Built in 1997 by Argentine-American architect Raphael Viñoly, the Tokyo International Forum is found in the center of the city, next to Tokyo Station. The spacious exhibition hall stretches across four buildings connected by a curving glass roof. Steel, glass, sharp angles and plenty of light make the complex ideal for a photographer.
Shiodome, the onetime railway center of Tokyo, has blossomed into one of the city's most modern and important financial districts. We spent a day wandering around its skyscrapers, like ants in the presence of giants.
Ever since springing to life in the seventeenth century as home to the city's silver-coin mint, the central district of Ginza has been among Tokyo's most popular places to shop, see and be seen. We spent our first Saturday in the city walking along the joyfully car-free street of Chuo-Dori, watching people, and popping into some world-famous stores.
After arriving in a new city, we often try and find a panoramic viewpoint for a bird's eye view of our new home. So our first activity in Tokyo was destined to be the SkyTree which, at 634 meters, is the world's tallest tower.
"Tokyo." The word has always sent shivers down my spine. Tokyo isn't just any big, exciting city. It's the biggest and most exciting city in the world. The thought that we were about to spend three months there filled me with both happy anticipation and a sense of dread. 91 days is usually enough time to comprehensively explore our new homes, but this wouldn't be the case in Tokyo. And we knew it.
