Building Adventure – The Hidden Panorama

The Classic Time in Queen Victoria Building (QVB)

If I did not fall into IT career, maybe I took an architecture course before. I just remembered before when I was still in my rudimentary studies that I had some talents in drawing things, but that skill wasn’t developed anymore when I went to high school as my life changed and somewhat pressured to be like my siblings and be a student with flying colors so I focused in academics.

During my two-days trip in Sydney, the first day was spent in CBD. I checked-in in one f the hotel located near at Kings Cross station. I rested a bit in my room and then I started my walking adventure in the afternoon. I took train from Kings Cross Station and got off at Town Hall Station. After leaving the station, I wandered and my steps started moving but it does not have its specific destinations at first. I walked along George Street towards Druitt Street. In that walk, one building caught my attention and that is Queen Victoria Building. Maybe because it stands-out within CBD as it is surrounded by buildings and offices which emphasize the building to be unique. I had seen old structures in Melbourne which converted to a commercial space and yet it still able to preserve the lavish design and architecture of the building, meaning the building was not only preserved to be a heritage site but to be a functional building for businesses in our time.

Exterior of Queen Victoria Building has been familiar to me. I just remembered the following structures that I saw from the past, like Provincial Legislature Building in Alberta and British Columbia in Canada and Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, all of these has a dome structure in the middle as significant architectural design of the building.

Before I crossed Druitt Street and walked towards Queen Victoria Building, I noticed the Statue of Queen Victoria which stands in one side before the entrance/exit of the building. On my way to the door, I felt excited because I was curious what to see and discover in the building. The moment I got inside, I was impressed because of how huge the building is and at the back of my mind, I am trying to imagine its size by thinking how many arcades will fit into the building. My adoration in the following arcades that I visited in Melbourne (don’t get me wrong as I still love all of them) seems to be just a fragment of admiration compared to impression that the building made on me. In terms of size, QVB is already a winner. In all the arcades that I saw in Australia (like Adelaide Arcade, Brisbane Arcade and Melbourne’s Arcades), QVB is the biggest arcades that I discovered so far. I do understand its a building unlike the arcades that I saw in other cities, but I am referring to the vintage styles of shopping stores in one place where the ambiance of the building made me felt that I was back in time between 18th to 19th century. Most of the arcades that I visited are just 2 floors but QVB has 5 floors (lower ground, ground and level 1 to 3). If people were amazed on the global brand stores that can be found inside the building, I was in awe of its beautifully crafted interiors, from its dome, ceilings, walls, pillars, windows, handrail down to its flooring.

Arches and Colonnades (with Elevator)

Escalators and Balustrades on large openings

Arches, Balustrades and Ceilings

From the entrance that I walked-in, the first thing that I noticed on its interior are the arches and colonnades. The combination of these two are visible in most of the stores and has been functionally used as division of each establishments. The balustrades are visible to each floor (except the lower ground) in each large openings so everyone has a chance to see other floors from any level. Though the building is being preserve to be a heritage site, escalators has been added so people can used it conveniently as it become a commercial space building too.

Dome

My stride continues as I explore QVB, I stopped when I saw the dome ceiling from Level 1, the dome looks so elegant as the scenery are combined with arches in other floor level and balustrades that encapsulated the circle openings aligned to the dome itself. Aside from dome, I also discovered the stained-glass window with its colorful design and a fine handrails that all significantly shows Victorian Style.

Balustrades

Stained-Glass Windows

I went up to the next floor using stairs as I followed the dome ceilings and stained-glass windows. I reached the third level or the highest floor of the building where I can see dome ceiling up-close. The dome is at the center of the building, looking at the other side of the dome, the Great Australian Clock can be found hang from the glass-ceiling and it is one of the mechanical clock to be found in QVB and while on the other side of the dome, the second mechanical clock is visible which is the Royal Clock.

Great Australian Clock

Royal Clock

The building has different style when it comes to its flooring, from lower ground to first level it emphasized its mosaic-tiled design while in second and last level are more into carpeted floors. If the other establishments enjoys huge arches in their stores the other appreciated the stained windows in their own space, a truly crafted and elegant interiors.

Tiled-Mosaic and Carpeted Flooring

Carpeted Flooring

After the building tour within QVB, I went outside, I took sometime to see the building from a distance. And there I learned that the building has lots of cupolas which complimented the main dome at the center of the building. And from a distance, I saw how magnificent the building is.

