/categories/unsorted/ Recent content in unsorted on Tokyo, endless city Hugo -- gohugo.io en Sat, 18 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/pepper/ Sat, 18 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/pepper/ This cafe in Tokyo is staffed by a fleet of Pepper robots. Three behind the reception counter and maybe a half dozen wandering the floor. They do avoid the creepiness factor of some more anthropomorhic models and have a certain cuteness, but occasionally their sidelong glances as you walk past do give the impression they are a little sad. /posts/redandblackdoor/ Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/redandblackdoor/ You never know what will catch your eye off the beaten track in Tokyo. We came across this on a wonderful Photowalk with photographer and long-term Tokyo resident Lee Chapman. His much more interesting take on the same scene can be seen here. /posts/linklookson/ Sun, 29 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/linklookson/ The official Tokyo Nintendo store just before Christmas. I suppose it was a bit daft to think we would be able to get in without a wait. But a four hour queue! Nah. At least we could see into the store and got this shot of a larger than life Link looking a bit bored if I’m honest. /posts/sunrise01012023/ Sat, 28 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/sunrise01012023/ We were lucky enough to have a wonderful view of the first sunrise of 2023 from the window of our hotel room. A fine way to spend a few minutes thinking about what the year ahead will bring. /posts/watergatemechanism/ Wed, 25 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/watergatemechanism/ Along the Sumida river there are a number of gates that can be raised or lowered. Sometime the hardware and mechanisms are visible and, as ever in Japan, are clean and well maintained, as well as being fascinating. Not for everyone I guess, but I like these kind of things. /posts/yaki-imovan/ Tue, 24 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/yaki-imovan/ One evening, walking towards Ningyocho, we heard the cry “Yaki Imo, Yaki Imo, Yaki Imo” and after a couple of blocks happened across this guy selling baked sweet potatoes from a wood burning oven on the back of his van. I do hope it was nowhere near the fuel tank. We heard him later on as he passed the izakaya we were in. A wonderful sight, sound and smell. /posts/metro-seats/ Mon, 23 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/metro-seats/ There is something about the classic simplicity of design of this row of seats in the Tokyo metro. There is something also about the way many stations and lines like to have them coloured to their own brand. /posts/dognarrowplace/ Fri, 20 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/dognarrowplace/ I love narrow places, and Tokyo is full of them. The gaps between building are often too narrow to pass through. Many are blocked off, a lot contain detritus and weeds, a few, like this one, just make me smile. /posts/mukojimarouteatnight/ Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/mukojimarouteatnight/ Looking down on part of the Mukojima Route Expressway as it heads south-west towards Tokyo Tower from the massive Harozaki Junction. /posts/202212-shibuyacrossing/ Tue, 17 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000 /posts/202212-shibuyacrossing/ Shibuya scramble crossing on a bright and sunny December day in 2022.