This Week in Tokyo – 30 March 2021

Welcome to ‘This Week in Tokyo’, a review of the Maction Planet week that was and a look ahead to what’s coming up in the city. Hosted by Mac, our Founder and Lead Guide, you can check out photos from our tours and read insights into our explorations as we get under the skin of the World’s Greatest Metropolis, and beyond! This week: Life imitating Art; Private Okonomiyaki Class Success; Kunitachi Sakura; Swallows Baseball 2021 and Unboxing the Swallows.

Featured image – Life imitating Art: The cherry blossom have hit mankai (full bloom) in Tokyo this week. You will be completely aware of this if you follow anyone based here on social media, as it is a requirement of living in Japan that you post an obligatory shot of the sakura at least once during hanami season.

After almost 15 years living in Japan, I try my best to look for new, interesting shots to take. I snapped this photo at Chichinomiya Stadium, primarily used to host Rugby matches. The juxtaposition of the Japan National Rugby Team’s Brave Blossoms logo and an actual full-bloom Cherry Blossom tree made me smile.

Private Okonomiyaki Class Success: It is always an honour when people choose to spend their birthday with us, making some delicious Japanese food in the company of their closest friends from around the world. Anna did just that on Sunday, learning how to make Okonomiyaki! I absolutely love this screenshot from the end of the class. Everyone did themselves, me and Anna proud!

Next up for Maction Planet Online Interactive Cooking Classes is Omurice on 18 April 2021 (JST)! Check out more details about the class then email info@mactionplanet.com to sign up!

Kunitachi Sakura: For people outside Japan, it’s perhaps difficult to conceive of just how prevalent cherry blossoms tree are. People flock to famous spots to see them, but if you know where to go there are lots of ‘secret’ and less well-known locations to have a magical cherry blossom experience. This is a great example: Nahoko’s kitchen, where I hosted Anna’s cooking class (above), is in Kunitachi. Come out of the South Exit of Kunitachi Station and you’ll be greeted with the stunning sight of sakura trees lining Daigaku-dori as far as the eye can see.

Swallows Baseball 2021: The 2021 NPB Baseball season started on Friday 26 March. The opening weekend saw the Swallows at home at historic Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium, taking on the Hanshin Tigers. ‘Taking on’ implies an attempt to win. In the loosest sense of the word this took place. However, the Swallows lost all three games in disastrous fashion. Now let us never speak of it again. At least the sunset was nice!

For more Swallows-related goodness…

Unboxing the Swallows: Ever wondered what was in the box that Tokyo Yakult Swallows Swallows Crew Platinum Crew members received in 2021? Regardless, all is revealed in this epic UNBOXING video (our 5th annual such video.) Because YouTube loves unboxings.

Maction Planet runs bespoke Private Tours and Experiences in Tokyo, and beyond. To book yours, or to purchase a gift card, contact us at info@mactionplanet.com

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