Provincial Legislature Building – Edmonton (Part 3)

Part 3 of Edmonton City Posts

Chromatic Outlook : Queen Victoria Building

Re-posting as this photo is part of Sydney which I will be featuring in my upcoming posts.

Structure : Shrine of Remembrance

Structure (Post#5) : Shrine of Remembrance

Shrine of Remembrance is the National Memorial War of Victoria, dedicated initially to people who served in armed conflicts such as war. But presently, the shrine also used to commemorate the people who are even in active duty to serve the country. The snapshots captured last July 2013, as part of my photo collection of the shrine.

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Note:
Another post related to shrine showing about my walking tour in this magnificent memorial structure.

State Library of Victoria – One of the First Free Public Libraries in the World – Melbourne Walking Tour – Part 2

State Library of Victoria is located at the city centre or central business district of Melbourne, it is specifically found between Little Lonsdale Street and La Trobe Street and between Swanston Street and Russel Street. Swanston Street is a famous street and a major tram track in the city. I used to see and pass the State Library since it’s near in major shopping district and almost surrounded by shopping malls, markets and stores. The library can be easily reach since its major train station which is Melbourne Central has exit in Swanton Street and on its front is also a tram station. This means anyone whom lost in this area will definitely not going to miss the library. Continue reading State Library of Victoria – One of the First Free Public Libraries in the World – Melbourne Walking Tour – Part 2

Discovering Hiroshima Castle aka Carp Castle or Rijo Castle

From the brochure of the castle, I got to learned that the castle is also know with a different name. Hirsohima Castle is also famous as Carp Castle or Rijo Castle in Japanese. The area where the castle was built known to be Koi-no-ura (Koi Sea Shore) and “Koi” means Carp in Japanese. Good to know the origin of the castle name.

After strolling around Peace Memorial Park, we targeted other parts of the downtown but because most of the places to see are museums which require more time, we ended ourselves exploring the Hiroshima Castle. Before reaching the castle we passed Hiroshima Museum of Art. Then we crossed the underground walkway to the castle.

And not far from the street where we emerge from the underground walkway, we saw the Second Compound or Ninomaru of the castle where the Main Gate and surrounded Turrets are located. We walked towards the said gate. Before we crossed the Gate Bridge to the Main Gate, we stopped for few photo shots moment.

Ninomaru (Second Compound)

Bridge Gate, Main Gate and Turrets (Yagura)

Moats that surrounds the castle from the Gate Bridge

Omotegomon (Main Gate)

Hira-Yagura (One-Layer Turret)

We crossed the bridge and entered the Main Gate. We walked a bit towards the middle of the compound and I looked around and observed. I saw a door located at the corner, part of Hall Turret (Tamon-Yagura) and I walked and climbed towards it. My family followed me and we took off our shoes then put it on the shoe cabinet available near the door. Next, we stroll the Hall Turret and there we saw different exhibits. At the end of Hall Turret is Taiko-Yagura (Two-layer Turret) where the drum at the second part and used before for Samurai sally out.

Main Entrance and Hira-Yagura (One Story Turret) captured from inside of Ninomaru

One of the drums at Taiko-Yagura (Two-Layer Turret) used for signals

After looking around at Taiko-Yagura and Tamon-Yagura, we walked back and reached inside the Hira-Yagura and the top of the main gate.

Inside the Ninomaru Omote Gate (the top layer of Main Gate)

Inside Hira-Yagura (One-layer Turret)

Ruins of Ninomaru (basepoint to defend the gateway of the castle)

Moats that surrounds the Castle. Scenery after crossing the walkway towards Main Compound (Honmaru)

Moats that surrounds the Castle. Scenery while leaving the castle ground

Honmaru (Main Compound)

When we reached the Main Compound of the castle, the first thing we saw was Hiroshima Gokoku Jinja Shrine where we saw another stone gate similar to what we saw in Miyajima Island. The original shrine has already built in two locations, the shrine was also destroyed by atomic bomb. When the decided to rebuild it, it was rebuilt after the war within the ground of Hiroshima Castle. As per history, the purpose of building the shrine is to mourn the Hiroshima-Han victims during the Boshin War (Japanese Civil War).

