Visiting Ueno Park and Asakusa

We started the day late today because we already had a long day yesterday and wanted to take it easy.

Our air BnB was close to Ueno station and walking distance to Ueno Park. The weather was nice and sunny that I wished we had gone to Hakone and Mt Fuji today instead.

Ueno Park

Ueno Park, located in Tokyo’s Taito district, is a sprawling public park known for its cultural landmarks and vibrant seasonal beauty. Originally part of the grounds of Kaneiji Temple, it became one of Japan’s first public parks in 1873. Ueno Park is especially famous for its cherry blossoms in spring, attracting thousands of visitors for hanami (flower viewing).

The park is home to several museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, Science and Natural Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, and the Ueno Zoo, Japan’s oldest zoo. It also features historical monuments, a large pond (Shinobazu Pond), and various street performances, making it a lively and diverse destination year-round.

There is no admission fee to enter Ueno Park, but the various facilities have modest admissions fees (many are around 600 yen). Most museums and other facilities open at 9:00 or 9:30 and close between 16:00 and 17:30, and most are closed completely on Mondays. The hours of the park itself are 5:00 to 23:00.

To get to Ueno Park from Ueno Station, take the Ueno Park Exit. Ueno Station is a stop on the JR Yamanote Line, which loops around central Tokyo, as well as the terminus for several train lines, including some Shinkansen bullet trains. The park will be just across the street. The park is also close Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line Ueno Station, Uguisudani Station on the JR Yamanote Line, and Keisei Ueno Station on the Keisei Line.

Ueno is also famous as the avenue of cherry blossom (sakura) trees along the main path. It’s long been a popular spot for blossom viewing, and was even celebrated in haiku by the acclaimed poet Matsuo Basho. Hundreds of thousands of visitors visit every day during cherry blossom season, usually late March to early April, for hanami (literally, “flower viewing” parties). Come and enjoy the extraordinary beauty of 800 Somei-yoshino cherry trees in full bloom, and discover events such as the Aozora Antique Market. During the park’s official sakura matsuri (cherry blossom festival), a thousand lanterns provide both a sense of security and a wonderful atmosphere for blossom viewing at night.

From Ueno we took the metro/subway to Asakusa Temple

Asakusa Temple

Asakusa Temple, or Sensō-ji, is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, dating back to 645 AD. Legend has it that two fishermen discovered a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, in the Sumida River, inspiring the temple’s construction. Asakusa temple is particularly vibrant during festivals like Sanja Matsuri and is a must-visit for experiencing Tokyo’s blend of tradition and spirituality.

Here are the top things to see and do when visiting Asakusa’s Sensō-ji Temple:

1. Kaminarimon Gate: Start at the iconic Thunder Gate with its massive red lantern and guardian statues, a popular photo spot.
2. Nakamise Shopping Street: Like many Japanese temple, there is a lively street leading to the temple, lined with shops selling traditional snacks, souvenirs, and handmade crafts.
3. Hozomon Gate: This is the second grand gate with large lanterns and treasures like the Niō guardian statues.
4. Main Hall (Hondo): The temple’s centerpiece, where people offer prayers and take in the ornate architecture.
5. Five-Story Pagoda: The elegant pagoda is a symbol of Buddhist heritage and a striking landmark.
6. Omikuji (Fortune-Telling): Visitor can draw a paper fortune at designated spots. If your fortune is bad, tie it to a rack to dispel bad luck.
7. Incense Purification: Waft incense smoke from the large cauldron near the main hall over yourself for blessings and health.
8. Asakusa Shrine: A quieter Shinto shrine next to Sensō-ji, honoring the temple’s founders and providing a more serene atmosphere.
9. Seasonal Festivals: Time your visit during the Sanja Matsuri in May or the Asakusa Samba Carnival in August for vibrant cultural celebrations.
10. Night Illumination: Visit in the evening to see the temple beautifully lit, offering a magical and tranquil experience.

Tokyo Sky Tree

From Asakusa to continue walking to our last destination: the Tokyo Sky Tree.

The Tokyo Skytree is a television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. It is the centerpiece of the Tokyo Skytree Town in the Sumida City Ward, not far away from Asakusa. With a height of 634 meters (634 can be read as “Musashi”, a historic name of the Tokyo Region), it is the tallest structure in Japan and the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion. A large shopping complex with an aquarium is located at its base.

The highlight of the Tokyo Skytree is its two observation decks which offer spectacular views out over Tokyo. The two enclosed decks are located at heights of 350 and 450 meters respectively, making them the highest observation decks in Japan and some of the highest in the world.

Tembo Deck, the lower of the two decks is 350 meters high and spans three levels with great views from all of its floors. The top floor features tall, broad windows that offer some of the best 360 degree panoramic views of the city. The middle floor has a souvenir shop and the Musashi Sky Restaurant, which serves French-Japanese fusion cuisine, while the lowest floor features a cafe and some glass panels on the ground from where you can look all the way down to the base of the tower.

We end our day walking back to Asakusa area for dinner. Despite being a touristy area, we can still find restaurant popular with the locals. Here for the first time, I can enjoy the most delicious mackerel grill without any fishy taste.