After my super wonderful visit at the Ghibli Museum, I decided to roam around the area. My next destination was this store that sells Totoro Cream Puffs (as seen from the Eatyourkimchi YT Channel) within the area, but I saw on Google Maps that there were also places of interest along the way, like the Inokashira Park Zoo. But since this time I don't have a set appointment to rush to, I just went at my own pace and leisurely took a walk in the area.
Really, I think that's the beauty of not having a set itinerary during a trip. During this meditative walk, I was able to deeply observe my environment and absorb everything through my senses. And of course, I took photos, too!
One of the things that I really loved about Tokyo is their wide parks. Along the way, I did some sightseeing. I even got to stroll along that dog park that I always see in the Eatyourkimchi videos.
I also got to watch some elderlies play tennis in one area. I took a break from walking and just sat on a bench facing the tennis field (I didn't take photos out of respect). I was amazed how physically fit they were. I think they were around the same age as my parents. I suddenly felt that longing feeling to also have the same life as them -- in this kind of environment: nice park with nature all around, full of stamina as I play tennis with my friends. I told myself if ever I reach that age, I want to still be able to play physical sports like them! 👵👴🎾💗
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| At this point, cherry blossom trees are a common sighting for me. But damn, I will never get tired looking at those beauties. 🌸 |
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| I literally stopped and smelled the flowers. 🌺 |
I did a lot of mindful walking throughout this trip, and that includes this day. It's already past lunch time (around 2PM) and it was a gloomy day. I was mostly alone walking along this road, but I didn't mind. This was just one of the magic of this trip. I felt like I was in a safe place.
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| As always, Google Maps was my best friend during the trip. And thanks to this sign, I now know that I'm close to my destination! |
And here we are! We have arrived at the zoo!
I can't remember anymore how much I paid for the ticket, but I remember showing my passport because you get a tourist discount!
There were not many people in the park. I think it became more of a photowalk for me. I took photos of everything that interested me. 😂📷
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| I told you, there were no people in the zoo. 😅 |
One of their attractions here is this Squirrel Trail. The squirrels were kept in an enclosed area and visitors are the ones who will enter that area to take a closer look at them.
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| Good thing there were English instructions. I didn't know what I was doing most of the time. But good thing I didn't do anything wrong to disturb these furry animals. |
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| Aaahh just look at this cutie! 😍 |
Yes, I spent the next several minutes of my life taking photos and videos of these cuties. I suddenly remembered that statement one of my thesismates said to me during a zoo visit also in Seoul during that time. He told me I tend to always take photos and videos of animals. He asked, "Are you filming for a National Geographic documentary?" 😂 I remembered it while I was taking photos of the squirrels. Yes Rey, I'm again shooting for a documentary. 🤣
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| A break from the animal photos: here's a cute photo of Pikachu in one of the playgrounds in the park |
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| a leopard cat(?) inside a cage (again I wasn't able to note what kind of cat this was) |
There were lots of interesting animals inside the zoo, and I really enjoyed taking photos of them. 😍
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| Even chickens in Japan look slightly different, right? |
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| Shoofie! (did I say it right, shoes selfie?) |
As much as I enjoyed meeting those animals, I kind of felt sad for them. Their eyes were sad, especially that leopard cat and those monkeys. 😢
I spent the rest of my time just strolling more around the area. And then I finally checked the time and realized I really need to get going if I wanted to visit that Totoro Cream Puff store, and hop the train and go back to my hotel before sundown. My zoo ticket still included a pass to another part of the Inokashira Zoo that featured water animals, but sadly I didn't have the time anymore to also visit that. And so this was how I ended my visit to this zoo!
And so I proceeded with walking to my next destination: to the Totoro Cream Puff store!
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