I’ve often relied on Apple Maps for my travels in Japan and generally speaking, the directions are accurate. However, the street directions for locations in the city sometimes leave something to be desired. This fact is particularly true if you rely on your watch to alert you to turns etc. The watch face will say “Turn in 200 feet” and then you’ll find a dead end at that turn. The problem has occurred more than once and one this day, I experienced a somewhat hilarious suggestion from the map.
My plan was to get to Hamarikyo Gardens and I plugged in the location into the phone/watch. The map dutifully stated I needed to exit at Akebanebashi station. I looked at the map on my phone and it sure as hell did NOT look like that was the station…the phone helpfully suggested a 10 minutes walk out of the station to the park. Hmmmm.
When I exited, I was smack dab at the Tokyo Tower a good 2 miles away from my location! Dude. Seriously? I took the side trip and the message to head to the Tower and maybe even head up the elevator! Sadly, the wait was 2 hours and after some photos, I headed back to the train and decided to navigate my own way to the gardens. Sure enough, I made it to Shidome and the location. I entered the physical address and the phone took me the wrong way…I stopped, looked around, and saw the park about 100 yards behind me…I turned and walked into this beautiful spot very close to Tsukiji Fish Market (the new one). The silliness was worth it and I photographed the very first sakura blossom in the park. The Yoshino cherry trees in the gardens are some of the oldest in the city and I grabbed the shot, looking in wonder at the expression of joy this flower gave to me in the moment.
As for photography, the bright sun and cloudless sky blew out the colors and photography was a challenge. I played with the shadows in the trees and tried to find some interesting spots. The ancient duck blinds, installed in the 18th century for sport, were still in place, and workers with repairing one of the older reconstructions. The Park was originally the home to the 8th Shogun of Edo and the grounds are remarkably intact.
The ONE thing to keep in mind in Japan is the amount of walking that is required of anyone wanting to go anywhere. Too, stairs are all over the place and it’s not uncommon to walk miles and climb floors of stairs. For example, yesterday I walked 10 miles and climbed 70 flights of stairs….a relatively average day.
Each of the places I visited were first-time experiences and I felt lucky to make it to each location. I sat at Hamarikyu Gardens and sat on one of the many small sitting areas…this one in the trees at the north end of the park. I wrote in my journal and admired the setting and my good fortune.
By about 5:00PM I was spent and ended my day at Ichiran Ramen, a very popular spot, quiet this early in the evening. I quietly ate my ramen, made a stop for an umbrella (I left mine at home), and dropped by 7-11 for some snacks. Once at the room, I watched the Sumo Grand Championship on TV and fell into a fitful sleep.
Today promises to be equally adventurous as I head into Harajuku, Shibuya, and Shinjuku to capture the elusive Godzilla. Will I finally make my way to the building where it lives?
May you be happy, may you be well
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