Ohanami in Ueno Park

I made it out to ueno park for ohanami in good time. It was packed. Lots of tourists as well. The place looked a lot different from the last time I had been there during the new years. There were many food stalls and lots of beer being sold. So ohanami Is just an excuse to drink. The cheery blossoms were beautiful. People were seated in all areas of the park, taking any space under tree to spread their blanket and drink. Not my elegant vision of the affair. Tons of people were in rent-a- boats with their beer smashing into each other. It was quite a sight.
I met my first really rude people in Tokyo. I asked if I could sit down and the woman gave me the dirtiest look. They were Asian tourists as it turns outl I took my pictures and split the scene. Of course I prayed and got another omikuji. I asked Hiromi to decipher and she said it was good. Stuff about making money with a little god amulet that I placed in my wallet. On my way to the station, an elderly Japanese man asked me for directions. I always find that strange. There are all these Japanese people around and yet the only gaijin (foreigner) gets asked for directions.

Ochanomizu/Akihabara area

The above picture is of a famous temple whose name I don't have, but is associated with the famous Kanda matsuri. My visit here clued me into the festival that would take place in May. It was quite magnificent with many fine Buddhist statues and smaller shrines.





I really liked this moving shi shi omikuji gizmo and was thoroughly entertained for several mintues by its performance.

Leaving the temple gates and entering the bustle of urbanmania, I came across Akihabara several blocks away. This is the electronics area of Tokyo and there were many foreign tourists shopping for their expensive Japanese souvenirs. I really liked the video stores that were packed with godzilla creatures.

Heading to ochanimoizu subway station, I pass the taiko mecca that is Oedo Sukeroku Taiko headquarters. I said I would be back.




ps. In the same vicinty is the university area. This one might be Meiji University. I really liked the humongous doors.