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Tokyo Touchdown

Posted by Scott

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My brother and I arrived in Tokyo this evening and took the Narita Express to Tokyo Station.  We’re staying at this great hotel that my friend Paul recommended, the Sanuki Club in the Azabujuban neighborhood. This whole city is like some giant prayer to the graphic and industrial design gods. I don’t think I could get enough pictures of it all if I was here for a year, everywhere you look is some perfectly thought out sign or machine. I think I took 20 pictures in the airport bathroom alone.  I’ll try to post as much interesting stuff as I can find over the coming week.

25 Comments Leave A Comment

1

Daniel says:

January 3, 2008 at 4:52 am

I know what you mean. It’s almost impossible to stop taking photos or to stop staring at everything you see around you. Can’t wait to go back to Japan!

2

Leggoz says:

January 3, 2008 at 5:26 am

Hey man! looks like a great time over there!
What are you going to do in Amsterdam and what time will you be there?
later!
Leggoz

5

chrispis says:

January 3, 2008 at 7:27 am

Nice one!!!! I guess I would have the same problem with my height :)
This year I’ll be going to China,… I guess I will also experience the whole trip through the lens of my camera :P

8

Kelvin says:

January 3, 2008 at 11:38 am

More photos please! I agree totally, Japanese and their attention to design and details.. Amazing..
Must.. go.. some.. day…….

9

mike says:

January 3, 2008 at 11:46 am

Wow! I hope you can post more photos! And I’m pretty sure that you are supposed to take off your shoes when walking on tatami ;)

10

Albert says:

January 3, 2008 at 11:53 am

Amazing and beautiful. Looking forward to seeing selected digital snippets from across the sea. Have fun!

11

Alex / HeadUp says:

January 3, 2008 at 1:01 pm

Very nice, I remember being absolutely amazed when we finally got to driving through Shanghai when I was there in ’06, it’s like another world over there…I hear Japan is even more interesting, and from the pics I’ve seen, even more aesthetically pleasing.

Movies like Lost in Translation, which immerse viewers in the Tokyo experience, are so inspiring.

…and is that COACH you were flying in?!?!?! How does a star like you travel if it’s not first class? Hahaha, if I ran into you on a plane, I wouldn’t be able to contain myself.

Bring out the Holga in Japan and get some good ones!

12

Colin says:

January 3, 2008 at 1:16 pm

I envy your travels, and I look forward to the variety of photographs that your eyes will capture, I agree with the removing of the shoes in the hotel though, but I’ll let it slide. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

13

Justin Meyers says:

January 3, 2008 at 1:25 pm

My brother would forever be in my debt if I took him to Tokyo. Awesome pictures, not as lomotastic as usual, but still great.

Have fun duder.

14

johno says:

January 3, 2008 at 3:47 pm

Shoes on the tatami!!!
If you’re ever further south in Japan, be sure to pop by–though you’ll have to take your shoes off first.

Some great work on this site, BTW.

15

Damo says:

January 3, 2008 at 4:02 pm

Japan – my feelings were similar when i visited via Narita airport etc – the JR line into Tokyo is excellent…I was jaw agape at all the compositions of signage – love the Ticket machine for the trains too…even though I can not read Japanese – the adventure and thrill to be able to chose and push buttons to see what response you get is soooo much fun!!!

the alchohol dispensing machines in just about every hotel hallway :D is odd…the people and their customs I certainly appreciate, they’re services are outstanding…

I’m so glad to see these posts as others have commented – just keep them coming! oh yeah when out and about – check out the little take away meal shops – they have some interesting dishes – there’s one with little dumpling like round thingys! very noice! :)
have fun! enjoy! and experience as much as you can! cheers

16

Scott says:

January 3, 2008 at 7:19 pm

Thanks everyone for the comments. As for the shoes, we had just arrived when I took those pics and it took us about 10 minutes to realize we probably weren’t supposed to be wearing them :) Had been a long day of travel so we sort of just walked into the room and collapsed. I love these Japanese style hotels, they have a great sense of minimalism.
We went out and saw some amazing things last night, I’ll be posting more soon.

17

Dad says:

January 3, 2008 at 7:21 pm

Awesome pictures…don’t hit your head too many times. Thought about you guys this morning on my way into the City. Major weather system coming through, expect 10 feet of snow at summit, 5 feet at the Lake. Glad you left yesterday.

Love you guys, be safe, Dad

19

ISO Fan says:

January 4, 2008 at 9:16 am

Scott, did you guys have a hard time getting around not speaking any Japanese? Any advice for future Japan travelers?

21

greg.org says:

January 4, 2008 at 7:06 pm

haha, what johno said about the tatami.

Also, at least you’re tall enough that you can see the door frame and duck. At 185cm, I’m just tall enough that the jamb disappears from view, and it clips the top of my head. 20 years back and forth to japan, I probably have a callous up there now.

If you like Roppongi Hills, you should love Tokyo Midtown. It’s like Roppongi Hills done right. And the Muji store there is freakin’ amazing. [Though so is the Muji mothership in Ginza/Yuraku-cho. Go for lunch.]

22

Eskimoo says:

January 28, 2008 at 8:15 am

Hi! Fantastic photos Scott! Ive been to all these places recently so it was interesting to see some crisp shots again! Made me dream away from my rather hectic life at the moment.

Thanks for your invite to your blog. I will drop by occasionally.
Have a good one!

: ) Fredrik

23

joshua says:

January 28, 2008 at 1:43 pm

great pics, scott! glad to be kept up on your ventures.
idea:
photo show at progress of your photos:
you ship, we sell.
talk to me.
see you in march? you on for that show at the mohawk?
joshua