Photos of Hiroshima Gokoku Jina Shrine

We moved forward nearing the castle tower, but before we reach the tower itself, we have other stuff that we saw within the ground of Hiroshima Castle. We found the location of ruins of Hiroshima Imperial Military Headquarters. After reading the brochures in my hand, I’ve got to understand, why Hiroshima was possibly the main target of atomic bomb attack, its because of the castle ground was a military base. And I also learned that the base was also use to infiltrate the plan of Allied forces during World War II, in a war like that, a military base can be a main target for attack.

Hiroshima Imperial Military Headquarters Ruins

At the ground, we also found a castle ground map that looks like inscribe in a metal piece and put in a stone.

Hiroshima Castle ground map

The original foundation stones where the Castle Tower was built

As we walked towards the castle, I got more excited, I knew it was not the original tower, because like other buildings in Hiroshima City, it was also destroyed during the atomic bomb attack. The castle location is in the corner most of the ground and in an upper layer that we need to climb few steps of the stairs. The restored castle tower shows what its look before the second world war, thus we enjoyed the photos outside before we decided to enter the tower. The castle tower now served as museum before the war. We paid the entrance fee and ready to explore the building. At first, I never realized how many floors the castle has and when we were strolling around it, I just learned that it has 5 floors. All floors has exhibits and I cannot really take photos because there’s portion of the exhibit not allowed to take shots. But as far as I remembered, I still sneaked some shots inside the museum thought it was not too many unlike other museums where photography is allowed.

Castle Tower (now a museum)

Each floor showcases different exhibits that portrays Hiroshima. At the first floor, there’s displays about Ancient Hiroshima, Castle History, its government, life inside the castle, its defense and even different castles in the world can be seen. At the second floor, the exhibits are more of castle town life and culture where it includes samurai versus townsfolk lifestyle. In the third floor, we saw different weapons and armors displays. The fourth floor currently displayed that time has a theme of life and progress of Hiroshima Castle Town.

Some Exhibits displayed inside Hiroshima Castle Tower

We reached the final floor or fifth floor which called as Observation Platform. We stayed a bit in the floor because it offers a scenic views that surround the castle in many ways. Because the castle ground surrounded by trees and green plants and moats, I can sense how Japanese has great pride in their castle. Aside from having yagura or turrets that protects the castle grounds, there is moats that prevents the invaders to reach the castle easily. If you are a strategist, it is a great place as well for military bases. And that’s what happened to Hiroshima Castle.

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Scenic snapshots that surrounds the castle ground and the moats from Castle Tower Observation Deck

Chromatic Outlook : Saigon Opera House

Chromatic Outlook (Post#25) : Saigon Opera House

One of the buildings that I got a chance to see while backpacking in Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon), the capital city of Vietnam was Saigon Opera House or Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh. The location of the opera house is not far from the backpacking street area of the city which is Pham Ngu Lao. As per description of the opera house, its design is french colonial architecture existing in Vietnam which built last 1897. Photo captured during the backpacking of the mountaineering group I am member last March 2011.

View At My Window : QUT – The Cube

View At My Window (Post#22) : QUT – The Cube

When I visited Brisbane, I made it interesting as I always heard that the city is a boring city and not much interesting like Sydney and Melbourne. I planned my visit during Open House Brisbane event where I can enjoy not only its surroundings but some of the houses, offices or buildings listed as open to public at that time. One of the buildings that I got a chance to see was Queensland University of Technology (QUT). I honestly enjoyed the tour because there is designated places to explore inside the university. When I reached the building, I got an earphone and small brochures where there is QR Code available in the prints that I can listen into while exploring some parts of the university. And one of the interesting to discover inside is its large digital screen where its heights reach up to the second floor of the building and they call it as “The Cube” – one of the world’s largest interactive digital display systems. The photo captured last October 2013.

Hiroshima – An Introduction To The Home of Two World Heritage Sites

Because Hiroshima is very far from Tokyo, I booked a domestic flight in ANA Airlines, where I found the cheapest price available at the time that I was booking the flight because I was able to maximize their offer price for foreign visitors.

