TOKYO POSTAL CODE SERIES #123-1

This time, I visited postal code 123—the final area of Adachi City. Located in the southwestern part of the ward, there were several places I had been curious about: Nishi-Arai Daishi, which recently completed a long renovation; the Urban Agriculture Park, where some of the Goshiki-zakura have been replanted; and the view across the Arakawa River that I had often glimpsed from the expressway. In this piece, I focus on the Urban Agriculture Park and reflect on the small mysteries I encountered along the way.

After getting off at Ogi-Ohashi Station, I headed straight for the Urban Agriculture Park. Opened to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ward, the park still has cultivated fields within its grounds, and there is an ongoing effort to revive the Goshiki-zakura I mentioned in Episode 10, which bloom in a variety of colors during the season. I had planned my visit to coincide with the peak bloom, but exploring other areas took longer than expected, and by the time I realized, the Somei Yoshino had already begun to turn to leaves. I felt a growing sense of urgency—perhaps I might not see them at all—yet each time I found another place that caught my eye, I couldn’t help but make small detours as I slowly made my way toward the park.