The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku remains an interesting place to visit every now and again. The views of the city below are obviously quite something, but generally I go there to try and take pictures of people looking at said views, or even people looking at me, looking at them.
At the moment, however, it’s rather different. The crowds are gone, and a once bustling observation deck is now almost eerily quiet, making it the perfect spot for solitary reflections.
Stephan says
I guess that sure is a lot of city to reflect on! 🙂
Lee says
Haha, it is indeed!
Ken says
Another place that I like to visit if I have a meeting in Shinjuku. Particularly good on a clear day and it’s useful that the sights are identified above the windows.
Lee says
Yeah, always worth it, especially so when there is no waiting time. Agree about the info as well. Good to have a bit of context, and work what is where. Also, no matter how many times I see Tokyo from above, it never ceases to amaze me how truly vast it is…
cdilla says
I love the way you take what most of us try to avoid (the reflections) and turn it into something thoughtful and evocative.
As a bonus it is special to us because we can see the rooms we stayed in when we first visited Japan. It brought back happy memories for Mrs Cdilla and Cdilla Jnr too when I showed it to them 🙂
It looks like the medical college is being taken down – I wonder what will replace it. The skyline is always changing.
I have a Tokyo guidebook published in 1974 (by Hilton Hotels as it happens) some 10 years before the Hilton in your photograph was opened, and I like to read it for its sometimes irreverent insights. Here are a couple of observations about Shinjuku, “numerous fashion shops catering to transistor-sized Japanese women”, and, about the station, “All signs are in Japanese kanji and you will start to froth at the mouth within 60 seconds of entering.” The map shows a vacant “city lot” where the Government building is now, adjacent to the city garbage dump acoss the road from where the Park Hyatt now is.
Lee says
Thank you. Glad it works, as this was very much plan B.
Similarly glad it brings back nice memories too. And yeah, it really does change a lot. Certainly no more vacant lots and city garbage dumps. Although that said, on particularly busy days Shinjuku Station can still cause that same reaction!
john says
‘transistor sized’ – that sounds quite PC to me.
Lee says
Oh, very good. That wins the day and no mistake!
cdilla says
lol, marvelous.
john says
The very fabric of space is being distorted; “do not attempt to adjust the picture”.
I was looking for little feet like ‘Lunch atop a Skyscraper’ or angels on buildings like ‘Wings of Desire’ but settled for ‘(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman’ by The Kinks. It’s a particularly good time for wishing and (an occasional) cheery tune just now.
Lee says
Hearing The Kinks is always good, and yes, cheery tunes during these strange and unsettling times are always a nice respite.