After watching Sumo event and after spending time in Akihabara, when we reached the hotel, we immediately packed all our stuff back to our luggage since that night was the same as our last night in the hotel. We woke-up early in the morning as our flight was around 7AM and our airport was Haneda Airport, which is another airport located nearer in Tokyo compared to Narita Airport, the entry point we had in Japan.

From Kayabacho Station, we took Tozai Line to Nakano, transferred at Nihombashi, changed to Ginza Line to reach Shimbashi Station. At first we planned to take Monorail Line which mean we plan to go to Hammamutso station. When we were waiting at Shimbashi Station for the next train, we found out that the next train goes directly to Haneda Airport, I asked one officer in the train to confirm if the next train goes to Haneda Airport, and he confirmed it. We took the said train. When we were inside the train, my sister and I checked the next station that the train will stop by and we quite surprised because it seems it has too many stations on its route. Then, my sister and I keep monitoring the next train stop and we were thankful because it bypassed many stations, as time really matters for us in that situation because we were catching up with our flight schedule.

When we reached Haneda Airport it’s just right time, we’re not too early nor too late. The flight from Tokyo to Hiroshima took at least an hour and that flight actually saved us a bit of time. We touched down at Hiroshima Airport passed 8:20 AM in the morning and got off the plane passed 8:30 AM. Because we’re new, we did not realize that the bus schedule to Hiroshima Station is closer to our arrival schedule, therefore we were left behind even before we can buy our bus ticket (which can be get through automated machine) and we waited for the next schedule which was after an hour. When the next bus arrived, we boarded the bus immediately. The airport does not have train station and the only way to go to Hiroshima Station is through bus. The bus travel from the airport was around 45 minutes to reach Hiroshima.

At Hiroshima station, since it’s our first time again in another city of Japan, we really don’t know where to go to reach our hotel in the city. That problem was forgotten a bit after I saw the JR Train Line office at the station. I booked our ticket train from Hiroshima to Kyoto to reserved our seats the next day we travel. We scheduled to spend almost 2 days to go around in Hiroshima.

After booking the train ticket, we got off at the station and followed few people as we thought they were exiting the station. We ended up leaving the station in a wrong way. We passed the station docking area and underground way since we still did not realize where majority people goes when passing the station. We learned the right way later that day.

Tatami Room

River View from our Room

Even we used the wrong way in getting off the station, we were still able to find the way to our hotel. We did not take a cab as I booked a hotel just near Hiroshima Station. We reached the road Johoku Dori and turned left and then we crossed the bridge. After crossing the bridge, the hotel accommodation were after comes next. We stayed at Hotel Century21 Hiroshima located at Hijiyama Dori. In that hotel, we got a room with tatami room and river view. I really like the room that was assigned to us by the hotel.

The only plan that I had in mind initially in Hiroshima is to walk around in downtown to see the city and its historical places. I checked some brochures that I picked-up from the airport so I can plan and add more to the basic itinerary that I had. My sister and I talked about what we’re going to do for the day while we were in the hotel. I had Miyajima in mind as additional to Hiroshima city. We discussed which one will go first, at first my plan was the city then Miyajima Island. My sister thought opposite. Her idea was more sensible than mine since the afternoon of the next day, we’re planning to go to Kyoto which is another famous city of Japan and very far from Hiroshima. So we decided with agreement that we will go and explore Miyajima Island first and followed by the city the next day.

Because of limited time we had, the major places we visited within Hiroshima Prefecture where two of world heritage sites can be found, they are:

1. Miyajima Island, Hatsukaichi City

2. Hiroshima City

Interior : Riverside Centre Entrance Lobby

Interior (Post#3) : Riverside Centre Entrance Lobby

When I visited Brisbane during the two-days Open House event in the city, I signed-up in the website for the event organizers and I got selected to visit or tour the Riverside Centre building located in Eagle Street at the heart of business district of the city beside the Brisbane River. One of the fascinating things to see in the building is the Carlberg sculpture seen against exposed rib structure at the entrance of the building. Photo captured last October 2013.

Carlberg sculpture seen against exposed rib structure

A Visit at NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Maritime Museum and Exploring NYK Hikawamaru

NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Maritime Museum

Next museum we entered was NYK Maritime Museum. Here we spent time to see the exhibits in the museum. I saw a lot of ships display which showcases the history of NYK. We witnessed as well based on exhibits how the Japan maritime evolved through the years. Not so much photos inside the museum because it was not allowed to use a camera.

