11 things I did in Ueno, including great sushi find in Tokyo (Day 2 Itinerary)

After a fruitful morning enjoying the sights at Asakusa, we are moving on to Ueno to see what this district offers. Ueno, an area located in the same NE region of Tokyo (and near my base in Tokyo) is definitely worth visiting if you enjoy park, temples and street food.

Before we proceed to Day 2 (PM) itinerary, read these posts first if you like a chronological story flow of my 9-day Tokyo solo trip. 

Ameya Yokocho Shopping District

 


11 Things to do in Ueno from day till dusk! 

(2pm)

Getting to Ueno station from Asakusa was reversing my morning journey. I took Ginza line and reached Ueno in just 3 stops. 

TRANSPORT TIPSuica IC Card and Tokyo Subway Pass can make travelling in Japan so much easier! 

What’s there to see in Ueno? I visited both Ueno Park and Ameya Yokocho shopping street. Within Ueno Park itself contains many sights to explore, such as temples, museums, a zoo and fountain. Check out the places I’ve visited in chronological order. :)

#1. Shinobazuno Lotus Pond (Ueno Park)

My first destination after alighting from the train station was to visit Shinobazuno Pond. Understand that there are 3 ponds there, and the one I saw first was “The Lotus Pond”. 

With much part of the water covered by lotus, I couldn’t help taking a few quick selfie.  

Shinobazuno Lotus Pond

#2. Shinobazunoike Benten-do Temple

Next, I walked to a nearby temple, known as Shinobazunoike Benten-do Temple. It is rather small in size as compared to Senso-ji, and I understand that it was rebuilt in 1958, as the original 17th century building was destroyed during WWII.

Since I’m not a person who knows how to appreciate places of worship, I didn’t stay for long. 

Shinobazunoike Benten-Do Temple

#3. Shinobazuno Boat Pond 

Walking a little further, I reached the second pond. Let’s call it the “Boat Pond” as it seems like a place great for family fun.

You can take a boat ride with your lover or have fun peddling the swan boat. 

Shinobazuno Pond

#4. Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple

Next, I walked to yet another temple, that stood on higher ground. Although Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple was also quite small, it stood out with its rather ancient façade. While writing this post, I found out that it’s the oldest temple in Tokyo, built in 1632.

Kiyomizu Kannon-Do Temple

No wonder I found myself staying there longer and appreciating my time there. So, I’m not a total temple-nerd after all. :P

Now, what’s peculiar about this temple is a circular-shaped branch of a pine tree. If you look through the “lens”, it would bring your focus to a walkway. I also read that this temple is popular for women hoping to have babies. 

Kiyomizu Kannon-Do Temple

#5. Admire Beautiful Landscaping (Things to do in Ueno)

On my way towards the next destination within Ueno Park, I saw some beautiful flowers and landscaping and couldn’t help taking a few quick selfies.

Ueno Park, Tokyo

I also saw a couple posing for shots and envied that they were able to take full-body shots, unlike me as a solo traveller who could only stick to selfies. Sob!

Actually, there’s always a choice for solo travelers to request strangers to help take a shot! But I guess this wasn’t very important to me. :) 

#6. Ueno Toshogu Shrine

About 10 minutes walk away was the Ueno Toshogu Shrine. This temple is worth a visit as it’s the biggest within Ueno Park and stood out with its golden façade. 

 

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

With a larger compound than the previous two temples, there were a bit more things to see, such as a Music & Dance stage built in 1874 and huge lanterns.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

If you pay ¥500, you can also enter the temple. I didn’t because….to be honest, I was physically quite exhausted by then (see what I did in the morning), and was longing desperately for a good rest! 

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

#7. Shin Uguisu-tei Traditional Teahouse

(3pm)

Finally, I was able to sit down after a long long day of walking and walking. LOL! I’d earlier marked down this traditional teahouse that sells mochi and oden, among other items. 

I ordered the mochi (¥600), that came with complimentary green tea.

Food in Ueno Park, Tokyo

Love the traditional ambiance and took quite a few selfies. But food-wise, the hand-made mochi was very soft, and I kinda made a mess out of it when I tried to lift it.

