Life Size Model of Blue Whale in Ueno Park

This gigantic model is displayed outside of The National Museum of Nature and Science that is located in the east part of Ueno Park.
It is a model of female blue whale.
After breathing deeply, she is about to dive into the undersea.





(Note)
These photos were taken on February 7, 2011.

****************************************************
This post is linked to Show me Japan , a weekend meme by Anna.
You can see many nice photos of Japan from there.
Please take a look!!
****************************************************

Shinobazu-dori and Pond

I took the photo above on Shiboazu-dori(street).
You can see Shinobazu pond in the right side of the photo.


This pond is located in the southern part of Ueno park.
The pond is an oasis for birds.



(Note)
These photos were taken on February 7, 2011.

****************************************************
This post is linked to Show me Japan , a weekend meme by Anna.
You can see many nice photos of Japan from there.
Please take a look!!
****************************************************

Ushi Tenjin

Tenjin shrines are Shinto shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane who was great scholar, poet, and politician.
In Tokyo, Kameido Tenjin and Yushima Tenjin are very famous as Tenjin shrine.
But, today I introduce you Ushi Tenjin located in Kasuga Bunkyo ward.
Formal name of the shrine is Kitano Jinja.



This shrine is small, but it has long history.
They say that the shrine was established by Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199) who was great Samurai and the first Shogun of Kamakura shogunate.
When Yoritomo stopped at the place on his way to north to fight, Michizane appeared riding on a bull in his dream.
("ushi" means bull or cow).



When I visited there, ume blossoms in the shrine had already started to blooming.
Michizane loved ume blossoms.




(Note)
These photos were taken on February 7, 2011.

****************************************************
This post is linked to Show me Japan , a weekend meme by Anna.
You can see many nice photos of Japan from there.
Please take a look!!
****************************************************

Before the Festival

Ume blossoms has started blooming in Tokyo.
Today, I visited Yushima Tenjin that is a Shinto shrine located in Yushima, Bunkyo ward.


Ume festival of the shrine starts from tommorow.