"Gotanda, Sakura Trees in Nihonbashi, Akasaka, and Yotsuya, Etc."

Once the sakura tree blossoms come out, soon followed by green leaves, then you know that spring has arrived.  The cold weather isn't quite past, but some days are pleasantly warm, and the days get warmer overall.  I love spring, although early spring pollen allergies have taken a lot of the fun of the season away from me in recent years, and this 2011 spring of earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster in Japan isn't exactly the most conducive to optimism - still, you have to turn everything off even at the worst of times and just focus on the beauty of spring for at least one day out of the year....

This batch of video clips includes a trip to Gotanda, typical train views, and views of sakura trees.  The most pleasant sakura tree experience I had this year was walking along the top of the Yotsuya rampart one fine afternoon with a very blue sky overhead and perfectly pleasant temperatures.

Shinjuku to Gotanda via Yamanote Line - (110412-1444)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNeGyQYTuYg

Riding the Yamanote Line from Shinjuku to Gotanda.

Gotanda Station - Dark Mode - (110412-1509)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY8zm6YcXqI

Looking around the area by and inside Gotanda Station during post 3/11 dark mode.

Gotanda Station - Platform Over Road View - (110412-1513)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twjll7WYb_s

Standing on the JR Yamanote Line platform at Gotanda Station, looking out over the main road that passes under the platform.

Gotanda to Yurakucho via Yamanote Line - Front View - (110412-1515)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs5CW657tQU

Riding in the front of a Yamanote Line train from Gotanda to Yurakucho.

Yurakucho Station - Platform and Exit - (110412-1532)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I00BR-lcF_k

From the platform to the Ginza-side exit at Yurakucho Station.

Moriya Kennichiro (森谷謙一郎) Installation in 306 and 303 - (110412-1714)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RK8o2S2DHM

A look at two parts of Moriya Kennichiro (森谷謙一郎)'s three-part installation in Room-306, Room-303 (Kobo), and in the basement under-stairs Kobo space.

Project-306
http://306project.web.fc2.com/

Kobo Gallery
http://www.spinn-aker.co.jp/kobo.htm

Walking Through Tokyo Station - (110412-1922)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7SyVhi8v9c

Walking through Tokyo Station in the evening rush in post 3/11 semi-dark mode.

Shinjuku Station - Upper Level - (110412-1942)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcDv5MYJC1M

Walking through the upper level of Shinjuku Station in post 3/11 semi-dark mode.

Tokyo to Shinjuku via Nighttime Chuo Line - (110412-1925)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqLHHfNyqs0

Riding a Chuo Line train from Tokyo to Shinjuku in the evening.

Okuno Building Stroll - (110414-1713)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9qUIT_86n0

Exploring passageways in the Okuno Building.

Nihonbashi Sakura Trees-B - (110414-1605)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLKOMWNhWOk

Looking around on a sakura tree-lined street in Nihonbashi. (B)

Nihonbashi Sakura Trees-A - (110414-1600)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzKdpSvcLwQ

Looking around on a sakura tree-lined street in Nihonbashi. (A)

Moat Near Akasaka - (110414-1440)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PgFX1W5j3g

A look at a moat Near Akasaka.

Yotsuya to Ochanomizu - Afternoon Chuo Line - (110414-1542)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGY_cFJ9ffs

Riding an afternoon Chuo Line train from Yotsuya to Ochanomizu.

Ochanomizu to Tokyo - Afternoon Chuo Line - (110414-1548)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9SdXbtTFPI

Riding an afternoon Chuo Line train from Ochanomizu Station to Tokyo Station.

Yotsuya Chuo Line Platform - (110414-1540)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snO4cO8wCwM

Looking around on the Yotsuya Chuo Line platform while waiting for a train.

Exiting Tokyo Station via Daimaru Department Store - (110414-1555)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFUCDr8rS7Q

Exiting Tokyo Station and walking through part of Daimaru department store on the way out.

Former Akasaka Prince Hotel Sakura Trees - (110414-1449)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RO9YsieOTs

Former Akasaka Prince Hotel sakura trees.  Apparently this hotel was closed on March 31st, 2011 and is now being used as a refugee site after the March 11th earthquake.

Yotsuya Rampart Sakura Stroll - (110414-1506)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvthshNqoQA

Walking along the top of the old rampart at Yotsuya, checking out the sakura trees there on a nice day.

Lyle (Hiroshi) Saxon
http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~LLLtrs/
http://youtube.com/lylehsaxon
http://tokyoartmusic.blogspot.com/