Category Archives: Tokyo

Magnificent Photography of Tokyo, Japan

Shinjuku Washington Hotel

Posted on November 28th, 2013 by

Random Fun Things

One of the things I loved most about Tokyo is the random fun things you find just wandering around the city. Most of the time there is too much competing for your attention…neon blazing, sounds, smells, barkers, etc. Occasionally though you will find something in the raw that sort of makes you stop and wonder…why is this built like this. The Shinjuku Washington Hotel is one of those things. In a neighborhood of skyscrapers, it stands proudly and sleekly against the contrast of modern highrises. In a way it didn’t really belong, but within that I found myself feeling that it belonged more, as if the new towers were out of place. That probably sounds odd but than again, to an American, so is Tokyo.

Shinjuku Washington Hotel
Shinjuku Washington Hotel by W. Brian Duncan

The Library of the Park Hyatt Tokyo

Posted on November 25th, 2013 by

Lost in Translation

I love the film Lost in Translation with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Part of the wonderfulness of the setting is that so much of it takes place at the Park Hyatt Tokyo. It truly is a special hotel that made my stay in Tokyo all the more punctuated. In many ways it was a microcosm of my feelings towards the city of Tokyo itself. I was constantly surprised by how gracious the Japanese people are and here I am not talking specifically about the hotel, but rather ordinary people on the street. Perhaps it was my ignorance of protocol, I take a when in doubt bow attitude which I think confused many people. Despite my constant barrage of flubs, everyone remained simply gracious.

The Library

When you go to a hotel they have a library…right? Of course, all hotels have a library! I knew about this feature of the hotel going in, but I recall being utterly surprised on hearing that in the space poor and constantly moving city of Tokyo, the Park Hyatt decided to dedicate a considerable amount of space to books. I was particularly fascinated with one tome that I passed every day entitled, Ces arbres qui font la France. C’est magnifique à Tokyo!

The Library of the Park Hyatt Tokyo
The Library of the Park Hyatt Tokyo by W. Brian Duncan

Tokyo International Forum

Posted on November 21st, 2013 by

Simply Wonderful

When I visit a new city, I go online and do a search for the best photographic opportunities. I can generally fill my days to the brim with interesting places and it’s always a challenge to decide which locations get sunrise and sunset. Sometimes this is eased by weather, for if it will be cloudy, there will be no sunrise. In my search for Tokyo, one place kept coming up over and over…The Tokyo International Forum. This center is a multipurpose meeting space of sorts on a grand scale. I stopped by one night and was immediately in love with the space. There is just so much going on, such simplicity, but yet such wonderful attention to detail. I don’t know many of the particulars of Rafael Viñoly design, but the nautical influence is impossible to miss. The building looks as though it was constructed from pieces of what should have been a massive ship, but rather, these by some twist of fate simply ended up being affixed to the island of Japan.

Tokyo International Forum
Tokyo International Forum by W. Brian Duncan

Barrels of Sake

Posted on November 18th, 2013 by

Sake In Strange Places

Honestly sake isn’t really my thing. I have had it numerous times before and perhaps I just haven’t found the right kind, but it seems very much like vodka to me…I am not sure why anyone would drink it straight. These barrels are at the Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Yes shrine…these are an offering to the deities of the shrine. It is a tradition that has gone on for generations.

Barrels of Sake
Barrels of Sake by W. Brian Duncan