Anyone Rest Room
Originally uploaded by weheart
19 September 2007
Nikkoriffic
So we did our first side trip with Yuri and her Husband Toshi. We took the train to Nikko, about two hours outside of Tokyo. It was a pretty amazing place.
Our first stop was Rinnoji Temple. Supposedly it's a pretty important place as it's the temple where a monk first introduced Buddhism to Nikko. We took a stroll though the garden and fed some creepy koi.
Then, out of nowhere, this giant flying beast landed on Yuri's finger. Nicole was pretty scarred, but I made sure it didn't hurt her.
We went to several temples, honestly I really need to read up on them to understand as most of the information was in Kanji or Katakana or whatever, so I'm not gonna even try to tell you their significance. What I can say is that seeing the sizes of these places and the craftsmanship that went into each building is a really inspiring sight. I mean, you see places like this on the Discovery channel, et al, but you don't really get the scale or beauty of it until you finally see them in person. So there. Now some pics...
Yuri and Toshi
Me and Cole
We did get to see the wood carved panel of the Hear No Evil... Monkeys
One of these temples had some "games", basically little things you can do to see if you are lucky or not. There was one that was like the ring toss at the dirty fair. Nicole got two out of three, apparently that is REALLY good. I didn't get any, but I'd rather not talk about it.
After that, we had some a traditional Niko meal, I don't wanna talk about that either.
After lunch we went up this cable car to check out some waterfalls. Got to see some monkeys too, that was pretty cool. Here are some more pics.
Still trying to catch up, lots more to come.
Nicole made funny
today nicole made up a joke...
Q: Why don't the Japanese ride their bikes fast?
A: 'Cause they're not Russian.
Q: Why don't the Japanese ride their bikes fast?
A: 'Cause they're not Russian.
14 September 2007
nakameguro II
After Utrecht we explored the neighborhood a bit more. It's actually a really amazing place. Way more mellow than downtown Tokyo or the major shopping districts. Has a bit of a DIY feel, not unlike the Mission in SF.
We found a couple cool little shops that were still open. One of which was Nicole's favorite, It's called 'Hand Made', and you guessed it, everything is hand made.
Wandered around a bit more and found some rad art by Neckface, Faile and Kami.
Kami Piece in Nakameguro
Faile Stencil (I have this shirt!)
We found a couple cool little shops that were still open. One of which was Nicole's favorite, It's called 'Hand Made', and you guessed it, everything is hand made.
Wandered around a bit more and found some rad art by Neckface, Faile and Kami.
Kami Piece in Nakameguro
Faile Stencil (I have this shirt!)
Then we went to dinner, uh, well, they forgot my order and the kitchen was closed. Gaijin haters.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
13 September 2007
Utrecht
After Keirin and a little rest we headed to Utrecht, a used and rare art book store that I have known about for some time.
A couple of years ago I can across Utrecht's site on a quest for a book about Dick Bruna's Pocket book covers. That's when I met Hiroshi Eguchi via email. He hooked me up with the book and a few others. We've kept in contact ever since, so I made it a point to visit his shop, not such and easy task.
We took the subway to Naka-Meguru about 2 hours early since we thought we might walk around a bit.
Turns out we needed most of that time just to find the place. You here about tiny shops in apartment buildings, well, this was one.
After trudging about the neighborhood in the rain and asking several people, we found the tiny apartment in a nondescript building. When the door opened and we were greeted by Hiroshi-San's staff, we were instantly in book heaven.
He had amazing things, books from all over the world, and stuff you only see on websites. It could easly be a design books museum. He also pulled out original posters by Celestino Piatti, Wim Crouwel, Armin Hoffman, Dick Elffers and the like. He had so many great books.
Nicole was a bit jealous when he pulled out a couple of scrap books from a trip to Prauge. Some of the most amazing Matchbook, Luggage and Wine labels you have ever seen.
Turns out Hiroshi-San is a busy man as well. He's edited several books and provided content for others. He edited the Japanese version of Paul Rand's Listen Listen as well as some of his own releases through Utrecht.
After an hour of chatting and some great trades (Original Sutnar brochures for some 1950's idea magazines and a bunch of other design swag), we headed out. Hiroshi-San actually invited us back at the end of the week to meet the guy who publishes Glyph books (the original Dick Bruna book I had initially contacted Hiroshi about). Looks like we may head back this saturday.
BTW, Hiroshi-San is one of the most gracious and kind people we have met so far. His staff was great too, they made us a custom Utrecht bag for all of our goodies.
Next up, a little more on Naka-Meguru
A couple of years ago I can across Utrecht's site on a quest for a book about Dick Bruna's Pocket book covers. That's when I met Hiroshi Eguchi via email. He hooked me up with the book and a few others. We've kept in contact ever since, so I made it a point to visit his shop, not such and easy task.
We took the subway to Naka-Meguru about 2 hours early since we thought we might walk around a bit.
Small street in Megura Ku
Turns out we needed most of that time just to find the place. You here about tiny shops in apartment buildings, well, this was one.
The Hallway to the Utrecht store.
After trudging about the neighborhood in the rain and asking several people, we found the tiny apartment in a nondescript building. When the door opened and we were greeted by Hiroshi-San's staff, we were instantly in book heaven.
He had amazing things, books from all over the world, and stuff you only see on websites. It could easly be a design books museum. He also pulled out original posters by Celestino Piatti, Wim Crouwel, Armin Hoffman, Dick Elffers and the like. He had so many great books.
Nicole was a bit jealous when he pulled out a couple of scrap books from a trip to Prauge. Some of the most amazing Matchbook, Luggage and Wine labels you have ever seen.
Turns out Hiroshi-San is a busy man as well. He's edited several books and provided content for others. He edited the Japanese version of Paul Rand's Listen Listen as well as some of his own releases through Utrecht.
After an hour of chatting and some great trades (Original Sutnar brochures for some 1950's idea magazines and a bunch of other design swag), we headed out. Hiroshi-San actually invited us back at the end of the week to meet the guy who publishes Glyph books (the original Dick Bruna book I had initially contacted Hiroshi about). Looks like we may head back this saturday.
Nicole and Me in Utrecht's space
Hiroshi-San and Me pose infront of books I'd like to take home.
BTW, Hiroshi-San is one of the most gracious and kind people we have met so far. His staff was great too, they made us a custom Utrecht bag for all of our goodies.
Our Pile of goodness from Hiroshi-San. Some Glyph books and a few vintage IDEA magazines (next to impossible to find in the US. Oh, and the cool little canvas bag they made us.
Next up, a little more on Naka-Meguru
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