Image search results - "mitaka" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "mitaka"

International Christian University is one of Japan's leading English-speaking universities.

The middle of the campus has a long, straight road lined with cherries.

It's peaceful and quiet, and the cherries are stunningly beautiful when in full bloom.

Cherry blossoms tunnel

Sakura tunnel

Cherry bicycles

Don't forget to shoot the petals.

Petals

Staged shot

One of Tokyo's major parks noted for cherry blossoms. Park allows hanami picnics, so you see large crowds. Although this park is near Kichijoji Station which is in Musashino, the park is actually within Mitaka

Inokashira Park in the early in the morning, with a mirror reflection of the cherry blossoms.

Huge crowd of hanami picnickers on a weekday.

Map of Inokashira Koen Park

Bridge to cross the pond.

Boat dock

Inokashira Park once only had rowboats.

Heavy boat traffic.

Perfect place for lunch.

End of the park/pond.

View from one end of the park.

Duck

Heavy boat traffic

There's an urban legend saying that couples who row on a boat on this pond at Inokashira Park will eventually break up.

Concession stand area.

Rent a rowboat for 600 yen/hour. Swan boat for 700 yen/hour.

Inokashira Park Zoo. Admission 400 yen. The famous elephant Hanako is displayed until 3 pm.

Petals

Awa Odori sign at Mitaka Station's south exit. I went to see the 42nd Mitaka Awa Odori dance on Aug. 23, 2009. Mitaka's awa odori is held on the third Sat/Sun. of Aug. It started in 1968.

One of the starting points of the awa odori parade along Mitaka Ginza road. Some 30 awa odori dance troupes, called "ren" (連), participated in the dance parade. Many of them were local troupes from Mitaka.

On the first day, the dancing is held from 6 pm to 9 pm. (Opening ceremony at 5:30 pm.) On the second day, it is from 6 pm to 8:40 pm.

This is the main shopping street with cobblestones on the south side of Mitaka Station. It wasn't so crowded.

At 6 pm, the awa odori started. The first dancers here were the Mitaka Ginza-ren. みたか銀座連

Mitaka Ginza-ren, Mitaka Awa Odori, みたか銀座連

The road is not very long, and if you stay put, you will be able to see each troupe at least twice since they parade through the street more than once.