AskOksena

Early Tokyo morning greetings to russ_in_LA and others -- and many thanks for your fine posts and links. The past few days in beloved Tokyo have certainly had their moments of lovely sakura; best of current and future viewing to you and all.

Writing to also give a brief update on a most interesting property I (we) had the privilege of experiencing this past weekend: the Hotel Okura Tokyo. Some long-time Kyoto-based family friends had been recommending the Okura for quite some time, so reservations were booked several months back for a potential weekend rendezvous. Turned out to be a lovely Okura time with our friends.

The Kyoto friends are actively involved with some ongoing affairs concerning the Okura. More background information on some planned Okura changes to be found via: savetheokura dot com/ Perhaps some of you fine Fodorites will have the opportunity to experience the Okura over the next few months; if nothing else, venture over and take in her public venues. I was obliged to checkout of the Okura yesterday afternoon for a work-related week at another fine Japanese hotel. Hope to get back to the Okura before September. Unique locale with such a gracious staff.

Savour your sakura viewing these next few days, russ and all. All the best from Japan,

robert

crosscheck

Robert - Our group was at the Okura as well. Just checked out this morning. We heard it's being updated, but we all loved the cool Asian take on post modern and appreciated the location. Too bad we didn't meet up.

I was topping this thread to say that the best night cherry blossom viewing was in fact in ARK Hills, a magical nightlit tree-lined street a block away from the Okura on the way to Suntory Hall. No need to go to bustling Ueno, which is a fun cultural experience, but crazy crowded.

LuisJp

Oh dear, I have forgotten to push the Submit button...

Here are just some links.

Japan:
http://weathernews.jp/sakura/

Hirosaki:
http://weathernews.jp/sakura/pinpoin...dar/?spotid=17

russ_in_LA

Got back Tuesday night from our 2 week trip. Awesome cherry blossom viewing in Tokyo, Hikone and Kyoto (although very wet in Kyoto). A few days past peak at Himeji, Okayama and Miyajima, although still very nice. Fantastic blooms in Kanazawa and Matsumoto (although torrential rain in Matsumoto). Will try to start a trip report soon. Hope everyone who is there now or going soon has a great trip!

crosscheck

Welcome home, russ. Can't wait to hear about your trip. Sounds as if we were lucky to see the blossoms and miss the rain in Tokyo and Hakone, although you covered a lot more ground in Japan. When we left Gora Kadan (our ryokan in the mountains), our driver took us past a viewing spot at the castle in Odawara on the way to the train station - absolutely spectacular.

Kavey

Yay Russ, welcome back!

deptrai

I was in Japan Apr 4-9 and saw the sakura everywhere I went...Osaka, Nagoya, Gifu, Tokyo, Utsunomiya and Tomioka. Now that I live in the Pacific Northwest, where we have plenty of cherry trees, I don't appreciate them as much in Japan. I can't even see outside my 2nd floor office window because there are 3 of them planted just below. I used to go out of my way to travel to Japan during this time period, but will now try and avoid it. Trains(including ticket offices) and hotels were full of tourists. It took me over 2 hours to get through immigration at Kansai when it usually takes me less than 5 minutes. I was behind 3 tour groups...2 Chinese and 1 Korean. I'm sure that after moving back out of here, I'll long to see them again.