Roppongi Hills 2014 Christmas Market

My wife and I took a walk over to the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market to check out the festivities. Just as in previous years this market was busy, full of Christmas decorations and ornaments for sale, and beer and German treats to eat and drink.

Before we arrived at the market we were greeted by this enormous upside-down Christmas tree. The market itself is not that large with a few shops selling handmade German decorations and the remaining space taken by the seating. These shots were taken by my positively ancient but well performing 24 mm f2.0 AI Nikkor.

Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 400, 1/100 sec.

Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 400, 1/20 sec.

Roppongi Hills at Night

Just a night shot of Roppongi Hills that I took in October 2013.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.0, ISO 400, 1/25 sec.

Tokyo Tower from Roppongi Hills

Just a quick snap from the pedestrian walkway that passes over the tunnel from Roppongi Dori through Roppongi Hills to Azabu Juban and Akabanebashi. The sky was clear and the sparkling lights from Tokyo Tower caught my eye. Too bad and perhaps a little lucky that I didn't set the “Non-CPU Lens Data” feature of my Nikon correctly. The slightly longer than normal exposure turned darkness practically into daylight. However, my slightly obsessive nature is upset that the EXIF data is incorrect and states that I used my 85-mm f1.4 AIS instead of my 24-mm f2.0 AI.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 400, 1.6 sec. UNCROPPED

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 400, 1.6 sec. CROPPED

Warhol and Soup Dress

On 1 February, the "Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal" exhibition opened at the Mori Art Museum and will continue until 6 May 2014. It looks to be quite the comprehensive exhibition with nearly 700 pieces and is being touted as the largest ever Warhol exhibition presented in Japan.

I am not sure if this Campbell Soup dress in the Paul Smith Shibuya store window was just a coincidence. Although this dress is not what I would call beautiful, the woman that has the confidence to wear this piece of pop art would definitely be interesting and make quite an impression.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 200, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 200, 1/60 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 200, 1/40 sec.

Outside the Sauna

On Halloween I was walking through Moto-Azabu to catch up with my children who started trick-or-treating without me, and I stopped to take this photo of Roppongi Hills outside the Chinese Embassy. The neon lights of the sauna across the street seemed to go compliment Roppongi Hills and the other street lights.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4, ISO 1600, 1/20 sec.

Sakura and Roppong Hills Residences

Before I went to Aoyama Cemetery, I made a quick stop at Roppongi Hills.

Roppongi Hills Christmas Lights

Christmas has come and past in Tokyo, and I almost forgot to post photos of the lights at Roppongi Hills.  My editing skills are either weak, or I have a problem sharing.  Anyway, it's your choice to surf through my site.  For this post, I'll keep the text at a minimum.

There's a strange wall of light in the the garden in from of the TV Asahi Building.

This a small but but properly decorated tree in front an Indian restaurant called Diya.  The food there is good, but do they decorate the place for Diwali?

This must be the proper place to stand when taking photos...

This is the rose themed tree in the central plaza.

There's a great view of Tokyo Tower and the illuminated tree lined street from the pedestrian bridge.

I liked how the taxi driver's face was illuminated.

The lights added a festive aura to this shopper.

This unusual CFL lit tree was in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt at Roppongi Hills. I thought it was classy and modern with sense of humor. My co-worker thought that it may be inspired by Dan Flavin.

Sample capsule

On Roppongi Dori in front of Roppongi Hills is a restored example of the Metabolism Movement.  This sample is from the Nakagin Capsule Tower (completed in 1972) designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa.  According to the information posted on the side of this specimen, one of these capsules could be built for the cost of a compact car.

If you are interested in learning more, the Mori Art Museum at Roppongi Hills is holding an exhibit, METABOLISM: The City of the Future, until 15 January 2012.

There are efforts in progress to tear this unique structure down, so if I am in Shimbashi I'll make an extra effort to visit. You can still see it on Google Street View...

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Big Taiyaki at Tokyo Taiyaki

There's a more modern, sort of fast food but good taiyaki place in Roppongi Hills.  It's called Tokyo Taiyaki.  I have visited it several times before with my son and daughter, but this time they were featuring kabocha filling.

Is this fashion?

I was in Roppongi Hills in April and saw this mannequin on display at the Addidas store, and thought that this track suit and shoes were utterly horrible. If anyone feels otherwise, please post a comment and explain to me why one would pay for and wear this outfit.

Bamboo Shoots - Takenoko - in Roppongi Hills

It's funny what you will find in a big city especially Tokyo.  It seems that I have under estimated the appeal of takenoko or bamboo shoots especially in the spring when they are being harvested.  Understandibly, those shoots sprouting in gardens, and plots in the suburbs are being harvested by the farmers and gardners who prize this spring treat. 

One would think that in an ornamental garden, the sprouting bamboo shoots would be safe.   However, outside the five-star Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills the staff are ever vigilant and have posted a sign to remind those who favor this spring delicacy from helping themselves.