Archive for the ‘Travel’ CategoryYurakucho Street Night SceneSaturday, July 10th, 2010During the Yurakucho is a business center brimming with suited salarymen and quite a few foreign businesses. At night the traditional old restaurants and street vendors come out and offer yakitori, grilled chicken, ramen (noodles) and anything else that goes well with beer and sake. A city where history and future all comes together in one street is how I describe Yurakucho.
In the Street…Omotesando, TokyoWednesday, June 30th, 2010Omotesando is to Tokyo as 57th street is to New York. Those that have been to NYC know what I mean. Wide streets, designer stores, models and plenty of fashion conscious Tokyoites shop Japan’s best street for high end fashion. The Omotesando area is good to walk around. The expensive brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada all have stores there. So do many international brands like The Body Shop and Zara. There are many so-trendy-that-it-hurts coffee shops and cafes dotted along the street. As a result, it’s sometimes known as “Tokyo’s Champs-Élysées”. There is affordable shopping on Omotesando, but you’d be better off darting down the side streets and lanes looking for little boutiques and shops where the locals go. The main Omotesando drag (particularly Omotesando Hills) is for those with plenty of cash to throw around. Every week there are new photos categorised by the fashion hotspots and stores around Tokyo of Shibuya, Harajuku, Ginza, Omotesando and Daikanyama.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine Grand Festival- New Photoshelter GalleryThursday, April 15th, 2010Photographs from my trip to Nikko Japan. A procession of 100 samurai warriers held at the world heritage site in Nikko City. Check out my Photoshelter Nikko Toshogu Shrine Grand Festival gallery for all the shots.
Golden Gai a Dive Bar Paradise in TokyoMonday, March 29th, 2010The last time I was in Shinjiku I stumbled upon a row of bars each with a unique colorful character. ”Golden Gai” (Golden district) is an area in Shinjuku adjacent to Hanazono Shrine and renowned with its more than 200 small bars as the place where writers, poets, manga artists and directors, actors and staff of film and theater get together, drink and talk all night. Each establishment in Golden Gai tends to have a different theme and caters to a different crowed of the artistic type. The small bars tend to be rather friendly places with a real international feeling attracting people from all over the world and Tokyo to discuss their latest projects. The origin of Golden Gai was a black market in front of the east entrance of Shinjuku railway station, which opened soon after the end of the WWII on August 15, 1945. The black market gradually turned into a district of outdoor bar stalls, but they were ordered to close by the Occupying Forces in 1949. The stalls then moved to the present Golden Gai area, which was then an empty lot overgrown with weeds and crossed by a street-car line. “Shiki-no-michi” (Four seasons alley), the walkway adjacent to Golden Gai, is the trace of railway. The bars don’t open their doors till 10pm but stay open till the early am hours. During the day Golden Gai is very photogenic. In fact the area is down right colorful. Looking at these images it’s hard to imagine how raunchy and ramshackle the place is. Golden Gai is a dive bar paradise and is very unique.
Heart of Marunouchi: International Forum in TokyoMonday, February 1st, 2010One of the coolest neighborhoods in Tokyo is Marunouchi, It’s home of the Marunouchi Building, full of expensive shops and plentiful restaurants, and the Tokyo Rail Station. It’s also home of the Tokyo International Forum, Japan’s largest congress center, is situated on the boundary between Marunouchi, Tokyo’s central business area and the Ginza shopping and entertainment district. The Tokyo International Forum is one of the city’s many architectural highlights. The tracks of Japan Railways, the city’s principal system of transportation, bounds the eastern elevation with two of the most heavily used train stations, Tokyo and Yarakucho stations, located to the north and south. The International Forum includes two theaters, one among the largest in the world, over 6,000 square meters of exhibition space, several conference rooms, restaurants, shops and other amenities. The soaring Glass Hall serves as the main reception area for the Forum. By using laminated glass the architects were able to allow sunlight into the below ground Lobby area. Laminated glass was also used for several walkways and bridges giving them the appearance of flying across space.
