My taxi ride is getting longer, going deeper into nondescript residential neighbourhood. I pass by some oppressive modernist gymnasiums of 1960 Tokyo Olympics era … and then it keeps going again. Finally I’m dropped off curb side in front of a gated residence (again nondescript) and I wonder “is this going to be another sit andContinue reading “Yakumo Saryo – in cloud eight”
Category Archives: Tokyo
Trunk Hotel, Shibuya
It’s a common misconception for would be travellers to Tokyo that this city of super abundant creativity and modernity has numerous well-designed, boutique hotels. Well … there aren’t. There’s probably many reasons and this blog isn’t meant to be for real-estate finance mundane so I’ll curb it to a couple of inter-related reasons: prohibitive land/developmentContinue reading “Trunk Hotel, Shibuya”
Hoshinoya Tokyo
What makes Tokyo a great city? That it’s a proper city. Where there’s proper crowding worthy of the superb public infrastructure, properly dressed and behaved people and the food, proper food. Hoshinoya Tokyo is the newest entry into the luxury sector in the already luxury Marunouchi banking and retail enclave. You’re kept outside the reachContinue reading “Hoshinoya Tokyo”
Nezu Museum and garden in Minami Aoyama
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”
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”
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 “
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
There’s the vast gardens of Imperial Palace and bustle of joggers and dance groups in Meji Jingu/Yoyogi Park but Hamarikyu Gardens hold its own with its classic Japanese aesthetics and tranquility. Even on the most pleasant public holidays, Hamarikyu is sparsely populated and devoid of tourists. The garden’s placement at the foot of Shinbashi monolithsContinue reading “Hamarikyu Gardens (浜離宮庭園) of Shinbashi”
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