The Roastery

Back in Tokyo and my coffee addiction.

Most of the coffee in Japan, in my opinion, are quite light. So when I found this place where they doubled shot for every cup, I was thrilled to try. As so the review on some blogs and magazines I read so far, they have high-rated this place for a nice espresso.

The Roastery by Nozy coffee, operated by the T.Y.Harbor Express. (Ivy place, Cicada, etc.)
Located on the famous Cat's street between Shibuya Station and Meiji-jingu/Harajuku Station. It is a very nice place to stop by when you went for shopping there. A very foreigner-friendly place, too.

In Winter and early Spring, they provide a heater and blankets outside. In Summer, it is absolutely nice to go, even if there's not much tables. I must say, it isn't a place for working on your laptop or reading on your own, but a place for grabbing real coffee, refresh, re-boost, and hanging out with a small group of friends.

( NIKON V1 + 10mm LENS )

Seoul, the rest of my trip

Okay, I have been extremely lazy with my blog for a while.
I'll wrap up the rest of my 5 days Seoul trip in this entry, by photos and a lil description. But to be honest, I could write about it for about 3 more pages. However, I have been here and there, do this and done that, a lot has been going on since then. I'd love to write about Bangkok and Tokyo in the next entry, too.

Well...
I visited Ehwa Womans University to experience the space, designed by Dominique Perrault.

Itaewon, a very nice street filled up with shop along 2-sides. Plus, Leeum Samsung Museum of Art. (I'm a big fan of Alexander Calder's work! There's a huge one in their yard.) 

And, getting out at Anguk station, besides the famous Gyeongbokgung Palace, there's a lot of art galleries and museums in the neighbourhood. MMCA, National museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, whether you are so into Art or not, it was a very nice place to visit and take a snapshot everywhere they allowed. (The entry fee was so cheap I couldn't believed it.)
Kuk-je Gallery, designed by So-Il, wrapped in stainless steel mesh. Unfortunately, it was closed for setting up the upcoming exhibition.

( NIKON V1 + 10mm LENS )

Haneul Park

It was a park located on the highland in the Seoul World Cup Stadium area.
A grassland park with the city view all around.

It was the end of June when I was there, the sun was super strong and the weather was extremely hot. It was quite a walk from the nearest station (World cup stadium station) and we need to catch a golf-car up the park or else we had to walk up the hill for 30 mins.

The landscape was lovely, filled with high-grass and very small amount of flowers. It was a pleasure walking in the park even in the melting weather.

* I have to apologize for my mistake on the park name on the photos. I was too lazy to edit them.

( NIKON V1 + 10mm LENS )

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

I was never a real fan of Zaha Hadid. I mean I admire her extremely but she wasn't my architect idol. She was the first woman to received the Pritzker prize back in 2004, a very honoured and most well-known prize for an architect given to a single architect each year.
I had a chance to visit some of her works few years ago and I felt a little scared and intimidated by her spatial architecture. But as far as I know, a lot of people feel the same way since her building stand out from the context so much. However, she was admired by many, too. Her works are unique, from exterior to interior, the spaces are flowing in and out, everything are speaking the same language.

This one in Seoul has made me in awe.
I was impressed by the flowing spaces, architectural details, finishing patterns, the construction, how neat and fine they've built it, and beyond.
The place is kind of a tourist spot there, in Seoul. There is exhibition halls, shops and restaurants, huge design-goods shop, and huge outdoor public space. A lot of activities were going on in the same time.

( NIKON V1 + 10mm LENS )

Garosu-gil

Two hours flight from Tokyo is super convenient to visit South Korea.

I visited Seoul in the end of June. I wasn't expect much but it was totally fun. There's a lot of place to explore, not to mentioned hundreds of coffee-shop and Korean restaurant. (I'm obsessing with Korean food lately.) Art and architecture are emerging in this capital, too.

Garosu-gil is where I stopped by in the first day, after my stay in the hostel in Hongdae. (I'd love to recommend anyone who has a plan to visit Seoul to stay in Hongdae. It is located in a very energetic area, all the shop closed at 11pm and you can find more than enough delicious food in the neighbourhood. Also, there's a lot of hostel with reasonable price.) 

Garosu-gil is a shopping street filled with shops, flagship stores all along 2-sides. Most of them are well-designed, interesting, and worth a walk down the street. Having a toast and some latte at Coffee smith, Garosu-gil's branch, was very relaxing. It is a franchise coffee-shop and this one here claimed great location. Me and my friend sat there for an hour, sipping coffee and watching people walked pass by.

(NIKON V1 + 10mm LENS)