August 18, 2013

Tokyo Gate Bridge

Tokyo Gate Bridge (aka “Dinosaur Bridge”) is a 2,618-meter long bridge completed in 2012. It crossesTokyo Bay from Wakasu Island to Chuo Bohatei (“Central Breakwater”). Interestingly, both sites are artificial islands made out of trash, although only Chuo Bohatei is still active and serves as the final disposal site of waste from all of Tokyo. The bridge then leads to a tunnel emerging in Jonanjima Seaside Park, near Haneda Airport and the Port of Tokyo.

It is possible to walk on the bridge, starting from a tower in Wakasu Park (map). However, the tower on the other side is closed, so you have to double back. Access to the bridge is free but it closes at 5pm.

August 16, 2013

Comiket 84 - Summer 2013

The 84th Comiket (contraction of “Comic Market”) was held a few days ago at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Tokyo. It is the world’s largest fair for self-published manga (a style of publishing known as dojinshi in Japan) but is also the occasion for cosplay and sales of products by established companies. It takes place twice a year, in summer and winter. About 500,000 attend the summer Comiket. It was indeed massive!

August 11, 2013

The Great Buddha of Mount Nokogiri

Last week, I went on a day trip to Mount Nokogiri (Nogiriyama). It is a small mountain (329m) on the south of the Boso Pensinsula in Chiba Prefecture. It hosts the Buddhist Nihon-ji temple, famous for its 31m stone-carved Daibutsu (Great Buddha), as well as a 100-foot Kannon relief image and 1500 hand-carved arhat sculptures. There are also observatories with a great view of the surrounding mountains and Tokyo Bay (although the heat made the scenery a bit hazy).

September 18, 2012

Annecy

I have been spending some time in Annecy since my return from Canada. Above, the prison in the Old Town of Annecy.

September 9, 2012

Chambéry

Yesterday, I went on a bicycle ride around Chambéry, the former capital of the Duchy of Savoy.

September 5, 2012

Annecy - Albertville - Col de Tamié by bike

A couple of weeks ago, I took my bike on the Green Road ("Voie verte") from Annecy to Albertville. On the way back, I took a more scenic path through Col de Tamié.