Yoyogi Park : Hanami Once Again

In order for our Byousoku trail to continue, we had to pass through Yoyogi Park, a rather huge park between Harajuku and Yoyogi. Or so I think we had to. I wasn’t sure of the way, so I just followed Windbell around and snapped whatever I fancied with my camera.

Upon entering the park, it felt like there wasn’t many people around, but I was proven wrong when I went further in. Look at the photo below and you will understand why I first thought this way.

Although it was a weekday, there was a huge crowd in the park. Some areas under the sakura trees were overcrowded with mats and people partying on them. As compared to Ueno Park, I like the hanami atmosphere park much better. It’s much more spacious, and there are many groups of people actually sitting down on their mats laid on the ground. In Ueno Park, only a few people were seated on mats. Most of the crowd was strolling around.

I’ve always pictured hanami parties as groups of people sitting on mats, eating and making merry while admiring the sakuras underneath the shade of the sakura trees. What I saw in Yoyogi park fitted that image I had in mind. I was rather envious about the Japanese people who were having their own hanami parties.That’s something I can never ever experience in Singapore. Stupid summer all year round…

The guy in the white headband and glasses is some storyteller

If the Spring season in Japan isn’t enough to make me envious, the sight of couples cuddling around each other under the sakura trees did.

Enough of the couples before more people start feeling bad for themselves. Let’s move on to other more positive stuff, such as people enjoying ball games in the park.

I first thought they were playing soccer, since a soccer ball was used. When all the hand balls began, I figured that it was a game involving both hands and legs.

Apparently in Yoyogi park, there are a few areas where jogging and skateboarding are forbidden. I wonder if cycling is allowed, since it doesn’t show on the signboard.

I shall keep this post short and end off with a few more random shots in the park.

I guess we’re done with the parks of Japan for good, at least for this trip. Japanese parks are really beautiful though, and I will make it a must to visit one if I ever travel to any part of Japan again.