Okay, might have overdone the first day a bit. Six mikes of walking, full sun, not on a good sleep schedule yet – so today was a bit of a rest day.
Still, it was a short jaunt up to Ueno Park, which we stayed near before. Below is a then/now of the hotel we stayed in before – it’s the white building left of center (top pic) and grey in bottom pic (left of blue wrap). Looks like it changed hands.
Really didn’t go to the park to do anything, just relax (and play a little Pokemon Go tbh). Still, this is the Shinobazunoike Benten-do temple in the middle of the lake.
Also stopped by the Ameyoko shopping street. Always busy and full of vendors. The name comes from either America Neighborhood (yokocho) because black-market American goods were available post-war, or before that, Ameya (candy) Yokocho because sweets were sold there. Stumbled upon an almost hidden temple nearby and paused for a few moments of peace in the chaos.
Later we did a bit of light shopping around Akihabara and had some quitessential Japan experiences. I mean, Akihabara itself is an experience, with all the games/tech/anime shops, and all the touts for the maid cafes lining the street. But more generally, there is the “family restaurant” and then there’s Don Quijote (DonKi).
It had started to rain so we went into “Royal Host” for a meal and to wait out the rain. Yes, it’s basically a japanese Denny’s, but yushoku (“western food”) is kind of it’s own thing. Anyway, I had my first authentic omurice, and my son had the seafood doria. Is it great food? Not really, but it’s a common manga trope. The shop itself was large and had a great 2nd floor view, and was a very pleasant place to relax for a while.
Seafood doria and garlic toast
Then it was on to Don Quijote. DonKi is a discount store that talks to you. It’s noisy and chaotic and full of things from kit kats to cosmetics, cocktails to cosplay, clothing to cutlery. At various points there are ads, or sometimes warnings, playing from tinny little speakers. I really can’t stay in there too long but we actually found some things we needed (and a few we just wanted). No photos from there, but a few as we continued to wander Akihabara as it grew dark and the lights came on.
Out and About 