Day 6

 . . . . . .  Lions and Tigers and Bears oh my!


Today's Itinerary . . . 

• Ueno Park
• Ueno Zoo
• National Science Museum
• Kaminarimon Gate (Thunder Gate)

Basically we were doing a bit of a catch up today, to see the parts of Asakasa and Ueno that we missed on Tuesday due to the torrential rain!  According to the Travel book, Ueno Park should be viewed in an unhurried manner . . .  . and that was what we were going to do.


We have learnt over the past couple of days that there is absolutely no chance of seeing everything in this 2 weeks.  The itinerary was just too packed and some stuff has had to fall off, otherwise we wouldn't have time to enjoy the things we are doing.  We also seem to be on a route march, so we have decided to slow thing down a bit and make the most of the bits we are seeing.


So, first stop . . . . Kaminarimon Gate.  This is part of the Senso-ji Temple that we visited on Tuesday, but when we got back to the Bunker, we realised we had joined the Temple in the middle and missed the first gate!  Time to put that right . . . . .  So back down the Nakamise dori and got my photo:

And  yes, it IS different to the other gate - and if you don't believe me, this is the Hozo-mo Gate

See, completely different . . . . . 


From there it was it was back to the park . . . .  and this time the weather was just lush!  First up was Saigo Takamori's statue (and his little dog!).  He was the leader of the Meiji forces.  I was just fascinated by the little dog!!!

Onwards and upwards and we were at the National Science Museum.  Scott was looking forward to this one.


We were greeted by a Big Blue Whale  . . . . 

Inside, the museum starts with how life was created, to dinosaurs, how animals evolved, then humans, then onto the scientific advancements us wonderful humans have created over the years (planes, cars, computers, TV etc).  Incredibly interesting museum and I'm sure my bro Scott would have LOVED this one and would have been able to store soooo much information to torture Nathan with for years to come!!!!


Just a few snaps of some exhibits . . . . . 

It was hard to take photos of some of the exhibits as they were behind glass and it was quite dark, so the flash kept bouncing off the glass.


Then, on one of the floors, there was a huge set up of loads of stuff to play with . . .  all educational of course!!!  The museum runs a study program and it's manned by volunteers and the current event is all about natural science by sight and touch and making stuff.  


We were shown how to build an arch bridge, electricity experiments, wind and power.  It was heaving with kids, but we still managed to get in there and do some of the experiments ourselves!!!


Finished with the museum, we paused for a moment, had a drink and then made our way to the Zoo.  Now, I'm not the biggest fan of Zoos, BUT, Ueno Zoo have just received 2 Giant Pandas from China and I really wanted to see them.

No that's not them silly . . .  and I have no idea who's child that is either!!!!

The Pandas were the first exhibit, so we eagerly made our way to the Panda enclosure to find . . . .  a bloody great queue!  Now, since we arrived in Tokyo, we have become dab hands at the queue thing, so back of the queue we went.  35 minutes later, we were overjoyed to be granted an approx 1 minute audience (still walking all the time) of Ri-Ri and Shin-Shin:

I have to say . . .  they are so cute, but no wonder they won't mate . . .  they are in separate cages!!!  Plus Ri-Ri is covered in Bamboo and by the looks of him, has absolutely no intention whatsoever of moving!!!


So, seeing as though we had paid good money for a 60 seconds gander at the Pandas, we went off to check the rest of the zoo:

Have you noticed that I've only managed to get the a*** end of the animals.  Scott and I think this is because all the other animals in the zoo are completely pee'd off about the Pandas taking all the limelight, so they are not going to look at anyone and give them good photo opportunities!!!!!


So, as you can see, I managed to get photos of tigers, little bears and big bears, gorillas and penguins!  There are loads more animals that I didn't get photos of as some of them had been 'put away' for the day . .  namely the giraffe, elephant, bison and hippo.  Shame - I would have liked to see them.


Time to stop for an ice cream . . . . . . well you have to when you're in a zoo!!!


By now, it was getting towards closing time, and when this happens in shops and stuff in Japan, they start to play music . . . .  their version of turning the lights out!  We were on our way out when I recognised the music . . . . . 

Very apt . . . . . .  .


Did a l-o-t of walking today and our feet are barking!  Time to make our way back to the Bunker via the Ameyoko Market (or as I'm still calling it an upmarket Jacky Whites!!).  Nothing is cheap in this 'market'.  It's all kosher designer stuff.  Trainers are about the same as at home - Addidas and Nike for about £40~50 but leather stuff is quite expensive.  Tried again to get the bag . . . .  Scott STILL not playing!!!


However, I was distracted by the wonderful green tea samples the ladies were handing out and I thought it only polite that I buy a few boxes/bags of wonderful tea.  I now need a new teapot for all this tea . . . .  well, I do need an authentic t-pot from Japan now - don't I???


Stopped off on the way to buy some more food supplies for the Bunker.  Food shopping is hilarious - especially for Scott!!!  We see all these packets, boxes and tins and try to work out what is inside from the pictures, but after being caught out the first night with the fishy chicken, he's a little wary!!!  I have to say though, we have had more hits than misses (ie the dodgy cheese stuff in my bento box etc) but I think we are managing OK.  The Ramen boxes are going down a treat 'cos Scott can control them and NOT add that horrible green stuff (vegetables).


I'm eating a load of bento boxes . . . . but I might change next week and go for more sushi.


In most shops there is hot food available and most of them have microwaves so you can heat your food up and eat it on the way home!  We've been getting this and heating it up at home . . . .  consequently we sometimes get it wrong and end with some really strange mixes!  But, as I keep saying to Scott . . .  it's all part of the adventure!!


We bought a loaf of bread to make toast on a morning and the loaf we got only had 8 slices in it - even though it was a full sized loaf . . .   doorsteps or what!


The cooking facilities are OK as well.  There is this magic box in the corner of the kitchen that is an oven, microwave, grill and toaster all in one!  We have decided that you have to toast in the microwaves 'cos they don't make toasters big enough to fit a slice of bread!


Oh and I also solved another problem today . . . .  I have been quite wheezy and sniffy since I got here and was worried I was allergic to Japan . . . . but - I have since discovered that my quilt is stuffed full of feathers . . . . so if anyone knows how to ask for non-drowsy antihistamines in Japanese, answers on a postcard please to sneezy/wheezy Nic-san c/o the Bunker, Ueno, Japan . . .  thanking you kindly!!!


Right - time to crack open my latest Bent box and rest my aching feet in preparation for tomorrow . . . . . . .  .