Our second park on our tour is also a park with "expo" origins. The world expo that was the genesis of this park was from the 1970 Expo and it features a huge concrete and steel sculpture by Taro Okamoto, which s 213 feet tall. It is called the Tower of the Sun and is very impressive. It can be used as a landmark to orient the visitor while wandering through the huge 650 acre park. While we were visiting they had a craft fair, a beer garden, innumerable family picnics and of course a beautiful Japanese Garden. We paid a mere 600 yen entrance fee and we then we walked into a blast of cherry trees at their peak. Picnicking under the trees is a tradition in Japan and is called Hanami and it is a ritual to welcome the arrival of spring. We walked through the craft fair but did not get anything. Then we had a bit of a hike to get to the Japanese Gardens. We sat and ate our ham sandwiches while watching the huge fish in the lake. A very enjoyable park experience.
No missing the huge Ferris wheel
It looks like it is spinning slowly but it is so tall who can really tell
The monorail runs right to the park
It tis a very large structure
Bronzed!
The entry is organized by direction of movement
We are in and ready to see this park
Spheres in the field
Our first glimpse of Sakura in bloom
Them there trees are a'bloomin!
A funny scrunched up face
This is the thick wall of blossoms we have come here to witness
looking quite nice against a darker background
Let the picnics begin
Most everyone brought a tarp to lay down first
A long row of trees
This branch was overly laden
There was a mix of tree ages, some new and sone very old and gnarled
the Ferris wheel peeking through
Tents and tarps as far as the eye could see
These peddle boats were bird themed, black swans, white swans
A jet boat too
The Black Swan!
Newer trees still braced up
Japanese Tit, a new bird for the list
As seen in reflection
An extensive rose garden
Many oversized shapes were scattered here and there
Better watch out for the crows
Inside the Japanese Gardens
Beautiful camellia flowers
Great rocks in the pond
Delicate
A large lantern
The Tower of the Sun from the back
Suddenly a totem pole outside the museum of crafts
Red blooms
Little purples
The sun on top should be shiny brass
2.4 miles 5300 steps
It has been 1 year and 302 days since we began our Migration
