Yanaka Ginza and Ueno Park

Today I planned to view more shrines, parks, and do a little shopping. I started by going to the Nippori station. From there I used the west exit to leave the station and start walking to Yinaka Giza.It is also known as cat street as there was a time it was over run with cats. They asked the problem by finding them up and neutering them.Many vendors had pet items.

You can buy a kimono outfit for your furry friend! There are many shops to get souvenirs and interesting items you might not find elsewhere. There are also need shops and specialty foods.This place has an oven made of volcanic rock. Fair enough, it was worth trying something there. I bought a bread with cheese and mushrooms.I also bought a doughy stick from another shop that had flavored paste inside. I tried the chestnut.I should have planned my route more carefully. One of the shrines was close to the Nippori station so I went back through the shopping area. I decided to buy some souvenirs I didn’t get the first time. (if you read this post to the end, you will find a missed a second shrine and went back to Nippori to leave instead of the other metro stop.) The view from the top after I went back.You walk through a cemetary to see the shrine. The bamboo sticks have epitaphs of the person’s life. This is Yanaka cemetary.Tennoji temple is a Buddhist temple that was erected in 1274.This site is the relic of a 5 story pagoda. I expected more but really it is just the foundation stones. It is surrounded by the cemetery. There are not many 5 story pagodas left. They are like a giant stupa for artifacts of those no longer alive including ashes.This is the grave of St. Nicholas of Japan. He was a Russian Orthodox archbishop. He introduced the Eastern Orthodox Church to Japan.From here I walked to Ueno Park. There were many art businesses and it seemed like an artists area. I noticed this place along the way. Crepe and Yanaka beer. Quite the combination!Further s down the street is Tokyo University of the Arts.Before heading to the park I went to the National Museum of Tokyo.The goal of Buddhism is to become Buddha which is a being of enlightened mind free of illusion and suffering. They had a displays of Buddhism.They also had an exhibit of swords and their craftsmanship.I personally liked the pottery. This is very intricate.This is Imari Japanese porcelain. In the 17th century, kaolin clay was found near Arita which made the wars created from the clay white.Various statues were on display. Buddha’s were often made of metal or later of lacquered clay. This is because light shine from an enlightened Buddha and it’s likeness should as well.The 11 headed Buddha shows that it is looking all around for suffering.The Buddha with many arms reminds that it is always serving where needed.There were many printed artifacts from the Edo period. During this time it was relatively peaceful without wars.The feudal lord Masa’atsu ordered books about birds written in 1800 as he loved learning.Maps of the 5 highways from Edo castle where the Imperial Palace now stands. It is incredibly detailed to understand routes that radiate out from the center.Various pottery dating back many centuries show daily life and honoring dead. These are tiles.Painted screens of daily life in early Japan.An old Japanese hanging.Copying the Buddhist writings is much like prayer itself and for teaching of the words of Sakyamuni, the Buddha, from the 5th century.Objects are used in rituals as teachings of Buddha are difficult to learn by normal means. Rituals (in many religions) are used to understand the truth and free ones mind from illusion and suffering.After the museum I went through Ueno park to see more cherry blossoms and it woukd apart many had the same idea. It was still beautiful and since it is a special season they had vendors for food. I will post about the food in the next post.The Ueno Toshogu Shrine is in the park. There is a remembrance to the doing of the atomic bombs at the entrance. A man found fire burning from a bomb that fell on his uncles house and viewed to keep the flame alive so it never happens again. I agree.5 story pagoda.This is in great condition for its age and a great example of Shinto architecture from the Edo age.Detail of the base of a statue.I must include a picture of cherry blossoms.I realized I missed a shrine and could go back the way I came. It was a beautiful day and a pretty walk. The Kaneji temple is another Buddhist temple.Inside the temple.On the way back to the Nippori station I snapoed this picture of cherry blossoms (the plan was to walk to a the Ueno metro to see other streets, but it was a beautiful day).And this cute kitty was soaking up the warm sunshine on a cool windy day…