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The capital of Japan, Tokyo is one of the world’s economic super powers. It is where the financial heartbeat of Asia and the pulse of the eastern world is generated. The city is the world’s largest metropolitan area and is home to a whopping 20 million inhabitants. For the traveller, the city of Tokyo offers a veritable feast of really fascinating attractions ranging from the historic to the contemporary and even the futuristic.
Since Japan is a country with a strong Buddhist heritage and culture, the city of Tokyo features many sites of religious significance offering an opportunity for visitors to achieve spiritual refinement as well as enlightenment.
Among these sites, the Asakusa District in Taito is quite popular mainly due to the Senso-ji, the Buddhist temple devoted to the Kannon bodhisattva is also located there. Asakusa is also home to several other temples and shrines while also hosting several religious and cultural festivals. Adjoining the Senso-ji temple grounds is a complex where carnivals are held. This compound features an array of games, rides and other related fun activities.
As is customary with most religious places in Asia, the Asakusa also has its fair share of religious festivals. Matsuri (Shinto festivals) are held very frequently at almost all these temples and shrines. The biggest and the most popular of these is the Sanja Matsuri which is held in May every year. The Asakusa District is also quite popular for its Brazilian style carnival and its high concentration of buildings that are more than 50 years old – a rare sight for a city that was ravaged during World War II. Asakusa is also the oldest geisha district in Tokyo with about 50 active geisha still working to this day. This includes Japan’s first Western geisha, Sayuki.
With an absolutely brilliant choice of luxurious rooms and suites, the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo is the latest entry in to the Tokyo luxury hotel scene. Guests staying at this Tokyo hotel will appreciate the award-winning hospitality and levels of service that the Shangri-La brand promises. The property’s close proximity to the Tokyo Station and many other popular Tokyo attractions make it a popular choice for both the business and leisure traveller.
A family vacation in a Disney theme park or Disneyland is always a dream holiday for millions of people around the world. The Disney brand is such a resounding success worldwide that it is inconceivable that any child in any developed country do not know what is Disneyland.
If America or Paris is too far away to take your family for a Disney vacation, then you can settle for either of the 2 Disneyland in Asia located in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Disney theme parks, wherever they are located usually have the same theme. For example, in Disney Tokyo will find the following theme parks which can be found on other Disneyland albeit sometimes in different ways the parks are presented.
World Bazaar – Sprawling smack at the entrance of the Tokyo Disneyland is the World Bazaar. This Bazaar is a reminiscent of turn of the century American town with the feeling that you may come face to face with an Apache Red Indian or an outlaw wanted by the local county sheriff.
Here you will find restaurants, shops, restaurants, outlets selling souvenirs and stuff that are appealing to tourists.
Tomorrow land – A space age futuristic theme park. A delightful combination of science and innovative imagination. In Tomorrowland, you can enjoy rides that rockets you to outer space or if you are a science geek, get invited to the “Inventor of the year award ceremony.” One of the favorite rides in Tomorrow Land is to help Buzz Light Year pulverize the Evil Emperor Zurg. Whatever that is.
Toon Town – Bring the children to Toon town, they will love you for this. Toon town is where Disney characters work and play. Toon town is designed to cater exclusively for the kids and is bursting with colors with plenty of kiddy rides.
Fantasy land – How can one be in magical Disneyland without entering the world of fairy tales and cartoons? Meet Disney’s icons Mickey Mouse, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Donald Duck, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Captain Hook and a host of Disney cartoon characters this never never land.
Critter Country – This is the land of the, well, you’ve guessed it, Critters. The critters are small animals from the Disney movie “Song of the South”. Enjoy watching the critters burrowing little homes along the banks of the Rivers of America and on the slopes of Splash Mountain.
Western land – A visit to the Wild Wild West brings you back in time to the earliest settlers of the American West. Perhaps the most important chapter of the American history. Enjoy dinning in restaurants from the wild west era.
Adventure land – This is the where you visit the African, South American and Asian rainforest. You can even take a cruise in a “crocodile infested” river. Tropical jungles in downtown Tokyo? Well, this is what Disney magic is all about isn’t it?
The 20th International Jewellery Tokyo (IJT 2009), will be held over a four day period from January 21(Wed) to 24 (Sat), 2009 at Tokyo Big Sight, Organized by Reed Exhibitions Japan and Japan Jewellery Association.
IJT 2009 will feature 1,720 exhibitors from over 35 countries, and with 9 new zones.
A vast collection of jewellery will be on display at IJT, but especially to overseas buyers, the high quality and delicately designed jewellery by Japanese exhibitors will be of special interest.
