2000-08-17 Tokyo 25 pictures and history
2000-08-17 up ; 25 pictures of Tokyo in one
day
There occurred need to go Imperial Hotel
at Yuraku-cho, meeting a person who stay
that hotel at noon. These 25 pictures were
taken at that occasion from the start, train,
Yurakucho, Imperial Hotel, Shibuya (to see
a exhibition) , and subway from 10:30 am
to 15:30 pm.
1. Famous footbridges; this is a culture of Japan. Many pedestrian
don't like a footbridge like these duly,
but near big intersection of the suburbs
there are many footbridges. At the down town,
footbridge is very difficult to find.
2.This is a typical station, where taxi station is annexed. Minimum
cost of taxi drive is about 660 yen (about
1.6km).
3. Railway system of Tokyo is very convenient and effective. Metro(subway)
lines are interconnected with private railway
companies lines or JR(Japan Railway) line.
They use each other trains, and passengers
are not required to change train even in
case they use two different companies. Minimum
fare of Metro is 160 yen, and in this case
to go Yuraku-cho is 230 yen, about 40 minutes
ride of 20km.
4. Inside subway; inside train of subway is clean and comfortable
with air conditioning, except commuting time
from 7:30-9:00 am.
5. Building of First Life Insurance Company near Imperial palace. This is a historical
building, where GHQ (General Headquarters
of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers)
was situated. Mr. Taizo ISHIZAKA was a president
(1938-1946) of that company. General Douglas
MacArther(1880-1964) was a Supreme Commander
from August 30, 1945 to April, 1951 in occupied
Japan.
6. A moat of the Imperial Palace; name of Tokyo (formerly Edo) was adapted
in year 1868. The Imperial Palace was moved
from Kyoto in year 1869, and it situated
at old Edo castle, where the Tokugawa shogunate
lived.
7. Hibiya park: This is the biggest park (ca. 16 ha) in
down town. Formerly was an inlet of Tokyo
bay at early Edo period, and it was designated
as a park in year 1889.
8, 9, 10, 11. Miniature Statute of Gojira; Gojira is a
star of Japanese SF monster movie in year
1954 of Toho Motion Pictures Co. The story
was as follows; Gojira was sleeping in the
deep sea's cavern from ancient times, and
then awoke by hydrogen bomb experiments.
Gojira landed from Tokyo bay, and destroy
down town Tokyo, discharging high temperature
radiation ray. After returning to sea, Gojira
was killed by new chemical, oxygen destroyer,
invented by Dr. Serizawa. Special effects
director of the film was Mr. Eiji Tsuburaya,
who became a legend in this field, making
famous TV series Ultra-man.
12, 13. Copperplate hand prints of Movie Stars on
pavement; This is the same as those of Hollywood.
This area is owned by Toho Motion Pictures,
some entertainment conglomerate. Mr. Shinaro
KATSU (1931-1997)was a late famous star,
who portrayed Yakuza (gang star) or outlaw
(Zato-ichi, 26 series picture was made on
this theme), and his private life was also
very colorful one.
14, 15, 16, 17, 18. The Imperial Hotel; This is the most prestigious
hotel in Japan, set up in year 1987 (Meiji
20) by Mr. Eiichi SHIBUZAWA and Kihachiro
OKURA. Frank Lloyd WRIGHT(1867-1959) made
a design of new building (open in year 1923),
which was destroyed in year 1967. Present
number of guest room is 1140.
19. Yuraku-cho Sogo Department store; Sogo was bankrupted on July 13, 2000, with
debt of about 2 trillion yen (2 billion US$),
although stores themselves are open around
Japan.
20. A view of Tokaido Shinkansen Train from Yuraku-cho JR station; This is a super
rapid train, maximum speed of about 300 km
per hour.
21. A view of Tokyo International Forum building; This forum building was build on the site,
where Tokyo Metropolitan Government once
situated. Now Metropolitan Government Office
building is situated at Shinjuku-area.
22. A statue of dog( faithful dog Hachi-ko)at
Shibuya JR station; This is a symbol of Shibuya area,
where many people meet by appointment. Hachi-ko
(1923-1935)was a Akita-dog, who was kept
by late Prof. Eizaburo UENO (University of
Tokyo) from year 1924 to 1925 when he died.
During two year, Hacho-ko escorted him between
his home and Shibuya station in the morning
and evening. Hachi-ko was seen at Shibuya
station after Prof. Ueno death until his
death in year 1935. Bronze statue of him
was made. I remember to see a movie of him
long time a go. At the time Shibuya was calm
residential area, but now are town of young
people.
23, 24. Shibuya. Everywhere young people are seen.
25. Subway. This is a typical subway station.
