ECLAIT VOYAGER : May 2015

If I had one word to describe Tokyo, it would be the word "Transient".

It's a clash between modern otaku technology vs. conventional Bushido traditions.

It's probably my 5th time to Tokyo, but I can never run out of places to go to, a new restaurant, a local art gallery, a shrine in Wisteria season. Opportunities abound.

Sakura (Cherry Blossom season) is the big flower season around end of March to early April, but if you are visiting in May, there's always the Wisteria.

The Kameidoten Shrine, is a popular Tenji shrine that Japanese people go to to pray for academic successes and happiness. It is famous for it's red arched bridge and a garden full of plum flowers (End of January to February) and wisteria (End of April to June).

Taking a slow stroll around the quiet neighborhood of Sumida park.

This is one of those temples that don't come up in guidebooks, the Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple.

The legend goes that one day in year 595, the Matsuchiyama mountain suddenly appeared and it has been considered as a sacred spot since then. It also appears in many Ukiyo-e prints and poems during the Edo period (so the temple has been around for 1400 years...) for its beautiful mountain view.

There are a lot of Daikon (Radish) and money bag motifs in and around the temple, which symbolizes career success and family harmony. What I love about this place is that it is not crowded with tourists, and you can really immerse in this quiet sanctuary.

Imado Shrine - to love
This is considered one of the top 5 matchmaking shrines in Japan, and what's cute about it is that although the original deities worshipped are Emperor Ojin, Izanagi-no-mikoto, and Izanami-no-mikoto, the welcome cats "Maneki-Neko" became more popular than the actual deities, and were said to be given power for match making.

There is a legend too that during the Edo period, an old grandma had a cat, but due to financial reasons, she had to let it go. One day she had a dream of the cat, which said "Ask the potter to create a statue of me, and good fortune will come". This is also the place where Imado pottery came to birth, and obviously the cat won its respect from tourists all over the world to come pray for love and marriage.

Where to start for the Kunsthistorisches museum?

The building was commissioned by the Hasburg family to showcase their large collection of art and armor and an interesting side note is that the planning started in 1857, but it was not 10 years later until the competition was held. Although the original building plan was submitted by Karl Freiherr von Hasenauer, Gottfried Semper was called in as an advisor and then later commissioned to complete the plan initated by Hasenauer.

The building is largely inspired by how urban planning is done in ancient Rome, which mirrored the exterior of the Naturhistorisches museum across the Maria-Theresian Platz. Upon entering the building, you will be amazed by the majestic staircase and the cupola hall.

Antonio Canova’s “Theseus Slaying the Centaur”

Fresco painting completed by Gustav Klimt - on history of ancient Egyptian art to modern age.

I could spend the whole day in this museum, and I'd recommend dropping by at the cafe at the Capola hall to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and be dazzled by it's ornated marble decor.

Matching patterns

I think Cafe Mozart is a little over-rated, but I can understand why people go there. Unbeatable location, but I don't think the food quality is up to standard so I am just going to leave it as that and move on to State Opera, which is a lot lot more worth mentioning!

The industrial revolution and the rise of Bourgeoise in the 19th century meant that a class of industrialists and bankers now emerged, accumulating great wealth and a keen sense of greater, more "aesthetically-correct" entertainments such as collecting paintings, antiques, going to theaters and concerts. The State Opera when it was finished, however, was criticized as not having the same level of glamour as the Heinrichshof and called it only a "Half success".

The Heinrichshof (destroyed in WWII)

The architect, Eduard van der Nüll could not handle the public criticism that he committed suicide in 1868. The emperor was so shocked by Eduard van der Null's suicide that from then on, he did not say a single criticism to any new art development.

Despite this tragic history, it is now considered as one of the most renowned opera in the world.

I got my tickets for the Swan Lake, which tells a love story of a Princess (Odette), who has been casted a spell to become a swan by day and could only turn into human form by night. The Vienna Staatsoper Ballet's swan lake was choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev, a prominent artist who danced as Prince Siegfried (51 out of 126 performances between 1964-1988).

Even after this magical night of performance, I can still remember the detail crystal clear, and in awe as to how beautiful the human body can adapt to such rhythmic flows. It's about precision and control, as well as emotions and expressions.

(Side note: yes there's standing tickets at less than 5 euro, but ballets are usually 3 hours long so I'd say save the standing tickets for something else instead!) For more information about standing tickets etiquette and buying strategies, click here.