Ken Tanaka Leaves Japan Again

Whether you find him lovable or confusing, Ken has done a good job of showing us parts of Japan during his trip. This time around, I got this exclusive description in my mailbox announcing the video, so I will share it with you:

Large metropolitan parks are an essential part of life in Tokyo and urban Japan. Parks provide much needed escape from the pressures of crowded city life. Most of Tokyo’s major parks are popular spots for cherry/plum blossom viewing in the spring. Parks can become very crowded at this time of year, and just finding a vacant spot to lay out your towel can be difficult. Flower viewers usually enjoy gazing at the blossoms while consuming large amounts of beer, sake and salty snacks.

Some of the most famous parks in Tokyo are Ueno, Yoyogi, and Koganei Kooen, but my favorite of all is Inogashira. Inogashira is located in Kichijoji, a small hip neighborhood in Western Tokyo. Inogashira is well known for it’s musical performers (like Broomduster) and flea market type vendors. It’s also a popular hang out and meeting place for West Tokyo’s foreign community. In the winter, bird watchers flock to Inogashira to see the beautiful Mandarin Duck. You can also see herons, tufted ducks, Eurasian Coots and if you’re lucky, maybe even a Great Tit (Parus Major). To visit Inogashira Kooen, take the JR Chuuosen or the Inogashira line to Kichijooji, about 20 minutes from Shinjuku. Say hello to Broomduster for me, a great Japanese bluesman!!

Thus ends Ken’s saga until the next chapter.