Day 7

Today I went off by myself, like yesterday. In order to contrast the bustling city mall experience of yesterday, today I decided to go to a nearby nature study and enjoy the calm park atmosphere. That is until I saw the forecast- thunderstorms, thunderstorms, thunderstorms with a 60% chance of rain. Through a quick google search, I found an alternative 'calm activity' that was english-friendly as an added bonus: the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno park. I grabbed an umbrella, left my camera (not worth the risk- it was rather gusty out and sprinkling when I left, so the umbrella did nothing), and headed off to a stop almost as far away from Takanawa as the Yamanote line could take me. Unlike my relatively easy experience with the trains yesterday, the stations I used today were rather more difficult. Because of the rain, I used the nearby Shinjuku station and transferred from the subway at Mita station to the adjacent Tamachi station to get on the (good 'ole) yamanote line. This station was yet another one of those separate building for one station type thing... ugh. The station in Ueno was no easier. Confusingly enough, the exit shown on the map that Jen gave me was nonexistant in the actual station. Also, for such a huge station, there was NO MAP IN ENGLISH. None! After heading towards the 'center gate' there finally came a sign for 'park gate.' Since I was headed to none other than Ueno Park, I correctly chose that one to go to. After that, getting inside the park and to the museum was no problem. There were a plethora of maps all nicely drawn out with english (halelujah) descriptions, and several free english pamphlets of the park as well. After quickly locating the Tokyo National Museum, I hovered around the entrance nervously before taking a deep breath and asking them for 'ichi kodomo onegaishimasu' (one child please) In english, she said show the men your passport (because children are free with proof) Luckily, I had looked  up pricing, so I showed the guy my passport and entered the museum grounds. This museum has several different buildings each showing different museums. Unfortunately, two were closed due to earthquake renovations, but this didn't affect my museum viewing- I only went to one of the buildings. The first building in the museum was for Japanese art- just what I came to see. Ditching my umbrellain the convenient (and free) umbrella racks, I waltzed into the museum, ready to experience it fully as I never have been able to before. See, I am one of those people who actually wants to look at and appreciate each piece in the museum, as well as read its description to gain a full understanding of its significance. Unfortunatley, none of the kids in my family have this same sentiment, and I am always either left behind or rushed through exhibit to exhibit feeling wholly unsatisfied. I have to say in this museum I did indeed look at each piece of art (except the calligraphy-the konji didn't do much for english-speaking me), read each description, and noticed many an interesting and acute detail. It was awesome...and time consuming, but still, very refreshing. Halfway through the museum experience, I got lunch at this busy cafe near the entrance of the park. OMG my food was sooo cute! I got two steamed buns- one a pig (that was filled with meat-delicious!), and one a panda (fillded with 'bean jam'- not so delicious). Aww, japanes foods :3. Once I was done with the museum, I was greatly peeved to find out that despite all this promise of rain rain rain, it was SUNNY. How dare this weather! Pffnthm. Never ever trust a weatherman, even (especially?) if they are on the internet.Well, that allowed me to use an easier route home (with more walking, but whatever) So there you have it. That was my day.

Ps. now I've spent a week in japan