Marunouchi Brick Square – Christmas 2011
If there is anything you can say for certain about the Japanese it is that they love light decorations! Here’s the recently put up Christmas decorations for one of the most beautiful places in Tokyo, the Marunouchi Brick Square. I have blogged about this place before, and again, and once more, but I really can’t get enough of it so here’s 8 photos I took last night. This place has a few excellent restaurants and cafes as well as some fashion and interior decoration boutiques, all quite expensive but it is a joy to go window shopping here. I took these photos with a handheld camera, so please forgive the blurry shots and the poor lighting! This place is a must see if you happen to visit Marunouchi, which is just on the side of Tokyo station and also the financial heart of Japan.
Tokyobling's Blog 
wow some buildings from back in the early days and some modern ones all mixed into one 🙂 i’d be lost lol 🙂
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And lost I was! In the beginning I had to use a compass to navigate my way around the streets of Tokyo. This was way before smart phones… or even i-mode…!
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I noticed that a lot of the roads all curve one way or another, wondering if the city planners did that for any particular reason? 🙂
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Ah, you mean the foot paths? It’s part of the garden feature, I know it’s impossible to understand from looking at the pictures alone, but Brick Square is a former back yard turned into a square with four narrow exits, creating a “walled garden effect. About half of the square is taken up a paved area with a flower fountain and benches, the other half is two-three foot paths paved with bricks winding through a garden filled with art and trees. I guess the winding is to make it more “strolling friendly” and to make people slow down and enjoy the refreshing inner city garden! Here’s a Japanese blog that has a photo of the garden layout map, 9th photo from the top.
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Neat! thanks! that’s a good point, if they made it a straight line people would zip right across and not really enjoy the beauty of the place. Especially this day and age where people look at their smart phones more than around huh? 🙂
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Exactly! And I might be guilty of that smart phone stuff too! (^-^;)
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Blurry shots and poor lightning? Pft! These are perfect the way they are. I’m definitely going to sit in one of those under the tree bench when I visit Tokyo. Has anyone contact you to make postcard out of these?
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Haha… thanks Penman! You might find me already sitting there! It is lovely in the summer! Nope, a lot of people use my photos but very few actually ask. It would be a nice post card. Do people still send post cards? (^-^;)
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Actually, I do (still send postcards). I have a friend who has a thing for postcards, so since I travelled quite a bit before, I always made sure I send one out.
Fully agree with Penman – blurry shots, poor lightning?! Seriously, mate?! 🙂 To me, this looks like a movie set. Quite magic, mysterious and lovely.
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Thanks for your kindness Irina!
Sounds like a cool friend! Yes – the place itself is magic in the evening and lovely at daytime. Can’t get enough of it. Next time I’ll bring a proper stand and set up to take real photos. Maybe when it is not so dark outside. Or int he early morning!
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nice place… nice taste for decorations.. but still I can’t get the idea that Christmas is already here… nooo! Give me some more time!
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Haha… it gets earlier every year, doesn’t it? Another good thing about living in Japan, Japanese Christmas!
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I like the shots, it feels like there is movement to it. It may have a different quality, but I think that makes it unique. I sort of feel like I’ve walked that path. Maybe that’s why gets déjà vu sometimes. I really like the holiday season too.
You know the thought of lights and holiday was a nice pick-me-up for what was a terrible day for me.
Thanks my friend. 😀
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Oh, and I am checking out Galaxy 999, it’s pretty interesting. I love retro 70’s (actually most retro is intriguing to me). I’m a fan of the first and second series of Lupin the III, the third I wasn’t as enamored, but that’s just my taste, and it didn’t stop me from watching it. I can also see how more modern anime was really influenced by Galaxy 999, as well as Lupin. Thanks for turning me on to a new anime (gosh I’ll never leave the house at this rate).
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It’s a fantastic anime! I don’t know if Lupin came before or after Galaxy Express 999 but they are all from the golden age of anime! Very retro!
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Lupin came first, but the first season wasn’t so popular. It was a little darker but it’s one of my favorites, but they retooled it and made it slightly more comical. I like the Japanese version far more than the dub. It’s so hard to do a really good dub.
I think the first Galaxy 999 came a few years after. The kid has an interesting look, it sort of reminds me of H.R. Purnstuf. It was a little before my time, but I’ve seen the reruns in the 80s and it freaked me out to no end. A lot of those shows are scary to five year olds.
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Yes, I was terrified of Galaxy Express 999 when I saw it the first time. It was so massively sad, with a huge train moving through space without any obvious destination, the ghost conductor and the orphan kid… Still, I couldn’t help watching it! (^-^;)
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I think it’s the story line that is so gripping. I love that anime doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to make it seem immature because it’s a cartoon. It’s such a wonderful visual media.
That said, I am questioning whether I should watch it at nights, because I’m likely to incorporate it into my dreams. Yeeeesssshhhh, over active imagination.
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Hahaha… talk about feeding your imagination! No diets please! (^-^;)
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Oh that’s one thing that never seems to be quite satisfied, my imagination. It’s the best way to keep me sane/entertained. OK, I’m going to get in an episode before Aibou comes on. I’m not sure what to do after that….
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Thank you for the kind comment D! Glad you enjoyed the post. Hopefully today will be better! (It’s morning here in Japan)
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Aaa, backagain..kind of..with a still sleepy had =_=
And now for the comment: I want to spend my christmas days here *_* (and fear me I’m gonna come and reply all the posts! Mwahaha – Evil laugh – after I woke up >.o)
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Haha… Welcome back again Timi! (^-^;)
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