We started our second full day in Tokyo with heavy rain, however this didnt dampen our enthusiasm for our sightseeing. We started by walking to the first temple Yushima Tenmangu shrine which was within a walled gardens. The shrine allowed visitor to pray for their lost family members, also you could buy a wooden plague that you put your own messages on and the hung them up on a rack outside as an act of remembrance. They was also thousands of flowers that again had inscriptions on them. We saw several people walk up to the entrance if the shrine, throw money into a large altar swing a rope to stoke a gong above and then clap twice. Very spiritual place and beautiful. We then headed to Ueno National Park we visited Bentendo Temple, again many memorials with many locals dropping in to pray or light incense at the foot of the temple. They seemed to do this and then leave to carry on with their day. It may well be a daily custom. We then headed into the heart if the park and visited Tokyo National Museum, it was huge, only cost us 1200 yen, or £8 in total, we saw Japanese clay figures and utensils that are dated 7000 years BC, yes BC, we also saw swords used by shoguns that were over 1200 year old that are in better condition than the knives I have at home! Some if the Kimonos that have been donated by the Emperor of Japan are breathtaking in their designs, the workmanship is truly amazing given the time they were made. Many of the objects were not allowed to be photographed with a guard waiting to pounce on you if you broke the rules. We had lunch then headed to Ueno Zoo, very reasonable 960yen, £6 in total! Only went there to see the Pandas. There were the main attraction, we were so close to them, they were feeding at the time, so were oblivious to us watching them. The zoo is great place to visit, even went on the monorail. We also wanted to see the 5 tiered Toshogu shrine which is located within the zoo, unfortunately it was undergoing a refurbishment on the ground floor so was closed to visitors, did manage to get a picture but the light was fading so not very clear. It was built in 1627 as a pray temple. We then headed out of the park and into the throngs if people leaving work and shopping, the market area comes slice at 4pm to cater for all the passing trade. It also seems as though the fresh fish has only landed at lunchtime as everywhere was selling freshly caught fish. The sights and smells are unbelievable. Tomorrow we leave Tokyo in the evening to fly to Auckland, it will be a pity to leave, as there is so much more to see. We have only scratched the surface, you would need to spent several weeks here and explore the country. It really is an amazing place. Not sure about wifi as we head out to NZ so there may be a delay in my next update.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:49:25 +0000
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