One of the best free activities there is in Tokyo is spending a few hours walking around Yoyogi Park on a weekend … and that`s exactly what i did on Sunday.
Sporting a sizeable hangover from a night of Karaoke the night before i soon snapped out of it and reaslised how much this park rocks.
The stage area had a dance performance on.
Plenty of colour and interesting characters performing.
Over in the park there was a wealth of activity.
This dude cracks me up, this time he had a hottie assistant and he was filming a few scenes.
I just don`t know what his game is but i`ve seen him several times in the same kit.
Jugglers by the dozen … this guy was exceptionally good.
An act of 7 making music and dance with brooms.
Kids with a bubble blowing machine.
More athletic types.
The homeless have to relinquish the usual peace and quiet of the park for the day.
Some trees have started to blossom making for some nice scenery.
No shortage of people posing for pics in amongst the trees.
All ages take the opportunity to snap off some pics.
A little romance in the air.
Bomber here punching out a few push ups for his missus.
Musical instruments are in an abundance.
As are dogs and their cute owners.
The action in the park was a brief hint of what`s coming next month for Cherry Blossom Season and then the rest of summer.
I’ll get the originals up on flickr shortly, they look much better before reducing the files to a manageable size.
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice pics Neil. Really like the blossom ones.
So you enjoying your new camera then?
Love it Lee, really happy i bought it mate. Keen t get out as much as i can with it.
Awesome post. Brings back at lot of vivid memories. I also used to like walking around Yoyogi park on a Sunday. There’s a similar vibe in Kyoto along the old river banks.
I`ll be down in Kyoto in about 5 weeks …. will try and get to the river banks.
Interesting to note that Kabuki was born out of popular entertainment that took place along the Kamo river in Kyoto. I spent much time documenting various river banks in Japan. There are some incredible historic micro cultures along Japan’s waterways, often linked to social ostracism.
The sakura are out hell early! Is it that warm there already? Or has there been sakura-terrorism? (I can’t remember the actual name for this, sorry–bringing branches of blooms from one place to another to trigger the blossoms early.)
Apparently they are Kanzakura …. Sakura will still be a good 4 weeks away i`d say. It was 16 degs today and we`ve definitely seen the last of winter.
I should definitely read Goebicyu-chan’s tweets before I post (*^-^*)
(Western encoding doesn’t do justice to kao-moji, does it!)
Sakura or Kanzakura, they are great photos. I’m envious of your location and your photography skills!
Yes, she is quite knowledgeable isn’t she. Photography skills need some work but having fun learning.
Just to add a footers to some pictures:
First three pictures are from a gathering of Yosakoi dance teams from universities of Tokyo and around. First two are from Tokyo University of Agriculture’s (農大 / Nōdai) team 大黒天 (Daikokuten); Third one’s guy in the front is from Tōkai University (東海大）, 響 (Hibiki). Do not know the ones in the background…
Theme was 「よさこい卒業感謝祭〜さらば４年生２００７リターンズ」: A comeback to 2007 dance’s and uniforms by students graduating this year, as a thanksgiving gesture to their teams.
Spare me a shameless plug: more Yosakoi pictures at http://flickr.com/elmimmo/tags/yosakoi
Thanks for the info and the shameless plug is fine.
Hi Elmimmo,
You have nice collection. here are my two cents for 22 Feb.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35673567@N05/3303811008/
Rgds
jatin
Wow, great photos! Thx 4 sharing.
@elmimmo: Thx!
Been here a few times. not far from where i’ll be living
yoyogi park is one of those places I can’t wait to experience when I go to Japan
Yeh, it’s a really great day Kirk.
There must be something in the air. I just posted about Yoyogi, which was one of our favorite places to hang out on a Sunday afternoon:
http://billanders.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/god-i-miss-japan/
Hopefully it’s spring in the air Bill …. nice pics.
Nice pictures Neil. What’s up them broom people. I’ve seen them before, but I don’t get it. The fake homeless guy is my favorite of the Yoyogi regulars.
I’m guessing you mean the fake old dressed up guy and not the guy with all his possessions who’s a legit homeless guy Jordon?!
Yeah, the fake old guy. He’s a mainstay there. I see him everytime I’m in Yoyogi.
Great shots – I haven’t found any lovely parks like that with so much going on where I live. And thanks for the Cherry Blossom forecast link, too – I am not missing them this year!!!
Great pics Neil, liked the ones with the cherry blossoms – was only at Yoyogi Park for an afternoon and miss it. Kyoto for only half a day too and miss it terribly too. Crowded like hell esp. with tourists both local and foreign but it was all good, especially having a great bite by the street while watching the festival parade (was sometime in Oct).
Big week for you next week isn’t it? The 4th i recall.
That’s great that you walk around, so many expats tend to get stuck in a bubble and only take cabs and trains and never get out among the general public and just “look around”.
It’s a great way to get some fresh air James.
Hi Neil, Nice Pics. Fortunately I too was there whole day this Sunday in Yoyogi Park. I witnessed all this and much more. I went for the first time and it was wonderful experience. I enjooyed flying kite in the center of the park.
I saw that too Jatin …. didn’t get close enough for any pics though.
Does this park not symbolize exactly why it’s so great to live in the big city?
Such a beehive of activity. You simply can’t find that out in the ‘burbs.
Correct …. and that’s why i pay the bit extra, to live closer to the action, be it night time or day time. Not long now Kwech and your ass will be in T.O.K.Y.O!
The photography came out well enough. Keep posting pics
Fred Smilek is the acting president of the Society to Save Endangered Species. It was founded two years ago by Fred Smilek along with his two best Friends Charles and Jonathan. http://www.fredjsmilek.com
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