In our memory, Roppongi was impressed how the district (is in turn part of Minato-ku ) less pleasant than Tokyo. We took the Yamanote Line from Shinjuku, and after a change of line we went to Roppongi Station of JR. As we climbed the stairs, it seemed now to notice that the station was less clean than the others and, despite being 9 am, a drunk - presumably American - he staggered in front of us as we climbed the stairs of the output. We tried to ignore it and, once outside, to orient ourselves to find the Tokyo Tower .
we turned up roughly here. On the left you can see the immense elevated highway that runs along the Roppongi Roppongi-dori and cuts all over the neighborhood.
Now, the undersigned accumulates guides and pamphlets on Japan since the early '90s and - blessed simplicity - before leave, I made a potpourri of various guides. The "event" - let's call it - would have it in one of these guides were cited " Almond " as one of the landmarks of Roppongi, as well as a meeting place for young people. Too bad the map which was possessed and did not consult any mention of the highway!
Needless to say the first thing you think if a titanic highway is not on your map, you have mistaken the exit of the meter or get lost (in our case, there would be a novelty). In fact, we tried to walk a few hundred meters and, fortunately, we came across in the teaching of Almond, pastry-coffee reception for the Olympic Games 1964.
I already anticipate a (second) breakfast in this place I had imagined as a veritable "Candyland", a kind of wonderland for people like me who is fascinated by the colorful sweet, but both I Faith that we were a little 'disappointed by the front a bit' darker and more subdued than our expectations.
In addition, our "friend" faithful drinkers was still ahead of us with his step caracollante, and just near the junction with the Gaien Higashi Dori, dealt a sound slap on the ass an unfortunate Japanese girl, who did nothing more than show him the finger. Turn right onto Gaien dori Higashi and his friend had a few words for us. I did not understand well his insults in broken English mixed, but I escaped a comment between the Sardinian and Italian that said roughly: "Bellino, already drunk from early morning?". But there came a friend of our hero, who heard my answer in question said "What the fuck he says?"
decided that the case had to stretch up. The drunk does not raise much concern, given its difficult to remain upright, but his friend was definitely a little marcantonio recommended! : D
can not be said that this meeting has helped us a beautiful image of Roppongi, but it is also true that the only - albeit slight - had trouble in Japan was that, despite a Shinjuku had crossed often and late at night several tipsy salaryman.
And this will also be a case, the inconvenience has happened with foreigners.
Go through the Gaien Higashi from which we can already see the outline of the Tokyo Tower, and after a curve, we arrived at the destination. Perhaps accustomed to the great outdoors of Champ-de-Mars and voids beneath the Eiffel Tower, the massive body of FootTown building me an unpleasant impression, like that of an intruder which had destroyed an elegant silhouette.
We climbed up to the first observation platform, about 150 meters from the ground, and the view - breathtaking images that - it was partly hidden by the growing number of skyscrapers built in the area.
Go to the first platform costs 820 yen, plus 600 extra if you want to get to the observatory at an altitude of 250 meters.
At today's exchange rate means more than € 11: If you are a photographer fascinated by the nocturnal landscapes may be worth it, unlike the council forty-fifth floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku , you amira Tokyo from a height of 202 meters for free.
To give you an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat you can see some photos here from 150 meters.
A large cemetery, where the photo contains only a very limited.
A view of the neighborhood, this impressive building with a balance between Modena and tradition, the Shakaden , which houses the headquarters of Reiyukai - then I could understand - an association linked to Buddhism, but not strictly religliosa, dating from about 1920.
Finally the famous Mori Tower, a giant shopping mall in the heart of the spectacular complex issue of Roppongi Hills, building, opened around 2002. Many have criticized this itervento Edilio ultrainvasivo and now out of time to the era of big Japanese real estate speculation, but it remains - as well as numerous local expat, including the famous cabaret club / kiabakura - one of the largest attractions tourist district.
Another nice thing to do of the Tokyo Tower, if you love to look down, you set foot on one of two transparent windows. At least one irrational excitement is guaranteed!
came down from Tokyo Tower, if you do not forget your camera to 150 feet high as I did (found ... great staff and delivered in 5 minutes ... same happened to me in Paris and in the unfortunate 5 seconds disappeared ^ ^), you can taste a colorful and sweet pancakes in the kiosk next to the tower. For a number between 400 and 500 yen you can enjoy double taste, scoop of ice cream and syrup to the fruit: blood glucose and satisfaction will be at the top!
UPDATE: Faith reminds me to tell you that at the foot of the Tokyo Tower is a group of statues dedicated to the dogs after Japan's most famous Hachiko, are the sled dogs that were in Antarctica during an expedition in 1958 , abandoned during an emergency situation, with little food. The dogs were originally 13, but two - Taro and Jiro - survived and became heroes. Today they are symbols of ' Japanese Association against animal abuse that, as you can read here , ha molto molto da fare.
