First I went to the Tokyo Stock Exchange building. I thought that it might make for some good stock photos (no pun intended). After taking a bunch of shots of the outside of the building, I wondered if maybe I could go in. There were several entrances so I followed a group of businessmen in, but quickly noticed some guards and an Xray machine, so I stopped, figuring I wasn't allowed in. The guard looked at me and my questioning gesture and said, "Visitor?" I said yes and he indicated I should go in another exit, as welcoming and apologetic as could be. I went in that entrance and after confirming I was a visitor, they happily put all my camera gear through the Xray and signed me in, allowing me free reign in the public areas of the building. I explored and quickly found what seemed to be the one area where the action happened. I'd read that all the trading is done electronically now so there's not the chaotic bustle of people making trades on a floor, but they did have one pod with a bunch of people at stations and a giant blue display showing the stock prices. It was a little difficult to get a good angle on it, but I did what I could, pleased that I'd even been given access to the building. There was a video camera crew for a news station setting up there, so I tried to work around them, feeling a small kinship with them.
Next my plan was to go to a fancy department store, Mitsukashi, which I'd been told sold elaborate traditional kimonos. Once in the giant store I had to ask where to go, but as always, the staff person was extremely polite and walked me as far as she could on her floor. There was a young woman in a uniform and white gloves operating the elevator, and on each floor she stepped out and called out in what had become a familiar sing-songy high pitched announcement voice. On the fourth floor were indeed fancy kimonos that were in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. I found a nice display and asked if I could take a photo but was told no in an apologetic way. Oh well. So instead I wandered around the floor and just admired the fabrics and the patterns. I would think it would be a cool thing to have the option to wear a kimono at a formal affair. I think I'd own one or two if I lived here.
Next my plan was to go to a fancy department store, Mitsukashi, which I'd been told sold elaborate traditional kimonos. Once in the giant store I had to ask where to go, but as always, the staff person was extremely polite and walked me as far as she could on her floor. There was a young woman in a uniform and white gloves operating the elevator, and on each floor she stepped out and called out in what had become a familiar sing-songy high pitched announcement voice. On the fourth floor were indeed fancy kimonos that were in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. I found a nice display and asked if I could take a photo but was told no in an apologetic way. Oh well. So instead I wandered around the floor and just admired the fabrics and the patterns. I would think it would be a cool thing to have the option to wear a kimono at a formal affair. I think I'd own one or two if I lived here.
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