My train trip through Japan part 2/?
It's been a while since my last travelpost; I hadn't anticipated how much energy moderating the spn_reversebang would take. I didn't have any room left to post or do much else on social media except promote that awesome challenge. But now that the event is over and the masterposts are up, I'll finally catch up with my picspams of Japan; let's see how many I can do before the end of the year;)
The third day of my trip to Japan was the first full day in the country and I spent it walking around more than I should have, completely misinterpreting distances on the map, based on my own tiny little country where you can easily explore a town in a day *grins* You'd think I would know better by now, after all the traveling I've done (and also my job involving maps, ahem). I honestly thought I could do it all by foot instead of taking advantage of the brilliant subway system.
Oh well, I got to see almost all the things I wanted, even if my feet hated me. Lesson learned: I did not need to see all the temples; if I had known which one(s) to focus on, I would have had more time to dive into modern day culture. Now I suffered a little temple fatigue at the end of the day. But I did have a great time! And you can check out all the awesome sights below from the comfort of your home:)
Day 3: Walking around Tokyo [Tuesday, October 8]
Yeah, okay, besides the bits of fried pork, I had the English breakfast and yoghurt. But I included this photo for the very smart card that was handed to me when I entered the hotel's restaurant; such a nice way to allow people to have their breakfast in peace. I love how Japan caters to the individual; not everyone in the world travels in pairs and can take turns guarding their food;)
I did do the first part of my day with the subway; there's a stop across from my hotel! Also: the by now traditional picture of every interesting man hole cover :-p
First stop: Ueno station, overwhelmingly busy at any time of the day. I sort out my trainreservations for the next few days. Then I climb to the top of the station for a view of town and to take the pedestrian bridge over the tracks to Ueno Park:
This park is huge and has many temples, which take all morning and a bit of the afternoon to explore:)
Lantarns leading to Toshogu Shrine (with the Five Story Pagoda in the background)
and a Komainu (a mythical doglike beast ready to fight evil).
So many details on the lantarns in front of Karamon Gate (1651).
The golden Karamon Gate from the front; on the pillars on each side is a dragon, Noboriryu and Kudariryu (ascending and descending dragon, by Hidari Jingoro)
Pagoda and statue on Daibutsu Yama (Great Buddha hill)
A row of red torii gates, the entrance of the Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine which is guarded by dogs.
Another gorgeous manhole cover.
Very cool dragon on the temizuya (font) of Kiyomisu Kannondo
Gong of Kiyomisu Kannondo. In front of the building is a very odd tree!
Got an applejuice from the machine (with my public transport card!).
Roof of Benzaiten Temple.
Lots of fascinating statues in front of Benzaiten Temple.
Had a bite of pig's tongue for lunch:)
With a grant view over Shinobazuno-ike Pond I leave Ueno Park and walk to Nezu-jinja Shrine.
Nezu-jinja is situated in a sweet little park area of its own. Legend is that the shrine dates back 1900 years!
After the rather busy Ueno park area, it's very nice to walk around in the quiet Nezu-jinja.
Nezu-jinja also has one of the loveliest rows of red torii gates I've seen so far.
After all that walking (about 3,5 hours since I left Ueno station) I get back on the subway at Nezu to go all the way to the Shibuya area to visit Meiji-jingu, Tokyo's largest Shinto shrine, situated in Yoyogi Park.
Barrels of Sake, wrapped in straw are offered every year by brewers in Japan to pay respect to the late Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken.
These barrels of wine are offered by wineries of Bourgogne in France, to be consecrated at Meiji-jingu.
The Otorii (Grand Shrine-gate) is the biggest wooden torii of the Myojin Style, made from 1500 years old Hinoki wood (Japanese Cypress) and 12m high.
I'm all templed out and from Yoyogi Park I walk down the Shibuya shopping area.
This sculpture is the Shibuya Arrow Tree by Yuichi Higashionna;)
Just before dusk I finally arrive at the (in)famous Shibuya Crossing, rumoured to be the busiest intersection in the world (and definitely in Japan). Once the pedestrian lights turn green, people walk from ALL directions to cross the streets.
It's wild.
After watching the crowds for a bit, I dive into Shibuya-Senta-gai to find some food. I end up at a Wendy's(!) and have a cup of Jewel Tapioca(?) with a side of fries.
When my feet are up for it, I walk to the nearest subway station and take the train all the way back to my hotel.
