A Tribute to Nelson Mandela: A National Hero of South Africa and the World

On the 5th of December 2013, the world lost a hero, a hero who fights against the racism and apartheid. Yes that hero is Nelson Mandela or fondly known as Madiba in South Africa. When he was still alive in the month of July, I have managed to visit his official house at Soweto. Officially known as Nelson Mandela National Museum, Mandela's House is also located nearby to the residence of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

At that time, Madiba has just celebrated his 95th b'day.

That's me at his house

The house is a single-story red-brick matchbox built in 1945. It has bullet holes in the walls with scorch marks from Molotov cocktails' attack. (Wikipedia, 2013)

May Your Fighting Spirit Live on and be an Inspiration to everyone. No One Deserved to be Victim of Racism, No One is born Racist.

May You Rest In Peace and Be Reborn in Heavenly Realm.

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The 17th Century Nihonbashi District

Nihonbashi (日本橋) literally mean Japan Bridge, is one of famous business/financial districts in Tokyo. Historically, Tokyo in Japan grew up around the bridge which has linked two sides of the Nihonbashi River at this site since the 17th century. The first wooden bridge was completed in the year 1603, and the current bridge which was made of stone dated from 1911. The district covers a huge area to the north and east of the bridge, reaching Akihabara (North) and the Sumida River (East) adjacent to Asakusa Temple, Otemachi (West) and Ginza (South) (Wikipedia, 2013).

Several beautiful bronze statues were built on the each side of the bridge

The current bridge made of rock dated back to 1904 connects to the famous Sumida River adjacent to the Asakusa temple

Nihonbashi is also the place in Japan, whereby the Kilometer Zero is situated at. Kilometer Zero is a particular location from which distances are traditionally measured.

Kilometer Zero

As Nihonbashi is a Business/Financial District, it is also a home to several banking corporations

On the left is the Mitsui tower and the structure that resembles Greek Parthenon is the Mitsui Sumitomo Banking Corporation.  To those who have watched Hanzawa Naoki, the record breaking hit Japanese drama about a banker, this building is used as the Tokyo Chuo Bank in the drama. 

Bank of Japan

The Bank of Japan which is the central bank of Japan is also headquartered at Nihonbashi. The building was the former site of gold mint. The Neo-baroque architecture was designed by Tatsuno Kingo in 1896 (Wikipedia, 2013). 

As Nihonbashi is considered by many Japanese as a posh area, high class shopping centres are also found there. Two of the most famous are Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya. 

Mitsukoshi is an international department store chain with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. It is a subsidiary of Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, which also owns the Isetan department store chain and its parent company is the Mitsui Conglomerate Group with another famous corporations/banking such as the Mitsui Sumitomo Forestry, Mitsui Sumitomo Banking Corportation etc. 

That's me at the entrance of one of the Mitsukoshi's Department Store

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Tokyo Station @ Marunouchi Frontage

Since 2007, the Tokyo Station at the Marunouchi and Yaesu exit has been closed. At that time, I thought that those red brick structure was closed for restoration and to be turned into a museum. However, as I have heard about the news from facebook that the Marunouchi Frontage has been reopened back in October 2012 after 5 years of extensive renovation, I got rejoiced and have been looking forward to visit Tokyo Station or you would say stop and got out of the Marunouchi and Yaesu exit at Tokyo Station. 

The historic 98-year-old Marunouchi frontage of the station was restored to pre-war condition after the bombing of Tokyo during World War II had caused extensive damage to the Tokyo Station building. The vicinity of the Tokyo Station was converted into a broad plaza with walkway toward the Imperial Palace.

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Gundam Front Tokyo at Odaiba

As promise, this is a continuation of the 'Gundam Series' post after the 'Gundam RX-78-2 Revisited'. The Gundam Front Tokyo which was officially opened in the month of April 2012 situated at the Diver City, Odaiba, Tokyo.

Basically, Gundam Front is a museum all about Gundam after 30 years since its inception. 

An entrance ticket will cost  1000 yen if you purchase in advance and will cost 1200 yen if you purchase at the gate. Elementary and junior high school student will cost 200 yen cheaper while it is free for infants and toddlers

Upon entering the gate, visitors will be treated with a 15 minutes clip of all the Gundams starting from the original RX-78 until to this moment from a huge rooftop dome which is called the Dome-G. No videos or photographs are allowed in this section. After the movie, you will get to enter the main exhibition hall. The hall is divided into several sections. 

RG (Real Grade) 1/1 Scale ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam Ver.GFT

RG 1/1-life size scale of the Strike Freedom Gundam from Gundam SEED Destiny.

with a fee, you are allowed to enter to its cockpit and have your picture taken from there.

Interaction Area

One of the interesting highlights in Gundam Front Tokyo interacting section is the life size core fighter

You could also head to the character photo spot and choose your favourite character for a photo

Life size cockpit model of the first generation Gundam RX-78-2

Exhibition Hall

Not only for Gundam enthusiast but for engineering mechanics enthusiasts, this is something cool~ They are actually researching on the core for Gundam's feet

A close-up shot of the core

Just to share some of the exhibition available here, the rest is for you to explore around.

As expected, there will be a Gunpla store selling better range of Gundam Plastic Models

For Gundam Fashion enthusiasts, one could visit the Strict G which is located after the exit

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