I Love Tokyo
Trip Start
Oct 20, 2008
1
45
93
Trip End
Jan 31, 2009
Tokyo,
Kanto,
Japan
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Random facts: Japanese is written both left to right and top to bottom and there is no rule that determines how you should write. Only very tradition Japanese families and the elderly wear Kimonos. Otherwise, it's never worn, not even as a dressing gown. The elaborate Kimonos, that are sometimes worn at weddings, can take up to half an hour to put on.
Minako is at her mother's. So, Engin and I went to Roppongi Hills to start the day off with some Udon. He took me to a restaurant called "Kurosawa", as you have probably guessed, named after the legendary film director. Engin told me that this chain of restaurants was actually owned by the Kurosawa family and that each branch specialized in a different type of Japanese dish. Had a duck Udon and black tea for 2,500 yens. Excellent value.
As Engin ran to catch a taxi to the Fazil Say piano recital, I walked up to the 50+ storied Mori Tower, one of the top 5 tallest buildings in Tokyo. I had told myself that I was going to spend a quiet day at the apartment, but couldn't keep my word. For some reason I believe that I can recover standing. The 52nd floor is home to the Mori Museum. This small yet impressive modern arts museum was hosting an exhibition on Indian art. After taking a peak, went up to the open-air observation deck. The sun had set. What a beautiful modern city Tokyo is... The mix of colorful lights was simply stunning. Moreover, I could see absolutely everything, extending all the way to Mount Fuji. There are very few cities that I would like to live in. Tokyo has recently been added to the list.
I cannot believe the quality of the services offered in Japan. Inside the Mori Tower, there was a large team coordinating the visitor traffic. They were doing a great job, especially given that it was Sunday and both of the attractions were accessible through the elevators only. When the elevator would fill up, a staff member would bow and maintain his bent posture until the elevator doors would close completely.
