Page 27 - Seniorstoday May 2023 Issue
P. 27
In Tokyo, we were driven to the Imperial feel like they are in another time and place.
Palace around which there is a moat. There Some cities have rivers and canals flowing
are around five hundred trees around the through them. Long stretches of sakura
moat; one can go paddle-boating in the trees flank either side of the canal, lanterns
water. The trees are cut so that they grow in illuminate the cherry blossoms drawing
a certain way, the branches hanging down large crowds of Japanese in the evening.
making it a very beautiful sight. In Tokyo,
there is also a park – Ueno Park – where
visitors, mostly Japanese and few tourists,
explore the cherry blossoms surrounded
by lanterns, food booths. Corporates have
office picnics in this park. I saw two groups
seated on large blue polyethylene sheets—
both men and women in business suits—
trying to enjoy a picnic.
Cherry blossoms and blossoms…
Japanese Cuisine
Japan is a foodie’s paradise, there are as
many Michelin star restaurants as there
are beauty salons in Mumbai. The sushi
as we know it in India is completely
different in Japan and we need to put out
of mind any preconceived notion about
what Japanese cuisine really is. There
People flock to see the cherry blossoms are restaurants that serve vegan meals.
Each city has its own cherry blossom Subtlety and finesse are the hallmarks
meadow and the best time to visit Japan to of Japanese cuisine. The food culture is
see the cherry blossom is late March and very different, very rapidly changing and
early April. Such is the popularity that very diverse. You could find an Italian
hotels and flights are completely booked restaurant serving authentic pasta and
months in advance at sky high prices. This pizzas the kind you would eat in a fine
is Japan’s high season. The first two days in restaurant in Italy. Similarly, Mexican,
Tokyo we had rain, strong, cold breeze, and Peruvian, American, French cuisines
the sun was hardly visible. have well-known Michelin restaurants.
On the third day, there was bright The problem is to get a booking. Often,
sunshine and we went cherry blossoming. during the season, they are booked much
Japan is known for its gardens, well- in advance and walk-in is almost an
manicured hedges, lawns and rows of impossibility.
cherry blossom trees that lure the world. At the heart of Japanese cuisine, is sticky
A Japanese garden creates a beautiful rice that is easy to pick up with chopsticks.
peaceful atmosphere that makes people Japanese respect and the reverence for
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #47 | MAY 2023 27
