Tuesday 29th July 2025
We have had another partial rest day today until 3.30pm.

We then caught the train to Uena for a walk around the Shinobazuno Pond, with one section totally filled with lotus plants and flowers. It was very beautiful. In the middle was the Benten-jima Buddhist temple. The other section of the pond was water, with paddle and row boats available for hire. It was a very hot afternoon and the perspiration was rolling down my chest continuously. There were markets around the pond as well as a windchime boardwalk. After a loop of the pond, we headed into Ueno park where we saw the Ueno Toshogu Shrine. A magnificent golden shrine and pagoda near the zoo. We then walked towards the fountain which had everchanging fountain spouts. Then by this time it was 6pm, so we walked back via the National Museum of Nature and Science and the National Museum. Unfortunately, these were all closed.

It was very hot today. My perspiration levels were at an all time high.

We headed back to the hotel and then went out for a lovely dinner at an ICHIRAN Ramen restaurant in Asakusa, specialising in Tonkotsu ramen. It was delicious. David did think about dinner at the Skytree for our last night but unfortunately the buffet dinner was booked out and the ala carte was off the charts expensive. Maybe next time.

We followed dinner with a walk around the market alleys and Sensō-ji Temple that we had visited when we were here 6 weeks ago. Once again its 5 storey Pagoda and its night time viewing was still amazing. We then walked back to the hotel where we enjoyed a quiet drink on the rooftop with a view of the everchanging colours of the Skytree Tower.

A fitting end to a fantastic holiday.

Tomorrow, we will do a little sightseeing in the morning and then head back to Osaka to fly home tomorrow night.

Shinobazu Pond is a large natural pond filled with lush greenery and rich cultural importance. The pond has three sections, a duck pond—populated by ducks and other local waterbirds—a lotus pond, and a boat pond. Sitting between the lotus and boat ponds is where you can rent out small paddle boats to admire the park from a different perspective. There are three different boats available for rent, row boats, pedal boats, and swan boats. The lotus flowers hit full bloom in July and August, but they only open between 7:00a.m. – 9:00a.m., so visit early to see them in all their glory. Oops, we missed that.

In the middle of the pond is an island called Benten-jima with a small temple dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten called Bentendo. As with many popular sightseeing spots in Japan, it is rumoured that if you cross the bridge to the island with your lover, that you are destined to part ways (other spots to apparently avoid include Tokyo Tower and the ferris wheel in Minatomirai).

Ueno Toshogu Shrine – An Edo period shrine that stood through wars and earthquakes. You will be greeted with a facade of gold as you walk towards the Ueno Toshogu Shrine in Ueno Park. This gorgeous building is designated a Cultural Property of Japan for its resilience in surviving devastating wars and earthquakes since it was built in 1627. Thanks to a major renovation in 1651, the shrine has distinctive features from the Edo period (1603-1867). Pay attention to the gold leaf trimmings and intricate carvings. Most visitors come to the shrine to pray for good fortune, such as passing examinations, vocational success, longevity, and recovery from illness. Of course, you can also come to simply admire the characteristics of traditional Japanese architecture.

A little bit of interesting information on perspiration in Japan because everyone carries a little sweat towel or walks around with a little battery operated fan.
While perspiring in public in Japan is a natural bodily function, there’s a strong emphasis on cleanliness and discreetness in Japanese culture. It’s not necessarily “bad manners” to sweat, especially during Japan’s hot and humid summers, but how you manage it is key.

Here’s a breakdown:
– Minimizing visible sweat: Japanese people often use small towels or handkerchiefs to discreetly wipe away sweat from their face and neck. You’ll see many people carrying these, especially in summer. It’s considered good etiquette to have something to dab away sweat rather than letting it drip excessively.
– Body odour: While not directly about visible sweat, there’s a cultural sensitivity to body odour. Many Japanese people have fewer of the sweat glands that produce strong odours, and they are generally very conscious of personal hygiene. Using deodorant and maintaining good cleanliness is always appreciated.
– Oshibori (wet towels): When you’re given an oshibori (a warm or cold wet towel) in a restaurant, it’s primarily for wiping your hands before eating. While you might occasionally see Japanese people discreetly dab their faces with it in very casual settings, it’s generally considered impolite to use it to wipe sweat from your face or neck.
– Dressing for the weather: Wearing breathable, quick-drying fabrics and lighter colours can help manage sweat and contribute to a more comfortable experience for yourself and those around you.

In summary, it’s less about the act of perspiring itself and more about being mindful and discreet in managing it. Having a handkerchief or small towel on hand to gently wipe away sweat is a polite gesture in Japan.