Tokyo Watercolour- Parks

One disappointing day turned into a memorable day, was when Ota memorial museum was closed due to preparation for the next exhibition. Somehow ended up at a quiet park in Shinjuku where there were many locals sitting on blankets as they picnic on the grass, children running around, people just sitting near the Japanese garden.

Watercolour and ink

The first time I saw this pond in Ueno park, I was surprised and thought it was a bit surreal. Have not seen so many lotuses gathered so densely in a pond. It was in the afternoon and the sun was about to set slowly as its rays of sunshine blind the eyes and blur the view. The moment I realized how odd this view was; the old pond from years ago against the tall buildings with a temple in the midsts of it all, I wanted to capture the moment.

Watercolour with colored pencils and Ink

Nikko Watercolor and ink

To get to Nikko from Tokyo is an excruciating 2.5 hour ride. If you go on a weekday, you would see many tourists, senior citizens and school kids on class trips. I am not good at doing paintings on the spot, so I usually paint from photos.

Kegon Waterfall- To get there, you have to take a bus which takes around 40 mins from Nikko station. The signs make it obvious where to go; you have to pay for admission since there is an elevator that takes you to the best view of Kegon waterfall.

Tokugawa Ieyasu’s mausoleum in Nikko- Close to the entrance, I was surprised to see orange foliage since it was late May!

According to Japan travel, built in the 1600s, this bridge is called Shinkyo. You have to pay 300 yen or so to walk on it, the sight from afar is better than actually being on the bridge. However did not regret it.