It was an early spring day in Tokyo. The winter chill had just begun to give way to the first tinges of spring warmth, and I got off the train at Shibuya Station.
Before walking to meet my friends, I headed into the shopping area in the basement of the station. Tokyo is full of wonderful depachika – department store food halls – and the Tokyu Food Show in Shibuya Station’s basement is no exception. I wandered the colorful aisles, admiring the impeccable displays of tantalizing sweet and savory specialties. Having picked up some lovely seasonal items, along with a bottle of sake from snowy Niigata Prefecture, I left Shibuya in the direction of the charming Naka-Meguro neighborhood.

Sakura (cherry blossoms) in Naka-Meguro (photo by kalupa CC BY) A reasonably short walk from hyperactive Shibuya, there is perhaps nowhere more magical in hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season than the tree-lined canal in the trendy yet laid-back Naka-Meguro. During the cherry blossom season – the duration of which varies from year to year – the streets along the canal exist in an almost-constant state of celebration. The majestic cherry blossom trees sway luxuriously sway over the canal, and small groups of friends gather to eat and drink amid the sea of pink.
I found my friends under the trees with all the requisite hanami supplies: tarp, grill, beer, snacks, guitar. We joined hundreds of other revelers in relaxing with friends and family on this perfect Saturday,...