HotMagma 0 Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 What do you think? I'm often taken aback at how ugly most towns here seem to be. Looks as if no planning at all went into what went up. Garbage dumps and rusty cars just nearby a spanking new hotel. But one thing I really love to do is just walk round some of the back streets in a city and take in the sights. Some interesting scenes to be had, the hidden beauty (maybe not the right word!) Link to post Share on other sites
KlingKlang 1 Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 The delights of the back streets, I like doing that too - I've met some amazing people that way, and found some great ramen shops and izakayas too. Link to post Share on other sites
kintaro 0 Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 The above ground power wires are the ugliest part of Japan to me. They are everywhere!! Zoning laws also seem to be a tricky concept. Oh, and why are so many of the 'mansions' that ugly brown color? Is that an indigenous brown stuff resource that just happens to be available and cheap? On a micro level, I agree the back streets and the 'here and there' sections of the cities have a lot to offer though... Link to post Share on other sites
emptyworld 0 Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 The ugly snotty green color gets me more than the brown. And how about the dirty pink! Link to post Share on other sites
Plucky 0 Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 There is hardly any land use planning at all in Japan. With the boom in the 80's and the tremendous amount of construction that is still happening now, towns often push out into the ag lands. Many roads and the orientation of buildings are dictated by what is surrounding them causing a haphazard network of roads that make absolutely no sense. I sometimes wonder about the lack of common sense out here. I'm sure most everyone has been driving, gone by something peculiar and said - WTF were they thinking? I know I do almost every day here. I agree about the above ground powerlines, ugly-ass housing colors, etc.. Who knows? Got to agree that the back alleys can be pretty cool though. I've found some of the best restaraunts in them. Link to post Share on other sites
xxx 2 Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 I wonder why houses got to be pukey-green, smelly brown and superug-pink in the first place?? The best izakayas are always found in the most unlikely places. Link to post Share on other sites
Elektro 0 Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 I love the unorganised feel of lots of cities here and backstreets. It makes for an interesting time exploring everywhere. They are real ugly though. Are there any pretty towns at all anywhere?? Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 I find that when I am in Tokyo - there is just so much to explore. Where I live, you can explore in a much shorter time its not quite the same. Link to post Share on other sites
fukdane 2 Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 Quote: the tremendous amount of construction that is still happening now Really? Where I am there ain't much. ... in the cities it carries on apace? Link to post Share on other sites
KlingKlang 1 Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 It certainly does........ Link to post Share on other sites
Plucky 0 Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 Quote: Originally posted by fukdane: Quote: the tremendous amount of construction that is still happening now Really? Where I am there ain't much. ... in the cities it carries on apace? Well, there's tons up north at least. A common occurrence here is to have a street repaved and then a month later have it torn up so they can install new sewer lines. Happens all of the time. Lots of building going on too. I don't know if this is true or not, but I was told that the Shimoda/Momoishi area is one of the fastest growing in Japan. That's just south of where I live. Anyway, construction here, there and everywhere up here. Link to post Share on other sites
slow 0 Posted January 21, 2004 Share Posted January 21, 2004 I had a chance to have a drink with some architects last night. Why Japanese towns are so ugly is the endless story for them. It was very interesting. Link to post Share on other sites
BigSausage 0 Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 Were these Japanese architects, slow? Link to post Share on other sites
slow 0 Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 Yes, they are Japanese. They used to work in famous architect's studio. And now they have their own studio. Are you interested in architecture? Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts