were the most interesting part, with some very whacky outfits around.

Dinner at the sake brewery was good, with the craft beer going down very well.