December 19th 2007: Roppongi Hills' Christmas --- Minato-ku

*Please click photo for larger image

I went out to buy a brush to write New Year’s card to Roppongi and I stopped by at Roppongi Hills. I went up to 2nd floor by elevator and took a snap shot of Tokyo Tower.


The other day, I read an article in Nikkei about the chairman of Hollywood Cosmetics Ms. Mei Ushiyama passed away at her age of 96. May her soul rest in peace. And I recall the scenery of old days in this Roppongi Hills area.
Those days, there was a tunnel beside the Hollywood Beauty College and above that tunnel there was an orange field. I remember she was saying “I make an orange juice for breakfast of my husband. I recommend taking around 1 hour to make a breakfast for your husband.”
And now, that college together with big hall, shop, beauty salon and restaurant, now they had renewal in Roppongi Hills became “Hollywood Beauty Plaza”.



I walked the south side of vault space of West Walk.
They were having an event, “Christmas Market 2007” with small booth of German Christmas items and foods. That was really fantastic!


The roof was covered with Christmas tree, teddy bears, angels and Santa Clause and lot of pretty Christmas motif.

I didn’t have much time so just could pass but it became memorable when I found an ornament of nutcracker I bought in Germany before.



The symbol of this market, 5 m high “Christmas Pyramid” was shining gold and splendid.
I stopped walking for a while and took a picture.
I really regret that I was rushing but I had enjoyed Christmas mood enough.


Even it’s already mid December, Mori Garden had still red colored leaves and the pond was reflecting its beauty. This garden had designated as Tokyo Historic Site in 1943 as “the site former Mori-Kainokami Residence”. After that was used as whisky factory then changed owner to TV Asahi and finally this time renewed as this garden as a part of redevelopment of this town.


Photo left : Monument in Mori garden, center : Bid advertisement of TV Asahi,
right : Tokyo Tower took from street near Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin.

At the open-air stage of the Roppongi Hills Arena, staffs were preparing for “Holy Night Concert”. Every year in this Christmas season, they have dreamy choral singing stage. Period is Dec 21st (Fri) – 25th(Tue), free of charge.