Nezu Museum sits on 20,000 sq.m. of sprawling site in Minami Aoyama and is home to Nezu Kaichiro’s collection of premodern Japanese and East Asian art. Nezu Kaichiro known as Railway King whose career included being president of the Tōbu Railway started his collection with tea ceremony artifacts and expanded into paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, lacquerwareContinue reading “Nezu Museum and garden in Minami Aoyama”
Category Archives: Travel
Museo del Novecento Milano (& Ristorante Giacomo Arengario)
How does one who is terrified of large crowd enjoy what is arguably the most touristy destination in the city of Milan? Museo 900 (Novencento) was my answer to the unhindered, spitting distance view of Milano Duomo without the hassle that you normally endure. Novencento is a museum of 20th century Italian art right at the footContinue reading “Museo del Novecento Milano (& Ristorante Giacomo Arengario)”
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) in summer
Take a sharp right as you enter the turnstiles of Shinjuku Gate of Shinjuku Gyoen and follow the big loop along the western end of the park, you arrive at the traditional Japanese koi pond (Kami No Ike, Upper Pond). This western most located pond is one of the most picturesque in the park complete withContinue reading “Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) in summer”
Berlin Tegel Airport
First thing that struck me when I entered Terminal A at Tegel was ‘why did taxi drop me off on arrival floor and where’s the escalator to departure and check in hall’? It then occurred to me that I’m at Berlin Tegel, apex of two things the world needs more of: mid-century modernist design andContinue reading “Berlin Tegel Airport”
Toyko Matsuya Washi paper show/sales room
Tokyo Matsuya is a Japanese Edo Karakami washi paper producer established in 1690. Edo Karakami is the hand-crafted patterned washi paper for interior decorating such as Fusuma sliding doors and folding screens. It has been handmade by artisans in downtown Tokyo since the Edo Period. Japanese motifs and craft of Edo Karakami paper ooze traditional charm but itsContinue reading “Toyko Matsuya Washi paper show/sales room”
One Hundred Views of Edo by Hiroshige at Suntory Museum of Art
At the time of writing, Suntory Museum of Art in Midtown, Roppongi is exhibiting Utagawa Hiroshige’s One Hundred Views of Edo and Famous Views of Sixty-odd Provinces (collection of Japanese businessman Hara Yasusaburo). These two series, almost all in superb condition, are being exhibited in their entirety which must be a rare occurrence. First brieflyContinue reading “One Hundred Views of Edo by Hiroshige at Suntory Museum of Art”
Pirouette
Just down the street from my apartment towards Toranomon on the street level of Toranomon Hills Mori Tower is glass encased, airy and hanging Edison bulbs lit Pirouette. Pirouette is one of those cozy, elegant neighbourhood über-canteens, if there ever was one. Cass and I looked at each other and exclaimed ‘this is it’ asContinue reading “Pirouette “
Cathay Pacific Business Class
Few business classes do minimalist travel better than Cathay Pacific. Their lounges are in transition from being kitted by Forster+Partners to Ilse Crawford replacing bright, airy and efficient spaces with more warm and comfortable elegance. Professionally economical is their service and aesthetically adult are the fittings, you are distracted little from concentrating on things that matterContinue reading “Cathay Pacific Business Class”
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) in winter
Of all the parks and gardens in Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen evokes to me the most Central Park in Manhattan. It’s not the size (it is less than one fifth of Central Park) but rather how the park is completely encased by the maddest section of the city yet feels peacefully detached from it. Minutes after you enterContinue reading “Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) in winter”
Hamarikyu Gardens (浜離宮庭園) of Shinbashi
(August 2024 update) If you find yourself in the bustling Ginza district, a short stroll leads you to a much-needed escape from the crowds. Passing through the stone-walled gates of Hamarikyu Gardens, the world seems to slow its pace. The manicured lawns stretch out before you, offering a serene oasis in the heart of Tokyo.Continue reading “Hamarikyu Gardens (浜離宮庭園) of Shinbashi”
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