Food in Ueno Park, Tokyo

 

I glanced around and learnt that I had to cut it with the wooden knife. The mochi was too sweet for me. But ok lah, no regrets as I prefer the old-vibe and tranquility of the teahouse over busy cafes nearby such as Starbucks.

Ueno food

#8. Takenodai Square (Fountain Square) 

(4pm)

I was about to leave Ueno Park, but saw this crowded fair near Ueno Fountain. There were so many food items on sale.

Things to do in Ueno

Darn, I wished I had a large stomach man! But I was really really full! Seemed like I had been eating non-stop today. LOL!
Things to do in Ueno

#9. Other Places to explore at Ueno Park

There are other places within Ueno Park that you can explore, such as Ueno Zoo, Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science and Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. 

If given more time and less tiring legs, I might have visited Tokyo National Museum (see location).

#10. Ameya Yokocho Shopping District

The last itinerary of the day was outside of Ueno Park, but still within Ueno. I headed southwards from Ueno train station towards Ameya Yokocho Shopping Street. 

Ameya Yokocho Shopping District

If you are a Japan beauty or skincare lover, you’ll love this street as it is flanked by drugstores on both sides. Sadly, I didn’t allow myself to start shopping today because I would be lugging my luggage to a mountain resort on Day 4. So sad indeed lah!

 

Ameya Yokocho Shopping District

Strolling through the street and seeing many young locals dining, smoking and drinking outdoor was a good tourist experience. I really wanted to do the same, but such Izakaya setting didn’t seem quite suitable for solo diner. Oh, I want my beer! Sob!

Things to do in Ueno

#11. Great Sushi Dinner in Ueno, Tokyo

(5.40pm)

All thanks to Google, I found a great sushi train restaurant (see location) near Ueno Station. Luckily, I was there early and only had to queue for a short while at Miuramisaki Kou restaurant. 

Tokyo Recommended Food

TIP: Ensure you have reliable 4G data access. You can use it to read restaurant reviews and translate product labels on-the-go. 

Ordered a tuna variety set and a large heap of scallop over rice. The tuna was excellent – melt in your mouth texture.

Ueno Recommended Food

But you probably want to skip the scallop – it was so crunchy it didn’t taste like one. And the large heap of meat made it hard to consume, especially for ladies.  

Tokyo recommended food
Heap of not-sure-what-kind-of-scallop on left

What you saw here (6 items) cost me about ¥1600. As this was my first sushi meal in Tokyo, I’d thought the restaurant was expensive. But I soon learnt that sushi in Tokyo is a lot more pricey than in other Japanese cities/towns I’ve been to.

Never mind, at least the sushi was fresh and delicious. Luckily I’d been eating the whole day and 6 sushi were just nice for me. 

It’s been a long day of sightseeing at Asakusa and Ueno. Let’s head back “home”. 

 


2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan Mall (Akihabara)

(6.30pm)

After alighting at Akihabara, I thought I would make a quick dash to 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan mall, that would close in half an hour’s time.

The mall was uniquely located beneath train tracks. Maybe because I was there near closing hours, most of the shops were closed or closing. It’s ok because the things here a bit too “artisan” for me. :)

Akihabara Shopping Mall

Akihabara Shopping Mall

Things to do in Akihabara

 

Early Rest – Deadbeat!

Ok, I was dead tired having walked more than 22,000 steps. Drank my Choya and spent the night researching next day’s itinerary as usual.

Tomorrow, I would explore Ginza and Akihabara. Check out the next post here

Essential Info (Day 2 PM):

Map Locations of Tokyo Itinerary (Day 2 PM)

Asakusa Station >  Ueno Station > Shinobazuno Lotus Pond > Shinobazunoike Benten-do Temple > Boat Pond > Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple > Beautiful Flowers > Ueno Toshogu Shrine > Shin Uguisu-Tei Traditional Teahouse > Takenodai Square (Fountain Square) > Ameya Yokocho Shopping District > Sushi Train Restaurant (Miuramisaki Kou) > 2k540 Aki0-Oka Artisan Mall > Akihabara Station > Keikyu Ex Inn Akihabara Hotel

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