Tokyo Midtown
(
57)
Wed 2007/08/08 01:28
Just like Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown is another "city within a city" which opened earlier this year.
The small city contains office space, restaurants, food stalls and a ton O brand names.
The small city contains office space, restaurants, food stalls and a ton O brand names.
The architecture is modern and fresh. Everybody seems to be well dressed but stink of perfume.
The first floor of the city contains lots of brand name foods.
Cant quite remember but I think the first 4 floors are full of shops and restaurants.
More brand name foods.
A posh Seven Eleven for the office workers upstairs.
The food court is full of luxurious foods.
I can see how an Otaku would get bored here pretty fast what with no figures, Gundams or anime.
If you have time to kill, Midtown is probably a nice place to have a cuppa starbucks and read a good book while sitting on many of the benches dotted around the complex.
The place is full of brand named stuff. I only remember seeing Joseph. I'm not a brand name person myself but a lot of Japanese seem to be brand name slaves.
The typical interior of a Zakka shop. Zakka (雑貨(ざっか)) refers to the odds n ends that are needed (and sometimes not needed) around the house - cutllery, ornaments, furniture etc.
When one person lines up - other people want to join the line. Its in peoples DNA over here.
Tired Salary woman?
The back of the complex.
Was surprised to see Muji when I visited the UK (or was it uniqlo?)
There is a nice open garden at the back of the complex. Lovely for an afternoon cuppa tea.
The main tower full of offices and hotel space.
Tokyo Midtown is a 15 min walk or a 5 min drive from Roppongi Hills.
Watched Transformers at Hills before spending the afternoon at Midtown.
We absolutely loved Transformers. I want more! If you want more too then get yourself along to the Blur Studio site - some footage that you may not have seen before. Was thinking about getting the game but saw many crap reviews.
Watched Transformers at Hills before spending the afternoon at Midtown.
We absolutely loved Transformers. I want more! If you want more too then get yourself along to the Blur Studio site - some footage that you may not have seen before. Was thinking about getting the game but saw many crap reviews.
If you are new here, you may want to keep up with more of the same via RSS or Danny's other networks. (dont show again)
This is what happens when it got gusty at the Uchimizu event.
There is e...(more)
Mon 08/06 09:28 comments (71)
A city within a city? A place otaku would get bored without anime or gundam? But its Tokyo! Land of otaku anime and gundam. But then again, not everyone is otaku. The place looks pretty nice, all oriental and pretty. Name brands only come to my mind when purchasing expensive stuff. When it comes to cheap things, go direct stores!
(ID #53737) Posted on 2007/08/08 01:24
Geek Liaison
A posh Seven-Eleven??? I didn't know such a thing existed. We always just called them Stop and Robs.
(ID #53741) Posted on 2007/08/08 01:59
They just build the "Dreammall" here which is enormous, amazing if you like your brand names but quite boring if you are looking for Gundam etc...
(ID #53743) Posted on 2007/08/08 02:04
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
I often look for specific brands when shopping for an item, don't think I'm a slave to brand names. ^^; Maybe I have some strong female genes because I do enjoy going shopping. Could have been both Danny, Muji and UniQlo both have shops in UK and in U.S. Good thing their shops are only in New York... ^^; Glad to hear you enjoyed Transformers.
(ID #53746) Posted on 2007/08/08 02:09
IT specialist
oh cool ^^ Mid-Town seems worth a visit, taking some photos and eating some luxurious food there :) haha I'll give it a try in october ;)
(ID #53748) Posted on 2007/08/08 02:14
anime/cosplay events organizer
the city w/in a city concept is not new especially here in the philippines with SM Malls and Ayala Malls leading ^^ i'm not much of a brand name person. i'm more of a cheap-and-comfortable-clothes kind of a guy XD a cheap bastard if you will XDDD
(ID #53749) Posted on 2007/08/08 02:32
Student
That place is beautiful, definitely wouldn't get bored in there, its a nice place to hang out with friends ^^ or for a date perhaps.
(ID #53752) Posted on 2007/08/08 03:05
4th Year Business Economics Student
I would probably go wild on all the food (I want this!, Ohh! I want that!), but would easily get bored with all those brand stores. And WTF! A garden at the back of a mall? I've never seen that before LOL.