The plaza at the center of the complex is one of the more interesting aspects of the TIF. It serves not only as the entry point for the complex, but as a public space where one can gain refuge from the impersonal hustle and bustle of the surrounding Marunouchi area.
A list of up coming events can be found here. For example there is the Art Fair Tokyo which is scheduled in April and every first and third sunday of the month is the Oedo Antique Fair. Bo Sang Umbrella Festival in Chiang Mai ThailandTuesday, January 19th, 2010One of my favorite cultural festivals is the Bo Sang Umbrella Festival just outside of Chiang Mai Thailand to be held on January 21– 23, 2005. Watch hundreds of pretty local girls holding umbrellas in a very colorful parade followed by a beauty pageant. Bo Sang Umbrella Village is located nine kilometers east of Chiang Mai on the Chiang Mai – Sankampaeng Road. As part of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, the village has its own unique character demonstrated by its beautiful temples, fertile rice fields, traditional Northern houses, and by the simple way of life of its villagers. The whole handicraft village is beautified with Sa paper umbrellas, flowers and other handicrafts. Umbrella makers and painters hold competitions where you can see the best at work. Bo Sang umbrellas and parasols are now renowned worldwide as artistic masterpieces, as confirmed by winning the “Best Souvenir” prize at the International Tourism Seminar held in Los Angeles, USA.
Besides events related to umbrella-making, there are many other contests, exhibitions, cultural performances, local entertainment, and a variety of shows day and night. There is a grand procession of parasols and local products, a variety of handicrafts for sale, northern-style “Khan Toke” meals, and the not-to- be-missed Miss Bo Sang pageant. The festival is as much for local people as for visitors. Don’t miss it. Elephant Round-Up in Surin ThailandWednesday, January 6th, 2010The Elephant Round-up in Thailand’s Surin province in November was hard to pass up. I’m a self professed collector of elephant souvenirs….wood, metal, lacquer….I have them all. When I heard 250 Elephants would be part of the festival I jumped on the next bus leaving from Bangkok. Surin is a rarely visited province in the northeast of Thailand. But once a year, on the third weekend of November, the spotlight is directed at the province as the venue for one of the most exciting spectacles of the year-the annual Elephant Round-Up. Surin has long been associated with elephants. Walking around town you can see dozens of elephants, statues of elephants and even shrines devoted to the elephant. The locals are well recognized for their skill in capturing and rounding up wild elephants as well as training and taming them. Surin is often known as the ‘province of elephants’. The majestic Thai elephant has long been a central element in Thai culture and has held a respected place in Thai history. A symbol of power and grace, the elephant was revered by the ancient kings. Elephants have been prominently featured in Thai legend, literature, art and architecture, and during the reign of King Rama II, an image of the auspicious elephant, symbolic of the King, was featured on the flag. The majority of elephant owners and mahouts in Thailand today are descendants of the “Kui” tribe (or “Suay” in Thai). They are thought to have migrated from Cambodia to settle largely in the northeastern provinces near the Cambodian border. Known for their expertise in capturing, domesticating and training wild elephants, the life-long relationship of the mahout with his elephant is an integral element of Kui culture, tradition and the way of life. The elephant is his companion and a family member.
A tug of war between 100 people and one mighty bull elephant was naturally won by the bull elephant.
In daily life, as man and elephant depend on each other, the elephant is treated as part of the ‘family’. The everyday life of the Thai elephant and its keeper, the mahout, is the central theme of the world-famous Surin elephant round-up held annually. The majority of elephant owners and mahouts in Thailand today are descendants of the “Kui” tribe (or “Suay” in Thai). They are thought to have migrated from Cambodia to settle largely in the northeastern provinces near the Cambodian border. Known for their expertise in capturing, domesticating and training wild elephants, the life-long relationship of the mahout with his elephant is an integral element of Kui culture, tradition and the way of life. The elephant is his companion and a family member.
Part of the 8 act program included a reenactment of a Royal elephant battle between Ayotaya troop and Hong Sawadee troop.
