Ueno, more than just a big park in Tokyo, by @japon (translation from French)

in travel •  7 years ago 

This is an authorized translation in English of a post in French by @japon: Ueno, bien plus qu'un grand parc à Tokyo

Remember that the person that speaks here is NOT me, Vincent Celier (@vcelier), but @japon, a French guy.


Ueno, more than just a big park in Tokyo

Freshly landed in Japan, I chose to take the Skyliner to travel the 80 kilometres between Narita Airport and the center of Tokyo. There are other alternatives (such as the Narita Express) but the Skyliner has the advantage of stopping in Ueno, the area where my first hotel is located.

So here I am on the platform of the station, waiting for my train. The airport is the terminus, I see a skyliner who arrives and deposits his stream of tourists with their large suitcases. I wait patiently for everyone to come down, and an officer blocks me when he sees I want to enter. Wagons are systematically cleaned at each trip; welcome to Japan and its exacerbated cleanliness!

As the train goes in the opposite direction, and as travelers like to be seated facing the front of the train, the seats are pivoting! Once the cleaning is finished, the agent activates a button and all the rows of seats start to rotate by 180 °!

Finally I can climb on the train: let's go for 41 minutes!

Ueno, is a popular and lively district in the Northeast of the Japanese capital. It is well known for his train station, or rather his train stations. Because in Japan there are several railway companies and often they operate in different stations. The most important company is Japan Railway which holds about 75% of the rail network. Its stations are easily recognizable by the mention JR which is affixed after the name. Right next to JR Ueno Station is also Keisei Ueno Station, which includes the Skyliner.

Ueno is also known for its huge park, impossible to miss it out of either station. As these are my first steps in Tokyo, I decided to start by walking the large paths of the park to put myself in the mood.



I quickly find on a Shinto shrine and its corridor of mini-torii: Hanazono Inari. Going by this way has something magical, I felt transported to another world. I was not in the center of Tokyo but in a quiet and remote place. There are some tourists who, like me, discover the place, but also some Japanese who come to pray.



Before going to invoke the kami of the place, obligatory passage by the ritual of purification. It's very symbolic; we wash ourselves of all the defilements that we carry on ourselves. With the help of a Hishaku (a kind of small ladle) we will purify successively both hands and mouth. Why only these two parts of the body? Because in front of the altar one will clap with both hands to signal his presence to the deity, then say a prayer (with his mouth).



I realized that praying is extremely codified and there are several steps to follow in a specific order (for more information in French, see: https://japon-fr.com/prier-temple-sanctuaire.htm).

I continue my visit of the park of Ueno, that is really very big, and contains many things to see. I walk to another great shrine: Tōshō-gū. Upon approach, large stone lanterns set the tone. And once inside the prospects are fabulous. The main building, richly decorated is a national treasure.









See you soon for a new walk in the heart of Tokyo.

-- @japon


Travel diary in Japan, by @japon
Tokyo, overcrowded city? Really? by @japon
Are the Japanese too disciplined? by @japon
Going to Japan without speaking Japanese? by @japon

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!
Sort Order:  

This park seems different from other parks. I think park contain traditional touch as well.

These parks and nature they always inspire me and motivates me. I always feel peace when I am close to nature.
I remember when I visited Singapore last year, I was really happy to see that city of gardens.

thanks for the post @vcelier, i never knew Japan preserves their culture this way, i am more used to seeing their "city side" which is all about the 24th century "madness" of technology.

Its good to see the park and the preservation of their culture.

Thank You

Amazing post

Hey there @vcelier I saw that you recently supported one of my posts that @japon had resteemed from my blog... I really appreciate this support, as it feels comforting having some support from time to time. Sometimes support is few and far between, but your upvote is quite reassuring and will keep me motivated to continue to try to post quality content here on the platform. Thanks again, I greatly appreciate you!

Going off of this post, I recently traveled to Japan this past summer and Ueno was, in fact, one of the places in which I visited while in Tokyo. I will share a few memories with you below that I experienced while in Ueno:


here is a young girl in here proper dress posing in front of a beautiful pagoda


here i am in front of a traditional japanese bathhouse (sento) waiting to take a refreshing STEEM bath after a long day's expedition

Kind regards and much respect,
@conradsuperb

@japon is definitely a good writer. This narrative gave me a mental picture of where the writer visited and this is characteristic of a good narrative. The people of Japan have a historically awe inspiring and demonstrably amazing culture. Every tourist should have a taste of the richness of this unique part of the world.
Dear Vincent Celier , thank you for translating this into English and giving us who do not understand French an opportunity to read it.
Thank you @japon for putting this together.

That's really more than just a park! Beautiful, clean with great constructions.. It must be great to enjoy their culture while having a good time at the park

yes, sangat menarik atas postingan kamu, sebuah negara yang ingin saya kunjungi, dan foto yang kamu ambil membuat hati saya tentran, terima kasih Vcelier

awesome arcitucture thanks for sharing this post

A wonderful story about Skyliner. What if the passenger falls asleep in Skyliner? Free shower waiting for the passenger? )))

Regular reader of this Japan diaries. I am falling in love with Japan. This time you touched thr spiritual things. Shrine looks stunning though

a very beautiful place

Hi.
Your..Posts your photos and experiment and see what works ...... follow you .... ... I believe you have reached at high level in steemit ........ Congratulations.. 😘

Japan has great culture of kindness and success. It's one of the countries I'm visiting in my lifetime for sure, only negative side is just the earthquakes (: but it's worth putting that aside.

Ueno Park is one of Japan’s first designated parks
The museums, zoo, and art galleries built later transformed it into a park with a more cultural feel.
you have presented it beautifully

I haven't been there in years, but I attended a pretty lively hanami party there years ago. Fun place.

exceptional & breathtaking!

a wonderful trip

thank you for sharing @vcelir, you must really enjoy it, beautiful scenery very happy sure.😊

this is a great photography. i appreciate your post. thanks for sharing

vcelier , To give you a great deal of information. the picture are so beautiful that it can not be expressed in the language.

wonderful story, thank you

@vcelier, I read your post carefully, here I understand a lot about your journey megunjugi historic place in religious. thanks @vcelier.

the nature to protect have to. animals and plants also live. the end of this world, all of US are dedicated. @titanik

Wow, awesome narrative, I feel like I'm in Japan already, and from your interesting description, I'll love to be in a skyliner someday.

These are some incredible pictures. Travel in Japan is great because of the culture of Japan, I mean it's different from the test of the world. Happy traveling and have fun.

Thank you so much for taking us along for a tour to TOKYO.

I had never heard of the place till now! Seems like there is so much to do there :).

wow nice photography

wow nice photography . Japan is one of the nations to be visited in lifetime :)you keep on translating the good stuff :) . your's faithful follower :)

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

@japon, thanks for sharing the beauty of nature spiritual photos,@indian-mom.

oh yes so very beautiful location , I like this kind of moment .

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment
  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment
  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment