Day 2 brought me out of the city center to the expansive Showa Kinen Park, where the annual tulip festival was in full swing.

The park was bursting with color. Rows upon rows of tulips stretched across the landscape in carefully curated patterns, forming a vibrant patchwork of reds, yellows, pinks, and purples. Beyond the tulips, fields of rapeseed flowers glowed in bright yellow, while soft blue nemophila (baby blue eyes) swayed gently in the breeze.

Everywhere I looked, people were pausing to capture the moment—posing, smiling, framing the perfect shot. It felt less like a crowd and more like a shared appreciation of beauty.
Interestingly, the sakura had already fallen.

For a brief moment, I caught myself wishing the trees were still laden with blossoms—that I had arrived just a little earlier. But that small flicker of craving quickly revealed something deeper: how easily the mind leans toward dissatisfaction.
In that moment, I was reminded of the Four Noble Truths—how craving gives rise to discontent. The flowers had not failed me; it was my expectation that created the gap. Letting that go, even slightly, brought a quiet ease. What remained was simple appreciation—for what is here, now.

Admission to the park is very reasonable at 450 yen for adults, and once inside, the sheer size of the space becomes apparent. There’s ample room for picnics, strolls, or simply lying on the grass and watching the clouds drift by.
To get there, I alighted at Tachikawa Station.

Along the way, I stopped by R Baker Tachikawa Green Springs to pick up some fresh bread for lunch. Sitting on the grass, enjoying something simple while surrounded by blooming fields, felt quietly complete.
During the tulip festival, the park also hosts numerous food stalls offering a variety of street food, so there are plenty of options beyond a picnic if you’re feeling indulgent.
It’s the kind of place that gently teaches you—beauty doesn’t need to be perfect or complete to be enjoyed. Sometimes, it’s enough to stop wanting things to be different, and simply allow them to be.

May all be well and happy.