I'm a tourist, I'll admit it. Work isn't as fun as this.
So this week has been kinda hectic, and I was planning to do a little side trip this week, but one of my coworkers asked me to switch shifts (she has a friend in town) so I only have one day off this week. I do get a three day weekend NEXT week though...hehehe.
Anyways, so I decided to go back to Ueno and do more than wander around a so-so park. Ueno's famous, yeah, and it has historical significance, but without the cherry blossoms, it's kinda, well, blah. Blah! Now with added homeless people!
Er, anyways.
So I went to a couple of the museums.
First off, the National Science Museum, which was having a special exhibition on the Nazca lines. That's always fascinated me, so I wanted to go. The exhibition was pretty good, they even had the piece titles in English. Lots of interesting pottery, mummies, examples of their weaving, and best of all, a view of the lines from the air, and you could look down and see their placement, and a pretty good recreation video of a flight over the lines, it was almost like you were However, it was crowded. Really crowded. I almost snapped at this little old lady. She kept elbowing me. and I was in the BACK! I finally just said screw it to some of the worst little clumps of people. I got a really good view of the mummies though, because people were reluctant, and the trophy heads!
No pictures though, they are prohibited. I got a picture in the dinosaur room, but had to throw it out. My camera collects light to compensate for the flash being off, and apparently breathing is a no no when that happens. cause it makes the whole picture blurry. Alas! It looked like that seen from Jurassic Park where the Tyrannosaurus stands under the banner...
Yep, ended up with a picture of whale instead
Then I walked over to the Tokyo National Museum which houses all sorts of Japanese artifacts. It's separated into different types, and different buildings. I actually only went into the Honkan, which is the Japanese Gallery. It's a pretty cool building, built like a European mansion on the inside, with marble and wonderful crown molding...the outside looks like a mix between Asian and European architecture. It was also a whole lot more deserted, thank god.
Kerrie, the sword room was awesome, btw, you would love it. They have all these beautiful designs of swords and, er accessories?
There's a whole two rooms stuffed with Buddha's and then a gallery full of pottery and laquerware, I was in heaven (I love that stuff, don't ya know)
I also went to the Horyuji Gallery, well, just outside. It's stuff that's was donated to the imperial household. It's only 6 rooms, but it's a lovely place to rest.
By the way, they have some of the most BEAUTIFUL Japanese Gardens, I could see them from the windows of the Honkan Gallery, but they're closed to the public except Spring/Autumn. I'm stalking the website to figure out when I can go. Cause, I'm a dork like that for my gardens.
So I wandered the grounds that were accessible and I found
It's a "Demon Tile" which is, oddly enough, not an actual rendering of a demon. It's an old roof tile from the Edo period, belonging to one the the Daimyo in the Kyushu area
Then of course, I saw the Black Gate, which has been moved every which way, first it was an Edo families gate, then after the Meiji revolution, it was moved to guard the crown prince's residence, Then moved AGAIN, and finally it came to the Museum. Mostly, though, it's just a big ass black gate.
I also did some shopping, because, as you all know, I am weak to the pretty. Plus, I needed something to decorate my white white walls.
Didn't really find posters for decoration, but did find
Oh well, I had a nice day exploring Ueno again, it was fun. But I'm exhausted now..
Next week I go to Nikko! I'm deciding if I should spend the night or not.
Anyways, so I decided to go back to Ueno and do more than wander around a so-so park. Ueno's famous, yeah, and it has historical significance, but without the cherry blossoms, it's kinda, well, blah. Blah! Now with added homeless people!
Er, anyways.
So I went to a couple of the museums.
First off, the National Science Museum, which was having a special exhibition on the Nazca lines. That's always fascinated me, so I wanted to go. The exhibition was pretty good, they even had the piece titles in English. Lots of interesting pottery, mummies, examples of their weaving, and best of all, a view of the lines from the air, and you could look down and see their placement, and a pretty good recreation video of a flight over the lines, it was almost like you were However, it was crowded. Really crowded. I almost snapped at this little old lady. She kept elbowing me. and I was in the BACK! I finally just said screw it to some of the worst little clumps of people. I got a really good view of the mummies though, because people were reluctant, and the trophy heads!
No pictures though, they are prohibited. I got a picture in the dinosaur room, but had to throw it out. My camera collects light to compensate for the flash being off, and apparently breathing is a no no when that happens. cause it makes the whole picture blurry. Alas! It looked like that seen from Jurassic Park where the Tyrannosaurus stands under the banner...
Yep, ended up with a picture of whale instead
Then I walked over to the Tokyo National Museum which houses all sorts of Japanese artifacts. It's separated into different types, and different buildings. I actually only went into the Honkan, which is the Japanese Gallery. It's a pretty cool building, built like a European mansion on the inside, with marble and wonderful crown molding...the outside looks like a mix between Asian and European architecture. It was also a whole lot more deserted, thank god.
Kerrie, the sword room was awesome, btw, you would love it. They have all these beautiful designs of swords and, er accessories?
There's a whole two rooms stuffed with Buddha's and then a gallery full of pottery and laquerware, I was in heaven (I love that stuff, don't ya know)
I also went to the Horyuji Gallery, well, just outside. It's stuff that's was donated to the imperial household. It's only 6 rooms, but it's a lovely place to rest.
By the way, they have some of the most BEAUTIFUL Japanese Gardens, I could see them from the windows of the Honkan Gallery, but they're closed to the public except Spring/Autumn. I'm stalking the website to figure out when I can go. Cause, I'm a dork like that for my gardens.
So I wandered the grounds that were accessible and I found
It's a "Demon Tile" which is, oddly enough, not an actual rendering of a demon. It's an old roof tile from the Edo period, belonging to one the the Daimyo in the Kyushu area
Then of course, I saw the Black Gate, which has been moved every which way, first it was an Edo families gate, then after the Meiji revolution, it was moved to guard the crown prince's residence, Then moved AGAIN, and finally it came to the Museum. Mostly, though, it's just a big ass black gate.
I also did some shopping, because, as you all know, I am weak to the pretty. Plus, I needed something to decorate my white white walls.
Didn't really find posters for decoration, but did find
Oh well, I had a nice day exploring Ueno again, it was fun. But I'm exhausted now..
Next week I go to Nikko! I'm deciding if I should spend the night or not.