Tokyo

Tokyo was sick.  It's such a rad place, if far too expensive for my Korean budget.  It was worth it though as it's definitely the coolest looking city I've ever been to.  I walked around the city with my jaw open in awe at how functionally well-designed and aesthetically gorgeous everything was, with just the right amount of odd kitsch interjected.

JAPAN

What do you do when you live in South Korea and you're randomly given a three week hiatus from work? Book a trip to Japan, of course.  You know from previous posts like this and this that I've been wanting to go to the island next door for a long time, and in less than two weeks I'll finally be soaking up the crazy culture of Tokyo.  I'm already envisioning myself walking down the infamous Shibuya Crossing, eating dinner in trendy Ebisu, and shopping for cute shit in Harajuku.

Does anyone have any Tokyo tips for me?

(I have tried to link all images to their sources. Click to be redirected).

Tokyo Slo-Mode

Alex Lee's homage to his hometown manages to capture a contrapuntal, surprising and vivacious impression of Tokyo by slowing down images of a city which is generally thought of as the epitome of fast-paced.  The dream-like quality this effect achieves makes me feel like I've just rediscovered a place I've never been to.

Seeing as I'm on such a Tokyo vein at the moment the crazy-amazing effects used in this video are making me want to apparate over to the Japanese capital right now.

Korea, I think we need to talk.

Tokyo Rising

This very cool Palladium Boots documentary (trailer below) on the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake is revealing, enlightening and exciting all at once.  I'm in awe of the Japanese, from their consistently crazy pop culture to the fighting spirit they've shown after the huge tragedy of March 11th this year.

Part three is my favourite out of the entire video due to the intelligent predictions on how Japan will develop and flourish in the future, perhaps without so much of an influence from western pop culture.  It will be fascinating to see how that pans out and to see Japan appropriating their own historical culture in that creative and gloriously kitsch way they know best.

Also, how gorgeous are Trippple Nippples? I love those showgirl outfits, they remind me of the scene in Annie (which I was obsessed with as a kid: I always wanted to be adopted by a billionaire) when she goes to the cinema with Daddy Warbucks and his secretary.

I'll be cashing in my won for yen at some point next year, for sure.

Watch the entire feature at Palladium.

Image: Still from the film