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June Highlights
Things to do in the rainy season

June and July must be the most uncomfortable time to be in Tokyo. It is the rainy season now, and most days, it is drizzling from dawn till dusk. However, if you are heading your way here don't despair. There are some sights which are only available this time of the year, and your Japan experience will never be complete without these episodes.

The beginning of June till mid July is the flower season in Tokyo and surrounding area. While some people might think that Tokyo is nothing but a huge built-up metropolitan, there actually are many parks scattered all over the city. In the correct season, some of them can be breathtakingly Japanese. It is a pity that so few visitors to Japan actually get to enjoy these sights.

Let me start with Mizumoto Park in Eastern Tokyo.

This park is the only waterside park in Tokyo. There are almost 200 poplar trees, about 200 thousand irises and a plethora or other trees and shrubs. You can even try your hand fishing here. If you are wondering why this should be so surprising, please remember that this is Tokyo, where a parking lot costs $400 US a month.

Personally, while I do think that the iris is a pretty sight, it is the atmosphere, so uniquely Japanese (with Japanese families out in force despite the slight drizzle and exclaiming the beauty of the place) that really makes this park so charming for me.

This park can be accessed from Japan Railway's Kanemachi station. It is a 10 minutes bus ride once you get off the train.

Another not to be missed experience is the night train up Hakone mountain. This train operates only in the rainy season, when the Ajisai(hydrangea) along the rail route are in full bloom.

This train operates from 22nd June to 16th July. Although there are some standing tickets sold on the day of travel, these tickets are limited. Do try to make reservations. The number is 81-465-23-8787, and reservation starts 22nd June.