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Travel

Photos and stories from many of my travels in the past 5 years

Japan: Ueno Zoo – pandas, a lonely polar bear, and more

By Mithun Divakaran
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Feb 20, 2016
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Japan, Travel

Date: 26th March 2015

After beginning my day in Asakusa, I was now at Ueno Park, the largest public park in Tokyo city.

Ueno park sakura zoo Tokyo — The sakura trees needed a few more days to fully bloom

Ueno park zoo line Tokyo — I decided to check out the pandas at Ueno Zoo, located inside the park

Entry tickets to the zoo cost ¥600 (₹360/$5/€4). I was mostly here for the pandas but I figured I would then take a quick stroll around the zoo as well.

Giant panda facts Ueno zoo — Pandas are native to China

Panda Ueno park zoo Tokyo Japan — I don’t remember exactly how many pandas I saw, but I believe Ueno Zoo has around 3 pandas currently

Panda chewing bamboo Tokyo Japan — Most of the time I just saw them chewing on bamboo 🙂

Giant panda Ueno Zoo Tokyo — Pandas are so cute!

Panda eating Ueno zoo Japan — Check out this guy, he he

Here is a brief video:

After the pandas, I walked around to see what other animals they have at Ueno. Continue reading “Japan: Ueno Zoo – pandas, a lonely polar bear, and more” »

Japan: Nakamise street, Senso-ji temple, and Ueno Park sakura at half-bloom

By Mithun Divakaran
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Feb 09, 2016
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Japan, Travel

Date: 26th March 2015

After spending days outside Tokyo — mostly Kyoto and Himeji — I was back in Japan’s impressive capital city. I was staying in the Asakusa area, popular for being close to many of Tokyo’s attraction — namely Nakamise Street, Sensoji shrine, Asakusa shrine and Sumida River. It’s why I chose to stay in Asakusa and booked myself at the Khaosan Tokyo Laboratory hostel for a few days.

Toshiba Japanese toilet buttons — Toshiba toilets, who would have thought 🙂 It was nice to sit on these on a chilly morning — because the toilet seat would warm up!

Khaosan Tokyo hostel kitchen terrace — I went upstairs to the kitchen to have my breakfast

Khaosan Tokyo hostel kitchen utilities — The kitchen isn’t very big but I didn’t find it very crowded either. It has all the essential appliances.

Khaosan Tokyo Laboratory hostel Japan — I got ready and went downstairs to check out the information the hostel had put up about attractions in Tokyo and how to get to each one.

Asakusa district Tokyo Japan — First attraction on today’s sightseeing list was Senso-ji temple, so I headed out in that direction

Mos Burger Asakusa outlet Tokyo Japan — Good thing there was a Mos Burger outlet nearby 🙂

I walked towards the end of the road Senso-ji was situated on just to explore the surroundings. There are quite a few banks around, so I got some US dollars exchanged.

Asahi beer building skytree Asakusa Tokyo — Past the bridge over Sumida river is the Asahi Beer Hall (the building with the ‘golden turd’ on top of it)

Senso-ji shrine entrance Tokyo — This is the entrance to Senso-ji Temple, one of the most popular Buddhist shrines in Japan — because it’s the oldest in Tokyo. Therefore, it’s also one of the most popular attractions in the city.

Kaminarimon giant lantern Sensoji-japan — This large lantern is called a Kaminarimon

Nakamise dori shop street Tokyo Japan — Leading up to Senso-ji temple is Nakamise Street, choc full of small shops

Nakamise Dori, as its known in Japanese, has seen many shops come and go since it first came up in the 18th century.

Continue reading “Japan: Nakamise street, Senso-ji temple, and Ueno Park sakura at half-bloom” »

Japan: Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery, leaving Himeji for Tokyo — and my last bullet train ride

By Mithun Divakaran
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Jan 25, 2016
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Japan, Travel

Date: 25th March, 2015

After the morning disappointment of visiting Himeji Castle, I decided to explore Himeji city a bit more before leaving for Tokyo. I considered visiting one more attraction, and chose the Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery (sake is a Japanese rice wine). Looking at a map of Himeji city, it didn’t seem that far from the JR station.