When we bought the ticket of NYK Museum, I selected the option where it includes the NYK Hikawa Maru entrance to save a bit on our tickets.

NYK Hikawamaru

A Visit at NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Maritime Museum and Exploring NYK Hikawamaru

NYK Hikawamaru is a ship museum docked at Port of Yokohama in Yamashita Park Waterfront. The ship is a historical ship which at first, it was a cargo-passenger liner when it was built and during the war it became a navy hospital ship, then it returned to a cargo-passenger ship again after the war.

Entrance to NYK Hikawamaru

When we reached the ship, we realized the ship is not just an ordinary one. For me and my family it was a huge one. Walking from Yamashita Park, we walked to the entrance of the ship and climbed up to the Deck B where the main entrance is and we showed our tickets to the receptionist. After checking our tickets, we were freely able to walk inside the ship by following the track available to visitors.

Near the Reception at Deck B

At Mini-Theatre near at Reception at Deck B

Near the reception area, there are exhibits of photos of the ship displaying its some historical photos. There was a mini theater where it shows some videos about Hikawa Maru.

Walkway

First Class Childrens’ Room

We followed the walk way and along the walkway we saw the First Class Children’s Room. In that moment, I thought a bit and tried to put myself of being one of the child of the rich people at those old times and I thought that I probably felt really lucky.

First Class Dining Saloon

Our walk continues until we reached the First Class Dining Saloon. As my minds wondering as I saw the room, I imagined we were part of the ship where most people belong to high-class societies can be found and they were savoring their delicious food while on boarded in the ship. And I understood that time it was really expensive to be in that room, what more this time.

First Class Social Hall

We moved on and climbed to the Deck A where we found the First Class Reading Room. Then it followed by First-Class Social Hall.

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Exhibition Room

First Class Cabin (First Class Passenger’s Room)

First Class Smoking Room

Next we saw was Exhibition Room, then First-Class Passenger’s Room followed by First-Class Smoking Room and Deluxe Cabin.

Port of Yokohama and Minato Mirai 21

Outdoor Deck

In Deck A, the outdoor deck can be found where I enjoyed the scenery around the Port of Yokohama and Minato Mirai 21 – the central business district of Yokohama located.

N1, N2 and N3 Deck

Wheelhouse

Looking Towards Yamashita Park and Marine Tower

We climbed N1 Deck, then N2 Deck where Captains Office is and climbed again in N3 Deck where the Wheelhouse is.

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Third Class Cabin

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Engine Room

After enjoying the top deck areas, we went down to Deck C. In Deck C where we found the Third-Class cabin. The Gallery is located in the same deck too. Then, I got excited when I saw the Engine Room. And it’s not a small one it’s a huge room and there’s is a track we followed as well to go around the Engine Room. And there’s more, the Deck D, still housed the other parts of the Engine Room.

Exhibition Room

The last portion that can be found in the ship is the exhibition room that showcases the rich history of Hikawa Maru.

In the end, we were satisfied that we visited the ship. Being inside of that ship was a worthwhile because it was a tour like going back in time. Knowing that this kind of ship were already available in 1930s, proves that Japan already in advance technology of shipping and cargo lines. And that made me admired them for their developed talents and skills.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse – From Custom Houses To Cultural and Shopping Complex

After Zuo-No-Hana Park, we walked towards Red Brick Warehouse building. On our way, we crossed the bridge and we saw Minato Mirai 21 in different angle.

Minato Mirai 21 while crossing the bridge to Red Brick Warehouse from Zuo-No-Hana Park

Red Brick Warehouse is one of noticeable building structure around the Port of Yokohama. Both because of its color, old design of the building and its location in an open space in the port.

Entrance

When we entered the Warehouse #2 (based on the brochure I have), we discovered that the building are full of shops, restaurants, diners and cafeteria. We had lunch at the 1st floor of the building where the food court is located and they call it as Picnic court where I saw a lot of people. My whole family enjoyed our lunch. Then, we walked around the building to see different stores until we reached the balcony. The balcony is one of the spots in the building that I enjoyed because of the sceneries it offered which is the surroundings of port of Yokohama and a great location for up close and personal view of Minato Mirai.

