Japan [Day 1] - Rikugien Cherry Blossoms

After the morning trip to the Fish Market, we took a short break. No rest when you are on vacation. :) We went to Rikugien (near Komagome) to check out the cherry blossoms that were just starting to bloom. Japan is packed with these trees, and when they all bloom at the same time it's like looking at a painting.

There is an old shogun estate in Komagome at a place called Rikugien that had a few cherry blossom trees. They hadn't quite bloomed, but it was a good sneak peak. Later during this vacation, we check out some of the more well-known spots, but here is a sneak peak of what they look like.
It may have been spring but it felt like winter. Kai was bundled up head to toe today. Japan is not stroller-accessible, and it's been a pain trying to find elevators and escalators at train stations, stores, restaurants, etc... Otherwise, Kai has been loving Japan so far (he's addicted to rice crackers and Anpanman). Anpanman is a Japanese children's cartoon character. I don't quite get the fascination with Anpanman, but he is the rage here in Japan for all the kids.


Day 1 was a long day (4:00 am start). Ami's aunt took us to a local favorite restaurant. There is supposedly a better tempura restaurant we are going to later but this was still the best I've had thus far. Unlike in the US, authentic places in Japan only lightly batter the tempura. It's so tasty you don't even use the usual dipping sauce when you eat tempura. Instead, they give you this special type of salt to season your tempura (I think it is some type of toasted salt). You can see the toasted salt below.

The sashimi salad was rockin! As you all know...I'm really into food so I'm expecting to gain at least 10 lbs on this trip :) More food pictures to come.