Spring is here! The perfect weather for going out! I suddenly got the urge to head out and set off on a spontaneous solo adventure around Tokyo. For this final part, Vol.3, I'd like to share a quick digest of the botanical spots I visited during my journey. Since I'm not a local expert, please think of this not as a "must-visit recommendation!" but rather just a "I wandered in and it was super cool!" kind of report.

Ozaki Flower Park

If you're in Kanto, this is definitely the plant shop you don't want to miss... right? Before visiting, I imagined it as a giant plant theme park somewhere in the suburbs. But in reality, it's right in the heart of a quiet residential area in Nerima, and much more of a serious specialty store than a theme park. There's plenty of parking, but it's actually a bit tricky to access by public transportation (it’s about a 10-minute walk from the nearest bus stop), so it seems like coming by car is expected.

So what kind of store is Ozaki Flower Park? I totally got it once I went. The only word for it is "overwhelming selection." That doesn't mean they sell every rare succulent plant under the sun—instead, they have absolutely every kind of garden-related item you could imagine (including aquarium supplies!). I’ve never seen so many types and quantities of pots in one place. If you need a specific material or tool—even LED grow lights—this is where you'll find it. Basically, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll probably find it here. It's a shop that will impress both intermediate and advanced gardeners. Absolutely reliable.

Nerima Makino Memorial Garden

Not too far (though admittedly a bit far to walk, so I took the bus) from Ozaki Flower Park is the "Makino Memorial Garden." With the launch of the TV drama 'Ranman', Nerima Ward was in full Makino Tomitaro campaign mode—even the train station was decorated. I thought the garden must be bustling with excitement too, but unfortunately, it was closed that day... (go figure).

Kakuzenen Seibu Ikebukuro

Of course, the legendary “Kakuzenen.” There's nothing I could possibly say that would do it justice...

Shibuya PARCO: Monkey Plants POP-UP Store

That day, there happened to be a pop-up store by Monkey Plants at Midcentury Modern in Shibuya PARCO, so I dropped by. Famous Agave varieties and pots I’ve often seen on Instagram were on display all together—super impressive! Naturally, Midcentury Modern’s lineup of retro furniture and cute goods was totally my style, and I found myself absorbed in all the displays.

Hands Shibuya

Next, I visited the mecca of 3D-printed pots: Hands Shibuya. The section used to be on the 7th floor, but it had just moved to B1, so a staff member kindly showed me the way. I previously featured their 3D-printed pot selection, but now everything is here together—an amazing selection.

IN THE GREEN X SOLSO HOME Nihonbashi Takashimaya

I wanted to check out some new green shops, so I visited this cutting-edge store right in the city. To sum it up: it exceeded my expectations—it was super stylish and cool. There are all sorts of vibes and genres in plant shops, but personally, this is just the kind of atmosphere I love (not too modern, not too rough, casual with a touch of cuteness, but also great taste and stylishness...). I’d love to visit regularly.

the Farm UNIVERSAL Ginza

This is the Ginza branch of "the Farm UNIVERSAL" that I usually visit in Osaka. Even as a satellite location, the Ginza shop is spacious with a great selection. I can recommend it with confidence—if you're in the area, you should definitely stop by.

the Farm UNIVERSAL Ginza

In Summary

So in the end, my Tokyo Botanical Tour started just as an impulse with no particular plans, but it turned into an incredibly fulfilling trip. Of course, trips like this are made possible thanks to the support from official shop purchases and ad revenue from the views you give our pages—I can only say thank you so much to all of you who use and support our site. We really appreciate you.

I’ve heard there’s some research out there saying that spending money on "experiences" rather than "things" leads to more lasting satisfaction. On this trip, I definitely spent on "experience," and I really did feel the value for myself. Even though it’s easy to procrastinate on spending for experiences, I’d like to keep doing it regularly from now on.

[Bonus] Who’s That Person Popping Up in the Photos?

Finally—sorry for the late intro! The model featured in the Tokyo tour photos is Saki Kashima.

She’s a Tokyo-based web designer whose hobby is photography—she loves to explore the city with her camera, capturing beautiful scenery and everyday moments. Her Instagram is full of her amazing photographs and she has lots of followers who look forward to her work.

Her signature is her long, wavy red hair. When it comes to clothes and fashion, she loves simple, timeless pieces. She prefers sustainable brands and treasures her outfits for a long time by taking good care of them. Bright, positive, and witty—she’s honestly a wonderful woman.

She originally got interested in succulents through her photography hobby and started posting on Instagram. That’s how her work caught my eye and, struck by her unique sense of composition and color, I reached out. Thanks to a lucky timing with my Tokyo trip, she was available to model for this article.

...Except, this is fiction. Of course. Right?

#SoloTravelerJustSaying #RightFromTheStart

It’s not that I wanted to write some weird pretend-date narrative, but rather, I wanted to experiment with AI to enhance my articles. Models are also really useful for conveying the sense of size in photos! The illustrations are by AI (Midjourney), and even the name, profile, and backstory are by AI (ChatGPT). You might wonder if the profile is necessary, but it actually helps me figure out how the model might dress or what style to give her—like, "she wouldn’t wear that!" and so on.

Wow—it really is an amazing (and a little scary) world out there (haha). I’m looking forward to experimenting even more with this kind of thing.