Random Tokyo

Just a bunch of pictures from the last month or so. It has been hard to keep up with the blog and entertain Will while he was here. This is not likley to be the last time there is period of neglect...

Dinner at Nihon Kai with Ron Herman and his wife

Miyakoda-san's "private terrace" across the street from his condo. Looking out at the Imperial Palace grounds. Still have to visit there.

Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum Plaza near Tokyo Station

3 huge columns that are planted to soften their mass

I wonder how different this space would feel with typical architectural columns?

Someone spent alot of money on this project. The materials and detail are quite high.

Fountain and Henry Moore sculpture (one of about 5 in the plaza)

Green column and another Moore sculpture

High end retail street in Marunuochi, which borders the Imperial Palace grounds

Sculpture at the Tokyo Design Center in Gotanda

Large planters on the stepped levels of the rear of the design center

Sculpture at the Design Center

Cherry blossoms cover the Meguro river in what looks similar to a Monet painting

Not all design in Japan is good, especially not this tree-mushroom-street light

Kept waiting for the White Rabbit to run by saying "I'm late, I'm late..."

Every Japanese girls dream... a 15 foot tall superhero

but it looks like she has some competition

It's raining cherry blossoms (sakura hubuki)

Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi

Panorama of the backside of Midown

A view from the pedestrian bridge

2 kids playing in the pond of the Japanese garden at Midtown

The "western" lawn of Midtown. They use western grass (and heavy maintenance) so that the lawn is green year round. It is a favorite gathering spot on a nice day.

Cherry blossoms at Midtown

Boy playing in the fountain at Midtown

A corporate campus in Tamachi...done by a Japanese LA that attended West Virginia of all places!!!

Very pretty when the creeping phlox is in bloom

Very nice detailing, and a pretty simple palette of materials.

Tokyo Tower

Gran Park Tamachi - a project Miyakoda-san collaborated on with Zion Breen about 15 years ago

A Botero sculpture in the plaza

Sukura Zaka - a famous street for viewing the cherry blossoms. It is about a 10 minute bike ride from our house.

A warning sign along the depressed rail lines. I guess the train will knock your hat off it you climb the fence.

The Tama river. About 15 minutes by bike from our house. A good place to ride bikes, pack a picnic and watch the sun set.

A cool pub we found on the way back from the river.

Nothing like a few Ebisu cream stouts to give you the energy to ride home.