Ueno Park: A Blend of Culture and Nature

Imagine this: You’re strolling through a sprawling park, and on your left, there’s a group of students passionately discussing the latest manga while on your right, an artist captures the beauty of cherry blossoms. Welcome to Ueno Park, Tokyo’s cultural oasis. Not only does it boast a stunning array of trees and flowers, but it also features several museums and a zoo.

Springtime is when this park really shines. The cherry blossoms transform the park into a cotton candy wonderland, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a scene from a Studio Ghibli film. Be sure to call dibs on a spot under a tree for a classic hanami picnic. Just remember, sharing that onigiri or dango might lead to unexpected squirrel encounters.

Shinjuku Gyoen: A Royal Retreat

If Ueno Park is Tokyo’s lively cousin, then Shinjuku Gyoen is the calm and collected family member who always retains their composure. This park is a blend of traditional Japanese and French formal gardens, and it’s like stepping into a tranquil painting. You might even find yourself contemplating life’s mysteries, such as why your sushi is never as good as it is in Japan.

The park covers a whopping 58.3 hectares and is home to over 1,000 cherry trees. Feel free to wander through the meticulously maintained pathways where you’ll find romantic ponds, picturesque bridges, and plenty of quiet corners for a moment of introspection. Just remember, if you start talking to the trees, it may be time to step away for a cup of matcha.

Yoyogi Park: An Urban Playground

Now, if you’re in the mood for a little fun and adventure, Yoyogi Park is the place to be! Located right next to the famous Harajuku, this park is a haven for those wanting to enjoy both nature and quirky culture. On any given weekend, you might stumble upon a spontaneous dance party, a group of enthusiastic amateur musicians, or even people in elaborate costumes performing for the joy of it.

The park is also perfect for a brisk jog or a leisurely bike ride. Feeling peckish? Swing by the nearby crepe shops that Harajuku is famous for. Just don’t blame the crepes if they suddenly disappear — they have a magical way of vanishing, especially when shared with friends!

Sumida Park: Riverside Bliss

For those who crave a little waterway serenity, Sumida Park offers beautiful views of the Tokyo Skytree with the peaceful flow of the Sumida River. This park is perfect for picnipping with a view, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a traditional boat gliding down the river.

The cherry blossoms along the river are absolutely breathtaking. Grab your camera, channel your inner Instagram influencer, and capture the perfect shot of blossoms framing the Skytree. Just make sure to keep your eyes open for “photo bombers” — you never know when a rogue duck might waddle into the frame!

Shiba Park: The Ideal Spot for a View of Tokyo Tower

When people think of Tokyo, they often picture the iconic Tokyo Tower, and thankfully, Shiba Park provides the perfect vantage point for photos. This park is a lovely blend of manicured greens and paths that wrap around the sights of the famous landmark.

It’s great for picnics, and if you pick a spot on a sunny day, you can enjoy the warmth while watching the world go by. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Zojo-ji Temple, where you can catch a glimpse of traditional Japanese architecture juxtaposed against the modern backdrop of Tokyo Tower. It’s like a scene straight out of a sushi commercial!

Imperial Palace East Garden: A Slice of History

Historically, the Imperial Palace East Garden has seen its fair share of emperors and empresses, but today, it’s open to the public, offering a peaceful retreat right in the heart of Tokyo. The gardens are meticulously maintained, filled with ancient trees and beautiful flowers that whisper stories of Japan’s noble history.

You can meander through well-kept paths that lead to impressive remnants of what was once the home of Japan’s imperial family. It’s the perfect spot to escape the grind and perhaps ponder why your lunch doesn’t come with a Geisha serving it.

Conclusion: Find Your Own Zen

Tokyo is a city that never sleeps, but amidst all the hustle and bustle, there are serene spaces waiting to be discovered. From Ueno’s cultural chaos to Yoyogi’s wild energy, these parks are just a few gems that can help you unwind and reconnect with nature. So pack that picnic, wear your comfiest walking shoes, and prepare for a day of blissful relaxation. After all, the beauty of Tokyo isn’t just in its vibrant streets but also in the pockets of peace waiting for you to explore.

The post The Best Parks for Relaxing in Tokyo appeared first on 203Challenges.

Before – Plan Your Stops

Where are you staying while on your trip? Do you have enough money for everything you want to do? Have you booked your accommodations already?

Instead of stressing out on your trip, take the time to plan properly, making reservations for those hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites you know you want to visit. If it is an essential part of your trip, then you should already have it planned and reserved ahead of time, if possible. This will save you from dealing with dashed expectations. Don’t wait for the last minute to make these arrangements, because you may not have time to find an alternative. The more planning you do ahead of time, the less of your travel time you have to spend on making arrangements.

