FROM TOKYO TO BRIGHTON

Have a look on my blog and find some pics and comments from Brighton and of my previous trips to Japan! Next departure to Tokyo is already booked... 6th september 06, Geneva Airport, 10.55 a.m... I can't wait! Don't hesitate to add some comments.

Monday, January 30, 2006

An evening in Roppongi Hills


Back again! Here, there some pics of our second trip. It was when I went to the Mori Tower, a pretty new building in Roppongi Hills. 238 meters high. I don't remember where I took those pictures actually... it's a mix between views from the Mori Tower and Tokyo Tower... anyway it doesn't really matter...

One of the main area of Tokyo, Shinjuku.


Finally! I could admire the mystic Mount Fuji. Called Fuji-San in Japanese (that we could translate by "Mr. Fuji"), the mountain is 3776 meters high which the highest in Japan. Climbing the volcano was long prohibited because it was sacred and said to be the home of the Shinto Goddess. Athought dormant for three centuries, the Japanese fear and venerate the moutnain whose anger could totally change the face of the region.

...

I saw many adverts in the subway for these twin towers, standing proudly near the Mori Tower

Even from here, everything remains mysterious.

Highway going straight to Shibuya.

Another highway dividing strictly this jungle of concrete.

Here, we can see Odaiba, which is artificial island build on Tokyo Bay mainly for the enterainments, shopping or attractions. The famous illuminations around Roppongi Hills. During Christmas time it's very pleasant to have walk there while those thousands bulbs are lightning the streets.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Japan, sept - oct 2004 (part 1)


Currently, there is only one part. What is quite paradoxal, because we stayed there about 5 weeks (our longer stay). But this time, I didn't bring any camera. I only took some pictures with my mobile I bought in Kyoto. We arrived in Osaka (Kansai Airport), went to Kyoto by train for a about a week, then go to Tokyo. There is a lot to say about this trip ( a lot of friends came this time. Us, Tim, J.P, Anthony, Serge, Maurice and his friend Dorothée). I'm waiting for further photos from my friends. So, more about Japan still to come!!!


The Fuji Crew! (me, Big Jul, Julien and Chris) Thanks to Yoshie, Chizuru and Hiro we could go to the Fuji-San for the sun rising... magnificent, unforgetable! We left Shibuya late in the night and arrived in the early morning to admire to sun coming out from the horizon. It was a kind of magic moment. During all the day we could enjoy this amazing mountain... there was no clouds it was really gorgeous. Our friends also brings us to an Onsen. We were just delighted when we were sitting on the bath gazing the mount Fuji by the huge windows. But everybody were also looking at us, maybe because we had a pink towel (intended for the women) while everybody's got a blue one... This day, we also met the greatest smoker, ever. Hiro. I don't know if he was taking part of an experience to know how many cigarettes can support a man in a day, but all I can say is that he was always smoking... Anyway, a big thanks to him! I can wait to go there again (I hope I can climb the Fuji next time!).

Julien during a fashion show. He looks great, indeed! I went to the casting with him (easy to find in the newspapers) but I've never been choose... Anyway, we had lots of fun and it was the opportunity to met new people and to discovered Tokyo from another view as well.

THE appartment in Tamachi. Both Julien, Chris, Serge and Anthony (on the sofa) stayed there but not all in the same time. It was really enjoyable and convenient. Come on! smile guys!

Our last night in Tokyo. Isn't it bar, Roppongi. With Tim drinking a tequila, he had no choice, he was forced by this girl... a real bully! what a difficult moment for him but now he's ok.

My futur car... Nissan Skyline. But for me there is only one colour for a car: black. Can't wait to drive it! (maybe I should take my driving liscence first...)

But... I was hesitating with this one even if it's a bit "too much". I think it's a Honda NSX, not sure about that.

Japan, winter 2003/04 (part 4)


That's it! The fourth and last part of our second trip.

Pictures took from the Yamanote Line.

Write a wish and attached the small piece of paper on the string. It will come true! There are plenty of Shrines and Temples in Japan. One of them is the biggest wooden construction in the world (Kyoto), really impressive.

