Yoyogi and Kiryokukan

 We had planned to have a museum day at Ueno Park but "pivoted" to other options.

Got the train to Yoyogi Park (originally the site of Olympic viilage for 1964 Tokyo Olympics) is now one of Tokyo's largest city parks at 50 hectares. Not too contrived with many natural areas and a huge canopy of trees.  Must be a godsend during the humid summers here. As it was Sunday we saw many blind runners with their guides looped together making their way around the park. Families with young children etc.

Signage can be amusing....No " so on.."

On the next train on to the Tokyo port we saw this. As it was my birthday today these nail extensions could have been a possibility? A bit limiting for activities I would think other than cell phone tapping.

So the Tokyo port was where Jeff had found " the wood and plywood museum". Bet not many girls (well older woman) get to go here for their birthday!

It was very well done and who knew that 68% of the land mass or 25 million ha of Japan was covered in forestry? The nearby wood shop was a treasure trove of every imaginable length, type, finish of timber with every piece individually priced.

There were slabs of timber priced at 401,000 yen ie $4,800 NZD

We stopped back at Yoyogi city, there are cities within the city of Tokyo. Thought we maybe would have a look at some shops as we are not shoppers but my goodness it was like Disneyland on steroids. At the street below there was chap with his son on his shoulders who said " please don't say I have to go in there" we agreed. His son looked frightened.

We then came across a NZ icon? There was just masses of people queueing various stores for everything from new Mac cosmetics, blue icecream, ramen, to the latest Allbirds. Boy do they shop here. Good the see but definitely not our comfort zone.

Ueno rail station has a good food retail area so were able to buy a half bottle of Sileni Chardonnay and had a nice meal, at a place called Herbs and Spices, my salad not too spicy and Jeff's Moroccan kebab completed yet another eclectic day in Japan.

Tokyo

 Decided to go to Ueno Park for the morning but leave the museums for tomorrow as rain forecast. Was a beautiful day and walking is always our preferred mode of transport.

First sight was the queing before 8am to get into the gaming parlour. The crossing across the street was the queueing to access Ueno Zoo. Droves of people and it did not open until 9.30am! We decided viewing pandas was not on our " must do" list.

The gamers

The zoo queues

We enjoy reading about the notable notes either represented in statues or monuments/plaques. This doctor from Netherland had taught in Japan. The then  Japanese govt. in the late 18th century proposed a massive university hospital on the now park site. Dr Bauduin opposed and proposed making the most of what was to become Ueno Parks natural beauty. He was believer in green spaces for the soul and given the present population of Tokyo the good doctor was a prophet.

The good doctor. Dr A F Bauduin.

The Samurai Takamori Saigo, who in the battle of Ueno 1868, lost with heavy samurai casualties. The movie the "last Samurai" was based on this battle loosely by Hollywood

 

Toshogu Shrine with gold leaf no less.

There is a baseball diamond in the park which was full of little kids giving it their all. One particular lad, a leftie, boy could he hit the ball. Wear all the regalia and have all the moves.

After the park we walked to the Ameyoko market. The shear volume of "stuff" available and multiple eating establishments...mind numbing.

This is looking in on the sad puppy gamers. In China it would be gamblers.

So many piles of tee shirts

A coffee bean stall

Heaps of fresh seafood stalls. It is a wonder there is any seafood left in the Sea of Japan such is the abundance seen for sale and eaten.

We then moved on to another area called Asakusa. This was even more packed with the Saturday population. By this time we were famished and Gyoza ( fried dumplings) with rice was the business.  Mum, dad and two sons turning over diners in the alleyway with good food and very clean.

Some more mooching about then made our way back towards our hotel in Ueno. To our absolute surprise who do we see dragging their bags down the street, our good friends John and Karen. They have also been travelling Japan. They originally got us interested in this adventure with their hot tip about Fiji Airways value airfares. Although they have been tracking a different path to us we all fly out on the same with an overnight in Nadi. As John said the chances of passing each other in a city of 13 million is astounding!!!

Matsumoto/Tokyo

So we leave Matsumoto on the train heading to Tokyo. From tomorrow is "Golden Week" in Japan. A significant holiday when the Japanese are on the move with public transport maxed out so best to be ensconced in Tokyo for the remaining days of this adventure. Golden Week is like the Chinese New Year holidays when millions are on the move. 

This chap had a pup in the front bag and another between his feet. You see everything!

This is a golf driving range. Such is the limitation on space.

Tokyo has a population of 13+ million people. Astounding. We were fortunate to have booked our hotel when we did as fully booked over the next few days. Weaved our way through the Uneo station which is to the north of downtown Tokyo. Our choice to be close to a hotel to Uneo park with its over 1800 cherry trees, various museum's and large open spaces. Quite unique in densely populated Tokyo. The 5ha park has been in existence since 1873. The zoo with pandas 🐼 is also there.

So first off we walked the 3km to the Tokyo Sky Tree. Receptionist at the hotel thought we were odd walking " why not take metro?". You see alot walking through new towns/ city's.

Entry into this icon was quite tiresome with queues, being herded into lifts and the crush of noisy people. Always had sympathy for sheep being crushed into pens and yards!!

Not even the holidays yet so we were pleased we came today, Friday, rather than any later. Would have been dreadful.

The lift was going 600m per minute to get to the tembo deck.

Impressive to say the least - lucky with the visibilty.

Looking towards downtown Tokyo. 

This is looking towards the port and Narita Airport further out in the murk.

Best not to suffer from vertigo

Walked back to the hotel taking in the odd things one sees. Very reliant on google maps directions but even then the tall building's and density can cause some odd instructions.

Displays of plasticised food to choose your sushi!

The Japanese do garish advertising very well. Seem to be obsessed with gaming. On buses and trains you see folks glued to their phones gaming so much so they have to finish one more move before they step off the train! The Shinkansen wait for no one, 1min into a station then off.

Local message board?

When you live in small apartments in highrises the airing and drying of bedrolls requires ingenuity.

Happy chappy and the noodles

Above are photos from a noodle shop. Made on the premises then packed in the wooden boxes to be delivered all over. Another slick operation.

We assumed these are part of the holiday week.