Since the earthquake Tepco is perhaps the least favorite company in Japan. They are the company in charge of the Fukushima Daiichi (and Daini) nuclear power plant.
Showing posts with label buildings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label buildings. Show all posts
4-24-2011
Since the earthquake Tepco is perhaps the least favorite company in Japan. They are the company in charge of the Fukushima Daiichi (and Daini) nuclear power plant.
3-13-2011
To help eliminate the need for rotating scheduled blackouts, Shibuya has gone dark. The billboards were all dark and many of the building lights were off. Believe it or not, this is about half the usual brightness level.
3-12-2011
When walking home from work after the earthquake due to the stopped train system, I finally was able to take a photo of this building. For years I've been eying it from the train wanting to take a photo of it. Well, here it is.
3-1-2011
Today it was raining so I decided to wander the underground passages of Shinjuku station. The beauty of the inner city areas of Tokyo aren't at ground level, but in the buildings, underground, and on rooftops. It's a strange existence.
This is the facade of OIOI ("marui") somewhere near Shinjuku Sanchome station, or maybe Nishi Shinjuku station. They're not too far apart.
2-28-2011
Last time I went to Osaka for work I took a very sad walk along Midosuji Dori. In the end all worked out and I got some pretty pictures too.
No idea what this building is, but the lighting hit it too well to not take a photo of it anyway.
2-22-2011
A cafe that I go to every two weeks to teach private lessons has very interesting decor. Despite the lovely foam on the walls, it is rather noisy in this cafe, and I'm trying to find a better place to have lessons. Still, it's interesting, to say the least.
2-16-2011
It's been a long time since I've seen "normal" garden decorations. There were two of these, but they were being used like the tops of newel posts on the wall surrounding the yard. They get points for creativity.
1-15-2011
I've always been a sucker for woodwork, and the details found at temples often really impress me. Looking at the shape and cleanness of some of these pieces is pretty impressive considering their age.
This was found over the hand-washing fountain at the Kamakura Daibutsu.
1-9-2011
This appears to be a representation of Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, from the story "Journey to the West" from classical Chinese literature. Found painted on the side of a building in Yokohama Chinatown.
12-28-2010
The areas around the military bases in Okinawa are a sad study in how poor areas adapt to suit wealthy tourists. Okinawan culture is largely hidden behind big, shiny American displays. This shopping area, Depot Island, was new and obviously targeted toward those from the base, seen in clothing and shoe sizes available, for example. Still, it had a charming feel to it as I explored the area near my hotel.
12-23-2010
Kanteibyo is one of the more famous places in Yokohama Chinatown. What most people probably don't notice are the lovely steps leading up to the temple. If you look carefully you can see the glowing red lanterns hanging from the temple behind the iron lace gates.
Despite being cold and closed, Chinatown never seems to disappoint.
12-17-2010
The last day at my old office building, so here's a parking structure near the old building. Apparently they needed to vent the building (and possibly temperature control too) so they built a large fan system on the outside. Due to space constraints, it is very flat.
12-7-2010
The dedication to following a theme is admirable here. Instead of getting a real skull, someone made this out of wood.
I wonder if it was more expensive than the real thing would've been...?
12-6-2010
Kita-senju has an interesting atmosphere. One notable thing that may not always be readily noticeable is the themed shop gates. When closed the street is lined with fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Here's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. I like that the dwarves are basically elves.
12-2-2010
Leafy ivy still green outside in December? Odd to my brain, but there it is. Storefronts always look lovely too (vending machine reflections excluded, of course).
11-26-2010
Symbolism is really important in a lot of cultures. These symbols are water glyphs that are believed to help protect against fires.
11-21-2010
Everywhere you go certain food and drinks are relegated to specific cultures. Wine is French, pasta Italian, fast food with the US, etc. Of course, this is because of the origins of each thing. In a place where it seems every other building is a restaurant, these sorts of connections are even more apparent.
In particular, English pubs are extremely popular. To me, this is surprising because I associate Ireland more strongly with alcohol than England, but apparently not everyone feels as I do. In any case, this is a common chain in Tokyo.
11-8-2010
The area north of Ome Kaido and west of the Yamanote line in Shinjuku is less than beautiful, but it has a few nice details safely hidden away.
11-5-2010
Shinjuku station has lights in all the windows this year. Not sure if it's been like this in the past, but it looks nice. Not particularly Christmassy, but nice.
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