They build *big* in Japan!

.....
Japan doesn't have a lot of square-footage (unlike the U.S., where we have an embarrassment of land). This means that they tend to build *up* - everything is tall! Our hotel (Keio Plaza) is right across from the Tokyo Metropolitan Center in Shinjuku. Here's the Center:



There's an observatory near the top. Shinjuku is one of the richest and most impressive districts in Tokyo (in a city of nearly *40* *million*, that's saying something). Here are some shots from the observatory:





After descending from the observatory, we embarked on an odyssey of trying to find a cultural site open on a Monday (this was last week on our first full day in Tokyo). Turns that Monday is when most sites are closed for maintenance. ::sigh:: I guess it does take a *lot* of work to keep things are clean and pristine as they are throughout Japan.

Here are some random pictures while walking.



Another mega building.



No, I have *know* idea what this means. We couldn't find a storefront nearby that seemed in any way to relate to this sign. David suggested it might be Vietnamese...



Any idea what "Waku Waku Mail" is? Neither do I.



We weren't aware that the hedgehog was traditionally associated with Christmas. We learn something (usually *many* somethings) every day in Japan! :)



We came across a film crew outside of the Metropolitan building. They had nice prosumer cameras (Sony HDVs), which attracted my attention. Then we saw them doing a stunt shoot. This is the drive car.



This is the entire stunt setup. Eric commented that the camera guy was "practicing his technique." Fun!



I just liked this building.



McDonalds is *very* popular in Japan. Many restaurants have two levels - one for smoking (the uppoer one, obviously). In fact, they're so popular, even cats are getting into the act. Do you think that's milk? Maybe a Powerade?



The Japanese definitely dig "cute." Look at the posts that hold up the construction railings. Gag me.



Like I said, the Japanese do things big. The signage is just *crazy*! Plus, because every building has multiple floors with multiple stores per floor, the vertical banners are *huge*.



Nice, eh?



And, finally, some of the nightlife near the Shinjuku train station. This was along the route we took nearly every day to hop on the train to some new, exotic destination. (Notice the ever present convini (convenience mart), "Lawsons Station.")

---Jason