One Hundred Famous Views of Edo is a series of Ukiyo-e prints by the Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858). The prints were first published in serialized form in 1856–59. Just watching these prints makes me wonder the beauty of Tokyo then with the green cover against the concrete existence of today. Many paintings, you can see Mount
UPDATE : ITS OFFICIAL. THE TOKYO BAY FIREWORKS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED FOR OLYMPIC VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION WORK. NO FIREWORKS NEXT AUGUST FOR THIS SPECTACLE WHICH STARTED IN 1988. SAD BUT THE DECISION HAS BEEN REACHED TODAY, JANUARY 25, 2016. OFFICIAL STATEMENT : THE WARD COULD NOT FIND A BIG ENOUGH ALTERNATIVE TO HOST SUCH A BIG
Asakusa, the well known cultural destination and a tourist attraction in Tokyo has some hidden gems. One of my favorite is a coffee shop with an awesome panoramic view. A few years back, I went to see a rakugo (Japanese comedy show) performance at the Asakusa Cultural Tourist Information Center, together with one of my
The view of the Imperial Palace(the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan) and Nijubashi in Tokyo is said to be one of the most photographed location in Japan. The palace is surrounded by a moat from all sides, around which are the footpaths, the famous jogging tracks of Tokyo. Although I do not jog
On the weekend went to the Tokyo Midtown Complex in ROppongi to experience the Summer Light Garden event. Midtown is hosting an event of lights “SUMMER LIGHT GARDEN” with a unique first time illumination of around 54000 LED lights. The event started on 17th of July and will continue until 30th of August every evening
Ocean Day is a celebration of the sea and her relationship and importance to Japan. Celebrated mid July, it is a national holiday. Odaiba, Tokyo’s romantic beach front and popular dating spot, is set in a wonderful light using beautiful paper lanterns, which are lit up by citizen volunteers every year on the third Monday
It’s July and time for the summer festivals to kick-in. The weekend has the lantern light-up at Odaiba but before that I made my way in the evening on a weekday to Kudanshita. At the Yasukuni Shrine they have an interesting festival in mid-July, a Shinto festival honoring the dead in Japan!!! The poster said 69th
Tokyo has inspirations from many cities around the world. Eiffel Tower is supposed to be the inspiration for The Tokyo Tower, while Brussels Manneken Pis inspires a similar statue at Hamamatsucho Station. I learned about a new inspiration, the two bronze lion statues at the Mitsubishi Department Store at the Nihonbashi (Tozai Line) Station. Below is some
The rains continue in Tokyo and temperature still remains cool. That is all set to change with the weekend predicting sunshine and temperatures are set to climb up for summer up to 29 degrees in Tokyo on Sunday. Midtown is set to host an event of lights “SUMMER LIGHT GARDEN” with a unique first time
I love morning strolls in the autumn and spring. I try not to go on walks in my neighborhood and prefer different locations to take a morning walk so that it does not become a routine. It also gives me the chance to explore the city of Tokyo. On the last weekend me and my
Summer time in Tokyo, Hakusan Shrine is famous for the Ajisai/Hydrangea flowers. Over 3,000 hydrangea plants bloom in June with variety of colors. The first week of June to first week of July is the time every years when there is a Ajisai Matsuri (Hydrangea festival) at the Hakusan Shrine. Beautiful lanterns and the Hydrangea flowers at
Ajisai or Hydrangea flowers can be found almost anywhere in Tokyo and Japan, on street corners and even footpaths. Summer time flowers of Japan, Ajisai blossoms start in June and last until July. The flowers have a long history in these islands and many scholars assert that it is indigenous to Japan. The beauty of the flowers
My first trip to Japan was Mumbai – Osaka – Tokyo (Haneda) on an ANA flight. I remember taking the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport to reach Hamamatsucho. The city view was fantastic dotted with various warehouses along the way of the bay area of Tokyo. Significant development has happened over the past 15 years
The University of Tokyo decided to erect a bronze statue of Mr. Ueno and his pet dog to commemorate 90 years of his death with a reunion statue. The professor’s pet dog Hachiko touched the hearts of Japanese people across the nation due to his devotion of waiting every day in front of Tokyo’s Shibuya
In the busy commercial neighborhood of Kamiyacho in Tokyo I came across these long, steep, ancient stone staircase.. Wondered what it was and saw the sign board, Atago Shrine. Hmm interesting, lets check it out. The stairs are really steep and I found it later that a Samurai climbed the steps on horseback to deliver plum blossoms