I make a quick stop at the nearby 7-11 where I discover my new favorite drink: hot(!!!) lemonade and I retreat to my room to put my feet up in a lovely bubblebath.
Goodnight.
To be continued!
Japan, part 1: day 1 + 2 [DW]
The third day of my trip to Japan was the first full day in the country and I spent it walking around more than I should have, completely misinterpreting distances on the map, based on my own tiny little country where you can easily explore a town in a day *grins* You'd think I would know better by now, after all the traveling I've done (and also my job involving maps, ahem). I honestly thought I could do it all by foot instead of taking advantage of the brilliant subway system.
Oh well, I got to see almost all the things I wanted, even if my feet hated me. Lesson learned: I did not need to see all the temples; if I had known which one(s) to focus on, I would have had more time to dive into modern day culture. Now I suffered a little temple fatigue at the end of the day. But I did have a great time! And you can check out all the awesome sights below from the comfort of your home:)
Day 3: Walking around Tokyo [Tuesday, October 8]
Yeah, okay, besides the bits of fried pork, I had the English breakfast and yoghurt. But I included this photo for the very smart card that was handed to me when I entered the hotel's restaurant; such a nice way to allow people to have their breakfast in peace. I love how Japan caters to the individual; not everyone in the world travels in pairs and can take turns guarding their food;)
I did do the first part of my day with the subway; there's a stop across from my hotel! Also: the by now traditional picture of every interesting man hole cover :-p
First stop: Ueno station, overwhelmingly busy at any time of the day. I sort out my trainreservations for the next few days. Then I climb to the top of the station for a view of town and to take the pedestrian bridge over the tracks to Ueno Park:
This park is huge and has many temples, which take all morning and a bit of the afternoon to explore:)
Lantarns leading to Toshogu Shrine (with the Five Story Pagoda in the background)
and a Komainu (a mythical doglike beast ready to fight evil).
So many details on the lantarns in front of Karamon Gate (1651).
The golden Karamon Gate from the front; on the pillars on each side is a dragon, Noboriryu and Kudariryu (ascending and descending dragon, by Hidari Jingoro)
Pagoda and statue on Daibutsu Yama (Great Buddha hill)
A row of red torii gates, the entrance of the Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine which is guarded by dogs.
Another gorgeous manhole cover.
Very cool dragon on the temizuya (font) of Kiyomisu Kannondo
Gong of Kiyomisu Kannondo. In front of the building is a very odd tree!
Got an applejuice from the machine (with my public transport card!).
Roof of Benzaiten Temple.
Lots of fascinating statues in front of Benzaiten Temple.
Had a bite of pig's tongue for lunch:)
With a grant view over Shinobazuno-ike Pond I leave Ueno Park and walk to Nezu-jinja Shrine.
Nezu-jinja is situated in a sweet little park area of its own. Legend is that the shrine dates back 1900 years!
After the rather busy Ueno park area, it's very nice to walk around in the quiet Nezu-jinja.
Nezu-jinja also has one of the loveliest rows of red torii gates I've seen so far.
After all that walking (about 3,5 hours since I left Ueno station) I get back on the subway at Nezu to go all the way to the Shibuya area to visit Meiji-jingu, Tokyo's largest Shinto shrine, situated in Yoyogi Park.
Barrels of Sake, wrapped in straw are offered every year by brewers in Japan to pay respect to the late Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken.
These barrels of wine are offered by wineries of Bourgogne in France, to be consecrated at Meiji-jingu.
The Otorii (Grand Shrine-gate) is the biggest wooden torii of the Myojin Style, made from 1500 years old Hinoki wood (Japanese Cypress) and 12m high.
I'm all templed out and from Yoyogi Park I walk down the Shibuya shopping area.
This sculpture is the Shibuya Arrow Tree by Yuichi Higashionna;)
Just before dusk I finally arrive at the (in)famous Shibuya Crossing, rumoured to be the busiest intersection in the world (and definitely in Japan). Once the pedestrian lights turn green, people walk from ALL directions to cross the streets.
It's wild.
After watching the crowds for a bit, I dive into Shibuya-Senta-gai to find some food. I end up at a Wendy's(!) and have a cup of Jewel Tapioca(?) with a side of fries.
When my feet are up for it, I walk to the nearest subway station and take the train all the way back to my hotel.
I make a quick stop at the nearby 7-11 where I discover my new favorite drink: hot(!!!) lemonade and I retreat to my room to put my feet up in a lovely bubblebath.
Goodnight.
To be continued!
Japan, part 1: day 1 + 2 [DW]