Day 20 - Tokyo (Okachimachi and Ueno with John, Thea and the boys)

After our long day yesterday, we all managed a nice sleep-in to recharge the batteries. We elected for a relatively quiet morning, staying in the local Okachimachi / Ueno area as we would be meeting up with my Niece Thea, her husband John and their two boys.

This old home on the way to Okachimachi's Ameyokocho Markets.

The Okachimachi / Ueno area is famous for its shopping, in particular the Ameyokocho Markets, which are said to be the last Black Markets in Japan. You say 'black market', I say 'genuine copy'. The markets have a bustle about them that we haven't really seen in Japan. The spruikers seem to be a little more loud and robust, and people don't seen to mind bumping into you as you walk through the crowded streets, very un-Japanese. They sell everything from food to shoes, to Soccer jerseys, and even Rolex watches...and real ones at that. The markets span almost the entire distance from Okachimachi Station through to Ueno Station and sit right alongside the train-line.

On the left of the photo you can see the train line, with housing built into the structure.

Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple.

Probably the nicest Raman Restaurants that we have visited whilst in Japan. Will definitely give this another try.

Josh scales the steps of the Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple.

Afterwards we all headed up to Ueno Station and waited to meet up with John, Thea and the boys. 

Arriving at Ueno Station and looking back towards Okachimachi.

These two men are raising money for the domestic pets that are impacted by natural disasters.

They arrived shortly after. We probably spent more time walking than we did looking at stuff, but we did manage to cover quite a bit. We went firstly for a leisurely stroll through Ueno Park, which was simply beautiful and in full autumn colours of deep reds, yellows and orange leaves. Ueno Park is also famous for being a Museum precinct with no fewer than nine Museum as well as Ueno Zoo, the oldest Zoo in Japan. John, Thea and the boys are staying in Tokyo for a few days before heading to Nagano for some Skiing and Snowboarding. 

Talking Pokemon tactics.

Maureen and Thea.

Maureen and John, with Thea and the boys leading the walk through the Park.

We stopped briefly for a photo after enduring the long wait for me to set up the tripod. 

We then continued our walk firstly to the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, very briefly as the queue was massive. We purposefully went there to get some collector Pokemon Cards in which the Pokemon characters adopt the same pose as the famous painting by Edvard Munch, 'The Scream'. Alas, they had already ran out of these much-sought-after cards.

Kyle entertaining Edward and Lewis.

We then headed to our planned destination, the National Museum of Nature and Science and initially wandered around aimlessly, not managing to see the cool Dinosaurs that we had planned to see. But, that's what happens when you leave John and I to navigate the floor plan map. So, we handed navigation lead to Sky who told us that we were actually in the wrong building, then took us where we needed to go. The two boys were very excited by the museum's Dinosaur skeleton collection, with cool things like an Allosaurus, and some other Dinosaurs. We then headed to a number of other exhibits including a sealed room surrounded by glass with more than a hundred animals (real taxidermic as far as we could tell) ranging from a Polar Bear to a giant Moose, that was spectacular. 

Outside the National Museum of Nature and Science.

We also headed to an observation platform on the roof of the Museum and were rewarded with great views of the Tokyo Sky Tree and the Tokyo vista. Whilst on the Observation Platform, we partook in hot coffees, and hot green teas from a couple of vending machines. 

Chilling (literally) on the Observation Deck.

The Tokyo Sky Tree.

Afterwards, we visited the Museum shop and received another lesson in Dinosaur nomenclature from Edward, who really knows his Dinosaurs. We then headed out back to Ueno Station, where we all caught the train towards Tokyo. After saying our goodbyes on the train, we hopped off the train at Akihabara Station, heading off to dinner at a Sushi Train restaurant, we had intended to take Josh to yesterday. 

The National Nature and Science Museum.

Setting up for the photo.

On the train to Akihabara.

Standing by at Akihabara Station to say goodbye.

We all wandered off afterwards, for some local electronic shopping at Yodobashi Camera, before heading back to the apartment.

A huge crowd outside Yodobashi, trying to do a Pokemon raid.

So, that's it for today.