Text and photographs by Jen Lim

The period between February and March signals the start of the Japanese plum tree festival, or what locals refer to as "Ume Matsuri".

Take a stroll in Hanegi Park - be charmed by the flowering of the Japanese plums and be invigorated by scents which pervade the air. The plum blossoms are typically white, light pink, yellow, or dark pink in colour.

The end of March when "Ume Matsuri" is over marks the prelude to the popular cherry blossoms festival.

The Tokyo Sea Life Park, with its strikingly huge glass dome, offers visitors an up close and personal aquatic experience. It gives off the illusion that the aquarium sits in the middle of the ebbing waves of the sea.

One of the piquant features is the "Top of Tank" display where a long walkway stretches above the many aquarium tanks, giving visitors a unique perspective of admiring the aquatic life from the top. Another interesting exhibit is the park's penguins, which are housed in a natural habitat specially contrived for them.

Yokohama is another place full of flavour. While it has a number of established museums to begin with, there are also other enticing haunts.

There is a bakery catering to dogs, called "Three Dog Bakery", where plenty of sumptuous treats are baked daily, waiting to be bought by doting pet owners.

Along the Red Brick Warehouse at the Minato Mirai area is an outdoor ice-skating rink which is specially constructed during the winter season. It is relaxing to stroll along the stretch of the Yamashita Park, taking in the sea breeze and scenery.

Plenty of seagulls line the mooring line of the famous Hikawa Maru (built in 1929), which has been docked at the Yokohama berth since 1961.

With the presence of many European-designed residences, walking along the Yamate Bluff district gives one a radically different feeling to the modern Yokohama.

Admire the long-standing Yokohama Yamate Church, and take a visit to the Yamate Museum to learn more about its history.

And don't forget to catch a view of Yokohama from the Yokohama Foreign Cemetery Museum, perched on a hilltop. The entrance states, "No admittance to general public except the formal visitors to graves".

Lastly, enjoy a cup of tea with delectable cakes at the exquisite Enoki-tei café. The café resides in a beautiful house which has been delicately restored to preserve its traditional feel.

Besides the few places named above, there is still a bounty of great locations to venture in Japan. Till then.

_____________________

Jen Lim relocated to Tokyo three months ago due to work commitments but has never since looked back. She loves living in Japan and appreciating its rich culture.