Lost In Translation

Shinjuku Coccon Tower

This is the base of the Shinjuku Cocoon Tower, Tokyo's version of the London Gherkin, which is still underconstruction.

Modern Architecture

This house in Nakano Sakaue has an interesting design complete with a Shinto tori gate at the entrance.

Jigenji Temple

This mural is on the wall outside Jigenji Temple near Nakano Sakaue station.

Fukutoshin Subway Line

This month will see the opening of Tokyo's newest subway line.  Here's an article from Metropolis about it:

More than 80 years after Tokyo’s first subway line opened between Asakusa and Ueno, the last major underground railway debuts as Tokyo Metro unveils the Fukutoshin line on June 14. First planned back in 1985, the Fukutoshin will travel 8.9 kilometers from Ikebukuro to Shibuya, with six stations in between. It connects with the Tobu Tojo, Seibu Yurakucho and Seibu Ikebukuro lines, and through service is planned with the Tokyu Toyoko line at Shibuya for 2012, completing a broad rail network linking southwestern Saitama with central Tokyo and Yokohama. 

Being promoted under the dubious slogan of “Subways that harmonize with towns and are loved by people along the line,” the Fukutoshin (the name means “subcenter”) is the ninth subway line to be operated by Tokyo Metro Co Ltd, which currently carries 5.9 million passengers a day along 195.1 kilometers of track via 179 stations. By comparison, the city’s other subway system, the metropolitan government-run Toei network, transports 2.03 million passengers daily and has 109 kilometers of track and 106 stations on its four lines.  

Suidobashi Matsuri

There was a matsuri (festival) going on in Suidobashi right out in front of Nihon University's Law campus where I was teaching an intensive three day Golden Week English course. It was kodomo no hi (children's day also known as boy's day, but I'm not sure that was the reason for the festival.

Shinjuku View

This new building houses CITIBANK among other clients in Shinjuku near the South Exit.

Itabashi Yakitoriya

This is a tasty little yakitoriya thats on the way to Tobu Nerima station in Itabashi where Daito Bunka's Tokyo Campus is located.

The Guardian's Top 10 Izakayas

This from the travel section on Tokyo in The Guardian that I stumbled across:

Top 10 izakayas in Tokyo, The alternative to formal dining, Tokyo's fast food izakayas are lively, tasty and pocket-friendly. Kate Graham picks the city's best bar eats

This is one of my favorites:

2. Buri, Ebisu

Part of a Tokyo-wide chain, this always-busy standing bar keeps things simple. Just 25 people can squeeze around the sleek circular bar, mostly hip Ebisu locals who come for the drink and stay for the food. Specialising in one-cup sake from around Japan, the friendly staff help navigate you through the endless varieties on offer. Meanwhile the smoke from the grilled dishes tempts you to dive into the extensive menu. Fish, meat and vegetable dishes start from £1.90.

· 1-14-1 Ebisu-Nishi; +81 3 3496-7744

And I've been to this one as well:

9. Gonpachi. Nishi-Azabu

A Tokyo institution. Rumoured to have inspired Tarantino's Kill Bill massacre scene, the imposing double height dining room, styled like an open-air courtyard, now rings with the more benign shouts of serving staff to chefs and the welcoming call to customers. An extensive menu includes yakitori, soba noodles and tempura. Prices start from £1.50 per dish. Reservations a must.

· 1-13-11 Nishi-Azabu; +81 3-5771-0170

I guess I need to seek out the others someday.

Hie Shrine

Last week after the Kojima Family Shinenkai we went into Tokyo to visit Hie Shrine in Akasaka.

Good luck arrows are being blessed by the shrine attendants here.

Kamiyacho

I attended a wedding for my friends Miho and Tony yesterday and went to Kamiyacho for the wedding. It was a bit nostalgic since I used to work there when I worked for Simul Academy six years ago. This interesting building is at the intersection near St. Andrews Church, where the wedding was.

The ubiqutious Tokyo Tower.