AAAh.. My feet started to itch. Then R had a regional meeting in Tokyo and i decided to pack my suitcase too. This time I had an ally in Marge. One is an acomplished photographer ( Nikon et al ) and the other ( that's me ) a hopeful. Sakura or Cherry Blossoms were the main attraction and we trailed all possible locations of these delicate blooms. Day 1: First stop was the gardens of the Hotel New Otani in Akasaka where we stayed. We took some solid shots of its manicured grounds with its obligatory red bridge, Koi ponds and mini waterfall. After we left for Higashi Gyoen inside the Imperial Palace. Sadly, it was closed off to the public so we half meandered, half got lost and found ourselves in Chidorigafuchi. This was actually the choicest spot we could have wished for. Sakura trees lined the pavements bordering a lake. There was boating to be had, but we decided that we were both too clumsy for a self-manned boat. Pressing on, we moved off to Shinjuku Gyoen to catch the "