We decided to take a stroll in Ueno that still leaves the tastes of Ueno and brings about a different atmosphere than the other cities.

First after exiting the station’s Kouen exit, as you walk straight to the left, you see the Kanei temple Rinou hall. Here the Kanei temple was founded by 3rd generation shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, a temple where 6 of the 15 Tokugawa historical shoguns sleep. The main Buddhist temple was burnt down during the Ueno war, but it still has many to look at. This Rinou hall is used as a multipurpose venue.

Next we went towards the Joukenin Reibyou (mausoleum) Chokugan mon which is chosen as the country’s important cultural properties. From here we walk a bit, but on our way we found the 4th generation shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna’s Chokuganmon, the Genyuin Reibyou Chokuganmon.
This also is chosen as the country’s important cultural properties.

Re received information that if you go a little further into the cemetery there is Madame Butterfly’s grave.

There are 2 headstones with “Madam Butterfly” written on them. One of them belongs to Miura Tamaki that participated as his favorite opera “Madam Butterfly”. The other one built by Kobayashi Nobue where Miura Tamaki participated as the master. It is a cute headstone with the shape of a butterfly.

Walking further ahead, we arrive at the Joukenin Reibyou (mausoleum) Chokugan mon.

Further inside, there are Iemitsu and Atsuhime’s graves.
Joukenin, is the Ingou of the 5th generation shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi.
Speaking of Tsunayoshi, it is famous as the Inukubou putting out the Showa Awaremi no Rei.

In front of the gate is a mysterious pile of rocks.
What were these used for? If you look closely you can see that the shapes are organized and designs are drawn as well.

Next we go back to Ueno park, and we had planned to go towards Kanei temple former honbou main gate, but we received information that at the moment there is construction being done and cannot see it. At the gate, it is said that there are bullet holes left from the guns that were used during the Ueno war by the new governmental army. It is a bit unfortunate because it seems worth seeing, but we will continue our stroll again! The place is said to be across the Kanei temple Rinou hall.

We arrive at Ueno zoo in the precincts of the Ueno Onshi Park.

Speaking of Ueno zoo, 2 pandas have recently arrived.
Because it is summer vacation at the moment, there are a lot of families.
Next door there is a small amusement park as well.

We found a post box the shape of a panda! A cute panda design caught our attentions! The mark is the black ears.
If you send off a letter from this post box, they will press a postmark designed as a panda, Ueno scenery, and Saigo Takamori so on. It is a design that will make the receiver of the letter happy.
Please do try and send a letter from here.

Here is the entrance to the Ueno Toushouguu. It is the one and only land for Tokugawa Yukari.

We found a totem pole on our way on the street. After researching, it was built from the emphasis on the connection with the green forests, animals, and human living, praying for peace and prospers of the citizens in Tokyo by the voluntary group Lions Club. It is a very fine totem pole isn’t it.

Continuing on is the luxurious long standing western cooking store, we arrive at Ueno Seiyouken, There are chain stores all over the nation, and this is the first store that was made. Other than restaurants, there also are weddings and ceremonies held as well. Please do go try the food at least once.

Within the precincts of Ueno Park is a five story pagoda. You can see it if you go further into than the Seiyouken! Because now it is in the precincts of the zoo it is hard to see, but we got to see a little bit of it.

It is just where a tree is growing so it is hard to see, but it is pretty large and worth seeing. If you go to the zoo please do go see it! The shibutsu- Shakanyorai, Yakushinyorai, Mirokubosatsu, Amidanyorai are all at the national museum at the moment.

Next we make our way to Hanazono Inari shrine.

After going under the main entrance.

There continued red entrances for a good depth.
If you walk along, you will feel a mystic feeling as if you are in a different world. However, the one and only thing that brings you back into reality is the sounds of the cicadas.
Going down the stairs we arrive to the shrine.

It is famous as a shrine for matchmaking, and we also paid our visits as well.

Because it is the Oinarisan, the pair stone guardian dogs are foxes.
Is it a bur that it holds in their left arm? On the right side they have their hands on a baby fox’s back, both are very cute.

Next, we make our way towards Shinozunoike.
We received information that this time of year the lotus bloom very beautifully, so this is exciting.

This is the Hasuike inside of Shinozunoike. As the name speaks, there are a lot of lotuses! We were overwhelmed by the scenery. Unfortunately because it was evening time most of the flowers had closed into buds, if you go at an earlier time you could probably see a large lotus flower. But it was beautiful as it was, so it must be a land of happiness with the scenery of bloomed flowers.

This bridge continues onto the Bentendou.
Around there are fried corn, gold fish scooping, street vendors like the prosperous summer festivals.

Please visit here at least once.

Next we make way to the Shogitai’s graveyard

The Shogitai was created when the debate was decided on the disposal of the Tokugawa family after their losing in the battle of Toba Fushimi, by the people on the Kyoki side to save the life of the Kyoki. They stayed behind in Ueno, and worked to guard the Tokugawa family mausoleum.
However the dead bodies of the Shogitai were left behind after losing in the Ueno war, in the Ueno Mountains. Later, they were cremated and are now left as a graveyard. At the time the Shogitai were seen as an enemy of the Meiji governmental army, therefore on their headstones instead of “Shogitai’s grave” it is supposedly written as “Senshishin grave”.

Here we now end our Ueno strolling guide. While there are facilities prosperous of people such as museums and zoos nearby the station, Ueno is also a place where you can go back into history, explore and discover places. Being in the central of Tokyo, there still is a historical atmosphere left, we recommend going on a stroll in the backstreets of Ueno.