Date: January 21 (Wed) to 24 (Sat), 2009
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
Address: 3-12 Ariake, Koto-ku Koto-ku Tokyo
Official Website: www.ijt.jp
Summary:
Japan’s largest and most international jewellery trade show covering the entire range of jewellery, gemstones, and jewellery-related products. From 1997, the show will re-locate to Asia’s largest convention centre, the newly opened Tokyo Big Sight located within easy reachof the main business areas of Tokyo
IJT draws more exhibitors every year, confirming its established position as Japan’s best business opportunity for the jewelry industry. In 2008, 1,646 exhibitors from Japan and 35 countries exhibited at IJT, and 1,720* companies are expected to gather at IJT 2009. Exhibit at IJT, and take advantage of this unparalleled opportunity!
IJT 2008 attracted 37,812 buyers from around the world eager to source products at the venue. Show Management conducts intensive promotional activities aimed at professional buyers, and as a result of these extensive efforts, a number of visitors come to the show. It is expected that 41,000* visitors will attend IJT 2009. Meet these qualified buyers and maximize your business potential in Japan!
IJT is well known as the best venue to step into the Japanese jewellery market, the world’s second largest jewellery market valued at USD 10 billion annually. The number of overseas exhibitors attending the show increases each year, with 555 companies from 35 countries having attended IJT 2008, including 10 overseas pavilions. Join IJT, and penetrate the Japanese market!
Exhibit Product Range:
Jewellery, silver jewelry, brace jewelry, antique jewelry, jade jewelry, precious gems, amber jewelry, coral jewelry, diamond jewelry, platinum jewelry, gold, K platinum, freshwater pearl, seawater pearl , gem, jade jewelry and so on; semiprecious stone jewelry, jewelry findings, jewelry display and packaging accessories; jewelry tool and instruments, brand watch and clock; necklace, bracelet, earrings, bag ornaments, brooch, hair jewelry, anklet, button, scarf clasp, belt button, tie clip, fashion pendants, shell jewelry, fashion glasses, mobile phone ornaments and clock & watch and so on.
Attendee Information:
Retailers, wholesalers/distributors, import/export traders and manufacturers in the jewellery industry.
“Tokyo Police Club” are a four-piece Canadian indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario. Tokyo Police Club were formed in 2005 and they are Dave Monks (Vocals and Bass), Josh Hook (Guitar), Graham Wright (Keyboards) and Greg Alsop (Drums). Their musical genres are mainly indie rock, garage rock and post-punk revival.Â
Elephant Shell has a good opening with “Centennial”. In the few seconds upon opening, you can hear the sound of a malfunctioned robot. The robot might be stuck or jammed somewhere, i thought to myself. Shortly, the draggy keyboard and Dave Monks just come in. Centennial is not a fast tempo track, but the guitar and bass seem to be able to work this track out. In the bridge, handclaps joining by keyboard, just come in for a brief second. And that might be one of the best moments on Centennial. At the end, i like Dave Monks goes, “Iâm only wishing well, though you wonât believe me, this coming Thursday evening, is our centennial⦔ and succeeded by wedding-like keyboard. A short opening, but iâm convinced to find out more about Tokyo Police Club.Â
“In A Cave” starts with guitar that comes in from afar before joining by In A Caveâs core bassline. Before Dave comes in, the music is already really good. When it comes to the chorus where Dave again goes, “All my hair grows in, wrinkles leave my skin, but still, donât fade⦠Iâll be back again when the tide is in some day⦔, the keyboard suddenly enters and the rest of Tokyo Police Club can be heard helping Dave out in the background. The second verse gets even fiercer with the guitar and bass, but somehow itâs not loud. It still manages to sound light and effortless. The best bet on In A Cave is definitely the remaining 1 minute after the second chorus. Dave just struts his stuff, “Elephant shell, youâre my cave and Iâve been hiding out, will you tell me a little bit about, a bit about yourself?” and joining him are the guitar, bass, drums and keyboard which play in notes that we first heard in the beginning. Only this time, Tokyo Police Club add some magic to it! Impressive stuff by Tokyo Police Club here!Â
From the lyrics of “Graves”, it sounds like a script of a horror movie. “Pack your ashes pack a watch, change of clothes and a face cloth, meet me where your mother lies, weâll dig graves on both her sides⦔ The guitar keeps playing in a loop once Graves opens before the drums, bass and keyboard come in all together. A sudden adrenaline rush! Graves is one of those tracks that donât really have a chorus and relies on the music to drag it or make it a longer track. After Daveâs vocals on the second verse, it feels like Tokyo Police Club are having a short break by playing the music. They really do have a strong liking for keyboards. Nearing the end, Dave just sing to the end accompanied by a howl-like sound that comes on and off.Â
