Yes, I know. Another post about autumn leaves in Japan. But it’s my favourite season and it is gorgeous. And so sunny for November too! Perfect weather for a day in Hama-rikyu Gardens, a beautiful park set around two huge duck ponds, dating from the time of the 4th Tokugawa Shogun in 1654. The water is tidal, consisting of seawater drawn in from the Bay via a sluice gate. It is very popular with ducks as well as human visitors, so much so that blinds were created so that they could be caught easily in nets. And while I am very fond of both the roast and crispy varieties, I had to smile at learning of the animal loving owner of the lakes who created a duck grave to console the spirits of all the ducks that were killed here.
While central Tokyo’s skyscrapers and the landmark Tokyo Tower are never far away and make it easy to take the quintessential ‘contrast of the old and the new’ photo, the view of trees reflected in the water from the Nakajima-no-ochaya teahouse is so peaceful that you feel you could be worlds away from the usual rush and grind of the city. I still have a lot of the world to see, but I am willing to bet there are few things as heartwarming as red autumn leaves against the clear blue winter skies of Tokyo in the peace of a park like Hama-rikyu Gardens.
