Warm weather again! On our train to Tokyo, there was a clear blue sky and we had a great view of Mount Fuji. We checked into our hotel, Ueno New Izu for two nights and then had lunch in restaurant where you had to buy tickets from a machine before sitting down. You could select from the plastic food  display in the window. Our waitress took pity on us and gave us a paper menu. Then we went to Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum. Ueno Park is known for its rowdy cherry blossom parties but the blossoms were almost over in Tokyo. The museum had some lovely pieces as well as a special display of cherry blossom related items. We also went into the international children’s literature centre where there was a small display. We did a last stop at a post office for the ATM and had a sandwich supper at Doutor, a chain. Using our rail pass, we took the train to the Ginza area where the most interesting thing was a peace march! And a sporting goods store that featured a display of a tent and a large grizzly bear!

Then next day, we started our busy day with a takeout breakfast of yogurt and delicious danish pastries from Andersen bakery at the train station. Then with takeout coffee from Starbucks we headed up a bit into Ueno Park to eat.

We took the train to an old section of the city that escaped a great fire in the 1600's and an earthquake in the 1900's and the world wars. Interesting older street layout and lane ways, a few old cemeteries and temples and lots of small shops. We had tasty Indian food for lunch, the daily specials, at a prettily decorated restaurant.

Then we walked back to the station and we headed to another shopping area for some last minute browsing. The area was crowded and had a lot of high end stores, eg, Dior. Frances bought herself a summer kimono (yukata) at Oriental Bazaar. We had worn them at both our Japanese hotels and found them comfortable. We also visited Kiddyland that sells character stuff - Snoopy, Star Wars, etc. but it was difficult to know what would appeal to our grandkids.

And then a last minute purchase before the airport train the next day - a new chef’s knife from Kikusue Cutlery. Frances waited with the luggage while Richard raced to make his purchase at the shop. It is a thing of beauty, engraved with their brand.

We took the Skyliner to the airport which conveniently goes through our train station (Ueno). And then our Air Canada flight home, exhausted but happy!