Chûken Hachiko! The faithful dog. A morning of may 1925, Hachi accompanied his master (like every morning actually) to the Shibuya station. Unfortunately, his master, the Professor Ueno, never came back, victim of a heart attack. Despite his death, his dog still waited for him faithfuly at the station. He came and sit there several years long and got feed by the population. Hachiko became famous and many tourists came from around to see and touch him. Hachiko died the 7 march 1935, excatly in the same place where he used to wait for his master. A bronze statue was made by Teru Ando in his honnor. Now it's another statue which stand near Shibuya station carved by Takeshi Ando (Teru's son). The original one had to be melt for the need of the first war. Every 7 march there is the Chûken Hachiko Matsuri in the honnor of his fidelity and loyality.

Futur model!

Some office buildings you can see from the top of the Governemental Tower in Shinjuku (entrance free).

The Mori Tower by night, Roppongi Hills. There is an Art Gallery on the top of this building with a gorgeous panoramic view on Tokyo. The Christmas illumination in this area were particularly beautiful.

Sometimes, when you are waiting for a train, you have nothing else to do than take pictures...

Rock band in the street next to the Landmark Tower in Yokohama.

I wish I had my flat on the top of this tower, near Roppongi Hills.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Japan, winter 2003/04 (part 3)


One more part still to come.

The New Year 's night. Isn't bar in Roppongi. Amazingly it wasn't the best party I had in Tokyo. The place was really too crowded. Fortunately, Julien could enjoy this night with us. At the end of the party on the way back, we saw Antonio Nogueira (to who knows about K1). It doesn't look the biggest on a ring but in the street... he's actually.

The most amazing is that they always wake up at the good stop (that what we think at least... maybe they are sometimes totaly lost but let nothing betray their embarrassment).

The train you should take to reach Ueno from Narita (You can take the regional train as well, which is cheaper but slowier of course!). The Skyliner is the perfect instance of the japanese efficacity. Just have a look how they clean up each waggon while you're wainting on the quay. The turning seats are surprising as well. I told Chris! told you, the Skyliner does exist!

One of our greatest night in Shibuya! The Womb. What a club! Julien, Guy and me went there for the first time. After a tour around the rooms, we decided to sit at a table. What should we drink? Tequila! After 4 -5 glasses we started to feel completely at ease. The barman became our best friend and after finishing the first bottle, he offered us one more turn, nice. Before being completely drunk we talked to 3 japaneses next to our table... of course those two playboys (Julien and Guy) talked to the two women while I was talking to the only guy... (finally it was better to talk with him as I discovered he was graphic designer, like me. His site: www.tlgf.com great design!). Afterwards, we went on the dancefloor. While we were dancing, Julien and I asked each other where was Guy. We had a look to the toilets and we found him in the same position that you see in the picture... eheh! The "guards" were a bit embarrassed and wanted to take him out. What we did after some apologises to them, still very confused... Of course Guy threw up his dinner on the Wombs walls but nobody noticed it (but the day after, they surely did). As it was only 3-4 o'clock in the morning, we wait for the train in a "restaurant". Nice night where Guy showed to us (and the Womb crew) what he was able to do...

Sleepin' guy.

Before my first trip to Japan, a friend of mine told me that the sky was never blue in Tokyo. Pardon? The sky was blue, almost everyday during our winter trip. Particularly after a typhoon (but this is rather during the summer). This day in Shinjuku must have been a great day to watch the Fuji-San.

Why did Julien stay in bed almost all the time? He went to Japan three times and was ill two times... Fortunately Chizuru and Yoshie bought him this adhesive plaster to put on the front head! I don't know if he looked better but felt better, probably...

The regretted "Red Jack" in Shibuya. The first bar where we've gone, now closed. It really was a tiny pub with maybe 6 or 7 seats. I might have finish the "Get 27" bottle this night... (maybe the first and last time they saw a guy drinking this strange green liquid as they looked very surprised when I asked for some).

Waiting for the concert to start (I know I've already done it...)? No, just for my friend(s). Hachiko, saturday night. The meeting point of our each party night. It's funny how many people are talking to their friends on the phone whereas just five meters are separating them.

