This double-bridge leads to the inner grounds of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, that is the residence of Japan's Imperial family. A large moat and high, meticulously assembled stone walls surround the palace grounds, the slightly concave form of the walls echoing the curved eaves of the roofs on the many buildings.
Just back from a short spring tour in Tokyo and Kyoto - a family such, not a dedicated garden one, which affects the catch of good pictures - being in the 'mommy mode' is not the most beneficial thing for concentrating on your own interests or artistic pursuits...
Tokyo Imperial Palace was one of our first stops, but the freezing weather of our first day stopped any further explorations than taking some very funny photos in front of it (not to be shown here...). Travelling away from the heat of Singapore really makes one freeze when exposed to colder temperatures, and as it was only +12 or 13 degrees, so our noses turned red directly and we left the gardens unvisited, opting for a hot chocolate instead. Luckily, better weather and more gardens were in store, so we didn't need to feel too sorry for ourselves.
Tokyo Imperial Palace was one of our first stops, but the freezing weather of our first day stopped any further explorations than taking some very funny photos in front of it (not to be shown here...). Travelling away from the heat of Singapore really makes one freeze when exposed to colder temperatures, and as it was only +12 or 13 degrees, so our noses turned red directly and we left the gardens unvisited, opting for a hot chocolate instead. Luckily, better weather and more gardens were in store, so we didn't need to feel too sorry for ourselves.
Some cherry varieties were in the last days of their bloom, their petals already snowing out to the cold waters of the moat.
Anyhow, the goal of this trip was to give our girls a little intro to all things Japanese. I think we managed quite well, given the short time. Temples with their gardens, sakura gazing, Studio Ghibli Museum (of Totoro fame), Tsukiji Fish Market, street life, little soba and sushi shops, daddy's (my husband's - he grew up in Tokyo) old school and favorite park, and a trip with the shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto - all of them were experienced through their 10 and 12 year old eyes, minds and mouths, and found pleasurable, amusing and/or palatable. Mission accomplished, I think.
2 comments:
Olen nähnyt kuvia Japanin kukkivista kirsikkapuista netissä ja se on yksi sellainen näky josta aina unelmoin. En tiedä onko siellä kirsikkapuita jokapuolella vai onko ne kuvat jostain puistosta mutta henkeäsalpaavaa. Oletko nähnyt niitä, kymmeniä ja kymmeniä kukkivia puita joka puolella!
Minä menin junalla retkelle Sintraan tavoitteena nähdä Penan palatsi alueineen. En ollut tietoinen että siellä oli todella kylmä, vain +13 ja ihan kamala tuuli joka laski asteet varmaan +5. Sitkeä sissi kun olen ja sinne asti pääsin tutkin linnan kokonaan vaikka jäässä olinkin mutta ihanat metsäpuistoalueet jäin kävelemäti läpi, harmillista. Bussissa amerikkalainen nainen sävähti oikein koska hän tunsi kuinka kylmä käsivarteni oli ja kauhisteli sitä. Matkalla pitäisi aina olla vaatteet mukana joka olosuhteisiin mutta ei toppatakki mahdu laukkuun.
Meilläkin nenät vain valui, mutta onneksi sitten sää vaihtui... Tulee noita kirsikkakuvia kohta, niitä oli avian tolkuttomasti, ihanaa. Ja tuhansittain japanilaisia niitä ihailemassa, joka paikassa. Ihana kulttuuri, siinä suhteessa, kun ymmärtää tuo katoavan kauneuden päälle!
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