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Two visits to Shinobazu Pond, with cafes and an Ameyoko stop

The lotus flowers were still scattered on haruru.1002’s first stop at Shinobazu Pond. She thought about coming back the following month, then returned the next week instead. Each visit had its own cafe stop, and the second ended with an unplanned pause in Ameyoko.

From two of haruru.1002’s past Ueno accounts posted in July, edited with permission.

A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe

On the first visit, she wondered whether she had come a little early for the lotus flowers. There were only scattered blooms, but she enjoyed the atmosphere around the pond. Her photographs also show moored boats and waterbirds on the water.

A friend’s recommendation took her to カヤバ珈琲 afterwards. She liked the calm, retro atmosphere and enjoyed the raisin bread. The Nagano Purple grape shaved ice looked appealing to her, though the taste was less impressive.

A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph
A first look at the pond, then a retro cafe — Haruru’s photograph

The return visit began with pancakes

The following account describes breakfast at EVERYONEs CAFE in Ueno Park. The pancakes were a highlight: she thought they might be the best she had eaten.

She then returned to the lotus flowers. More were open than before, although she still did not feel the pond was in full bloom. Visiting Ueno on two consecutive weeks was a first for her. The change between those two visits is her own observation of those days.

Shopping led to an extra Ameyoko stop

The plan was to buy seafood in Ameyoko and eat at home. Passing 文楽 changed it: she stopped for a very cold bottled beer, motsu stew and a few yakitori skewers.

Despite the heat, she described the day as enjoyable and full. Across the two outings, the pond was the reason to return, while the cafes and a spontaneous food stop gave each day a different shape.

Photographs from around the pond

Photos from the walk also show the entrance to Ueno Zoo and a postbox with a panda face. In another view, wind chimes and paper strips hang from a canopy of woven blinds, with lotus leaves beyond.

The entrance to Ueno Zoo and a postbox with a panda face.
Wind chimes and paper strips beneath a canopy of woven blinds, with lotus leaves beyond.

Sources for this account

This story follows the traveller’s first pond-and-cafe account and the return visit she described as a week later. The photographs are placed with the account they came from.