Day 10 - Tokyo National Museum

Exhaustion had set in. We rolled out of bed this morning, not the brightest of sparks. But we were up and on our way to Ueno to see the Tokyo National Museum. A stroll through Ueno Park from the train station brings you to the front gates of the museum complex. We paid our 600 yen entry fee and proceeded into the grounds. There are a number of buildings that are open to general viewing as well as a couple of sectioned off areas that are for the special exhibitions. We were just interested in seeing the general viewing areas.

The complex is quite big with a great span of Japanese History. I was really surprised to see that they had pieces dating back as far as 12000 BC. It was incredibly interesting. Obviously, we weren't allowed to photograph most of the exhibits, but I did get a couple of shots that turned out okay. It's not easy to get a great shot when lighting is low and flashes aren't allowed.

Afterwards, we strolled into Ueno to see what was around, and stumbled upon a whole network of alley streets full of market type stalls. We wandered and wandered until the feet ached to be home. Thankfully Ueno station is only two stops from our hotel, so the trip home was a quick one.

We ventured out later in the evening to a little restaurant that we walk past each morning. The food in the window looks good, so we thought it was worth a shot. Turns out, it is a little bit different that what we are used to. Upon walking in the door, you put money into a machine and choose the dish that you would like to eat from the touch screen. You then take your ticket to your seat and the waiter takes it back to the kitchen area. Not much later, your meal arrives. And it looks exactly like the picture in the machine. And to be honest, it was a great meal. I really enjoyed it, and it cost me a whole 890 yen. Talk about getting your money's worth!