TOKYO: AESTHETICS & ARCHITECTURE

Contemporary Japan has its own unique aesthetics and architecture; this was the focus of our last tour in Tokyo with Context. Our guide was Jay, who holds a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Tokyo and is an ex-pat from the US. Before settling in Japan 25 years ago, Jay spent time in Syria, Russia, and the UK. The quality of the Context guides continues to impress me.

We met up with Jay in the Harajuku district, famous for its cutting-edge fashion retail. As an urban planner, Jay emphasized that there aren't many regulations concerning preservation or architectural design. There are some height limitations, but if you own the land, you have significant freedom in what you can do.

We also had the chance to visit another large torii at the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji. The original shrine was destroyed during the war, but it was later rebuilt. Notably, the construction uses no nails or screws; the pieces are assembled like a large Lego structure.

We took some time to explore Omotesando Hills, a building that stretches over several blocks, built in 2005 and designed by Tadao Ando. Although the building is quite remarkable, it replaced a 1927 apartment complex that survived the war but was demolished for the sake of progress. The old complex was beloved for its street-friendly porches and front yard areas. The images below show the new building on the left, while a preserved façade from the old complex is visible on the right.

Numerous prominent designer brands display their names on the facades of impressive buildings, where the architecture serves as an extension of the luxury brand. I was pleased to discover Brunello Cucinelli, and the strength of the dollar helped ease the cost of jeans there. The architect designed the Bottega Veneta building to envelop the Hugo Boss one.

The building on the left below has wood planks and given the cedar forest and wood available in Japan, there is not much wood seen in any of the larger structures. Then this ugly building squeezed in next to it!!

The glass building on the left is Dior, which was fascinating to see. However, be aware that the floors do not correspond to the window placement. Meanwhile, the old building on the right has been preserved and is now surrounded by the modern glass structure.

And finally, we found Barneys "Tokyo", which is thriving and a handsome model standing outside waiting for his Jewish doctor!!!

In summary, our exploration of Japan was remarkably thorough. As it was our first trip to Asia, selecting Singapore and Japan seemed like wise choices. These are developed nations with societies renowned for their civility and politeness. I must say, the gardens and natural scenery were breathtaking, and their beauty is perhaps my most significant takeaway. The people were kind and respectful; their culture and way of life have developed over many centuries, and they certainly know how to interact with one another. The infrastructure was impressive, featuring ferries, bullet trains, a subway system, and skyscrapers. The cuisine wasn't a highlight for us since Scotty isn't fond of sushi or raw fish, but it was intriguing to observe what they eat in the blue zone that keeps them so vibrant and healthy; no cheesy lasagna!

We would love to return to Japan, but next time in autumn, to witness the beautiful Japanese maples as they change colors in the fall.

The next blog will be from Italy in September, where we will revisit Venice, then head up for a hiking trip with Backroads in the Dolomites, followed by visits to Padua, Bologna, Milan, and Lake Como.

Your humble scribe and travel blogger,

Chuck