In bright sunshine we walked to Happoen, the secluded garden in the shadow of the Sheraton hotel in Shirokane. Nature's autumn show was under way and the little dell looked splendid; the ultimate expression of a Japanese garden, designed to maximise the seasons.
Among their bonsai collection we found a tree bearing miniature 'princess' apples, and one with a good crop of tiny kaki (persimmon)
After lunch we treated ourselves to another dose of autumn foliage and visited Kyu Shiba Rikyu. We were not disappointed. The vibrant leaves were balanced by a late-flowering cherry tree in blossom and the appearance of some flowers which were surely confused: azalea, camellia, and a couple of irises.
Emily had a wonderful time and used up lots of energy, managing to stay on her feet for more than an hour, climbing hillocks and jumping off rocks and tree stumps.
She was exuberant to see an airship drift by in the dying sunlight, as it took its passengers for a tour around Tokyo Tower.
Once Emily was a-bed, Pam took over and Nick and I headed out for dinner. We re-visited the excellent Thai restaurant in Marunouchi that Ali's friends had taken us to a year ago. We ate some really tasty and spicy dishes and were not disappointed this second time at all, as can often be the case. We were amused to see on their menu an item with Pram as an ingredient (this being the Japlish for plum).
Emily was upset shortly after our return and after many attempts to settle her I was close to shouting at her in the end, so I summoned Nick to deal with her. Usually she won't settle with him, but thankfully, for once she did, though it was past midnight by the time we turned in.
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