meguro.目黒.in.light.snow

it's public holiday in tokyo.  tokyo is in light snow today.  the reality is, it has been snowing non-stop for the entire day.

wet snow. it doesn't stay most of the time and turns into water on the ground.

plan changed. 

plan a was plum viewing at one of the park at the outskirt of tokyo.

plan b, well it took me awhile to come out with plan b. i am not feeling well, caught a cold, combination of cough and headache. i don't want to go somewhere too far, i don't want to change too many times in my metro ride.  so meguro (目黒区) seems to be the perfect choice.

four direct stops from where i live, there is a nice museum and it's not touristic ward.

so  tokyo metropolitan teien art museum (東京都庭園美術館) i went.

this art deco building is charming. it's a former residence of one of the japanese royal heir.

the exhibition is on typology posters from the last few decades.  most of the posters are from the west, but there are a few local versions that really caught my attention.

there is a big garden just next to the museum.  the light layer of snow makes this place extra enchanting.  no tourist either.  people came here in the name of the arts and is a different sort of crowds, if you know what i mean, they are arty in their dressing and behavior.

despite of the snow, i decided to take out my camera and take some photos.  it's just too beautiful to resist.  but it's challenging to take a shot with one hand carrying umbrella, the other hand camera. but i managed.

like any japanese park, there is always an area for japanese garden, a tea room, stone lamp, bridge and pond.

and some flowers, leaves that once again drawn me closer to the Lord.  i don't know why, it is usually at the least expected moment, the Holy Spirit talks to me, especially when i am indulging in the natural beauty that He has created.  ume blossom in pink and red, yellow leaves, green leaves everything that has breath praise the Lord!

after the museum and garden, the snow is still going strong, so i hide myself in arte, a shopping mall just on top of the underground station. got some stuffs for "home" from muji and then when to the restaurant level to hunt for lunch.  meguro is perfect, down to earth and easy living, no ginza or chiyoda pretentious.  i just be myself at meguro. in fact feel at home here. this is the sort of ward that i am looking for.

i had a set menu tempura, a bowl of udon, and a bowl of rice with shredded crab meat.  it's super size and filling.  i finished everything because it is already late in the afternoon, my late lunch.