Ueno Free Tour - Life and Death in Tokyo: A Journey Through Japanese History and Spirituality

This tour invites us to explore the relationship between life and death in Japanese culture. We begin at Nippori Station , a jumping-off point that transports us to a traditional, everyday Tokyo. From there, we head to Yanaka Cemetery , a place that reflects how death is a fundamental part of existence in Japan. In this space, ancestor veneration is intertwined with the calm of the surroundings, teaching us to remember and honor those who are no longer with us. We continue our walk through Ueno Park , home to temples and shrines that reflect Japan's profound spirituality and its connection to the afterlife. Here, reverence is not limited to the temples but extends throughout the park, in a constant act of respect and reflection. We then pass by Ueno Station , a meeting point where the modern and the traditional converge, and where everyday life merges with historical memory. Finally, we arrive at Ameyoko Market , a vibrant place that demonstrates how life goes on, without losing sight of respect for the past. This tour is an opportunity to reflect on how, in Japan, death is not an end, but rather a continuation of veneration and remembrance that are integrated into everyday life.