A Day Walk in Yokohama – Popularly Known as Port City of Japan

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse – From Custom Houses To Cultural and Shopping Complex

Sceneries while at the balcony of Warehouse#2

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We haven’t visited the Warehouse #1 as the building used in exhibits and events.

I also learned that the building is a historical building in the city which used as a custom houses before. The building or warehouse #1 which is the shortest building among the two was partially destroyed because of Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

A Transient Walk In Queen’s Square Yokohama And Discovering of Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo

Queen’s Square Yokohama

Queen’s Square Yokohama (from the outside)

As we ascended from Minatomirai station to the 1st floor of Queen’s Square, all the stores were still close, since it’s still a bit early for the mall to open. We took the escalator, I can sense that the area has a bit of elegance and glamour. The ambiance that surrounds the place was also relaxing as the mall is spacious when we reached the 1st floor. We walked a bit in the Queen’s Square, then we went outside towards Landmark Tower.

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On the way to the 1st Floor of Queen’s Square

Queen’s Square

Elegant Directions

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Outside Queen’s Square to Landmark Plaza

Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo

Between Queen’s Square and Landmark Plaza, we found a silver or chrome structural art. It is a magnificent roller-coaster-esque sculpture. As per map that I got, the structure is not only an art display, it has a purpose too. The art helps to break the wind tunnel that forms between the Landmark Tower and Queen’s Square Skyscrapers which still good to know. The public art is called Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo.

Queen’s Square (from Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo)

Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo

An Express Ramble Between Landmark Plaza And Landmark Tower

Landmark Plaza

After spending time taking photos with the steel structure art called Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo, we walked in to the next mall called Landmark Plaza just beside Queen’s Square and based from the brochure that I got, the plaza is one of the most popular shopping complex in the city. Like the Queen’s Square mall, we just passed the mall too as all the shops are still closed. At the ground of the plaza, we spent time walking around the area and we took some souvenir photos because the mall has open space in the middle where it boast the elegant design of its floors up to the ceilings together with its pillars that supports the building. The mall is just beside the Landmark Tower.

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Photos outside Landmark Plaza

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Some photos inside Landmark Plaza

Landmark Tower

Entrance to Landmark Tower

During the trip, we thought that we can visit the tower later that day. Because of that, we decided to visit the tower as our last place to stop. But unfortunately, the day we spent it Yokohama was not really enough to see all the places recommended to visit. The opportunities we have in this tower was only to see it from the outside.

Landmark Tower from the outside

A Day Walk in Yokohama – Popularly Known as Port City of Japan

It was Saturday and our second day in Japan. I had my itinerary for that day but initially I was having second thoughts on the plan, it’s just that too many places that I wanted to see for a short period of time. But since I can’t decide of places that will replace the activity for the day, I ended up following the plan that I created which was to visit Yokohama.

Yokohama is the second largest city by population (according to Wikipedia) in Japan following Tokyo. I think one good reason of being one of the largest city aside from being near or beside Tokyo as its strategic location is also because the city is part where Tokyo Bay is located. Currently Tokyo Bay was heavily industrialized where a lot of development occurred and Yokohama progressed along with it.

Based on history, Yokohama tremendously affected by what Japan called Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and World War II bombings which impacted the development of the city.

Seeing the city with my very own eyes, if there are historical evidence of war in the place or ruins of earthquake, it may not be evident to the sights and places that we visited during the day trip. The whole day that myself and my family spent in Yokohama was indeed a worthy visit.

Shimbashi Station

Yokohama Station

From Kayabacho Station, we took Tozai Line to Nihombashi Station, we transferred to Ginza Line to Shimbashi Station and from the same station we took JR Tokaido Line going to Yokohama Station. Around 10AM, we reached Yokohama Station, from the station we took Tokyu Toyoko Minatomirai Line which is a local train in Yokohama. We used the Passmo card in the local train.

We reached Minatomirai Station, we got off the station and we found ourselves inside the mall, wherein the Queen’s Square is just at the top of the station. I felt excited because it seems that there’s something exciting to discover in the city.

During our visit in the city, the places we saw in Yokohama were:

1. Queen’s Square and Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo

2. Landmark Plaza and Landmark Tower

3. Nippon Maru Memorial Park

4. Minato Mirai 21 and Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History

5. NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Maritime Museum and NYK Hikawamaru

6. Zuo-No-Hana Park / Zuo-No-Hana Terrace

7. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

8. Osanbashi Pier

9. Yamashita Park and Marine Tower

To be honest, one day was not enough to see everything in the city, seeing all the brochures that I got, there are more places that I wanted to enjoy and discover. I hope I can comeback again wherein time is not really a constraint.

