Fish on a stick

Wedding preparations are in full swing so we head out to let them swing away.
First attempt to navigate the Tokyo Metro without my brother and we are headed to Ueno Park figuring it will be big enough to accommodate the weekend crowds. Most Tokyo dwellers live in very small flats so public spaces are well used, we've already been part of a play rehearsal in one and apparently it isn't unusual to hear musical instruments being practiced.
Sunday at Ueno brings the picnicers. Groups of people stake out a spot on either side of the wide walkways with, in most cases, a blue tarpaulin that looks suspiciously 'Ikean'. It's very congenial as we walk past one after the other, lining left and right, into the park for our own picnic.
We make our way to the boating lake for a shot on the pedalos. Like the city, the lake is pretty crowded and we manage to bump into a few laughing boaters. It was fun spotting the birds who would take turns perching on top of the pedalos, mostly swan shaped of course.
This lovely fellow was part of the weekend market, consisting of a marvellous array of street food. I was not brave enough to attempt a fish on a stick, cooked over what looked like hot coals but I did enjoy a chocolate covered waffle on a stick!
As we head on back to Metro the crowds lining the walk have become a little more lubricated and spontaneous bursts of song and laughter make me smile. It's all very orderly and good natured.
More orderly is the huge, snaking queue we encounter at the Tokyo Dome on the way back. There is a pop group hidden behind a screen on the stage in the courtyard and lines of girls are moving very speedily behind the screen for what is presumably a quick photo with their idols. One Direction are apparently on their way to Japan...