Himeji Hanami: Flowers and Friends

Cherry Blossom (sakura) season had begun in my region of Japan about two weeks ago and I had already been to one Hanami (cherry blossom viewing party) east of where I live. However, during that party, it was quite cold and the flowers were not bloomed! Also, it was wonderful because I met and made many new friends, but there were a lot of families and we did not get to enjoy a drink under the trees, as tradition has it. 

So, I decided that not only should we have our own Hanami among our friends, but in fact, it was absolutely necessary for the spring-time Japan experience; and what a better place to have it, but the epic castle of Himeji? 

I then set up an invitation to groups of friends and got enough responses to choose our date. I knew everyone wouldn't be able to make it due to busy schedules, but I knew that the group that was going would be fun and I would get to meet some more teachers that were new through my friend Meredith. I was very excited at this idea as I love meeting new people, especially for such a special occasion! I also invited one of my intermediate students because I knew she would enjoy the party and also because she is one of the kindest people I have ever met. 

The plan was to meet at Tarumi station to catch the train to Himeji, but some people wanted to meet at the park. That was fine with me so I met Meredith and her three other friends in Tarumi and we were off for our adventure. We were all very excited about our adventure, our day, and getting to know each other and as we sat, talked, and laughed on the train I could see we were catching stares. But hey, I thought, when are 5 foreigners on a train together not going to catch stares in a Suburb in Japan? 

When the train finally made it's way into the Himeji station we all gathered our supplies and headed in search of a bank and a market. We found the band, went to the market, and were on our way to the Castle Grounds. As we approached the park we noticed how crowded this was going to be, but regardless we were excited and sampled some of the local fare from vendors on the street side. 

We then met up with a student and my friend and Co-Teacher Miho. We found out spot near the castle in the middle of the large field filled with groups of business men, students, and families. We strategically placed ourselves between a group of University Students who seemed into sports, and a group of salary men who seemed far past their alcohol limit. This proved to be the best decision ever as through out the afternoon we took pictures with the businessmen, and were given copious amounts of Sake, and played endless games of Japanese style dodgeball with the University students. 

All in all, the Hanami was a success! I wish it was sakura season year-round. 

They say a smile is contagious, not in Tokyo.

I have been falling behind in my Blogging and for that I am truly sorry! So two weekends ago I decided that it was about time I visit my friend Anthony in Tokyo. I knew that one of the days he was going to have to go to work, but that was okay with me because I would see him after work and would be able to spend the day exploring the city.

Before I was very apprehensive about going to Tokyo for a few reasons. First of all, I had thought long and hard about where I wanted to live when I came to Japan. I was lucky enough to come with a company that let me choose my region. I made the decision of Kansai and specifically 'near Osaka'. I love where I live in Tarumi/Kobe, but I was afraid that upon venturing into the big BIG city, I my love for my Medium/Large city would pale in comparison and I would be endlessly jealous of my friends in Tokyo.  Secondly, I didn't know how the best and cheapest ways to get there were and how to best utilize the short two day weekend that I would get once I got there.

To comment on my feelings for Tokyo. I have decided that Tokyo and I are going to be acquaintances but could never be best friends. First, Tokyo has way too many people. I felt like, and did, in fact, wait in a line to do everything. If you wanted to get a quick bite to eat...wait in line. If you wanted to get on a train or in a cab.... wait in a LONG line. IF you wanted to cross the street... LINE! It was something that made ME feel antisocial (which is super abnormal for this Chick). There were also so many people just walking on the street. In Sannomiya, where i go to eat, shop and hang out with friends in Kobe, is often crowded; especially on weekends. However, this was just out of this world. The main dilemma I faced here was that people would bump into you and get in your way or cut you off when walking and would not say they were sorry. This is very strange for me to do. I didn't want to stand out in Tokyo more than I already do being foreign so I had to learn quickly how to be impolite! In Kansai, we are very polite and always excuse ourselves when we get in another's way.  

I was told that the personalities of people in Tokyo are different than those in Kobe. That was 100% true. The people here are so lively and friendly. They are often outgoing and very nice. In Tokyo, people either seemed too busy or just plain cold. They say a smile is contagious, not in Tokyo. 

There are two positive things about this mass of a city. One is named Elizabeth, and one Anthony. These are two of my high school friends that I have managed to stay in touch with since our days at our 'beloved' East Lake High School. And to think...we would all end up in Japan. :) Elizabeth is working at Disney Tokyo...which is an awesome job by any standards and Anthony is also an English teacher...that you probably remember from a previous blog when he visited me! :) These two and I reminisced and enjoyed each other's company for many many hours over dinner at Tokyo Downtown Disney. The restaurant was fun, but didn't altogether feel like Disney. Elizabeth was great and is now happily married to a man that I hope to meet soon! She has lived here and in Hong Kong... both amazing... and both she loves. Anthony is still doing well, teaching away in Tokyo. We have a lot in common and always have fun when we get together, so this Tokyo trip was no exception.

