Streetcar, winter version

Though still in February and cold as it should be, the seasonal changes are palpable. Definitely, spring is coming around. The streetcar in Hiroshima currently keeps its winter version but soon those of spring style will be ready. The photo shows one of the two latest models of HIRODEN streetcars in downtown, nicknamed Piccola.

Piccola street car

Grand GANGI staircase on the river

Grand GANGI at Kusunoki-cho

This must be one of the oldest traditional GANGI staircase in Hiroshima. Fantastic view from the boat. And the A-bomb Dome looks like this from a river cruise. There are currently six rivers flowing in the city of Hiroshima, tributaries of Otagawa river. No wonder many GANGI stairs have been made, about 400 including old and new in the central area of the city. With GANGI, boats can be moored regardless of the height of the tide. Very clever, practical, and fun. 

DOME seen from the river

Motomachi apartment complex seen from the river

This is my favorite piece of architecture. It is aging but historical symbolizing Hiroshima's rehabilitation after the end of World War II. The photo was taken from the GANGI taxi boat. See the skipper and the guide with their GANGI boat.

KITTE building in Maru-no-uchi, Tokyo

First a glance from a distance. Looks good. Then I went inside and briefly looked around. The atrium and top light together have you connected with the day's weather and light. Just the right size to browse around the stores. Each floor has distinctive interior design. Architect KUMA Kengo did a beautiful interior job. Do not miss the basement, which I missed (shame!), but I didn't miss the roof top garden. There you are looking down on Tokyo Station. Somehow, the station, cars, and other items below look like miniature models. Loved the naming too. KITTE in Japanese means stamps; an appropriate name to a former post office building and there still is a post office inside. KITTE sounds similar to Kit-te, meaning "please come." Sounds so cute.

Now and Before

Exterior; the glassy high rise part is added

Tokyo Station looks smaller than life from KITTE roof top

Dancing all night

The ladies are dancing all together at a store where things Japanese are sold. They sell good items with good prices. The store named Takumi, is on the fifth floor of the Sun Mall building in downtown Hiroshima.

KITTE in Tokyo

From KITTE roof top

KITTE atrium

KITTE exterior on the right; Tokyo Station on the left

KUMA Kengo's interior design

KITTE building in Marunouchi, Tokyo, shows KUMA Kengo's sensitivity. Every floor shows his affection and respect to heritage of this country. He was in charge of interior design of this building complex located next to JR Tokyo Stn. A former post office renovated into a commercial building embodies its history yet lives its second life greeting countless flows of visitors.

Guardians at Sekizan Zen-in

Notice this one is closer to the entrance to the hall than many others

This is one of the paired guardians at one of the halls located on the premises of the temple. They were made of wood if my memory serves right. If so, this is an older style. Once these lion-like aminals were inside the room, holding the lower end of a kind of curtains on the floor. These imaginary guardians retain the original style more than many others sitting completely outside. Commonly, one of the pair has a mouth open and the other closed, but this pair both opens the mouth like howling lions. Cute with a close look at them!