Le Corbusier

So if you come to Tokyo, do it in the Spring or Fall.  I gave up on many of my planned events, hampered by heat, humidity, drizzle and fog.  However I did manage to walk over to the Mori Art Museum at the top of Roppongi Hills. 

I am rarely impressed by art exhibits of any kind, as they tend to be over-rated, over-hyped and over-priced.  None of that applies to the Le Corbusier Exhibit running this summer in Tokyo.  It was done so well, as you'd expect from a Japanese curator - art, architecture, drawing, models, walk-throughs, actual furniture and videos.  I tell you, I learned more about the "founder of modernism" in two hours than I learned about anyone ever.  I love his art (much of which I've never seen before).

OK, my Tokyo visit was a flop because of bad weather (excluding some great Japanese/Italian fusion dining), but this exhibit made up for it.  Who's Le Corbusier?  This archetypal piece may lend a clue:

July 21, 2007

Tokyo Tourist

The partner that I'm working with in Nagoya gave their employees a much deserved four day holiday.  My work is not quite complete, so I had no choice but to remain in Japan for one more week, but had little reason to remain in Nagoya.

So I hopped the Tokaido Shinkansen on Saturday morning and was whisked away to Tokyo on the fastest in the fleet, known as the Nozomi.  One stop and an hour and a half later I'm at the Shinagawa Station (one stop shy of Tokyo Station).  I was just getting comfortable on the train when the mild shock hit me: I'm now in the middle of a city that exceeds 12 million people!

I hop at taxi to the ANA Intercontinental in the Roppongi District.  10 minutes and 1970 yen later I'm in my room on the 34th floor with a stunning view of Tokyo Tower. Rain is in the forecast throughout Japan for the next few days, but for a time some blue sky broke through.  I took a quick shower and immediately headed down to ground level. 

Once there, the tower was lost from view due to all the surrounding buildings.  I let my instincts take over and after wandering a bit and passing the heavily guarded US Embassy, I caught a glimpse of the tower from street level.  Of course once I arrived I had to head up to both observations decks, one at 150 meters and a smaller very cramped deck at 250 meters. The tower is 330 meters (1083 feet) in height over all.  Greater Tokyo stretches, of course, for as far as one can see in all directions.

View of Tokyo Tower from my room at the ANA Intercontinental Hotel

I got back to my room just after dark and in time to have a glass of wine at the Concierge Lounge.  Then waited thirty minutes for a cramped table at Wolfgang Pucks.  The pizza was fantastic and priced as such.  So I guess I've become a typical Tokyo tourist.  Tomorrow I'll explore Roppongi and do more of the same.

And at Night - when Roppongi becomes wild & crazy!

July 16, 2007

Spared by Man-yi

Much of Japan was preparing for Man-yi, a Typhoon that ripped through Okinawa and was headed for the eastern coast of Japan over the weekend.  So I was getting all set to endure a typhoon from the 44th floor today, but awoke to the first blue skies I've seen in Nagoya since I've got here three weeks ago.  Given I've been through five hurricanes, that blue sky was a welcome sigh of relief!  I guess it stayed off shore; no one here could tell me where it actually went.  Of course a killer earthquake hit northwestern Japan today.

In preparation for the typhoon, I picked up some supplies on Saturday night - you know the essentials - water, wine, sushi - well really some foods that would last a few days if the power went off.  I downloaded a movie from iTunes (a dark Indie film titled 12 and Holding) and ate all the fresh stuff first.  I figure what is pictured would cost about $12 in the US (excluding the wine).  Here in Nagoya - a mere 3000 yen ($24.60 US).  Add the wine and you have a $50 snack!

Next weekend there is a four-day holiday in Japan, and I'm headed for the Roppongi District of Tokyo.  Hopefully I'll have more to blog about than missed typhoons and overpriced food.  I'll probably start with the overpriced hotel - 36500 yen a night!

July 7, 2007

Casablanca . . . in Nagoya?

07/07/07, Hmmm, imagine something different for this night, exotic, but not Asian, or at least not too Asian.  Off the beaten path, dark and a little dangerous, perhaps . . . Moroccan!  The taxi driver had to call in just to find this tiny place on an unlit side street.

The menu, definitely Moroccan with an English (or Aussie, it was too loud to tell) host & hostess.  We can't say the quality of the food was great, but perhaps we ordered wrong.  The Harrira bean soup was superb; the Chicken Tajine was disappointing.

The scene after dinner:  a belly dancer appears, with not much of a belly, but very talented none-the-less. The sounds are enchanting, loud and crisp; a small crowd of, surprisingly, mostly young Japanese women, and a large table of expats clapping to the rhythmic movements of this Asian beauty.

  So Casablanca in Nagoya . . . or just a dream?

No dream at all, and up close this beautiful belly dancer worked up a real sweat!  I'll go back again, as I must give the menu a second chance - well, maybe to see the belly dancer again anyway.  If you are ever in Nagoya, the Moroccan Restaurant Casablanca is worth a weekend visit. Just don't order the Chicken Tajine!

July 3, 2007

When it Rains . . .

I left Busan on Sunday to return to Nagoya.  It was a low key week, but I accomplished all of my objectives, and then some.  It felt good to tie up loose ends; all the little things on a list buried somewhere in a notebook, that the schedule did not allow for until now - a week away from the 787 rollout.

I had a delightful Saturday visiting two very special friends - one with a new baby in the morning; and one for a walk on Haeundae Beach in the afternoon (both visits were far too short).  Yet on the beach walk with Cindy, I know that the sun came out just for us! 

Haeundae Beach officially opened July 1.  It was raining, which I'm sure spoiled the big celebration.  I was saddened to leave at the start of summer.  I'm uncertain when I will be returning.

One last walk around a cheerful Dongbaek Park - June 30, 2007

~~~

Not that I'm complaining.  I'm quite comfortable back here in Nagoya, trying a new restaurant every night and working the long hours again.  Weekends will be free, and, if the weather cooperates, I'll head out somewhere new to explore.  

I'm booked to return home to Piney Point on July 20th, but I'm already betting that date will be extended.  Oh well, this is what they pay me to do.

Yet another view from my room - Nagoya Castle and its Golden Dolphins at Night - July 3, 2007

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