Shichi-Go-San: Rite of Passage CeremonyMonday, December 14th, 2009Last month while strolling around Omotesando I decided to check out Meiji Shrine and by accident walked into a beautiful Japanese cultural ceremony. The shrine was crowded with people, but mostly with young children. The girl’s were dressed in beautiful kimonos with dangling decorations and flowers. Some boy’s wore traditional Japanese clothes while some wore suits. What was going on? The children stayed close to their families. Many of them took pictures, both with the child alone and together with different family members. I later found out that Mid-November marks a very special time for children all over Japan: Shichigosan, which means “Seven Five and Three†which is a coming-of-age ceremony for children everywhere, when they dress up in kimono or haori jackets and go visit a Shinto shrine with their families. On this day, prayers are offered for the healthy and happy futures of the children with large-scale coming-of-age ceremonies being held in all parts of Japan. These ages in particular are celebrated both because these years are seen as important age markers in the stages of a child’s growth and because odd numbers are seen as signs of good luck in Japan. I spent the better part the afternoon photographing the children who were more than happy to pose. It was their day to shine in their best dress.  More photos of the Shichi-Go-San festival can be found on Flickr here.
Historic Yanesen in Tokyo, JapanTuesday, December 1st, 2009There are few areas in Tokyo retain their old world charm, but the Yanesen neighborhood is one of them. They have actually succeeded in establishing Yanesen as a “brand” where visitors can experience the atmosphere of an unspoilt, traditional urban quarter. Yanaka has not changed in its essence. Many things are changing rapidly in Tokyo; however, Yanaka is one of the constant factors in the changing environment. The name Yanesen refers to the 3 connected areas of Sendagi,  Nezu and Yanaka, which can best be reached by JR yamanote-line, nippori-station. The area is rather huge and you can get lost easily. The streets are small and consistent of many back alley shops and cafes. This is the real Tokyo! While you are walking around Yanesen, you will see old temples (over a 100), traditional wooden houses, cozy, small old-styled pubs (Izakaya) with the locals enjoying a meal and a drink, kids playing in the narrow road and many people paying their respects at the temples. Yanesen is also a great place to shop for traditional souvenirs. I picked a tea pot on my last visit.
Loy Krathong Festival of Lights in ThailandMonday, November 9th, 2009If you like candles placed in colorful paper lanterns, fireworks, beautiful girls in traditional dress, parade floats, lots of food, and parties, then go see the Loy Krathong festival.  Loy Krathong has an unequalled charm and mystique, whether it is celebrated on a grand scale in a major city or quietly in a small village of just a few rude huts, but for a truly cultural experience, one of the best places in Thailand to spend Loy Krathong is easily the ancient former capital Sukhothai. The Sukhothai Loy Krathong is a three-day celebration includes Thai performing arts, music, Muay Thai demonstrations and parades. There’s a display of traditional Thai fireworks and the whole thing ends with Krathong floats being set adrift in the pools and ponds within the Sukhothai Historical Park. Loy Krathong is conceived as a renowned festival in Thailand. The word “Loy” means to float and “Krathong” is a banana leaf cup made of natural materials such as a banana trunk, banana leaves and lotus petals. It is laden with a candle, incense sticks, flowers and coins to ensure an auspicious life. People will flock to the river and then make a wish before drifting their Krathong onto the river. The floating of Krathong is intended to banish all sufferings and ask for apologies to the Goddess of the River in contaminating her waters. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha’s footprint on the bank of the Narmada River whilst others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha’s great disciples. Loy Krathong is as always commemorated nationwide during 31 October – 6 November in a different manner especially in Sukhothai, Ayudhya, Chiang Mai, Tak and Bangkok. I found the most interesting aspect of the festival to be the light and sound show, called the “Dawn of Happinessâ€, and the Miss Sukhothai Loy Krathong beauty contest.  Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, also celebrates Loy Krathong and is bigger and louder than other cities. Come to think of it I want to visit all these places in the future. More images from the Loy Krathong Festival of Lights can be found on my Photoshelter site here.
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