My Inner Sense: Exploring Ueno - Sakura and Shrines

It was an overwhelming experience seeing Tokyo for the first time. By the time I landed on the airport I was impressed how polite the people were, I asked one of the airport personnel to lead me to the Keisei Bus ticket counter and with his limited English, he really tried his best to help me, you can feel how sincere they are assisting passengers. I thought it was just normal and part of his job being a personnel of an international airport but then his action validates everything after a week of stay in Tokyo. Quite a number of times, I have experienced people displaying positive attitude, showing politeness, and most of all, honesty.

Japanese are very particular about the time, they are very punctual, they have so much respect about each others time, making them one of the most productive people in the world, thus contributing to positive economic growth.

I didn't have the luxury of time to go around the whole Tokyo but I was able to visit some important places. I was fortunate that my niece and her family spent time with me touring around Tokyo, otherwise I would be wasting so much time figuring out where to go. Transport system in Tokyo is very efficient and reliable but for newcomers and tourists, it would be a little challenging. Tokyo Metro and Subway are confusing, though English signs are visible, still it would take time to master the exit and entrances.

On my first day in Tokyo, we did explore Ueno Park, it is a public park in the Ueno District within Taito, Tokyo. Here, you can find a number of shrines, museums, zoo and gardens. This park truly reflects the colourful and vast culture of Japan.

At a condo unit in Saitama Prefecture, a city just outside

Tokyo where I had my accommodation hosted by my

niece's family

Me and the host family - my niece and her two lovely

kids right outside the Ueno Station on our way to Uenopark

Spring Festival in Tokyo

Just outside the main building of “The National Museum of
Western Art (国立西洋美術館本館, Kokuritsu Seiyou
Bijutsukan Honkan)” designed by French architect Le Corbusier.

One of the artworks/sculptures at the Museum

Auguste Rodin's The Thinker near the entrance of

the museum

National Museum of Nature and Science

Ueno Park performer entertain guests and tourists
in the area

Starbucks to go?

Ueno Park is truly a relaxing area where you can find a number of coffee shops, people can just sit and sip a coffee while watching the fountain dancing and swaying.

Cherry Blossom (Sakura), too bad it wasn't in full bloom yet. Everyone's crazy about it taking selfies and groupies including us.

The red torii gate on the way to Gojo Tenjin Shrine

Washing hands before getting closer to the shrine at the water basin. I was told to wash left hand first then the right hand and then mouth with ladle.