Vermillion, ruby, scarlet, cerise, maroon, red—it’s everywhere. From the intricate floral hair ornaments and beautiful ornate robes of the passing geishas and maikos, to the pocket-sized omamori or lucky charms being sold inside the temples. Red is a recurring color in the old capital of Japan, Kyoto. Most notably, though, is the…
The rains are here, and so are roof leaks. Global climate change notwithstanding, the rains are here as expected at this time of the year. To most Pinoys, this can be a cause for celebration as we kiss the summer heat goodbye. But it seems that the local weather has…
Upon arriving in Quanzhou, I was struck by how much the city has progressed since I last visited. The development the city has undergone during the past couple of years during China’s economic boom has been staggering. Modern infrastructure exists together with old buildings preserved since the Tang Dynasty, resulting…
This crystalline structure in Aoyama is Prada’s flagship store in Tokyo. One of their most iconic stores to date, it was designed in 2003 by Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron. Easily distinguishable by its structure and geometrical façade, this building has become one of the city’s architectural marvels.…
The Imperial Palace in the Chiyoda district is one place that is quite overlooked in favor of places like Ginza, Akihabara, and Tokyo DisneySea, but it is a hidden gem that is closed off to most visitors unless you join a private tour. It is the current residence of the…
Malls are rarely the architectural highlights of a city, but the ones in Tokyo are an exception. Most malls in Tokyo are relatively small and very well designed since they concern themselves more with the quality of the building rather than the size. I visited three malls during my trip…
