20 November 2023
Sky shrine
Ueno to the skytree via Asakusa
Today was a rest day. A rest day was very much needed too.
A rest day for me involves walking to the skytree from Ueno and back again. But now I am back in my hotel early ready to plan a non rest day for tomorrow.
Walking between these two areas is something I have done a few times before, so I tried to go on different streets compared to previous visits between each location, this mostly seemed to work out.
The tourist hunger games going on at Senso-ji shrine in Asakusa were a bit crazy, so I could not wait to get around it, and I did not walk up the central cough filled alleyway. Actually coughs and sneezes and phlegm gargling were very much a theme today, I had to flee numerous areas of the Skytree due to people who appeared to genuinely be, near the end.
Somehow I ended up with more photos than I expected, so more mucus tales shall follow with the photos.
The walkways above Ueno station always make for a good way to start the day to check on the weather. Perfect, and supposed get back above 20c in a day or two. Weird. I blame all the packaging everything comes in. Plus lithium batteries in vapes. Plus too many people having kids.
Ueno park was quiet early on, it is Monday so none of the museums or the zoo are open.
Shrine time. This one has bits of gold on it.
Another one of these. I will see a different one a few pics down.
I thought this photo would be better than it is.
Something was happening here on the weekend. I gave some instructions to the guys pulling down the tents.
I would suggest it is still not peak Autumn in Ueno park yet.
Here is, another random shrine on my way to Asakusa. Probably superfluous. I just labelled someones shrine superfluous.
Rail yards are always worth a photo.
I was wandering around all comfortable and without worry, but you should never forget, Ninja's are never far away, and they also own a knife shop.
Not a restaurant, a food sample shop. Do not call it fake food! They have a sign there explaining they are offended if you call it fake food.
Pretty easy to get your bearings to find the skytree.
Senso-ji was far scarier than the Ninja's.
I could not wait to leave.
This guys is taking his photo game very seriously.
More superfluousity.
Last one, let's move on. I normally seem to visit this area at night, it is much quieter at night.
I crossed the mighty river north of where I normally cross it.
This meant I approached the skytree from a different angle, where I am able to get the whole thing in one photo.
I am too cheap to go up the skytree, instead I went to the xmas market. I remember it being much more elaborate than this. But maybe there is more to see at night.
Thank you for your service. Apparently he went to a hand made soap shop. I heard he stinks?
A rest day means a real lunch. I went to the afternoon tea gallery inside a bookshop and had this vegetarian thing, the balls are tofu and soy related in the tomato sauce (I think?). I was the only male in the place. I was happy with my choice.
And finally, as I walk back through Ueno, I was surprised by this. I remember reading Tokyo had banned smoking indoors in all restaurants some time ago. Clearly they did not, or no one cares about the rule and proudly shows a sign anyway. I do remember they could not force stores and restaurants to close during COVID lockdowns and that was a big drama due to ancient laws about land owners rights, so maybe the smoking ban is related.