Ueno
Station in Taito-ku is called a gateway to the north because
it is the starting station for the railways bound for the Tohoku
region(the northeast region) from Tokyo. The terminal accommodates
6 railways including JR Shinkansen Lines. It is a prominent
downtown rivaling with the Ginza, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Shibuya.
In the Tokyo
Ueno-onshi-koen Park, the Tokyo Metropolitan Imperial Gift Park
that boasts a vast area in the west of Ueno Station, there is
a concentration of cultural institutions such as the first zoo
in Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan Imperial Gift Ueno Zoo, Tokyo Metropolitan
Art Museum, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Cultural Hall, National Western
Art Museum, National Science Museum and Tokyo National Museum,
all offering recreation and relaxation for the citizens.
Asakusa
located in Taito-ku along the west bank of the Sumida-gawa River,
Asakusa once thrived as a temple town for Senso-ji Temple, and
now it is a downtown that rivals with the Ginza, Shijuku, Ikebukuro
and Shibuya. The history of Senso-ji Temple goes back far into
the past. The legend has it that fishermen brothers discovered
an image of Kan'non (the goddess of mercy) in the Sumida-gawa
River around 1370 years ago and they were inspired to enshrine
it. Its symbol is a large red paper lantern that bears the word
"Kaminari-mon", or a thunder gate. There is a constant
flow of visitors and worshippers throughout the year.
Asakusa
is also known as the site for many traditional events. Sanja-matsuri
is a festival of Senso-ji Temple and is famous for the palanquin
parade that conveys the "Edokko Katagi", or Edoites'
spirit, which represents the traditional temperament of the
townsfolk of Tokyo. Other festivals include Hozuki-ichi, or
Japanese lantern plant market in summer, Tori-no-ichi, or Cock
Fair at Otori-jinja Shrine in early winter and Hagoita-ichi,
or ornate Japanese battledore racket market at the end of the
year. The most popular event is the firework display on the
Sumida-gawa River in summer. Over 1 million people throng to
watch it.
