Cherry Blossoms Viewing at Ueno Park

3 April 2015 

The above shows a map of Ueno Park.

Ueno Park is another highly recommended Cherry Blossom viewing spot. It is one of Japan's most crowded, noisy and popular spots for cherry blossom parties (hanami). Ueno Park features more than 1000 trees along the street leading towards the National Museum and around Shinobazu Pond.

Prior to going into the park, we planned to find some breakfast along the Ameyoko shopping street which runs from the Okachimachi Station to Ueno Station.

Ameyoko shopping street.

We were a wee bit early and the supposedly lively market was just awakening. We managed to grab some breakfast in a ramen noodle shop near Ueno Station and also visited a Uniqlo shop where we bought some thin rain jackets.

Ueno Park is huge and not too crowded at this time of day. It has plenty of cherry trees. Cherry blossoms come in many varieties as we discovered. Some blossoms are with 5 petals. Some even more. Colours varies too.

Pink blossoms.

Food stand in Ueno Park near the Shinobazu Pond selling grilled and salted Ayu river fish.

We tried this (grilled crab sticks) instead of the grilled fish fish which we sampled before. The grilled crab sticks is not that good as it was made from processed crab sticks.

Shinobazu Pond is located within the park, with more cherry trees and offers boating as well.

White blossoms with 5 petals (Yoshino) at Ueno park near the Shinobazu Pond.

Purification trough outside the shrine near the pond.

We learnt the process of symbolic cleansing at the purification trough near the pond. There is a particular sequence to it: 

1. Scoop water from the fountain or trough using the ladle. Holding the ladle with your right hand, pour some water onto your left hand and rinse.

2. Pass the ladle to your left hand, pour some water on your right hand and rinse.

3. Pass the ladle back to your right hand, and cup your left hand. Pour some water into your cupped left hand and use it to rinse your mouth or use the water to dab the lips.

Note: Do not touch the ladle with our lips/mouth directly.

4. Empty the remaining water from the ladle and place the ladle back.

There were a few shrines within the park. We were soon at the Torri gates at the Hanazonoinari Shrine.

Torri gates at the Hanazonoinari Shrine.

Early Spring Flower.

At Hanazonoinari Shrine.

Then we came to a large area in Ueno Park where there are plenty of cherry trees and where hanami goers gathered. Some even sent advance party to reserve spaces under the tree for their family or company outings. It was interesting to see how the Japanese takes their hanami party very seriously.

Hanami party under the cherry blossoms.

Poor guy reserving space for his party and falling asleep while waiting.

Playing with fallen petals. In a few days, there will be more petals on the floor.

After exploring Ueno Park in the morning, we took the train to Asakusa Temple.