Now, as I found out last week, Monday can be a tricky day to be a tourist in Japan as many attractions close down for the day. However, as I revealed yesterday, I have a huge pile of leaflets to look through so I wasn't going to let a Monday stop me form doing things. I started by heading off to the Shibuya district to see the NHK Television Studios. After arriving at the station I took a detour to see first the Meiji Jingu Shrine and to walk through the Yoyogi Park. Neither were that remarkable, but for a neglected corner of the park which had a collection of trees in which were brought by competitors the last time the Olympics were in Tokyo. When I finally made I to the NHK studios, I followed the tour round, which I am sure would have been a lot more interesting if I could speak a word of Japanese!
From NHK I wondered through the shopping district to the Subway station, from which I went a couple of stops down the line. Here, I went to a free exhibition on "Intelligent Manufacturing" and state-of-the-art technology. The organiser quizzed me as to where I was from and why I was there - was pleased that I had picked up a leaflet at the tourist office as they were trying to attract foreign visitors. However, how many other people will be of the same random mindset as me, I couldn't speculate! Made an interesting diversion with a few interesting inventions there (horse riding machine, anyone?). On my way to another station I saw a sign for an art gallery which I naturally followed - went in and it was a gallery showing the life of Emperor Meiji in 80 paintings - an interesting history lesson for me!
Final stop of the day was the Roppongi Hills - a tower where there was a viewing gallery (naturally! - a few more photos for the collection) and, more importantly for me, the Mori Art Museum. The current exhibition of 36 artists from the contemporary art scene in Japan included some of the most interesting pieces I have seen in a while, including some amusing video work (karaoke classical music!) and some interesting sculptures including a city-scape made out of engine parts and a collection of Maths logic gates - I guess you had to have been there! (http://www.mori.art.museum/english/contents/roppongix02/index.html) By the time I had been round and had another look at the night-scape from the viewing area it was time for dinner so I called into a nearby restaurant before heading back to the hotel.
From NHK I wondered through the shopping district to the Subway station, from which I went a couple of stops down the line. Here, I went to a free exhibition on "Intelligent Manufacturing" and state-of-the-art technology. The organiser quizzed me as to where I was from and why I was there - was pleased that I had picked up a leaflet at the tourist office as they were trying to attract foreign visitors. However, how many other people will be of the same random mindset as me, I couldn't speculate! Made an interesting diversion with a few interesting inventions there (horse riding machine, anyone?). On my way to another station I saw a sign for an art gallery which I naturally followed - went in and it was a gallery showing the life of Emperor Meiji in 80 paintings - an interesting history lesson for me!
Final stop of the day was the Roppongi Hills - a tower where there was a viewing gallery (naturally! - a few more photos for the collection) and, more importantly for me, the Mori Art Museum. The current exhibition of 36 artists from the contemporary art scene in Japan included some of the most interesting pieces I have seen in a while, including some amusing video work (karaoke classical music!) and some interesting sculptures including a city-scape made out of engine parts and a collection of Maths logic gates - I guess you had to have been there! (http://www.mori.art.museum/english/contents/roppongix02/index.html) By the time I had been round and had another look at the night-scape from the viewing area it was time for dinner so I called into a nearby restaurant before heading back to the hotel.
1 comment:
I think Andrew has a small version of the big brown scary bear!!
Post a Comment