re:NEWed Tokyo station

  In this 1st October 2012, Tokyo station, now is an important cultural properties of Japan, gets renewed its posture as the first model.

Tokyo station, Marunouchi-side, built in 1914 as a gateway of  Tokyo. It's designed by Manji Kasai and Kingo Tatsuno who is the father of Japanese modern architectures. This first model had two dome roofs with Renaissance style, and three floors with beautiful red bricks with Victorian-Gothic style. Then, in WWII, 25th May, 1945, American bombs struck and was detonated some parts of the Tokyo station. It caused reconstruction of it as minimizing a number of the floor and wiped the dome roofs away. Because of Japan's gigantic growth, the Tokyo station had been getting bigger, connecting with the Tokyo's growth as its economy and population.

 At 2006, a project has started. The project is called "Tokyo Station City" and it's all about a redevelopment around the Tokyo station. Then Hotels, department stores, underground and the station it-self has been renewed and still are going in. And as I already mentioned, the main event of the project is ready. Before its grand opening, the beautiful classic Tokyo station has been revealed. So, now you may see the outline of the station and feel the good old days.

Hian Aoyama : Paper-Cutout Artist

 There are some persons who work well and are well known all over the world, despite their own country's people doesn't know it. When you notice the persons, you may be inspired a lot and even encouraged by them.

 "Hina Aoyama" who is one of them to give you some impressions on what she does. She, is a paper-cutout artist, gets well deserved reputation in France and also EU but not in Japan. The pieces are so sensitive, feminine, technical, and of-course marvellous figures. Once you give a glimpse on them, you simply are captured. Therefore you would understand that she's been awarded over the EU. However now Japanese gets an opportunity to know how she is good. In October, she will be held her exposition at Tokyo and Kyoto. Yes, the opportunity is around the corner, so check the world class art-works.

Exposition Information

17th October to 23rd October, 2012 @ Isetan Shinjuku, Tokyo

19th October to 10th December, 2012 @ Kodaiji (Temple), Kyoto

Hina Aoyama Official WEB-site (Japanese or French) : http://www.hinaaoyama.com/

Hina Aoyama Official BLOG (Japanese) : http://ameblo.jp/hinaaoyama/

Summer Event at TV stations

 Fire-works is one of huge summer event in Japan as its tradition. On a contrary,  there is a new tradition here, especially at Tokyo. 

 Tokyo has all "key" TV stations which provide basic TV programs. Other areas have "local" TV stations which have contracts with the key stations; usually 1 local station has a network contract with 1 key TV station except some super suburbs have 2 keys sometimes. That's the Japan's TV network system as a terrestrial television; of-course there are satellites, cables and web but it's not main streem. The system put more importance to Tokyo, because TV still controlls people in here anyway. And it's easy to understand why the Keys have such huge constructions their own in Tokyo. So, around their vast properties they can  provide huge events over 6 week straight. Such as inviting famouse musicians, restaurants, shops and to sell their own products. That's fun for someone who loves TV, because you may see some TV stars or musicians and buy your favourite TV program's goods. Moreover you may have enjoyable memories in summer. Sounds good, doesn't it?

 And following links are the Key TV station's event WEB-site(Japanese only).

NHK: http://www.nhk.or.jp/studiopark/
Nippon TV : http://www.ntv.co.jp/shiodome/event/2012shiohaku/
TV Asahi : http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/hq/
TBS : http://sacas.net/
Fiji TYV : http://www.fujitv.co.jp/uso2012/index.html