“Juno” has some drum beats going on. As Dave sings in the chorus, it looks like thereâs a sound in the background which i think is produced by the instrument Xylophone, adding some Christmas feel to it. Reaching the chorus, Juno seems to be turning to keyboard to go along with Daveâs vocals, “You and your soapy eyes, called it off so late at night, but your handâs on your heart, because your headâs always right⦔ The Xylophone also plays its part here on a few notes that really complement the chorus. As Juno goes on, it ends on a sudden and tired note, “Juno, youâre tired⦔ But iâm just getting started to know Tokyo Police Club.Â
“Tessellate” has some high and sharp pitched guitar in the beginning. Just as Dave sings each phrase of the verse, the keyboards which possess some catchy ingredients just come in at the right time to make sure we as listeners are having a good time listening to Tessellate. In the chorus, Dave sings with his already-known voice, “⦠Dead lovers salivate, broken hearts tessellate tonight⦔ Tokyo Police Club show some effort here by adding hand claps along side to Daveâs voice. The real deal on Tessellate is definitely the sound of the keyboard which always never fails to capture my attention as itâs too good. And at times, it sounds like a piano. Now i just canât get the sound of it off my head.Â
“Sixties Remake” kicks off with some crunchy guitar opening that reminds me of those motorcycles engine on the highway. As this song goes and reaches a point where an exclaimation of “Hey” can be heard, i already knew Sixties Remake is one of the tracks that is going to be my favourite on Elephant Shell. The crunchy guitar is one of the factors that keeps Sixties Remake so good. In the chorus, Dave just goes, “Hey! Bat your lips, shut your eyes⦠Hey! Swing those chains, and start a fight, because youâve got nerve, but weâve got tapped⦔ This has got to be one of the loudest and crunchiest tracks on the album.Â
“The Harrowing Adventures Of⦔ has me thinking that this is one of the tracks that might be suitable for babies. The xylophone just plays in notes that will make all babies in the world smile upon listening to it. Itâs not long before Dave enters the bay twilight zone, “The harrowing adventures of, you and I when we were captains of, submarines made of steel⦔ When it got to the point that sounds like a chorus, acoustic guitar can be heard playing in a way that blend in so well with the vocals of Dave and xylophone. Two string instruments which sounded like a cello and a violin can also be heard here. I really didnât expect that to come, but Tokyo Police Club surprise me here. The Harrowing Adventures Of⦠is undefiantly cute and cheeky in its own way. It will gulp you down slowly.Â
“Nursery, Academy” is a short rock track that i find Dave sings on different notes in a few minutes. In the beginning, Dave can be heard singing, “I wouldâve gone back home, i wouldâve gone back home, itâs bad enough youâre here and itâs worse that youâve come along⦔ Smart lyrics i thought. This song begins to pick up in a short while once the bass comes in. Keyboardist Graham must have worked very hard here as the keyboard is all over the place with different notes. Tokyo Police Club are trying very hard on this track to make it sounds as good as possible. I can feel that they work very hard on this track.Â
“Your English Is Good” has Tokyo Police Club choiring, “Oh, give us your vote, give us your vote, if you know whatâs good for you⦔ before the whole track sounds very full as the music comes in all together. Your English Is Good is cheeky and cute with the keyboard playing in repetition in the same notes throughout the track. Everytime the keyboard enters, a smile appears on my face. Tokyo Police Club also go together with, “Because your English is good, we can see it in your bones, in this neighborhood, we ainât driving you home⦔ With such title, Your English Is Good will definitely catch everyoneâs attention in the tracklist section. Plus another good thing is the cute keyboard and choir that are in this track. Sweet and cute!Â
“Listen To The Math” has a slow opening where Daveâs voice seems to be the music here. The keyboards and bass add some weight to Daveâs singing as heâs into the second part of the first verse. Once it gets to the chorus, it feels light with the guitar. “Itâs a ruse, itâs a laugh, experts theyâd agree, listen to the math⦔ Shortly after the chorus, the guitar switches to a chrunchier note that seems to be able to add some extra effects and weights to Listen To The Math. Another mention is the deep background voice that comes in during the chorus. It just follows Daveâs singing in the background. Listen To The Math can regarded as a ballad that will stick to you like a fungus after a few listenes.Â
As the last track on Elephant Shell, “The Baskervilles” has some moments on it that stands out. The choiring moments by Tokyo Police Club is worth mentioning and appear on some parts of the song and never fail to create an impact on the listeners. They would go, “Alright, we tried to help⦔ As we get further into The Baskervilles, the track starts to pick up and the music just sounds as lively as ever. The guitar and keyboards work their way out here. Even nearing the end, Dave increases his singing tone and yell, “A toast to the last of a dying breed, theyâre crawling back to bed, theyâre falling back to sleep” to the end. A very strong finish by Tokyo Police Club.Â
Cheers!Â
Darren Tan
Indiesurf.com
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Read!! If u think it sux u may just keep ur shut up 
