Early Cherry Blossoms

Hanami is coming to Tokyo soon.  The cherry trees are budding, and a few early cherry blossoms are out.  The lanterns and bins have already been put out in anticipation of the hanami parties.  I am sure it will be lots of fun!

This particular tree is at the entrance of the park. There was another blooming a short distance away, but I did not see many in bloom inside Ueno itself.

St. Valentines Bus

This should have been posted this earlier when it was more timely, but I have been busy.  Just after Valentine's Day (which is celebrated a little differently in Japan, chocolates are given to men by women and on White Day, men reciprocate by giving white chocolate to women) I spotted this bus in the Ginza area which has cupid prominently displayed above the bumper covering the Toei Bus Logo.

Aurora Science at the Science Museum, Tokyo

The recent solar flare activity has generated a lot of interest regarding auroras. Those lucky enough to live relatively near the poles can view these amazing natural light shows just by going outside and looking up. In Tokyo you can view artificial auroras generated in the mini simulator located in the Science Museum, Tokyo.

Big wheel at the Science Museum, Tokyo

There's a giant gear (or Mega Wheel) at the Science Museum, Tokyo. This museum guest is doing his part to complete a revolution.

I'm not sure if he knows that it will take about 10 years or 25.2-million cranks, to turn the big gear just once!