#FlyWashington Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 33

Fushimi-inari Shrine
Crape and ice cream vendor in Harajuku refers to cherry blossom viewing, and it is a time when the Japanese celebrate with parties and feasts.
At night Hanami viewing is known as Yozakura. There is a wistful feeling associated with these celebrations, and one phenomenon that is easily recognized by the traveler is that the blossoms are short-lived; unlike most early spring growth. It is such a special time.
There are many treats waiting for you during your visit to Japan. Your port of entry will be Tokyo. A handful of cities throughout the world have a quality, a sense of being, that molds their distinct personalities. Tokyo is one of these cities. Everywhere you look you will be fascinated by the blending of old and new, East and West.
After a few hours of rest from your trip, where will you visit? Well, we suggest the following: Have a look at the Asakusa district, which is considered the heart of old downtown, and particularly the Asakusa Kannon Temple which is a Buddhist place of worship. A second must-see is the Ueno- Koen area which has some of Japan’ s best museums as well as temples and shrines. You might also take the opportunity to visit the
Tokyo National Museum, which boasts the world’ s largest selection of Japanese art.
During your second day in Tokyo, visit the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the deified spirits of the first Emperor of modern Japan, Emperor Meiji, and his consort the Empress Shōken.
Or, if you are of another mindset, you could enjoy shopping. Tokyo is a shopper’ s paradise. It has the most modern malls in Asia. If you are hooked on brands, head down to Shinjuku, one of the biggest malls in Asia, where a huge variety of fashion and digital products await. Young professionals enjoy shopping at Shibuya, while Harajuku is
SPRING 2017 31 FLYWASHINGTON. COM