Today we decided to take the grand tour to many of the monuments in Tokyo that I didn’t get to see the previous time. Pål being the guide thought it would be a nice walk between all the sights. So that’s what we did. It’s a nice way to get a sense of how stuff connects in the city.
| Date: 15.04.2012 10:19:49 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/9 | Shutter: 1/500 | ISO 200 |
Rise and shine! Took another sullen look at the finished Sky Tree which didn’t open until a month after I left.
| Date: 15.04.2012 11:05:07 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/100 | ISO 500 |
While finding breakfast and the subway to Nihonbashi we walked past the Buddhist altar shops. There you can buy a nice butudan for your home to pay respect to your ancestors and whatnot.
| Date: 15.04.2012 11:07:00 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/100 | ISO 1000 |
You can get all sizes and styles.
| Date: 15.04.2012 11:31:37 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/105 | ISO 200 |
Cookie cutters for the Internet generation.
| Date: 15.04.2012 12:07:47 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/4 | Shutter: 1/220 | ISO 200 |
We’ve arrived at Nihonbashi. In the Edo period, this was the starting point from which five major roads spread throughout the country. After a few rebuilds this one was built in 1911 and is currently the final one. In the very middle of the bridce, close to the lower right corner in the picture, is the zero milestone of Tokyo. Once upon a time, on especially clear days, one could gaze upon Fuji-san from here. Then someone decided to build an intergalactic bypass (or was it overpass?) and the result you can see here. There are some plans to move it underground to restore this place to it’s former glory.
| Date: 15.04.2012 12:10:47 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/5 | Shutter: 1/320 | ISO 200 |
Of course, I had to run out in the middle of the road to take a picture of the plaque.
| Date: 15.04.2012 12:26:12 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/6.4 | Shutter: 1/450 | ISO 200 |
Pål is ready to lead the way through many of the main landmarks I didn’t get to cover last time.
| Date: 15.04.2012 12:36:45 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/8 | Shutter: 1/500 | ISO 200 |
This is the Tokyo Imperial Palace garden
| Date: 15.04.2012 12:41:31 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/6.4 | Shutter: 1/450 | ISO 200 |
| Date: 15.04.2012 12:55:26 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/9 | Shutter: 1/550 | ISO 200 |
| Date: 15.04.2012 13:00:15 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/7.1 | Shutter: 1/550 | ISO 200 |
You may even forget you’re in the big city sometimes.
| Date: 15.04.2012 13:27:46 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/9 | Shutter: 1/500 | ISO 200 |
| Date: 15.04.2012 13:32:00 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/6.4 | Shutter: 1/350 | ISO 200 |
The moat around the palace. We didn’t get to see the palace itself. Apparently one need to book a guided trip online in advance.
| Date: 15.04.2012 13:58:15 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/5 | Shutter: 1/340 | ISO 200 |
A nice sculpture in the governmental area.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:04:45 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/3.2 | Shutter: 1/180 | ISO 200 |
Walking between attractions has its rewards. We decided to check out the commotion around this shrine.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:06:46 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/3.2 | Shutter: 1/160 | ISO 200 |
Turned out they were opening a new barrel of sake! Possibly a new sponsor of the shrine.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:08:28 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/3.6 | Shutter: 1/210 | ISO 200 |
People were gathering around to get their free sake.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:08:45 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/5 | Shutter: 1/320 | ISO 200 |
We were invited to join as well! Yummy.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:09:08 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/8 | Shutter: 1/480 | ISO 200 |
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:10:09 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/7.1 | Shutter: 1/500 | ISO 200 |
After the barrel was empty there were food to be had. Some for a littlie money, and some for free!
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:11:47 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/7.1 | Shutter: 1/420 | ISO 200 |
We didn’t get any, not hungry.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:21:28 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/9 | Shutter: 1/750 | ISO 200 |
A taaaall building.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:22:03 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/4 | Shutter: 1/220 | ISO 200 |
A quick stop at Atago shrine. I guess the main feature is these stairs.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:22:13 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/4 | Shutter: 1/220 | ISO 200 |
They are incredibly steep.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:22:37 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2.5 | Shutter: 1/125 | ISO 200 |
Roumors has it that each year, one of these big shrines that people carry on their shoulders, are carried up and down these stairs. That’s an incredible thought!
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:23:52 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/4.5 | Shutter: 1/220 | ISO 200 |
Pretty exhausting trip up.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:25:49 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2.8 | Shutter: 1/150 | ISO 200 |
With a nice reward. I’m getting a garden like this when I grow up.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:26:07 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2.2 | Shutter: 1/150 | ISO 200 |
This tree has gotten some help… by concrete!
