Among Tokyo’s cherry blossom spots, which one best captures the city’s urban atmosphere? I’d say it’s definitely Tokyo Midtown.
The cherry blossoms bloom right in the heart of the city, surrounded by tall buildings. During the day, they have a refined and charming beauty, and walking through the area feels stylish and elegant. But once night falls, the lights illuminate the cherry blossom avenue, reflecting beautifully with the lights from the buildings and instantly turning the scene into a dazzling cityscape.
I stayed from daytime until night and got to see the cherry blossoms in completely different moods. Every minute was worth it.
Tokyo Midtown | Review by 金己田
Other Reviews by 金己田
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Amanohashidate Shrine
Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, is a breathtaking natural sandbar stretching 3.6 kilometers in an elegant arc, covered with lush pine trees. Known as "Hashidate Myojin," Amanohashidate Shrine is located about a 10-minute walk from the rotating bridge and the Otenbashi Bridge, quietly nestled among the pine-lined path.
Walking from the rotating bridge toward the long sandbar, Amanohashidate Shrine is tucked away along the path. The shrine is smaller and more delicate than I expected, but the atmosphere is wonderfully quiet. The torii gate standing by the sea felt a little lonely against the cloudy sky.
The weather wasn’t great when I visited, but walking between the shade of the pines and the sea breeze, then coming across this shrine and torii gate, actually made me feel like this kind of weather suited the place even better. -
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Kamogawa (Kyoto)
Kamogawa has its head in Mt. Sajikigatake, runs through Kyoto north to south, and merges into Katsura River in Toba. Near Shijo, there is downtown such as Gion on the east side and Kawaramachi on the west, the main commercial area representing Kyoto.
I took a walk to the area near Shijo Ohashi Bridge on the Kamogawa River and went down the steps. The famous “evenly spaced seating” was right in front of me. Couples, students out for a walk—everyone really seemed to have an unspoken agreement to sit at just the right distance from each other.
The weather was perfect, so I joined in too. I originally planned to stay for just 10 minutes, but with the gentle breeze, chatting with my friend and zoning out while looking at the river, I ended up sitting there for half an hour. It became the most relaxing and memorable part of my trip to Kyoto. -
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Blue Seal Café Kokusai Street Store
Blue Seal, is the beloved ice cream brand founded in 1948 in Okinawa, renowned for its unique Okinawan flavors, such as beni-imo (purple sweet potato), shikuwasa (Okinawan lime) and salt chinsuko (a local biscuit). With over 20 varieties always available, the lineup at their Kokusai Street store includes both classic and limited-edition products, tailored to suit the hot and humid climate of Okinawa with a rich yet refreshing taste.
When visiting Okinawa, Blue Seal is an ice cream brand many people make a point to try. This time, I chose their signature Blue Wave. It combines soda-flavored ice cream with pineapple fruit ice cream, which is a pretty unique pairing.
I’ve hardly had a flavor like this anywhere else. If you’re in Okinawa, I’d recommend giving this distinctive flavor a try. -
