おはようございます東京！Good morning Tokyo.

First, get a load of this view from our buffet breakfast spot in the New Ōtani Tower:

The Shinjuku skyline, the Crown Prince’s residence (with all the trees) and the Geihinkan (State Guest House, with the green roof), getting ready for Trump’s visit on Sunday (we’ll be gone, thankfully) … and the majestic Mount Fuji (Fuji-san, in Japanese), gracefully towering (top, left) over Tokyo.

Sunshine and autumn temperatures of 23 degrees for a day in Ueno Park.  First some sketching around the shrines:

Then in the afternoon, a visit to the National Museum to overdose on exquisite 15th and 16th century art …

As well as some Edo Era (19th century) works, including this stunning javali (猪 or wild boar), which I had to surreptitiously photograph, since our home in Óbidos is the Casa do Javali.

And some original Hokusai woodblocks:

Lots of kilometres walked, but a great day for our group.  This evening we all dined at a yakitoriya in Roppongi Hills after some of the group ventured to the observation deck for a vista of Tokyo at night.

So tomorrow it’s sayonara Tokyo and off to the Izu Peninsula.  Stay tuned for a change in scenery.

A splendid day:  great weather and terrific painting opportunities around the temples and shrines and shops and people in Asakusa.

And for the non-painters, a chance to walk to the other side of Sumida River and visit Tokyo Sky Tree, the 634 metre high TV tower, and see literally for kilometres over the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo from the 350 metre viewing deck.

A fair bit of walking today for everyone and some fun squeezing onto the Ginza line subway carriage at rush hour this morning.  We all made it home to the New Ōtani for a rest ready to do it all again tomorrow in Ueno.

A variety of pics to follow:

                               The entrance.

                               We were not alone!

                               A quiet spot for Ev to do her demo.

                              Artists at work.

                              Tokyo Sky Tree.

                   View of the Asakusa temples (centre left) from the tower.

                               A view of Tokyo from Sky Tree.

Meanwhile, back at the temple complex, plenty to see.

                               Chrysanthemum time from today (November 1).

                               And some lovely autumn foliage…                               …to match the colourful carp.