Day 3 Visit to Asakusa and Ueno Park

We were awake early so after watching the sunrise in the reflection of the building opposite we went down to breakfast. (Sunrise and sunset times are very similar to the U.K)

Afterwards we walked to the metro station that's pretty much underneath our hotel, though you certainly don't hear the trains from our room. The atmosphere reminded us of Canary Wharf with similar buildings, sites ready for new development and smartly dressed commuters rushing to work.

Armed with the essential Pasmo cards and google maps we navigated our way some 40 minutes on the metro to the old district of Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple. Many of the stations have multiple entrances/exits and it was so much easier to navigate with Mr Google on hand!

Arriving before the crowds we had a wander around taking in the sights

before meeting up with two students whom we had pre booked a guided tour. It wasn't quite what we'd expected, just the two of us! By now the streets and shrines were crowded.

We came across a wedding which the girls were very excited about as it's quite rare to see apparently

There were lots of people dressed in traditional costume

Stalls with some interesting merchandise and some old fashioned fair ground attractions

lots of vending machines, they seem to be everywhere selling almost everything.

and themed cafes, mainly based around animals, which we didn't visit!

It was an interesting tour and good to chat to two local students. After a lunch of pizza and beer (very Japanese) we took the metro to Ueno Park. Another very busy area, even though the cherry blossom was only just appearing.

There were lots of camellias and other plants in flower

and fancy recycling opportunities

Back to our hotel in time for sunset. Before heading out for dinner, we read on the BBC news that Heathrow will be shut all day to day due to a fire at a power substation. Thank goodness we flew out a couple of days a go, it looks like it's causing chaos! Luckily we also asked at reception about the luggage forwarding service as we have to allow 2 days for it to reach our next destination, Hiroshima. Phew!