Sunday 8 April 2012

Yozakura on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line

Tokyo Metro 08001, top number car of the EMU 08 series, the Hanzomon Line

Sakura (cherry blossoms) season has come in Tokyo. We can see beautiful faint pink blossoms here and there. Tokyoites are feeling the herald of mid-spring now.

The way to enjoy Sakura differs from person to person. For example, having a hanami party (cherry blossom viewing party) under the full blooming Sakura is the most popular way. Needless to say, they enjoy not only looking at the Sakura, but also drinking beer or sake (Japanese rice wine), chatting, singing and dancing.

I like viewing Yozakura. Yozakura are cherry blossoms which are illuminated at night. In some famous Sakura spots, we can enjoy Yozakura viewing. Look at the following picture. It was beautifully illuminated Sakura in Chidorigafuchi Park near my office. It is beautiful and fantastic. For your information, all illuminations are supplied by solar photovoltaic power generators in consideration of the environment.

To visit Chidorigafuchi Park, it is convenient to get off at Hanzomon Station on the Subway Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line (see the top photo). The Hanzomon Line connects Shibuya, a large subcenter of downtown Tokyo and Oshiage, the nearest station to the Tokyo Sky Tree, the tallest broadcasting tower in the world. There are 14 stations on the 16.8 km route.

Trains on the Hanzomon Line directly operate into the Tokyu Line through Shibuya and the Tobu Line through Oshiage station. As a railfan, I like this route, because I can ride many kinds of trains that belong to Tokyo Metro, Tokyu and Tobu.

 
Moon and yozakura near Hanzomon Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line