A Day in Tokyo 4

Here is the continuation of our trip in Japan, with this time a day spent in Taito-ku, one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo.
This was certainly one of the most exhausting day, as it was terribly hot and we walked a lot between Ueno Kōen, Asakusa district, and along Sumidagawa. But I think also one of the most interesting day. Asakusa is a magical place where shinto shrines and other old traditional houses live in the middle of modern buildings, and the Sumida riverside offers a gorgeous view on the Tokyo Sky Tree and buildings around, besides being refreshing. Definitely a place I recommend to visit.

This first photo shows Chuo-dori (street) which can be seen from the Est side of Ueno park.

And just a bit to the left, a nice view on the Yamanote line railway.

But let’s go back to the beginning of the day, and browse this photostream chronologically. There are 64 snaps in this article, and I think this is the first time I put so many pictures at a time! Well, there are so many wonderful things to see in Japan ^^

We first wanted to visit the Ueno park. Here is the grand fountain, were you arrive when entering from the Est side of the park, directely from JR Ueno station.
We can also see the Tokyo National Museum.

This is one of the three original bronze casts of the Gates of Hell, standing at the entrance of the National Museum of Western Art.

The Gates of Hell is a monumental sculptural work by French artist Auguste Rodin that depicts a scene from "The Inferno", the first section of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. It stands at 6m high, 4m wide and 1m deep. – wikipedia

Most the biggest trees in the park has this pink ribbon attached. Not sure about the meaning of this, so if someone has any idea, I would be glad to read it.

Desert kid playground. Well, quite expectable at this time of the day and the week.

Entrance of Toshogu shrine. Unfortunately the shrine was having renovations carried out, and was hidden by a dull backdrop.

Toshogu Shrine, erected in 1651, is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867, making Tokyo the seat of government. It is the only shrine in Tokyo that’s been designated a National Treasure. – shibuya246

Facing the Shinobazu Pond (不忍池 – Shinobazu no Ike). At its center lies Benten Island (弁天島 – Bentenjima) on which stands the Bentendō (弁天堂).

The Bentendō (弁天堂) is a temple dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten.

When entering to a Shinto shrine, you will usually find a purification fountain where visitors who wish to pray should stop to clean themselves before proceeding further.

The purification process is as following:

• Hold the dipper in your right hand and pour water from the fountain onto your left hand.
• Reverse the procedure to purify your right hand.
• Put the dipper back to your right hand and pour a small amount of water into your left hand and bring the water to your mouth. Do not drink directly from the dipper or swallow the water, spit it out on the stones at the base of the purification fountain.
• At last, purify the dipper by holding it with both hands and raising it to pour water on your hands and the dipper’s handle.

Food stands along the path to the Bentenjima.

Yummy 焼きそば (yakisoba) for lunch. *dribbles*

Cook spraying water on the ground near his stand, to cool down the atmosphere. Pretty common activity during summer. Many people do this in front of their shop.

Statue of Saigo Takamori, one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history, living during the late Edo Period and early Meiji Era.

I am not quite sure about it, but I think bikes are not allowed this way. It is not very clear though.

Time to leave Ueno park. We headed to Sumidagawa, walking along the main street Asakusa-dori.

Crowded taxi park near Ginza line Ueno station.

And crowded bike park too.

Typical secondary street around Asakusa district, with a small shino shrine in the middle of buildings. Completely lovely.

Bikes seem to be a real problem in Japan streets.

Time travel machine. I think.

There is something wrong in this picture, but can’t figure out what.

A family enjoying a jinrikisha (rickshaw) ride, along Sumidagawa.

Kototoi-bashi (bridge) on the Sumidagawa, and the Tokyo Sky Tree under construction.

Torii leading the way to Asakusa Shrine (浅草神社 – Asakusa-jinja).

The Hōzōmon (宝蔵門 Treasure-House Gate) and five-story pagoda of Sensō-ji (金龍山浅草寺 Kinryū-zan Sensō-ji), an ancient Buddhist temple in Asakusa.
Unfortunately (again!) the main hall was under renovation works, and as usual hidden by some ugly backdrops.

Ok, I will leave the rest of the photos speak for themselves now. Always have a lot of things to do, and I also need to prepare a figure photo article especially dedicated to summer. Cookies for those who can find out which figure will be featured – its quite easy though.