New Zealand's giant rubgy ball came to Tokyo

It was part of New Zealand Tourism and World Rurby Cup 2011 promotion. In the background you can see Giant Rugby ball and people getting into it.

Inside big ball, happy tourism movie is projected on its walls. Idea and concept is really amazing. Also, all organization goes pretty smooth. I saw that many people gather everyday.

It was a bit too cold morning for Tokyo that day. Nevertheless, we were warmed by nice songs. Hear beautiful Maori language from the centre of Tokyo.


Video: Maori song performance


Image: movie is being projected on walls inside rugby ball


Image: looking up to light up Tokyo Tower

Yurikamome line in Odaiba

This is Yurikamome line in Odaiba district Tokyo. This is automatic train line, so there is no driver.

Odaiba area is an artificial island (landfill). Tourists are usually brought there and its a must see place in Tokyo. You can see there a lot of space and new construction is going on.


Video: front view while riding around Odaiba. I speeded up 8 times

It is pretty expensive to take all this line. So, what I did - I took this line till the end while standing near front window with camera in hands and then came back to previous station with following train. In Japan there is no need to pay if not getting out of station. It means that I am enjoying the ride, but in the same time not going anywhere. I also did not see any conductor, but if they requesting to show ticket and ask what is your destination, need to pay adjustment.


Image: train passes modern buildings and vast meadows

Yoyogi park musicians

There are many videos on the internet about Yoyogi park in Tokyo, but I could not resist to upload my version.

I think this is one of most interesting things to see in Tokyo. Park only gets busy during weekends. As you can see in video many foreign tourists also enjoy performances.


Video: musical activities

Here are links to some bands I could find:
Bably swing singing girl and jazzy band
Loovee they sing at the beginning and end

Asakusa and Senso-ji temple

Pretty popular place for tourists. Buildings around this area has old time feel. There are also shops with pretty decent selection of souvenirs. Not to omit rickshaw ride for those who have a little bit more free time. I did not try myself, but prices were moderate if comparing to rickshaw ride in other towns in Japan.

If you are in Tokyo, it is a good spot to visit – show yourself and see others.


Video: sights around Asakusa


Image: inside temple yard


Image: Asakusa temple another side


Image: Asakusa rickshaw

It is also place where famous Asakusa Samba Carnival is held at the end of summer.

Other
Senso-ji temple has very nice homepage, which has pages in English.

Sunshine City

View from Sunshine City tower in Ikebukuro area of Tokyo. Once this building was tallest in Tokyo. Now there are offices and shops to explore on winter days.

It was not so easy to find way to the top. I don't remember how I found, but elevators are located somewhere inside building. Special here - open air platform on the top.

SunshineCity
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Video: views from top

Interesting to see that tall buildings are located on big street sides, but inside are many small houses.


Image: Shinjuku from far distance


Image: Ikebukuro station

Access
From Ikebukuro station almost all signs and maps are pointing towards Sunshine City. It is also big shopping mall.

In Google map, I zoomed very close to the rooftop of Sunshine City. You can clearly see outside panorama platform. You can zoom out by clicking "-".


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Winter lights in Tokyo

These photos I captured just outside Tokyo station, near Imperial Palace. If you look closer in photo, you could see drawings on candles. Those were done by pupils who live in Tokyo area.


Image: Candle latterns


Image: Some of trees still have autumn colors


Image: Entrace to garden


Video: candles burning

Tokyo Midtown complex

New office and shopping space, which opened on 30th March,2007. It looks very impressive and smart. It has one big tower, gallery with shops and plaza with exibition space, cafes, restaurants etc. I wanted to see from top floor, but there was no viewing platform on top of tower, just offices. It is located in the same area as Roppongi Hills (link to post about Roppongi Hills).

Midtown
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Now Tokyo Midtown is highest building in Tokyo (245 m), but highest in Japan is Landmark tower in Yokohama.


Image: Tokyo Midtown tower, outside look

Here link for their homepage.

View from top of Roppongi Hills tower

Video: some views from Roppongi Hills tower

This is Tokyo from 53th floor. In pictures and video, you can see there center of Tokyo, Tokyo tower, Shinjuku towers. From far distance also ocean and Odaiba area. The day I visited Roppongi hill could not see so clearly, because day was a little foggy (smog).


Image: Shinjuku Skyscapers


Image: Tokyo Tower


Image: Tokyo view

Link to Roppongi Hills page (opens new window) and below is Google map of this building.


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