(ID #53753) Posted on 2007/08/08 03:16
I prefer the scruffier neighbourhoods, although the glitzy new complexes gleam of the promised silver future. Separately, I noted that there is a lack of free wi-fi hotspots when I was in Tokyo.
(ID #53757) Posted on 2007/08/08 04:09
hehe in hk we hav dat DNA problem too lol !
(ID #53761) Posted on 2007/08/08 04:23
nvr been to Roppongi..but look cool..danny, maybe she is too tired of walking around the mall.
(ID #53762) Posted on 2007/08/08 04:25
Procurement officer / Teacher
I have never been to Tokyo, yet. But am I the only one who is dissapointed??? Its not much unlike other places I have seen in japan :( The hype I always read about it made it sound like the best place to goto! As for bored, doesnt boffer me either way i love shopping :)
(ID #53766) Posted on 2007/08/08 05:12
CG artist, Sunrise Emotion
I visited Midtown with a friend when it first opened ( what were we thinking ? ) and almost died of suffocation. Half of Tokyo's population must have been at Midtown that day.
(ID #53768) Posted on 2007/08/08 05:22
Animator/ graphic designer
i must remind myself to go there for a quick visit...
(ID #53770) Posted on 2007/08/08 05:36
Dental Practice Manager
This looks like somewhere I should visit when I go to Japan. I'm planning on going to Japan for a 1 week visit with a few friends, and will be staying in the Tokyo region. Would like to know if you can give me any suggestions in terms of where will be the must visit places, as a fan of Gundam, anime, figure and electronics, also as a tourist. Thanks for your help and time. :)
(ID #53771) Posted on 2007/08/08 05:48
Student, Illustrator
That seems like a great place to just lougne... I like nice places...
(ID #53772) Posted on 2007/08/08 06:08
how come starbuck in japan doesnt offer any free wireless?
(ID #53773) Posted on 2007/08/08 06:28
Student
Dear sweet Jesus that place looks really nice. However, it looks like a really expensive place to shop and the whole brand name system dosn't sit well with me. It's just a way to get extra cash out of people in the end -_-
(ID #53775) Posted on 2007/08/08 06:38
Tokyo midtown was only open a few weeks when I went there in March. It was under construction the last 2 times i went! Its really nicely furnished (love the bamboo inside) and is all brown, beige and modern, but i felt like a right scruffy bugger. Its super posh in there, and as you said, no gundams, figures or games! I did want to pop into the massive new konami HQ and demand a job though! BTW - love their super high tech HD touch panel map displays, and the information ladies in those super smart blue uniforms.
(ID #53777) Posted on 2007/08/08 06:56
Lol, perfect place for some girls I know. Not for me lol, I could probably use some kitchen stuff though...that I can get anywhere though here.
(ID #53778) Posted on 2007/08/08 07:02
The mall looks really nice and high class heh. However, like you said, I don't its type of mall i would be enjoy going to. From the sound of brand name shops, it seems like its an expensive place to shop at. Might take a look around if i ever get the chance to go to japan again. In the end though, all i care is anime and videogames. xD
(ID #53782) Posted on 2007/08/08 07:53
Project Manager, Engineer
It seems to be a nice place to go. The interior looks good from your pictures. With all the brand shops there, they forgot to put a Gundam/Figure/Hobby shop. That really can attract more customers like me. haha. in that way, i can shop for gundams, as well as other things from the shops there. ^_^
(ID #53783) Posted on 2007/08/08 09:14
i prefer a store that sold some material such as resin, clay or any kind of material that needed for PVC statue. i want to start making my own toys =)
(ID #53784) Posted on 2007/08/08 09:24
Student
I'm not a slave to brand names, but a slave to Japan in general.
(ID #53785) Posted on 2007/08/08 10:01
cool. a city within a city. pretty much people let their guard down when there are branded stuff. been to muji before back when i was in UK.
(ID #53787) Posted on 2007/08/08 10:30
Dont worry about the reviews for transformers the game it is AWESOME and you get to play as OPTIMUS PRIME what more could you want beside a lifetime supply of gunpla and figures
(ID #53788) Posted on 2007/08/08 10:40
Software Engineer
These city within a city type malls seems to be popping up everywhere nowadays. I'm not a big fan of name brands myself but then i again i barely buy new clothes
(ID #53789) Posted on 2007/08/08 10:49
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
but aren't the figure manufacturers counted as brand names as well ??? aren't we all slaves to them ?