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:26:52 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/3.6 | Shutter: 1/220 | ISO 200 |
Legend has it that one samurai (Pål) rode up these stairs on his horse (me) to deliver some flowers to some flower-lovin’ shogun. Getting up took only one minute, but the horse needed 45 minutes to get back down again.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:27:48 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/4 | Shutter: 1/210 | ISO 200 |
Pretty nice and calm area in the middle of the city. Well worth the climb.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:28:50 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2.5 | Shutter: 1/125 | ISO 200 |
Did I say it was steep?
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:41:53 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/11 | Shutter: 1/750 | ISO 200 |
And the next attraction is… Tokyo Tower! A replica of the Eiffel tower in Paris, just a few meters taller.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:42:53 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/5 | Shutter: 1/280 | ISO 200 |
The line was huge and suggested a waiting time for an hour or two.
| Date: 15.04.2012 14:43:09 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/5 | Shutter: 1/340 | ISO 200 |
We decided it wasn’t worth the wait.
| Date: 15.04.2012 15:07:24 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/3.6 | Shutter: 1/220 | ISO 200 |
Closing in on Roppongi we find some streets with character.
| Date: 15.04.2012 15:14:25 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/7.1 | Shutter: 1/400 | ISO 200 |
Is this Mori tower? Nope, this is the building which has the escalator up to the platform at the foot of Mori tower! I actually forgot to take a photo of the tower itself.
| Date: 15.04.2012 15:15:11 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/5 | Shutter: 1/300 | ISO 200 |
The platform and bits of the tower can be seen on the platform. And also a giant spider!
| Date: 15.04.2012 15:21:44 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/110 | ISO 200 |
Inside the escalator skyscraper searching for food, we saw some monks. And lots of cameras.
| Date: 15.04.2012 15:37:52 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2.2 | Shutter: 1/125 | ISO 200 |
We found a nice restaurant with a view to the outside, with some nice dark beer.
| Date: 15.04.2012 15:48:40 | Camera: GT-I9100 | Lens: @4.03 mm | Aperture: f/2.7 | Shutter: 1/25 | ISO 64 |
And some nice german sausages! Was awesome.
| Date: 15.04.2012 17:03:25 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2.5 | Shutter: 1/140 | ISO 200 |
At Harajuku, and the line for Ben and Jerry’s that opened the day before. First one in Tokyo.
| Date: 15.04.2012 17:40:10 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2.8 | Shutter: 1/150 | ISO 200 |
We stopped at Yoyogi park to look at the Lebels and have a small rest.
| Date: 15.04.2012 18:08:18 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/100 | ISO 640 |
Time for some more food. Pål led me through a lot of small streets to a creperie, I would never find back on my own. But I will, because I have the coordinates. And so do you.
| Date: 15.04.2012 18:08:39 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/90 | ISO 3200 |
This wasn’t like any creperie I have encountered before (not like I’m a connoiseur, far from it), as we need to wait by this bar a while, for failing to reserve a table.
| Date: 15.04.2012 18:11:06 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/100 | ISO 320 |
After 5-10 minutes we could take a seat.
| Date: 15.04.2012 18:29:03 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/100 | ISO 1000 |
As I said, this wasn’t a kind of creperie I had encountered before.
| Date: 15.04.2012 18:29:17 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/100 | ISO 1000 |
I love caramel, so I opted for a homemade salted butter caramel with icecream. Really good!
| Date: 15.04.2012 19:34:32 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/40 | ISO 3200 |
Finally we went up to the top of Mori tower.
| Date: 15.04.2012 19:39:10 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/20 | ISO 3200 |
| Date: 15.04.2012 19:43:20 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/60 | ISO 3200 |
| Date: 15.04.2012 20:28:22 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/60 | ISO 200 |
At the top were also a museum and a museum shop. The exhibition was an interesting show of Korean artist Lee Bul. Were not allowed to take pictures, of course. In the museum shop I saw these awesome things made of old electronic components! Here are some very old ICs and also some more recent versions, in addition to diodes, crystals, capacitors and so on.
| Date: 15.04.2012 20:29:07 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/50 | ISO 200 |
Right after shooting these cuties I saw the don’t shoot sign. Bah. Forgot to buy one :/
| Date: 15.04.2012 20:46:25 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/60 | ISO 400 |
On Hibiya line, back to Ginza for a restaurant Pål likes.
| Date: 15.04.2012 21:11:38 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/100 | ISO 640 |
It’s an Indian restaurant! We hadn’t had a single bite of Japanese food this day, so we decided to end with more non-Japanese food.
| Date: 15.04.2012 21:19:01 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/100 | ISO 1250 |
For starter we shared this sause-like thing. Was probably good. Don’t remember.
| Date: 15.04.2012 21:27:01 | Camera: FinePix X100 | Lens: @23 mm | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter: 1/100 | ISO 800 |
Our mains. Peshawari nan for me, of course. Nice end to a nice and exhausting day!
For some more pics, go to my Google+.