Just so you know, from Shinjuku, where Anthony lives, to Disney, took two train transfers and about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and that is just to get across town. WHAT??!! 

On the whole day I had to explore the city I just walked around. I went to Shinjuku-goen, which is the big park in Shinjuku  and here is where I saw some of the first Cherry Blossom trees of the season! They were beautiful and I wish that Anthony didn't have work so we could grab a bento and a blanket and lay peacefully under the blossoming trees. The only strange thing I saw with Shinjuku park was the fact that there were a lot of homeless people. In fact, there was a tent city set up, but there were tons of people just leisurely eating their lunch and taking photos of the trees with a tent city of hundreds directly behind them. If you want to see the photo please ask me, because I think the dichotomy was striking. 

Anthony was a great tour guide though, and on his day off he took me to Harajuku and Mejii Shrine as well as Shibuya to explore and see the busiest crosswalk/intersection in the world. We also rode on the infamous Yamanote line (the busiest train in Tokyo). It was crazy!

Overall, The first trip to Tokyo was a success because I was able to see both Anthony and Elizabeth and explore. So far, my opinion of Tokyo is wavering, but there is still plenty of time for it to redeem itself!

And then...there was the Garden

The next day, after going to Himeji Castle, I read online that right next to the castle there was a famous and very beautiful garden. I was disappointed that I didn't know this sooner because I had spent so much time for the travel to Himeji that I didn't think I was going to go back so soon. I thought about it and figured, hey, might as well go back, visit the garden on a beautiful sunny day, and pick up another Yukata for my mom. :)

So I packed my day bag and hopped back on the train out of Tarumi and headed west. I got off at Himeji and walked straight over to where the shop with the Yukatas was. I was able to find two that were beautiful. One is a blue pattern and the other is silk with beautiful japanese scenery on it. They were so cheap and I couldn't resist buying both. I didn't know which one my mom would want more, so I figured I would give her a choice. 

Very pleased with my recent purchase, I headed toward the site of the garden, Nishi-Oyashiki-Ato Garden Koko-en. As I approached the entrance gate, I wondered how I could have missed this the first time around. It is not even two blocks away and I am sure you can see it's beauty from the top of the castle where I was just one day earlier. I was not upset, however, because each day is a new and different adventure and you never know what new things you will find or experience. 

I went to the clerk at the counter and paid my 200 Yen entrance fee. I wondered why there was a fee for the garden, since many gardens are free and small. Much to my delight, this was not just one garden, but many many gardens separated by walls and trees. As I approached the first Garden... Tsukiyama-chisen-no-niwa, (which literally translates to the garden with the hill and pond) I was in awe at it's beauty. It had waterfalls and stone bridges and was much larger than I thought the whole garden would be. There were giant carp in the water and it was so beautiful and peaceful. 

Every corner I turned and every new garden I entered was like a new experience and a whole new place. One signified the pine forests which are along the Seto Inland Seacoast (Matsu-no-niwa), one was a Garden of Flowers from the Edo period only (Hana-no-niwa), one had fifteen varieties of bamboo (Take-no-niwa), one was to remind visitors of the nature of the countryside of Japan (Nagare-no-hira-niwa), one was composed of deciduous trees (Natsuki-no-niwa), and two were a traditional Japanese gardens to represent nature on the small scale (Tsukiyama-chisen-no-niwa and Cha-no-niwa). 

The biggest garden, and the first that I went through, was the Oyashiki-no-niwa; the garden of the Lord's House. This garden had many elements. The had a circular spring style to it and had a background of Himeyama forest. The waterfall on the south side of the garden is meant to represent a fall of a deep valley. The fish, Carp, were reaching numbers of over 250.

There was even a traditional Japanese teahouse that served tea and cakes for 500 Yen(Souju-an) as well as a replica of a place where samurais gathered to protect Himeji Castle of attack(Musha-Damari) and a garden of seedlings(Nae-no-niwa).

I sat in this garden on a bench for a long time; what felt like hours. The sun was shining for two days in a row and my skin and my mind were both happy to feel it's warmth. The garden was also fairly empty because of the weekday I visited on, which made it much more peaceful and pleasant. I really felt relaxed and at ease with my thoughts there, which allowed me to write.  I love how inspiring small things in Japan often are. :)

This garden also has a great view of Himeji Castle and was really so beautiful. I am very pleased that I went back to experience this amazing garden. I will be more careful next time I travel because now I fear that if I do not keep my eyes open wide, I could miss something amazing less than too blocks away!