Famous for its excellent museums, the pandas at Uneo Zoo (home to over 1000 cherry blossom trees), the Shinobazu pond and the historic Toshogu shrine, Uneo Park’s Cherry Blossoms are what it is most famous for. “A visit to the park during spring season is an item on the bucket list of Japanese people. It starts from the South of Japan and steers through to the Northern part. In Japanese language it is called Sakura”, Shri Nirgude explained. He also said, “Located on the Yamanote line, the Uneo Park is easily accessible from any part of Tokyo. Uneo station is four stops from the Tokyo station. Main street, about half a kilometre long, runs from the main entrance of the Uneo park.”
The first trees were planted here during 1543-1616. They did not survive for more than 400 years. But the tradition of viewing Sakura blossoms in the park has expanded to legendary proportions. The Cherry Blossom trees bear white flowers which turn pink during the period from late March to mid of April. The Uneo Cherry Blossom festival is one of the biggest and most crowded festivals in Japan. During Cherry Blossom viewing season, Main Street is packed with millions of people, coming to bask in the beauty of the Sakura.’ Shri Nirgude said. “Our tour used to start at 05.00 in the morning and went on till 08.00 in the morning. In the afternoon we used to start at 03.30 and our photo tour continued till Sunset”, Shri Nirgude was telling.
Shri Nirgude was very excited to tell us that people wore traditional dresses (Kimonos) and moved and partied alongside the streets under the Cherry Blossom trees. “People are happy and enjoy every moment”, said Shri Nirgude and continued, “People are very cooperative. They allow us to photograph them, if we requested them.” “Even Geisha (a Japanese hostess trained to entertain men with conversation, dance and song.) acceded to their request to allow them to photograph her.” Shri Nirgude explained.
He travelled with a tour guide named Evan Pike, an American married to a Japanese girl. He is available online and replies to any query very promptly.
Brief information about the tour is also given on his website. The web address is http://www.evanpike.com.
“There are many Royal palaces, other monuments and Buddhist temple architectures included in the tour and it is thrilling to photograph them with the background of these trees”, Shri Nirgude was saying.
According to Shri Nirgude “Japan is full of tourist places allowing you to photograph street life, landscapes, and monuments, life style of people, islands and arches in the sea.”
(Sunil Vyas- In conversation with Shri Anand Nirgude )
Shri Anand Nirgude
Hon. PSI
Ex. Justice High Court
