Ordinary Things

Our room at the APA Hotel  in the Ueno district of Tokyo was recommended by the son of a friend.  The room is about 10 x 12 with a double bed, a small entry and a full bath.  It is quite affordable and the location across the street from the train station is convenient.  A Japanese breakfast of new and delicious items is included. Not spending a lot of time in the room, makes this an excellent location for us.

We have been wandering the area, especially Ueno Park.  There are a tons of small restaurants in the area and we have found delicious food and very affordable prices.  As a country of great manners, this elderly American couple has felt welcome wherever we have roamed. 

Today we had a private guide for a four-hour tour of temples and ending at a fish market.  Yoshi was personable and took special care to explain the history of the places we visited.  

 We traveled via Tokyo's excellent subway system.  It is clean, efficient and a mystery for we novices.   

We started at the Nakamise Dori shopping street , a 17th century Edo market area.  This giant lantern hangs at the entrance to the area.  

 
This dragon is carved into the bottom of the lantern.

The first temple we visited, Senso-ji, was erected by the owners of Panasonic in tribute for their huge financial success.  The original Buddhist  temple, dating from 645 CE, was burned 95 years ago.

 At the entrance to the temple these gods protect the area. The god on the left is sounding “ah” and the one on the right “m.”  These Sanskrit terms represent the length of one’s life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the temple is Buddihst, there is also a small Shinto shrine. Jerry participated in the Shinto ritual of obtaining one's fortune.  His came out with the number 23, meaning “the trouble upon you will changed to the better gradually, like clouds that go vanishing off.  His request will be granted later.  The lost article will be found.  The person you wait for will come soon.  Building a new house and removal are both good.  Marriage, employment and traveling are all fine.”

These were among the geishas visiting the area.  They are educated in music and dance.

Yoshi introduced us to epicurean delights starting with red bean candy, then rice cakes  Yum. 

 
This five-story pagoda is a typical Buddhist. The bottom story represents earth, next is water, then fire, then wind and lastly air.

 The nearby temple protects the area. This Buddhist temple is 100 years old.

This man is making soba noodles using a gentle touch with a sharp knife to make the very thin noodles.

There are many souvenir items on sale such as these “sushi” erasers.

We sampled an egg appetizer.

 This is where we enjoyed a delicious sushi lunch.  

Where we can find good sushi in California there is nothing like a small local restaurant to tantalize the tongue.
 

We concluded our tour at the fish market.  There we enjoyed a delicious sushi lunch with mochi dipped in chocolate for dessert.