#toyo ito

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#nextarch by @jay_a_n #next_top_architects Toyo Ito and surroundings #ajapaneseconstellation

To be honest, I only showed up in Kyoto because I wanted to see another Japanese city, and Kyoto was the most common one I’d heard of after Tokyo. But once I got here, I noticed that Kyoto had something I’d been meaning to see for some time: the Bamboo Grove.

This bamboo forest in Kyoto’s Arashiyama is certainly a site worth seeing, it’s just so surreal. That much you can glean from photos of the place, but actually being there is another world unto itself. The first thing I noticed was the smell: it was like a blast of amazingly fresh air, fresher than any mountain hike or other nature site I’d ever seen. Must be something to do with the bamboo.

Additionally, the bamboo I’ve seen in the West must be relatively new growth, since the bamboo here in Japan is on a scale I hadn’t thought possible. The bamboo stalks tower, some 5 or 6 stories tall, and with massive girth, like I couldn’t even get both hands around one of them.

If you’re ever in Kyoto, definitely make a point of visiting the grove, it’s hands down the coolest thing I’ve seen in this city. When you’re over there, you should also stop by Tenryuji Temple. This temple has one of the most renowned zen gardens, which is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kyoto. I don’t normally get too excited about touristy things like that, but the temple is literally right next to the Bamboo Grove, so why not?

Also, you can get a really good vegetarian zen meal in the garden of the Tenryuji Temple. It makes for a fantastic view and a really unique experience with wonderful food. I’d highly recommend it.
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Considering the Japanese obsession with seafood, Tokyo’s fish market is a remarkable place. Although it’s a bit of a tourist trap, I’d recommend checking it out since it’s pretty interesting, and you can get some really great sushi.

The first trick is to avoid the super-touristy parts. These are the markets that line the entrance, and they’re pretty obviously geared towards gaijin (foreigners). You’ll be able to tell that they’re for tourists because of 1. all the white people and 2. all the postcards they’re selling. So just walk right by them and to the back of the market where the real action is.

Try to arrive around 9 AM, because that’s when the wholesale market opens to tourists. It’s a really cool site to see, with tons of stalls of weird fish. By the time you arrive, vendors will already be cleaning up, but if you are there before noon or so you should still be able to see a good chunk of it.

After checking out the wholesale market, I wanted to get some sushi. There are a ton of sushi places, many of which have really long lines. But most of these are in the touristy drag of the market, and most of the people in line are tourists. So I avoided these spots, and looked for a place in one of the side streets near the wholesale market. And I was not disappointed.

I found a place with a pretty short line, and I knew it was the right place when I saw a Japanese guy bringing two white business associates to the spot. They wanted to go to a place next door because it had no line, but he insisted that they go to this one.

I went all out and got the biggest sampler platter, with 12 different pieces of “extra special” nigiri and one roll. It wasn’t too bad at 3600¥ (around $36 US). And oh man, I eat a lot of sushi and this was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had in my life.

Plus, most of the pieces were types of sushi I’d never had before. It was really some unique stuff, and super fresh. I even tried eating the shrimp piece with the tail left on. I’ve always known that’s how they do it in Japan, but I could never bring myself to try it that way (it just sounds too gross). It actually wasn’t that bad, but I don’t think I’ll be trying it that way in the future :).
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Toyo Ito Architects, Museo Internacional del Barroco, Mexico

Tama Art Library, Toyo Ito. Hachioji Campus, Tokyo, Japan.

Toyo Ito. TOD’s. Omotesando, Tokyo, Japan.