(ID #53792) Posted on 2007/08/08 11:38
Administrative Assistant
Ooo good point. But fortunately, my wallet is my master and only lets me buy what it tells me to. Or lets be.
(ID #53793) Posted on 2007/08/08 11:42
Gundamjehutykai in Foundation II: Stellvia
The place looks very clinical and a little tourist-y. Kind of reminds me of times square in HK. A place which is cool to go to and look at once but I would never buy anything from there. Both Muji and UniQuLo are in london now. I've bought a couple of Muji stuff myself. Not bad, if a little pricy. And I thought the transformers movie was bad. But I didn't feel cheated out of my money like when I watched some really hyped up bad films *cough* hero *cough*
(ID #53795) Posted on 2007/08/08 12:02
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
Look nice, but I can't distinguish one building from another.
(ID #53796) Posted on 2007/08/08 13:14
Hobby Store clerk guy thing...
Oh my.. I wish I had of visited those areas when I was in Tokyo... All I ever saw was Akiba, Tokyo Big Sight, Makuhari... you get the idea...
(ID #53797) Posted on 2007/08/08 13:36
Lol, I was just there (and Roppongi Hills) yesterday!! Off just by a day orz I just love the architecture of Midtown, one of the most aesthetically pleasing imo. There was one of those no-pets sign, but said no photography. Was disappointed but went inside and asked one of the ladies in the front and they said "dozo" and so I did. I felt out of place there though, too bourgeoisie for me. Btw, did you see the big Konami building Danny? p.s., will call in the morning. Got some nice NTT evangelion phone cards at Nakano that have some credits left^^
(ID #53798) Posted on 2007/08/08 13:46
Anime Store Owner, artist, Web master
I hope to go there in a few years. Looks awesome. As for the brand names question, I'm definitely no slave to them. 95% of what I buy for my house, anime, etc comes from my distributors for my companies which sometimes *gasp* don't have brand names for everything. It don't bug me though, these brands pay me and they are better quality. Still... I wouldn't mind going on a shopping run in this mini city.
(ID #53799) Posted on 2007/08/08 13:49
3den It does, I've used it before at a Starbucks in Fukuoka. Shibuya seems to have it too but I couldn't seem to access internet for some reason
(ID #53800) Posted on 2007/08/08 13:51
we have both Muji and Uniqlo over here, probably costs a bit more here tho :P (i love them both)
(ID #53801) Posted on 2007/08/08 13:52
Web Producer
That's a cool looking Seven Eleven! Wish ours were that great looking. As for brand names, I am a slave to them thanks to a girl I used to date. For Example: I won't wear a polo shirt unless it has Polo, Lacoste, or an American Eagle symbol on it(well sometimes NBC but only for work).
(ID #53804) Posted on 2007/08/08 15:24
Wow, that was impressive. For a tourist this is a great place to sightsee. I'll be sure to check it out when I'm there. However, seeing that everything is spammed with brands, I don't think that I can afford a long stay^^ I'd rather go to Akihabara and spend my money overthere.
(ID #53807) Posted on 2007/08/08 16:11
Student
A lot of people my age fall into trends, I used to be the same way. Now I just slap on a shirt I find in my closet and I'll be done.
(ID #53810) Posted on 2007/08/08 17:49
Student Engineer
Well Im not too much of a slave ^^ Most of the time a shirt on my floor is enough for me (or the laundry) and Im off to do things. I attend Penn State University though, so from time to time I may be wearing PSU clothing =).
(ID #53811) Posted on 2007/08/08 19:35
I'm never terribly bothered by brand names, unless it's Apple - then it's a different story!
(ID #53812) Posted on 2007/08/08 19:57
Sergio in in my toilet!!! Damn!
