Tokyo Convention Centre

A convention centre is not the usual type of place on my todo list when I travel. However the Tokyo Convention Centre had 3 things going for it. The architecture, like a lot of Tokyo buildings is amazing, big tick from Ron here. On the last Sunday of the month there is a vintage fair, big tick for me. It is close to the train station, big tick from Stephen.

Well we did find it without a problem, except we went the long way round. The vintage fair was not happening, just a craft market. But the building it's self is definitely worth the visit.

The underside

This view is from the foyer looking up to the sky. It resembles the framework of the underside of a ship. This is almost a city block long. The play of light through the glass bouncing off the steel structure is wonderful.

Another view

The steel girders you can see in this shot are actually walkways. Instead of catching the lift to the upper floors you can walk up the ramps. You get the best views. The ramp/walkways go up 8 flights.

The outer walls

Light comes in from every direction. What ever this building cost it was worth it.

I was so entranced with the building I forgot to note down his name.

He stands VERY tall in the foyer. Wonderful detail on his face etc.

Colourful skyscrapers in The Ginza

The skyscrapers in Tokyo are a sight to see. Wonderful modern architecture and so colourful. The Japanese have really embraced modern buildings.

Back in the Ginza today

Yamaha building

Too tall to get in one shot

Mikimoto building

Mikimoto's 120th anniversary

Bulgari

This looked like a big diamond snake bracelet wrapped around the building. It was dazzling in the sunlight.

Not a skyscraper but interesting

One side of this was circular. It looked very effective in it's street.

More great shapes

Great corner effect

Metallic pink

This building is narrow but really stands out because of the the colour.

East Shinjuku

This wavy building is in East Shinjuku. It waved all the way down the street. We spent just as much time looking at shops and people as looking 'up' at the wonderful buildings.

The alleys of Nakano

The apartment we rented in Nakano is not in a tourist area. In fact we saw very few foreigners in the neighbourhood or alleys at all. The train station was within walking distance and it would have taken at least 2 weeks of serious effort to discover all of the little shops within a 1km radius let alone the food shops and restaurants. There were at least 50 Ramen restaurants within walking distance alone. Keeping in mind that most of the eating places are no bigger than my kitchen - including the cooking area and bar.
I would say it is like West End - close to the city but with personality. We must give Ron credit for finding this place. He did such a good job of finding accommodation on our European trip that he was given the job again.

Sun Mall

When you come out of the Nakano railway station and cross the road this is what you see. In fact the mall is so long you really can't see the end. Right at the end is a 3 story shopping centre called Broadway. Apparently there is another shopping centre off Broadway but we didn't make it there. The shops are the maddest mixture. Pharmacies, take away food, fashion, French bakeries, noodle shops, tea specialists etc etc.

A side alley

Every few metre's there is a side alley (open to the sky) that is full of food places. These are all 2 stories high so that is approximately 2 restaurants to each door way.

I just loved these lanterns

I went back at night to photograph them again.

So exotic

At night I found out that it becomes a night club/girlie bar area. Not at all scary or threatening, almost cartoon like.
The whole area was so fascinating that the whole 6 days could have been spent here exploring.

Loved this in the early morning
It became a noisy bar at night.

Sunday in The Ginza

The Ginza is the most glamourous area of Tokyo. In fact I think one of the most glamourous streets in the world. The main thoroughfare is closed on Sunday afternoons for people to promenade and shop. They dress to be seen. Beautiful women in designer clothes to rival Paris and Rome.

We were lucky to be there on a Sunday when they were doing tea ceremonies to raise money for the earthquake victims. We noticed ladies on the train on the way to Ginza in traditional dress - very unusual on the train - they were on their way to participate in the ceremonies.

getting ready

I couldn't resist this shot

These ladies were serving tea

You could buy a ticket and sit on the red seats and they would serve tea.

Great to be able to walk down the middle of the street

Lunch at Mitsukoshi

One of the best ways to have lunch whilst shopping in The Ginza is to eat in one of the department stores.

The 2 basement floors are filled to overflowing with food 'to go' or to 'take home', or just grocery, fruit. alcohol items - anything you can think of is here.

On the top 2 floors there is a selection of restaurants. These can vary from a Sushi Bar, Pizza to 5 star dining.

We chose a lovely place because of the view and the 'set menu'. This is a good option in Japan where often the menu's have no English translation. The higher end ones have no photo's of the food either.

Our store of choice for lunch

This department store is wonderful. They were celebration Italian Week while we where visiting. Half of one whole floor was taken over with Italian china, glassware, fashion etc. Then there was the FOOD! Customers were queuing up to try the pizza and taste the wine.

Place setting

Bottomless tea of course

We started with this

Can't remember what these were

This was a very spicy beef with vegtables

The best mushrooms ever

This was a wonderful feast and a great experience.

Shinjuku-Goyen (Gardens)

One morning we headed to Shinjuku. This is a major shopping and business area with a big train station complex. In fact you can get off the train go into a variety of department stores and just get back on the train without seeing daylight. Plus there are hundreds of small stores that specialise in just one or two things.
Firstly we went to the gardens as this is where the famous Chrysanthemum Festival is held. Our guide book told us that this was to happen in the last week of October or the first week of November. Unfortunately for us the first day of the Festival happened on the day after we left. We saw the gardeners busily preparing the displays.

getting ready

I had to put the lens of my camera through the bamboo fence to get this shot.

I loved the look of this tree

In progress

This would have looked wonderful when it was finished. The chrysanthemum plants were being place to resemble trees. This was just one in a long line.

I loved the look of the modern architecture against the serene garden and pond.

This garden was a wonderful quiet haven in a city teeming with humanity.

A Cultural Morning

After some serious shopping days we decided a gallery visit was in order. Off we went to the Bridgestone Museum. None of us realised that this was a Japanese Company - we all thought it was American. The founder was a collector of French Impressionists.

Wonderful collection

We saw many pieces that we had never seen before.

After the Impressionists gallery we saw the permanent exhibition. Some lovely Egyptian and Greek pieces.

There was a delightful cafe called the Georgette Tea Room. We couldn't resist - of course.

Beautiful presentation

We just had to have tea and scones. Ron and I had the potato scone - it came with a spoon of the most delicate potato salad.

The waiter also gave me an origami rose.

Beautiful