Nihon Sun » Ueno Park http://www.nihonsun.com Japan's Online Travel & Culture Magazine Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:55:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Flaming Incense at a Japanese Temple http://www.nihonsun.com/2009/04/14/flaming-incense-at-a-japanese-temple/ http://www.nihonsun.com/2009/04/14/flaming-incense-at-a-japanese-temple/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:00:01 +0000 Shane Sakata http://www.nihonsun.com/?p=1457 At Benzaiten, a temple surrounded by the waters of Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park, the flames licked the incense burning in the large bronze koro (incense burner) sitting at the base of the steps to the temple.

Burning Incense Bentzaiten Ueno Tokyo Japan

The lovely island temple in the heart of Tokyo is dedicated to the only goddess among the Seven Gods of Good Fortune:  Bentendo.  The name Benzai means flowing water and she is the deity of grace or charm who is also know as Benten, the Goddess of knowledge, art and beauty and music – everything that can be said to flow.

Ueno Park is a pleasant place to spend and afternoon in Tokyo, stroll through the park and visit the temples, shrine and museums that are located in and around the park.  Read about my afternoon spent floating around on Shinbazu Pond to access a map of the area.

This and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.

]]> http://www.nihonsun.com/2009/04/14/flaming-incense-at-a-japanese-temple/feed/ 0 Floating around Shinobazu Pond in Ueno http://www.nihonsun.com/2009/04/08/floating-around-shinobazu-pond-in-ueno/ http://www.nihonsun.com/2009/04/08/floating-around-shinobazu-pond-in-ueno/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:00:28 +0000 Shane Sakata http://www.nihonsun.com/?p=1419 Ueno Shinobazu Pond Swan Boat Rent yourself a pedal-powered swan and float around Shinobazu pond in Ueno Park – it’s a bit kitschy but still a somewhat graceful way to spend a half hour on a sunny afternoon in Tokyo.

We rented our swan boat during the peak cherry blossom viewing season which offered a break from the crowds admiring the quintessential Japanese blooms and obscuring almost every walkway.  Our float around the pond provided some relaxation and great views of the cherry blossoms!

Ueno Shinobazu Pond Boat

If you aren’t floating away a half hour in a swan, you can rent a more nondescript pedal-powered boat, or go for the traditional row boat like the couple below.

Ueno Shinobazu Pond Rowboat

Looks romantic doesn’t it?  I wouldn’t know – I was in a swan with my mother-in-law sitting between my husband and I…

I still can’t think of a better way to relax on a sunny spring afternoon during cherry blossom season in Japan, can you?

Shinobazu Pond Boat Rental

Take the Shinobazu exit from JR Ueno station and take the short stroll to the east side of Shinobazu Pond.  Take the bridge to Benzaiten Temple and continue past the the temple and across another bridge to the rental boat dock. Ueno Map (PDF)

Cost: Y600 – 700 for 30 minutes depending on which vessel you choose.
Hours:  Daily from 9:30AM – 5PM

Image Credit:  Personal Collection

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