It was a great day spent in Yokohama.

Discovery : Snow Shoe (From Royal Alberta Museum)

Discovery (Post#4): Snow Shoe (From Royal Alberta Museum)

As I am looking for photo to post that belongs to my project – photo themes, while reading again my old post for the month of February which entitled Royal Alberta Museum – Edmonton (Part 8) I saw again the snapshot that I captured inside the museum. When I saw the old version of snow shoe I was amazed how people really creative and intelligent just to address what it needs to survive. This image was shot last June 2008 and this is part of my Edmonton photo collection.

Akihabara – A Quick Glance of Tokyo’s Game and Anime World District

After watching sumo tournament in Ryogoku Kokugikan, we spent some time in Akihabara to check what things can be seen in the famous place. From Ryogoku Station we took Chuo Line to Akihabara Station.

Near in Akihabara Station

My thoughts about Akihabara is a place of manga and anime. Where all the famous anime or cartoons from Japan can be seen. There are lots of stores selling anime character products such as posters, cards, video games, electronics and others. There are lots of computer game shops in the surrounding areas where not only accommodating for young but adult fanatics too, since it was evening when we arrived in Akihabara, we just had a limited time to stroll around the place. We went inside of one of the electronics mall named – Yodobashi-Akiba.

Along Chuo-dori

The mall has 9 floors and just spending time inside this mall will consume mostly of our time. We found a lot of electronic stuff inside the mall. As we entered the mall, the first things we saw are mobile phones, tablets and computers. Next, we continued to the 2nd floor where mostly are PC accessories and printers. We stop a bit in 3rd floor as I saw a lot of digital cameras, I was looking for different lenses for my Canon DSLR and wanting to buy one but I did not. We climbed again to the next floor which is 4th floor where we saw mostly music related products such as head phones, the last floor we visited was the 5th floor, even though there still up to 9th floor. At 5th floor, we saw a lot of household products. We’re almost wanted to buy things but we stop the idea as we knew the customs in my country where you will be tax heavily for the products bought outside the country. We just enjoyed looking at difference products displayed in the mall.

We felt hungry and decided to leave the mall and find a place to have our dinner. After our dinner, we decided to go home as it’s getting late and we concluded our day.

Interior : The Block Arcade – Elizabeth St Interior Walkway

Interior (Post#2) : The Block Arcade – Elizabeth St Interior Walkway

One of the things that I really enjoyed in Australia while strolling around in its different cities are its century old arcades and one of them is “The Block Arcade” or simply “The Block”. The said arcade is located almost at the center of Melbourne CBD. When I got a chance to enter in this European touched arcade I was really amazed. Looking at its interior design, you will really feel the building’s history and culture. Photo captured last July 2013 while walking around the city.

Random Angle : Galaxy Macau

Random Angle (Post#3) : Galaxy Macau

Walking or strolling within Cotai Strip was fun because of different kind of luxury hotels, casinos, shopping malls and entertainments to be seen, but beware that it can be quite exhausting if you are not into exploring and seeing places. As we wandering around Cotai Strip, one of the luxury buildings we passed by was Galaxy Macau. Galaxy Macau offers different kinds luxury accommodations, shopping, dining, and entertainments. It can be considered a one stop area for enjoying the holiday. Inside this beautiful building, we dined and stroll inside where we got a chance to get up close and personal with Ferrari car displayed inside. This photo is part of my Hong Kong – Macau Adventure photo collection happened last January 2012.

Structure : Royal Exhibition Building

Structure (Post#3) : Royal Exhibition Building

Royal Exhibition Building is one of the building on my list that I wanted to visit while I was in Melbourne. But it was only happened when Motorclassica (showcasing classic cars) event happened last October 2013.. Visiting the building requires reservation and most of the time, it is fully booked for events and exhibitions. This building based on history was the first in Australia to be awarded as UNESCO World Heritage status, being one of the last remaining 19th-century exhibition building. The building also hosted the opening of the first Parliament of Australia in 1901.