After returning from Penang last December, I came home to a situation where long-distance travel was discouraged (although not punishable with fines and/or imprisonment as in other nations).
I decided to take advantage of this situation by hiking more within the city of Yokohama.
The extreme northern part of the city where I live feels more like an extension of Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward. This is accentuated by the fact that the commuter rail line serving this area runs straight into the heart of Tokyo, rather than into the center of Yokohama. There are swaths of land within 10 kilometers of my apartment where I had never hiked before – especially to the south and east.
Little did I know how much beauty there is to be discovered nearby.
For instance, there is a park right on the other side of the Tomei Expressway that features a beautiful bamboo forest:
Continuing further…
Further south, where drivers are gently reminded that this is a residential street and they are expected to pass slowly and quietly:
Even manhole covers have a different look. This one is adorned with artwork by students from a nearby elementary school to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Midori Ward’s establishment.
Did you know that pears are grown in Yokohama?
Well, it’s not so common to find an orchard whose top is not covered, and even less common to find one you can view from above.
This is so beautiful – nostalgic scenery! It feels as if time has completely stopped there for decades.
Even though a state of emergency (soft lockdown?) has declared in Tokyo and it makes us difficult to go on a long trip, there might be a lot of unknown attractive places just next to our living areas.
Thank you for inviting me to a marvelous virtual trip!
Thanks buddy. I am as anxious as anyone to travel the world, but I consider myself blessed to be able to live in an area full of natural beauty.