These were taken at the Kesei Railroad station at Narita Airport

where we caught the Skyliner train,  a 60 minute ride to Ueno station that Barbara endured with the aid
of a can of HOT coffee (yes, a can for those of you who have not been to Japan) that came out of a
vending machine.

We arrived during "sakura", the flowering of cherry trees, a very popular event. Popular enough that
local weather forecasts during the season tell the best days for viewing the trees. Ueno Park, next to Ueno
Station is one of the most popular spots to view the flowers and the guide I had read said that the trees were
lighted at night so we decided to stop for a look-see at the event.

Hard to see much of anything in the pictures (flash or no flash, results were poor) but the trees were definitely
in bloom  and lighted... and many people were having a look, and a drink (or more) and a bite to eat.

 
Many were seated on tarps on the asphalt of the path under the trees. Parties of "salarymen" in suits, teenagers
in strange attires and families. Quite a gathering. We grabbed a beer and some food (octopus pieces embedded
in a ball  of something that felt and tasted like pancake mix for me, chow mein for Barbara) and found an out of
the way place to eat it:

not elegant, but very much in the spirit of the gathering and we did not have a tarp to sit on the asphalt. We then
left the park...

...and walked around Ueno station (Ameyokosho street?) and finished up the dinner with some tempura for Barbara

After that we took the subway to the hotel from Ueno station -- a 30 minute ride. We were in bed by 9pm, which
translated to 4am California time. A pretty full day.