Google search term: D1 Grand Prix International Drift Championship Tokyo
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Free amateur sumo at the Yasukuni Shrine
Japan’s variation on age-group soccer: the annual amateur sumo tournament at the Yasakuni Shrine. It features bouts all day long, from little nippers through college age
Cherry blossom season continues into April, as the second wave of “double” cherry blossoms burst into bloom. Click on the link below to see lots more photos & maps to the choicest photo spots
From Tokyo Tower blushing pink to whole buildings displaying cherry blossom-themed LED animations, the nighttime illuminations during cherry blossom season just keep getting better and better
Search terms: Tokyo Midtown illuminations; Tokyo Tower lightup
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Azaleas come into bloom
There’s no time to mourn the cherry blossoms before the azaleas pop into bloom, covering entire hillsides with rivers and waves of astounding color. Click on the link for the best places to see them
Peonies as big as your head burst into bloom at the end of April, at several famous gardens and temples around town. Click on the link for lots more photos and maps to the spots where you can harvest Instagram gold
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 