After spending several days in the hot sun with a forecast of more hot weather that day, it was decided to go to a museum even though it was not on any of our son-in-law and daughter's lists of places to visit.
We boarded the train to go to Ueno Park. There are three main museums there: Tokyo National Museum, The National Museum of Western Art and National Museum of Nature and Science.
We went to the Tokyo National Museum first and saw a lot of ancient Japanese artifacts and artwork. Art loves Hiroshige and spent a lot of time looking at the famous woodblock prints. The Haniwa period is from the 3rd to 6th AD.
The Japanese armor looked rather heavy and you could see people were smaller back then.
We were watching a Japanese Taiga drama called Segodan in Hawaii about a very famous historical figure named Saigo Takamori. Now we were able to see his famous statue in Ueno Park.
Wikipedia:
SaigÅ Takamori (Takanaga), January 23, 1828 – September 24, 1877) was one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history and one of the three great nobles who led the Meiji Restoration. Living during the late Edo and early Meiji periods, he has been dubbed the last true samurai.
Tiffany had heard about a place called Niki no Kashi on YouTube and wanted to see it. It had every conceivable kind of snack food from Japan and around the world. Oh yes, we bought quite a few things to bring home for gifts.
The funny part was when we decided to combine our purchases in order to reach the necessary 54,000 yen for the approximately 8% tax exemption. We hit it right on the money!
On the way back to the hotel we stopped at the Ito Yokado department/grocery store where we saw those leather backpacks that elementary school students carry.
They cost about $680.00! We saw others that were about $1,000 or more at other stores! I guess this was a bargain.
Absolutely boggled our minds. No way, I would have had my kids walking about with such costly, bulky backpacks.
As we walked back to the hotel, I wondered how we were going to bring back all those things they had bought on this trip.
I wondered if we'd have to buy another suitcase.
No problem.
We purchased a very sturdy cardboard box from the front desk of the hotel for just such an emergency.
You could buy a small or large box. Yup. We bought the large one since we knew the kids were not done with their shopping yet.
We boarded the train to go to Ueno Park. There are three main museums there: Tokyo National Museum, The National Museum of Western Art and National Museum of Nature and Science.
We went to the Tokyo National Museum first and saw a lot of ancient Japanese artifacts and artwork. Art loves Hiroshige and spent a lot of time looking at the famous woodblock prints. The Haniwa period is from the 3rd to 6th AD.
The Japanese armor looked rather heavy and you could see people were smaller back then.
Wikipedia:
SaigÅ Takamori (Takanaga), January 23, 1828 – September 24, 1877) was one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history and one of the three great nobles who led the Meiji Restoration. Living during the late Edo and early Meiji periods, he has been dubbed the last true samurai.
Tiffany had heard about a place called Niki no Kashi on YouTube and wanted to see it. It had every conceivable kind of snack food from Japan and around the world. Oh yes, we bought quite a few things to bring home for gifts.
The funny part was when we decided to combine our purchases in order to reach the necessary 54,000 yen for the approximately 8% tax exemption. We hit it right on the money!
On the way back to the hotel we stopped at the Ito Yokado department/grocery store where we saw those leather backpacks that elementary school students carry.
They cost about $680.00! We saw others that were about $1,000 or more at other stores! I guess this was a bargain.
Absolutely boggled our minds. No way, I would have had my kids walking about with such costly, bulky backpacks.
As we walked back to the hotel, I wondered how we were going to bring back all those things they had bought on this trip.
I wondered if we'd have to buy another suitcase.
No problem.
We purchased a very sturdy cardboard box from the front desk of the hotel for just such an emergency.
You could buy a small or large box. Yup. We bought the large one since we knew the kids were not done with their shopping yet.
Sounds like a great trip! I am glad you like to travel. I always dread flying. I have had some bad experiences.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting day!
ReplyDeleteTreasures and memories go together. Buy the big box. Keep on having an amazing time.
ReplyDeletehow fun museums and shopping-my favorites!
ReplyDeleteThose backpacks look quite heavy. I see future back problem with kids toting them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a rather exciting day mostly out of the sun. As long as I have a seat, I am usually fine. Yes, those backpacks look heavy, hard to handle, and awkward to wear. Glad we just have fabrics.
ReplyDeleteYour trip sounds AWESOME.... Glad you could get a BIG box for your treasures that you are taking home!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe still drive most everywhere we go --and there are still so many beautiful areas to see in our country. However, by not flying, I'm sure we are missing our on beauty in many different countries... I SO enjoy your photos.
Hugs,
Betsy
Blessings....
ReplyDeleteThe pricing on things certainly are ridiculous. i went shopping with my niece visiting from the UK and the prices i saw just dropped my jaw. who buys a flimsy t-shirt for 85$? apparently she does, not me.
I think it's true that people were smaller centuries ago. I love the story of the Last Samurai, and all the shopping. Those backpacks are ugly and heavy, if you ask me. :-)
ReplyDeleteI hear the armor took several hours just to put on as well.
ReplyDeleteTreasures and memories go together. Buy the big box and keep on making memories and taking home treasures. Have a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteI don't get those backpacks at all. Are they a status symbol?
ReplyDeleteShopping seems to be a theme on this trip.
The hotel probably gets many upset travelers who don't know what to do with their extra stuff.
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting trip, Kay!
ReplyDeleteDidn't know KitKats came in several flavors. The back packs are good for celebrity kids, maybe. Lots and lotsa people all over. Mahalo for taking us along; much easier than meandering through the crowds ourselves. I'd rest and sit on a toilet too after such a busy day! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThis is fun! Oh my.
ReplyDelete