Tokyo
23 Jun 2005
ASML sent us for a training to Tokyo. The decision to take two extra days off, wasn't so difficult. Tokyo: the big city, especially compared to Tokyo, Nagasaki is a very provincial town. The building where ASML has its Japan head quarters is beautiful and the view from the 22nd floor is great. Everything is modern and new, a far cry from our Isahaya office.
Together with a couple of colleagues, we went to Akihabara. An area filled with electronics shops: toys for boys. Everybody got lots of ideas, but nobody bought anything, too expensive. (See movie) The Tokyo metro system is very big and can be a bit confusing. There are hardly any ticket windows, you buy your ticket from a vending machine. Pinching ladies buttoms in a crowded metro seems to be happening so often, that there are now special cars (usually the last one in the train), where only women are allowed in during rush hour....
The Tokyo sights are spread out over a big area. So every day we try to explore one area. The park around the Imperial Palace is very extensive. You cannot see the palace, but the park is a quiet oasis in a busy city. there are lots of parks in Tokyo, and all are well kept. The homeless people have literally set up camp in a lot of parks, with tents made of blue plastic. At some places it looked like a regular campsite.
Tokyo is a mecca for the shopaholics. All major brands have a store here. Prada can be found in a beautiful glass building. In the Sony building, we first went to the top floor to enjoy coffee and a view. Then we worked our way down, while trying all kinds of new games and gadgets. The Sony dog was also there to play with.
Not every temple is surrounded by a peaceful park. The way to Senso-ji temple is paved with little shops selling all kinds of souvenirs and sweets. Once you're on the temple grounds, it is quiet. There you will also find a big pot in which they burn insence. You will always see people around the pot, waving the smoke in their direction. The insence smoke is said to have healing powers.... (see movie)
The Tsukiji fish market shouldn't be missed. So at 5:30am we were on our way. The tunas lay side by side, like giant torpedos, waiting for the man with the hook to take them away to their buyer (see movie). It is great to see the way the fish get sold. At 7 am we sit down for the freshest sushi breakfast you can imagine.
Tokyo is also a city of contrasts. Behind Harajuku station, you will find the Meiji shrine. Again a big park surrounds the shrine. But before you enter the park, you pass a group of "alternative" youths, who hang around the station, getting photographed by almost everybody who passes them by.
From the top floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building we enjoyed the sunset. A beautiful site which of course calls for a cocktail....
Together with a couple of colleagues, we went to Akihabara. An area filled with electronics shops: toys for boys. Everybody got lots of ideas, but nobody bought anything, too expensive. (See movie) The Tokyo metro system is very big and can be a bit confusing. There are hardly any ticket windows, you buy your ticket from a vending machine. Pinching ladies buttoms in a crowded metro seems to be happening so often, that there are now special cars (usually the last one in the train), where only women are allowed in during rush hour....
The Tokyo sights are spread out over a big area. So every day we try to explore one area. The park around the Imperial Palace is very extensive. You cannot see the palace, but the park is a quiet oasis in a busy city. there are lots of parks in Tokyo, and all are well kept. The homeless people have literally set up camp in a lot of parks, with tents made of blue plastic. At some places it looked like a regular campsite.
Tokyo is a mecca for the shopaholics. All major brands have a store here. Prada can be found in a beautiful glass building. In the Sony building, we first went to the top floor to enjoy coffee and a view. Then we worked our way down, while trying all kinds of new games and gadgets. The Sony dog was also there to play with.
Not every temple is surrounded by a peaceful park. The way to Senso-ji temple is paved with little shops selling all kinds of souvenirs and sweets. Once you're on the temple grounds, it is quiet. There you will also find a big pot in which they burn insence. You will always see people around the pot, waving the smoke in their direction. The insence smoke is said to have healing powers.... (see movie)
The Tsukiji fish market shouldn't be missed. So at 5:30am we were on our way. The tunas lay side by side, like giant torpedos, waiting for the man with the hook to take them away to their buyer (see movie). It is great to see the way the fish get sold. At 7 am we sit down for the freshest sushi breakfast you can imagine.
Tokyo is also a city of contrasts. Behind Harajuku station, you will find the Meiji shrine. Again a big park surrounds the shrine. But before you enter the park, you pass a group of "alternative" youths, who hang around the station, getting photographed by almost everybody who passes them by.
From the top floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building we enjoyed the sunset. A beautiful site which of course calls for a cocktail....