Haneda Chronogate – package processing to rival the North Pole

If Santa and his elves find themselves overwhelmed with preparing and delivering Christmas packages, they would do well to turn to Haneda Chronogate for help. Opened in 2013, Haneda Chronogate is the flagship facility of Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. (also known as "kuro neko"), the shipping firm that first conceived and developed TA-Q-BIN, express package … Continue reading Haneda Chronogate – package processing to rival the North Pole

The Tokyo Christmas Market – another Hibiya Park triumph

You can feel it in the air, even in Tokyo.  Christmas is coming. Tokyo gets itself into the Christmas spirit with festive lighting displays on major thoroughfares, shopping centers and tower complexes as well as seasonal decorations in department stores and other public venues.  And from December 16 to 25, Hibiya Park is host to … Continue reading The Tokyo Christmas Market – another Hibiya Park triumph

Asakura Museum of Sculpture – the legacy of a great 20th century artist

Asakura Fumio (1883-1964) is sometimes called the "Rodin of Japan", a modern, Western-style sculptor whose work is characterized by true-to-life imagery that was ahead of its time in Japan.  Although born and raised in Oita, Kyushu, he came to Tokyo as a young man to study at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and then … Continue reading Asakura Museum of Sculpture – the legacy of a great 20th century artist

Going for gold — Tokyo’s ginkgo trees in their full glory

The ginkgo tree is the official tree of the Tokyo Metropolitan District, having been selected for that honor by popular vote in 1966.  While these trees are ubiquitous across the city--the majority of the half million trees lining Tokyo streets are ginkgo trees--they are at their most stunning during the month of December, when their … Continue reading Going for gold — Tokyo’s ginkgo trees in their full glory