Night at Asakusa Shrine

Asakusa shrine, a shrine that I made a promise to myself that I will return to pay a visit, pray and donate to this shrine whenever I manage to visit Tokyo. Since the year 2007, I have been visiting this shrine at least once per year. My all time favourite spot to visit, I have decided to visit it during late evening for a beautiful night photography. It was cold in the January winter, however the it paid off the effort. Well that's my first travel of year 2014 after all.

Kaminari-mon aka the thunder gate aka the main entrance of Asakusa Shrine. This spot is one of the most popular spot as local and foreign visitors and tourists will halt for a photo in front of the huge lantern

The lively and crowded Nakamise-dori aka the shopping street that leads toward the Asakusa Shrine was empty and deserted at night. Such a a different atmosphere.

Night Photography of the The Hozomon aka the Treasure Gate and the Pagoda

The main prayer hall  (Hondo) of Asakusa Shrine. There were some visitors/devotees who still visited and prayed in front of the hall.

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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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Life Size Gundam RX-78-2 Revisited

It was about a year ago when I visited this life size gundam model with my friend. At that time you could see from not so afar but unable to get an up-close view due to renovation work. But hell yeah, I am back again this year with a 'revenge'. Fortunately and finally the Gundam RX-78-2 life size model stood permanently after its maiden exhibition in Shizuoka few years ago and I managed to return to Tokyo this year for yet another fruitful encounter

up-close shot of the original Gundam

up-close shot of the right hand of the mobile suit

If you are lucky, you will get to watch a short light 'performance' of the Gundam RX-78-2

Music will be played and smokes will be sprayed..lights will changed to several colors

Its head will look up to the sky gloriously

That's me with the Gundam RX-78-2 as a proof that I was there.

 Up-next will be the post of the Gundam Front Museum with life size statue of the Gundam Seed's Strike Freedom Gundam

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Singapore Airlines Flight Review: A 5 Star Experience

It has been 6 years since my maiden flight experience with Singapore Airlines in the year 2007 and followed by year 2008 and 2009, becoming one of the luckiest and earliest to experience flying on the largest commercial aircraft in the world, the Airbus A380. After a 4 year hiatus, I have managed to purchase a promotional ticket from Singapore Airlines to Tokyo again. Much have changed to the Boeing 777 interior which I have flew in the year 2007. Nevertheless, the experience is still great.

Singapore to Tokyo (Haneda) Route

Singapore Airlines flies to both to Haneda Airport or Narita Airport. If the route to Narita Airport is chosen, most likely that there will be an opportunity to fly on the Airbus A380. However, the Airbus A380 does not fly to Haneda Airport. Selecting the Haneda Airport route however was a better choice as it is situated at the heart of Tokyo with convenience in commuting. 

Singapore to Tokyo (Haneda Route) offers the flight on Boeing 777.  2-4-2 seating configuration is the typical  Economy class seating configuration for Boeing 777 with an upgraded in-flight entertainment.

KrisWorld, the official SIA's in-flight entertainment have changed a lot since the year 2007 

From an 8 inches screen and old keyboardless joypad to.....

Next-gen keyboard and joypad

with 12 inches screen and iPod enabled system

USB port for iPod and audio jacks are also available for music enthusiasts

any kind of flight will not be completed without any in-flight meal. If an in-flight meal has been requested online, meal will be served to you. An array of choice ranging from international, vegetarian, religious food etc. are available through online selection.

Breakfast/supper was also served in this flight

An overnight kit (socks and toothbrush set) is included courtesy of Singapore Airlines by Givenchy. 

Tokyo(Haneda) to Singapore Route

An early morning flight was taken from Tokyo (Haneda) to Singapore with a yet another Boeing 777 aircraft

Early flight offers you more empty seats with the opportunity to grab the middle 4-seats in Economy class

 This refurbished aircraft spots new air conditioning system that provides better airflow and cooling process. However, there will be no options to adjust the air conditioner at your own personal space.

This is the way to enjoy the whole 4-seats 

In contrast to the Tokyo bound aircraft, this route's Boeing 777 provides personal power supply at every economy seats just like the Airbus A380.

Again, I have chosen international menu with delicious breakfast served.

I have selected another international seafood menu with delicious vegetables, fish, shrimps etc.

Like all standard premium airlines, Singapore Airlines do serve numerous soft drinks coupled with fruit juices and wine which is free of charge (well it's already included into the bill). 

One of the final highlight of this flight is the Singapore Airlines very Singapore Girl. Singapore Girl is a consistent visual advertising slogan applied to depictions of flight attendants of Singapore Airlines dressed in distinctive sarong kebaya which is the official uniform of Singapore Airlines.

A Japanese air stewardess donning the Sarong Kebaya

A Singaporean air steward and a Singaporean air stewardess on duty 

Overall, it's good to be back flying on SIA which is famously known as SQ. In my personal opinion, the quality of Singapore Airlines have not deteriorated and it has exceed my expectation beyond. As SIA has become my number one favourite airlines of all time, I have opted for another flight on SQ to Hong Kong for new year countdown on the Airbus A380.

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