Japan 2018: Day 21 - Tokyo (Tokyo Station, The East Garden of the Imperial Palace and Akihabara)

Wow, three weeks have just flown by, with around one week to go. This morning, after getting up and sorting ourselves, we headed into Okachimachi for breakfast and to collect a few things that we had been eye-balling the last few days. We split our own separate ways with Sky and Kyle heading off to the Station to explore beyond this area.

This guy was selling bags, would you believe?

The hustle and bustle of the Ameyoko Markets.

Maureen, Josh and I continued wandering through the area to collect a few specific things. One of the things that we had discussed yesterday, was visiting the Ueno Lake, on the Western side of Ueno Park. We had hoped to see it during our walk, but alas, we didn't, so we gave it another try. So we walked through the Ameyoko Markets on to Ueno and turned left, into the park. We passed Kiyomizu Kannon-dō, a beautiful Buddhist Temple set in the beautiful park grounds. It is home to an image of Kosodate Kannon, the goddess of conception. Interestingly, at the front of the Temple was a tree that had been shaped with hessian into a circle.

Maureen and Josh, surrounded by a tree.

One of the Temple owners.

We then continued on our trek towards the lake, still yet to be seen. After watching a street performer thrilling the crowds, we took a left turn towards the direction of the lake, which led us into the beautiful Gojo Tenjinsha, a Shinto Shrine and village, in a traditional style and seemingly untouched. Of note, nobody knows how old this Shrine is, though there is one document that has referenced it in 1486.

The very popular street performer.

Josh in front of the Torii that lead to Gojo Tenjinsha.

Gojo Tenjinsha.

We continued our trek, out of the park and across a busy road, following along it's way hoping to find an elusive left-turn to lead us to views of this seemingly mythical lake. On the map, we were around 70 metres from the lake, but it was obscured by buildings. We continued walking and ended up on a two kilometre journey that took us around the periphery of Ueno Zoo and Ueno Park, and still no lake. As time was marching on, we elected to have a crack at this invisible lake in a few days time, with some better research. Here's some of the vista along the way.

Interesting Architecture.

Tokyo National Museum.

Outside of the National Museum of Nature and Science.

Maureen, Josh and I then continued on to Ueno Station and caught the loop line to Tokyo Station. Tokyo Station is probably one of the prettiest stations I have seen. Built between 1908 and 1914, and was supposedly designed to look like Amsterdam Station. However, it was completely destroyed by US bombing raids in May 1945, then rebuilt in the early 1950s. A major renovation of the entire precinct was completed in 2012, which accommodated ten island platforms serving 20 tracks. Up to 3000 trains a day, pass through this station.

The beautiful Tokyo Station.

Multiple Josh poses in front of Tokyo Station.

We continued out of Tokyo Station to the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, a beautiful, landscaped park surrounded by a moat. We entered the East Garden via the Ōte-mon Gate. Ōte-mon means great hand. Similar to Ueno Park, the autumn colours were everywhere to be seen. The paths led us into various sections of the park, past various old Guard Houses and Fujimi Tamon, an old Defence House. There was even a beautiful fruit tree orchard.

In the Orchard.

One of the Guard Houses.

If you look closely, you can see Tokyo Tower between the two buildings.

This beautiful Swan almost seemed to be following us.

After completing our walk through the East Garden, we walked back to Tokyo Station and caught the train to Akihabara where we met up with Sky and Kyle.

How's this for a rental?

City-scape.

Maureen, Josh and Kyle then visited a cute Hedgehog and Owl Cafe, and had the opportunity to hold cute little Hedgehogs. I think Maureen's love for the three Cats is at risk, such was the cuteness.