Day 4: Hanami Tokyo

So today stated with my first earthquake at about 6:30, it was about a magnitude 4 where we were, it wasn't very big but was an interesting way to be woken from a zopilcone induced sleep. I'll reserve judgment until the next one happens when I'll be more alert.

Today we went on the hunt for Sakura, cherry blossom. We found a beautiful street along the river backs, plenty of opportunities for photos and a good reason to stroll around Tokyo.

We stumbled across a children's football game. It seems the preferred method of playing football at this age is to all bunch around the ball and follow it round the pitch! All very cute :)







The heavens opened and we sought cover in a local restaurant. The second noticeable quake of the day happened at about 17:30, a magnitude 6 on land at Fukushima. It was longer than this mornings a much stronger, probably a M4 where we were. We were in a restaurant, it was at the point where some people were heading under tables for cover but it soon calmed down. It took a while to settle tho and small shakes were felt for a while afterwards.

Once we'd finished our food the weather had cleared so we picked up the Sakura trail again. This soon finished so time to head back to Ikuburo

My first experience of rush our train traffic. Not to different to rush hour central line but the reversing onto the train manoeuvre was my favourite and not one I shall be taking back to London.

We ended up in Sunshine City, a typical retail / shopping complex on the lower levels and some nice restaurants on the 59/69th floor. We popped up for cocktails and nibbles

I also encounter 'Donkey Haughty' a manic and truly bizarre retail experience. There is no order, things just exist in a shop. Trainers next to tinned sweetcorn, next to adult material, next to instant mash.. Go figure!

Sign of the day:

Location:Tokyo