Comments on: Kaze no To and Umi Hotaru, Tokyo Bay

By: Boyou Hotel Haikyo- Demolished | michael john grist

Boyou Hotel Haikyo- Demolished | michael john grist — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:32:37 +0000

[...] sub-Tokyo Bay Aqualine for the first time, which was cool, but I felt too ill to enjoy being on the Umi Hotaru. I had some kind of food poisoning from the Mexican place El Torito in Ikebukuro. I ended up [...]

By: MJG

MJG — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:28:17 +0000

Michael and Tom- Thanks for the further info, fills in a few of the blanks.

By: Tomcat

Tomcat — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:25:12 +0000

The large triangular shaped objects to the NE and SW of the platform are collision barriers, similar to what you will find hear bridges where there is significant water traffic. It helps keep large vessels from running into the platform along the normal direction of travel.

By: Michael Kassner

Michael Kassner — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:46:47 +0000

To MJG,
another possible piece of the puzzle: meanwhile I found an interesting article on Aquaculture. The structures shown there are very similar to the ones at the Tower of Wind and only slightly larger – but I couldn’t find any information on aquaculture in that part of the Tokyo bay, so I’m still hoping for inside information by locals or travellers – unfortunately it is a bit far from Germany so I can’t just pop around the corner to see for myself…

By: MJG

MJG — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:02:56 +0000

Michael- Good points- leaves me baffled.

AMgirl- That’s how I felt when I first realized it was actually in the Bay too- thanks for sharing.

By: AMgirl

AMgirl — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:53:00 +0000

That’s one of the craziest things. Like it just ends in the water, it’s like a portal or something. I don’t know how to describe it, it’s a sort of unnerving but awed feeling I get looking at the road just vanishing into the sea. Nice Find indeed.

By: Michael Kassner

Michael Kassner — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:56:22 +0000

To MJG,
thanks for your quick response and suggestions. I would rule stabilization out, as the tower itelf has a foundation some 40 metres deep into the seabed (according to a cross-section of the Aqualine I found elsewhere on the internet). As for nets against rough tides – why only on two sides and not all around like at the Sea Firefly? Anyway, thanks so far and maybe somebody nows anybody in the Tokyo area to clarify the options?! – Michael

By: MJG

MJG — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:43:32 +0000

Brian- Well, my buddy Mike who stopped there on a bus tour said it wasn’t up to much. I would’ve gone if easy[- to get better shots of the Tower of Wind- but now that I’ve made the post there’s no need.

Lee- Definitely, a whole different kind of exploration, in comfort.

Freedom- Cheers.

Jean Rob- Hmm, I guess you could see the Sea Firefly, but I imagine it looks just like a bridge from the side. Maybe a nice city view? But not really- mostly docks and industrial cranes.

Tornadoes- Most people don’t know, it’s not an easily seen thing- you have to be looking for it.

Hao- Cheers, and I think it’s quite far from the Chiba side- the closest location for shots would probably by Kawasaki- or of course the Sea Firefly itself.

Michael K.- Two floating structures, good call, I guessed nets to break rough tides, or something for stabilization, but just guesses.

By: Michael Kassner

Michael Kassner — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:03:59 +0000

Hello,

I found out about the Tower of Wind all right – but what are the two floating structures to the right and left of the tower?
I asked my students to find out as well, but without success, so far. Looks like fishing nets or sth like that to me, but does anybody know??
Please help!! I’m dying of curiosity.

Michael

By: Hao

Hao — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:03:05 +0000

Very cool find, definitely Miyasaki-esque, though I’m a little disappointed that it’s not a futuristic ancient robot hotel ^^

A friend of mine lives in Chiba, I’ll try to get her to go as close as possible to take some pictures.

Nice one!

Cheers~