We hit the the big museum today- Tokyo National Museum, Japan's largest museum and the world's largest repository of Japanese art. It was a great overview of Japan's art work, particularly of the older period with pottery, lacquerware, Buddhist statues, elaborate scrolls, samurai armour, and swords that reminded us of the ones in the movies. Our favorite parts were the beautiful kimonos, rich in color and stichery, and the calligraphy. Most surprising were a few Impressionist works. Not all was on display, so the museum was pretty manageable. But, we did feel like joining the elderly snoozing on one of the many couches and lounge chairs spread throughout the museum rooms and hallways. :)
The museum was in Ueno Park, a large park that has a cluster of monuments, a zoo, shrines, and other museums in addition to the Tokyo National Museum. We enjoyed walking around a pond that had paddle boat rentals and enormous-sized lily pads. After an ice cream snack on the one of the benches, we walked towards the more sophisticated and elegant Ginza shopping area.
Ueno Park
Tokyo National Museum
pond and swan-shaped paddle boats at Ueno Park
blooming lily pads
sun or rain umbrellas available
Everyone always carries one!
So much to see with more time than most to take it all in. Again thanks for sharing your days in Tokyo!
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