Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum is the largest and oldest museum in Japan, established in 1872, with the first exhibition held at the Yushima Seido. In 1882 the museum moved to its current location at the Ueno Park in Taito Ward.

There are five exhibition buildings, a memorial hall, a research center, gardens and teahouses at the museum premises. The garden is open to the public only during spring and autumn.

The Honkan building exhibits Highlights of Japanese art, from the Jiomo period to the edo period (1603-1868). The original building, designed by the British architect Josiah Conder, was severely damaged during the 1923 Kanto earthquake. The current building was designed by the Japanese architect Jin Watanabe, and it is designated an important Cultural property of Japan 2001.

The Toyokan building is closed due to earthquake-proofing work, it will reopen in 2013.

The Hyokan building, built in honor of the wedding of the Taisho crown prince, is closed and there is no set date for reopening, the building has been designated an important cultural property.

The Heiseikan building, was built to commemorate the crown prince’s wedding, it is used primarily for temporary exhibitions.

The gallery of horyuji treasures is a beautiful building designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, housing the treasures of the houryu ji temple in Nara, Japan, one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

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Stroll through Yanaka-UenoSakuragi

The Yanaka/Uenosakuragi area in Taito ward, is one of the few old areas to survive the Kanto earthquake (1923) and the bombs of WW II. Walking through the narrow streets full of temples, old stores and old houses is full of unexpected surprises for a major area in Tokyo.


Although many of the old houses are now being rebuilt with modern structures, many of the old houses still stand in a stubborn defiance of modern times. A store in Uenosakuragi invite customers to come in to appreciate the house (and buy something while you are in).


Hanaju flower shop in front of the Yanaka cementery, founded in 1870 it has been designated an important national cultural property.


Izakaya osen in kototoi dori, is attended by the more that 80 years old owner, who up to this day cheerfully shares drinks and cigarettes with the regulars.





Enjuin, founded in 1652, is one of the remaining temples of Kaneiji, a quiet area with a beautiful garden in Kototoi street.


Tsuijibei (earthen walls) of the Kannonji temple, the temple has a small pagoda dedicated to the 47 ronin, who avenged their master and then committed suicide.


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Kan-eiji temple Main hall Konpon-chu-do

Temple buddhist Kan-eiji in Tokyo is one of the funeral temples of the Tokugawa shogun family (the other is Zojo-ji), The temple complex used to have great wealth and power and consisted of more than 30 buildings. The temple was the battleground of the battle of Ueno in 1868, where the last stronghold of the Tokunaga troops barricaded, after a fierce battle, the revolutionary troops finally took kan-eiji. Most of the temple buildings were destroyed in the battle, some of the few remaining buildings are in what is now ueno park, the thosho gu shrine and the kan-eiji pagoda.



The main hall of this historic place, Konpon-chu do stands quietly on the backstreets behind the Tokyo National Museum. There are no so many visitors, with the exception perhaps of history buffs and visitors to the adjunct kindergarten. The wooden structure of the main hall was moved from Kawagoe, after the original was lost in the battle fire.




Around the main hall, there is a bell tower, a set of jizo statues, and a monument to ryououdoukaku.



Behind the main hall, the temple offices are of a more contemporary design and neatly kept but contrast starkly with the main hall building.


Konpon chu do is the keeper of an historic temple that saw the final battle that of the shogun period.

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Ueno Zoo

A good way to spend a Sunday morning in Japan is to visit the Ueno zoo.
The zoo, founded in 1882, is the oldest and most famous in Japan, and is home to over 2600 animals.



Currently the most popular areas are the gorillas and bear, due to the cute baby gorilla and bear born this year.




There are two historical structures inside the zoo, a tea house built in the 17th century and a five-stories pagoda, built in 1631. Additionally there is a Thai pavilion, a gift from the Thai government.


There are farm animals in the “fureai” or touch area, where children can touch the animals.






The zoo due to his convenience is always crowded, so arriving early or in weekdays is recommended.

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Spring is almost here

Spring is just around the corner, although it did snow a couple of days ago, the good weather is back now.




The plum trees at shinobazu pond in Ueno park are at the end of their blooming, a sure sign of the soon arrival of the sakura cherry blossom .





Some of the sakura trees on the entrance and at the park are starting to bloom, and the park has starting the preparations for the hanami or cherry blossom viewing.

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