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In Tokyo, this year in 2021 cherry blossoms bloomed on March 14, and are in full bloom from March 22. The best time for “Hanami” would be March 21 through March 28, for about a week. The opening was very early, like last year.
Also in Inokashira Park (井 の 頭 公園), a short walk from JR Kichijoji (吉祥寺) Station, cherry trees were in bloom. Here is a view of the pond.
Inokashira Park is the first “public park in the suburbs” in Japan, and has 100 years of history, having been opened in 1917. Around the Inokashira Pond, there are about 200 cherry trees.
On the shore of the pond, there is a temple, Inokashira Benzaiten (井 の 頭 弁 財 天). The Goddess Benzaiten would go back to the Goddess Sarasvati in Hinduism who was the goddess of waters. As the sound of running waters is associated with music, she has become the Goddess of the arts. In Japan she is also the Goddess of Abundance.
At the center of the pond, there is the jetty where rowing boats and swan boats can be hired. A rented rowboat costs 700 yen per hour, and a swan boat also costs 700 yen per hour. (prices in March 2021)
At the time of coronavirus (Covid-19), many people chose to admire cherry blossoms from boats, keeping the social distinction.
Precisely because of the covid, they have forbidden us to sit on the benches. In Inokashira Park, there is also a picnic area, it is usually very crowded. Unfortunately this year in 2021, no one can enter it. It’s all empty.
Here is a small sign that forbids the party under the cherry trees.
By the way, from the pond in Inokashira Park, the Kanda-gawa River (神 田 川) is born, which supplied water to the inhabitants of Tokyo “Edokko (江 戸 っ 子)” from the Edo period until 1898. Sumida-gaw River (隅田川) and then to the Gulf of Tokyo (東京湾).
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