in my case, i love traditional japanese buildings and traditional buildings in Chile (my country), so this techcrap is borring for me ¬ ¬U
(ID #53815) Posted on 2007/08/08 21:40
Like CrazyAnimeTuga said, it looks like a great place to have a date. It seems so clean, so bright, so attractive... a real tourist trap. ;) I tend to check prices and all for what I buy so you can count me out for the definition of "traveler who has lots-o'-money-to-spend-at-everything-he-sees". I tend to choose items in terms of utility and durability. As long as doesn't look ugly or gives the impression of great fragility, it is okay to me. If I had the chance to go there, I think I'd go window-shopping and go for the bargain bin... No wait, I'd go for the cut prices for videogames and anime-related stuff in Akihabara and so on. ;)
(ID #53817) Posted on 2007/08/08 22:05
Am I slave to brand names? Well that can be a misleading question depending how it could be interpreted I am a slave to solid quality products. And if you're specifically referring to brand name clothes then yes I could be. There are a couple of reasons why as I stick to some brands: 1) While the styles change with each upcoming season (or mood swing) each brand establishes a strong and consistent line of fabric. It is without a doubt that a Polo shirt you purchased at Old Navy, GAP, or even Abercrombie & Finch as opposed to a high-end retail store that the materials used are completely noticeable once the product is worn and washed (over many periods). 2) Unfortunately in the mundane and tedious business world dressing according to code is expected. It would be a far cry to say that I am a designer, much less a seamstress. So while I can't make clothes, I rely on particular brands for my specific needs of which clothes I would need to wear to work. I didn't have much success pulling random pieces off of shelves at a past time, but then again as a purrrrty individual said to me, "to each and their own."
(ID #53833) Posted on 2007/08/09 02:57
Geh. I forgot to reply about the new 'Tokyo Midtown'. -_- Sorry. Thanks for the update Danny. Did they have this open to the public around May of last year? I remember visiting some huge mall type of building with several escalators that was filled with brand names. The coolest part for me (not sure if this screams Ota'ish), but there was a Studio Ghibli store! Is that the Tokyo Midtown in which you were writing about?
(ID #53836) Posted on 2007/08/09 03:06
CEO MIrai Inc
Shou, No - opened early this year. Rufus, Saw the building but didnt go in ^^; Setsuna-san, Not really. I buy if I like the figure - not because the brand.
(ID #53884) Posted on 2007/08/09 10:43
1 question: is this tokyo midtown kinda like a really huge mall?
(ID #53915) Posted on 2007/08/09 17:53
A nice sophisticated looking build. I'd like to go check it out one day...even though I don't exactly know what that build really is (other than a mall I'm assuming).
(ID #53980) Posted on 2007/08/10 06:54
btw, about the transformers game.. don't waste yr time playing it. the graphics is alright, but the gameplay is just boring.
(ID #54007) Posted on 2007/08/10 12:45
I heard they have apartment in Tokyo Midtown for rent around USD$6000 per month? Is that true??? That's crazy even the area looks (from the pic) kinda nice.
(ID #56475) Posted on 2007/09/05 23:54
Fine arts and communications student
Wow, like a mall in the Philippines.
(ID #63562) Posted on 2007/11/14 14:08
Brand names items are luxury goods because they do not promote the material good but instead the desire for possession of that good. Hence its marketable desire - a novel idea brought about by subliminal advertising in the 60s / USA. If you market a product enough, the desire to own it overshadows the practical use of said product! Much like certain figure companies ... hmm ... HMM
(ID #269755) Posted on 2008/08/19 10:09
Brand names...fie! Fie, I say! E^D
(ID #269822) Posted on 2008/08/19 11:57
When I was there it felt like the new "Roppongi hills" - especially with all the high-end shopping. Don't get me wrong. Locating a Puma store that has the limited designer labels was a fairly cool discovery all in itself. Did you also get a familiar vibe Danny?
(ID #269871) Posted on 2008/08/19 13:23
Nice recommedation - Blur studios rock!
(ID #269914) Posted on 2008/08/19 14:17
i will repeat it until i get to live there: I LOVE JAPAN
(ID #427983) Posted on 2008/12/29 05:04
looks awesome. poor salary woman
(ID #479623) Posted on 2009/02/08 09:09
Should be able to get the rest of the TGS 2007 coverage out today startin...(more)
Fri 09/21 22:25 comments (40)
A quick look at the new wafer thin apple keyboard and how its helped me o...(more)
Tue 10/09 08:17 comments (60)
This is the first time I've seen something like this - body inflation where some sort of liquid is i...(more)
Sun 07/05 07:23 comments (94)
In a meeting at Ebisu earlier on this week - everybody has an iPhone ^^;
And a closer look at that ...(more)
Sat 07/04 23:07 comments (60)
Subscribe to RSS or get dannychoo.com delivered to your inbox.
