Cherry Blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden on the west side of Tokyo was a happening place on the most beautiful day I've seen since last spring.  There are 1.500 cherry trees of 75 different species scattered around the 150-acre park which was originally the estate of powerful feudal lords.

Hanami is the Japanese word for "enjoying the flowers" and, when it comes to plum blossoms and cherry blossoms, hanami is something of an art form.  Couples young and old, groups of students, and families spread blankets under the low-hanging branches and feast their eyes on the flowers while feasting their taste buds on a bento lunch.
 

Since we didn't think to bring a blanket or pack a lunch, we wandered around the garden for a few hours and then took the subway to Roppongi where we had pizza and pasta at Midtown Tower before continuing on to Ueno Park.