A very nice photography took by Big Jul.

New Year Party. We celebrated midnight in the pub (before going to a club) where was working Tomoko "the kangoo". Not much people were there but the atmosphere was great . Of course we did the famous joke which is to count 10... 9... 8... etc two minutes before midnight umh... Michael Jackson also did a short appearance (behind, on the left). Tomoko's boss said he was glad to have had us this night because we were funny (majide??)

Mr. Barman. I usually drink Whisky and coke.

The famous Bingo! I have to admit that we've cheated a little... As most of the time nodoby yelled "bingo!!", Guy (in the picture) decided to shout "bingo!!" even if it didn't get the good number picked by Tomoko... He won umh... I don't know in English (he's carrying it in the pic). Then Julien also get a gorgeous gas ligther! in the same way... sorry about that.

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Japan, winter 2003/04 (part 2)

Some new pics (eh! what a surprise!)

The quiet face the Buddha of Kamakura. We went there with Yoshie and Chizuru. Really an unforgetable day (Just a thought for Julien, who stayed in the guest house to look after our stuffs).

You can realise the size of the big bronze Buddha (I think its about 30 meters). It's possible to get inside.

Sunset in Kamakura. I'm sure there are some cleaner and more pleasant places in Japan (don't trust the picture...). Anyway, it always enjoyable to be near the sea even in Kamakura.

As you could see in the previous picture, the waves aren't huge... so I think this guy just came back home hoping for better days to come...

The NTT Tower, Shinjuku. You can notice a mosquito who tried to crashed himself in the building. Depressed?

The Bee Lounge in Shibuya. Very posh and smart. Nice place to have a drink. Similar the Insomnia Lounge. I went there with Chizuru and Yoshie (who is in the picture). I met her in a small bar next to Tama Ryokan (where we stayed for our first trip to Tokyo). The Billy's. It was small and she worked there with Go (they've been fired now). Julien and I sometimes had a drink there when we didn't want to take the train. Then we started to know her and get on well. Afterwards we had some good moment all together. She also introduce us to Chizuru. Hope to meet them again soon!

That's true... We collect what we have sowed! The use of French in Japan is sometimes quite funny! Have a look on this site (better if you understand french even if I don't always see what they mean): http://npu4.free.fr/dotclear/index.php

Landmark Tower, Yokohama. 253 meters. Quite impressive! and the lift is one the fastest in the world and you almost don't notice if it goes up or down. We went there by night and for 1000 yen you can admire Tokyo by night, not to be missed! Tokyo by day as well...

Had a late night?

It was simply the first time of my life that I saw a turning escalator. Amazing.

Watching TV while he's waiting for the train (no... this not a screen, even if we are in Japan!)

The Ten Ten guest house in Takadanobaba. Maybe one of the cheapest place where to sleep in Tokyo (about 1000 to 1500 yen per night). The comfort is rudimentary and you are quite tightened. My friends sleeped is this small room (Julien almost 2 weeks non-stop) with another guy who came from Thailand. He was working in a car factory and was here since several months. He still might be there (I hope not for him!). Anyway, if you don't want to waste money in a Ryokan or an Hotel, this place is for you! There is a kitchen too. http://www.tokyo-guesthouse.com/

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Some more of Brighton

Well, more pics of Brighton. That's it. Really don't want to write.

Bernard (our teacher - still sorry for the Albion... -), Thomas, me, Yuuuuuka!, Roger, Hyun-Jae and Yong. Our last dinner after our last lesson. We ate Chinese. I remember that I asked the waiter if they had sweet curry, he laughed on me replying me that it doesn't exist (??)... Yuka told me yes, that's why I wanna go back to Japan!

Satoshi and I after playing football. One of us is wearing the shirt of the greatest team ever. What happened with your right arm Satoshi?

Roger and Sylvain. When I watch your face Sylvain, I understand why you ordered a tee!

Thomas, me and Juliano the "Brazilian Lover"..!

In front of the famous King and Queen! I can't remember what we did after this... (why?)