Articles from Chris Jongkind

Overpass, Underrated

author: Chris Jongkind : Tokyo, Japan
Wednesday, August 9th, 2006

Tokyo Rail

author: Chris Jongkind : Tokyo, Japan
Sunday, June 4th, 2006

Practical Japanese

author: Chris Jongkind : Tokyo, Japan
Sunday, February 12th, 2006

Tokyo Architecture

author: Chris Jongkind : Tokyo, Japan
Wednesday, January 11th, 2006

Tokyo Neon

author: Chris Jongkind : Tokyo, Japan
Thursday, January 5th, 2006

Overpass, Underrated

author: Chris Jongkind : Tokyo, Japan

Westernized and utilitarian to the point of being drab, the skyline and architecture of Tokyo is a bit disappointing to anyone naturally expecting an exotic and eye-catching Asian metropolis. Though if you go in search of architectural gems or lofty heights in Tokyo, you certainly can find them; the Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo Tower, City Hall, the Edo-Tokyo Museum, all are impressive via either their beauty or height. Though where the Japanese especially express themselves is in the engineering; a somewhat less eye-catching trait of course, but a key Japanese strength due to their threat from (and experience...

Tokyo Rail

author: Chris Jongkind : Tokyo, Japan

A to Z of what to expect on a Tokyo A to B The Tokyo subway trains smell. That is to say, they smell good. It’s nothing special, just the standard climate control breezing in from the ceiling. Regardless, it didn’t occur to me how great their scent is until I stepped on board, at the beginning of my second visit to the land of sumo, Sanrio, and sweet smelling subway cars. Of course, mention Japan, and most would envisage zen gardens, sushi, high-quality cars or electronics. Others may pair those nouns with their matching adjectives to describe...