Turning Margonese, I really think so - Day Fourteen

One thing I've noticed, more here in Tokyo, is that there is a lot of black, white and grey worn. You can really spot the tourists as they're usually wearing colours or showing more skin. I'm just talking about generally during the day, not the people going out for the night. I took a few clips this morning trying to show it. It was well after rush hour and I didn't go into the main part of the station but you may get an idea if you want to have a look.

Next one is just of me outside our air bnb place, then walking a backway towards Ikebukuro Station

It was HOT HOT HOT today and we did so much walking! We were going to take it easy because we knew the weather was going to be horrific but it didn't turn out that way.

We want to go see the Sensoji temple and the surrounding areas.

Sensoji is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo's most colorful and popular temples.

Legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River.

Even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon.

The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple.

A shopping street of over 200 meters, leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Alongside typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise. The shopping street has a history of several centuries.

Various events are held throughout the year in the Sensoji Temple area. The biggest of them is the Sanja Matsuri, the annual festival of the Asakusa Shrine, held in May. Other events are the Asakusa Samba Carnival in August and the Hagoita-ichi (Hagoita Market) at which decorated wooden paddles used in the traditional game of hanetsuki are sold.

They had a couple of these cooling things around the place which was MUCH appreciated!

Some of the shopping area. We didn't really look, it was just too hot.

Next stop was Tokyo Skytree! We could see it in the distance so of course, despite the heat, we walked there It felt like it kept getting away from us, or maybe we were just a bit sun struck but eventually we got there. Lots of tourists. Lots of these rickshaw things running about. IN THIS HEAT. I mean how are they doing it!

Long sleeves!!

More pics along the way. Nice hat Deno

Deno's turn to get blown 😁

Annnnnnnddddddd still not there.

We had no intention of going up. We just wanted to get out of the sun and enjoy some air conditioning. There was heaps to see in there anyway! We walked around doing a bit of window shopping then stopped to get some lunch.

What we got was Oyakodon (egg ricebowl) with grilled chicken. It was the most delicious chicken I've had in a long time! So so good! We felt a lot better after a sit down and a feed so... We walked back to Ueno station.

In the heat, and mostly in the sun because google maps was telling Deno he had to be on that side of the road...🫠 Finally we asked at a tourist information centre and got on the right road for Ueno station. It's about three kilometres from the tower which doesn't sound like much, but when it's so hot and you've been averaging 30K + steps a day, it's a lot!

Check out this Dominos place we saw on the way to the station (yes they have them here too although I don't know if they're the same)

They use bikes for delivery!

Next stop was Tokyo station to see the Imperial Palace. Click on the link if you want to know its history. The area around Tokyo station seems a lot more business like. I think it's the most Western like area of Tokyo that I've seen. Lots of high rise office buildings. Big wide streets! This picture is from just outside the train station.

We started walking towards the palace but ended up just going through some of the gardens and turning back. It was just too hot and we've seen it before.

We turned back through the beautiful park that is before the Imperial Palace

Someone's had enough.

Another pretty street. See what I mean, doesn't really look Japanese.

Also, where are the people?? First time I haven't been stressed by the over population!

They're probably all inside with the rest of the smart people. The days are going way too fast now. Thanks for reading and OYASUMINASAI

Also saw wedding pictures happening on the way to the Imperial Palace! The groom, who is not in the picture, was wiping his sweaty face. Imagine getting married in this heat!! Oh, I think I can...