Before – Clean the House

Who wants to come back to a messy home? During your trip, you will likely stay at nice hotels that are kept very clean. How will you feel coming back to your home in a mess after that?

You probably won’t feel like doing cleaning when you get back either, which is why you should take the time to clean before you leave out on your trip. You can either do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. The closer you clean your home to your departure date, the better it will look when you come back, so plan accordingly. You will appreciate the fact that your home is tidy and doesn’t need to be cleaned when you come back from vacation. Like many people, you might feel tired after all the travelling and not in the mood for doing house chores.

Before – Plan Extra Time in

Have you ever been on a trip where you felt rushed the entire time? Maybe you had to run across the airport to get to your flight on time or hurry to a restaurant to make your reservation. Or perhaps you had to hurry to visit all the sites you wanted to go to because you didn’t realize how long it would take to go to each of them.

Don’t make the same mistakes this time, and just plan to give yourself plenty of time. Take that later flight so that you have time to catch it without rushing. You don’t want to risk having to pay a rebooking fee, after all. Give yourself an entire day to experience most activities, because you want to factor in travel time and eating as well and not feel like you need to rush out of bed each morning.

You may need to extend your travel time a little bit to accommodate all you want to do or cut down on your list of activities. Just keep in mind that you may need more time to do each thing than you initially planned, and try out schedule that extra time in there to give yourself a bit of a cushion.

Before – Plan a Lazy Morning

Even if you are the kind of person who wants to make the most of their travel time, you should schedule in at least one morning to sleep in and not rush out the door. This will help to renew your energy and make your trip less stressful. You might not even realize how tired the travel has made you until you take that slow morning and just let your body catch up on its rest. This is especially helpful if you are travelling with other people who might need more rest than you and who will be less cranky if the have time to relax a bit.

After – Plan a Leisurely Activity

What do you have to look forward to after you come back from your trip? If you hurried from one place to another, you may need to de-stress when you come home. Even if you made great memories on your trip, your body and mind could be quite tired afterwards. To help you unwind, you can plan something low energy but fun for when you get back. This will give you a reason to look forward to your return rather than dread it.

Some ideas for what you can do include going out to eat with a family member, having a game night at home, going on a casual shopping trip close to home, or ordering in and having a movie night. You might not have a lot of energy when you come back from your trip, so be prepared to make adjustments to your plans and not stress yourself by doing too much activity right when you get home.

After – Slow Down Your Schedule

Being busy all the time can cause stress, damaging your wellbeing. If you are the kind of person who stays busy while travelling, then you will need some down time after the trip. Some people call this “a vacation from their vacation”. If you are travelling for work, then that downtime after the trip is even more important.

Plan to have your after-trip schedule be kind of slow. Don’t plan too many activities in a short amount of time, and consider cancelling some of the things you had scheduled after your trip. Determine which things you can move or reschedule, and then you should prioritize your list of things to do.

A trip can be incredibly relaxing, but only if you have prepared to deal with stress and to prevent stress from occurring in the first place. No matter where you are traveling to or why you are going, you can put these tips into use to make your trip and the time afterwards as stress free as possible.

The post Reduce Stress before and after Travel appeared first on 203Challenges.

What better way to celebrate life than to enjoy an afternoon or a full day relaxing in a hammock. This might sound like a piece of cake for you but for some busy bees it is quite a challenge.

How to implement a hammock in your everyday life

First step, gear up! Go and buy yourself a colorful hammock. You will find a decent one in almost any sports & outdoor goods store. Different hammocks I have stumbled upon: single, double, light summer hammocks, camping, cotton, garden hammocks and more.

Hammocks are useful travel gear

Hammocks are not new to history. Back in time, sailors slept in hammocks hung on ships. When transferred to land, they became a novelty, not a necessity. Just like rocking chairs, they are a specific piece of furniture. Nowadays hammocks have turned into the indulgence of people who are willing to leave behind the burden of the workday world.

Be creative

Next step, hang it up! Once it is visible, you are more likely to sit back, swing or lie down for a short break.

A hammock offers lots of possibilities to get creative.

Go camping or hiking and hang it on trees out in the wild.

You could put it up in your backyard, on your terrace or even at home.

Some workplaces allow the use of hammocks for rest in the common areas. How cool is that?

What a great idea!

For advanced travelers only

To step up your game, try overnight sleeping in a hammock or use it as your only camping equipment. On the other hand, you could simply book a stay at Casa Elemento in Minca, Colombia. The hostel is famous for having the world’s largest permanent hammock! Check it out!

© Tripadvisor

Casa Elemento | © Hostelworld

The post Discover the sweet and lazy hammock life appeared first on 203Challenges.