The program for my fourth trip combined sightseeing and rest before attending the annual Fantanima exhibition in which I took part, giving master-classes. Now, while in Tokyo, the first place I visited was the 634m Tokyo Skytree, the tallest building in Japan. My visit occurred towards dusk when I could see a grand panorama of Tokyo’s night lights, very much like a starry sky!
From a height of 350m I spotted Tokyo Tower and the lights of Asakusa, so after Skytree, I went there and found the usually crowded Senso-ji temple deserted. I enjoyed walking among lit buildings of the temple without a crowd.
The next day was gloomy and rainy, but so as not to waste any time I visited Sengakuji temple with its graves of the legendary 47 ronin. After that I went to Mori Tower in Roppongi, then Kiyousumi Garden and finally Akihabara. I like such a mixture of different styles and Tokyo is a great place to satisfy that.
From Tokyo I moved on to Bentenjima on the Suruga Bay of the Pacific Ocean. Bentenjima beach may be popular in summer, but in April it was deserted. I liked that. Along that coast, my dream of watching the sunrise in Japan was fulfilled.
From Bentenjima I made a day trip to Hamamatsu Flower Park which was simply gorgeous! In Hamamatsu, I also visited the unique and interesting Museum of Musical Instruments displaying instruments from all over the World and good collection of Japanese traditional instruments.
I then went to Kyoto where I spent three days. Though I felt discomfort at its crowds, it's such a unique city worthy of its own story. The highlight of my visit was Miyako Odori or the Capital’s Dance show, a traditional play with music and maiko dances. It was an absolutely wonderful show and I was glad to have watched it.
After Kyoto I returned to Tokyo. I was busy at the exhibition most days so was able to make short trips to Omiya and Kawagoe. In Omiya I visited the spacious park and Bonsai Village with its many beautiful bonsai trees. The Old Town of Kawagoe is preserved as a street lined by massive Edo period merchant houses. It has a nice atmosphere of the past.
I made a more distant trip to Mito's Hitachi Seaside Park with its fantastic views of blue fields. The fields of nemophila bloom at the end of April, beginning of May and I was happy to catch it at the right time! Mito is famous for its plum garden Kairakuen. Though the trees already had green plums, I still liked the garden and particularly traditional the Japanese house Kobuntei located in Kairakuen.
Towards the end of my trip I went to Nikko and then Ashikaga Flower Park for three days. Both places were extremely gorgeous and it was like some majestic finale of a musical piece! Nikko National Park hosts some of the most beautiful temples located in close proximity to each other in one complex. Staying overnight in a ryokan with onsen and traditional dinner was a wonderful experience.
And finally, the blooming fuji (wisteria) trees in Ashikaga Flower Park were like a dream come alive! Besides fuji there were millions of blooming flowers, but the fuji was queen among them!
