Black Friday Sale: Tour Report of the East Garden of the Imperial Palace on November 25, 2023

Thank you for choosing our tour at the East Garden of the Imperial Palace on November 25, 2023. We welcomed 6 guests from UK, US, and, New Zealand. I hope all of you enjoyed and shared interesting conversations with us during the tour. As promised, group photos and snapshots are attached to remember the fun times we had.

Today is about 10 degrees Celsius cooler than yesterday. We brought warm clothes but ended up warming up as we walked. The trees in the East Garden have started autumn leaves and the view is really picturesque. The Ginkgo tree-lined avenue along Gyoko Street in front of Tokyo Station is a recommended spot for taking photos. The ginkgo is the symbolic tree of Tokyo. You might even encounter a bride and groom capturing their special moments. After sunset, you can enjoy the LED illumination. Hot pot dishes are also a great choice for dinner.

November 23 was a Japanese national holiday, Labor Thanksgiving Day. This year, it happened to be on the same day as Thanksgiving Day in the United States. The tradition of Black Friday Sales entered Japan in 2014 when Toys ‘R’ Us started it. In 2016, AEON also began participating, and it continued to spread. According to a survey, 70-80% of Japanese are aware of “Black Friday.” Black Friday sales are happening at various places, including online retailers, department stores, and electronics stores. It’s a favorable time for tourists to enjoy shopping.

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(Posted by Yutaka)