Exploring Tokyo

Exploring Tokyo

It is fascinating to look around new areas and to understand the different vibe. Central Tokyo may be full of high towers and bright lights but you don’t have to venture far to see much lower rise buildings and distinctive shops.

Sumida River area

This is the Tokyo Skytree with viewing platform to see over the city. Alongside it is the HQ of Asahi Beer & the strange ‘parsnip’ like sculpture is allegedly a flame!

A very grey day, weather-wise. So it was lovely to see the colour of the young ladies wearing their kimonos. The photographs immediately above are the interior of the famous Infinity Bookshop (second hand English books) and the engraved poem of Emperor Meiji written in 1875 when he visited the area.

This was a nearby canal with wooden structures along the canal bank; I assume they are offices associated with the boats.

Harajuku

This is a lively area with vintage clothing shops

Bikes parked outside Lewis Leathers

Ueno

Ueno is known for its park, various museums (all currently closed) and a zoo (also closed). But around the station there is a huge open air market selling foods and goods….. with lots & lots of stands/shops selling ex-military clothing and paraphernalia.

It seems so strange to hear stall holders shouting and hustling for business. I need to return during a weekday when it is likely to be less crowded.

Ueno Park is a popular place to view cherry blossom and on our visit barriers had been erected to ensure people didn’t picnic and linger under the trees in the coming season.

4 thoughts on “Exploring Tokyo

  1. I’m glad you told us it was a flame not a parsnip … I’d never have guessed! Xx

  2. The pink flowers are beautiful but I think it could be a camellia as the leaves aren’t the right shape for a peony.
    The markets look fascinating.

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