9-27-2010

These castle-like blocks are common throughout Japan.  They are frequently used to make retaining walls, but sometimes are also the sides of buildings.  The rough surfaces of these stones are perfect places for moss and other things to grow.

9-26-2010

Osaka castle is quite a pretty castle.  It's really nice during cherry blossom season, which you cannot see here.  Maybe I'll take a photo of it when I go for work in April.

9-25-2010

Believe it or not, this is how the entire area around Takao station is paved.  The texture is pretty cool.

9-24-2010

Bleeding hearts are cool-looking plants.  I wonder if they are imported in Japan.  These are unseasonal, but that's because they're inside.

9-23-2010

There are rats with wings all over the place.  The only thing worse sometimes are the crows.

9-21-2010

Tokyo, by and large, is not a particularly tall city.  One of the tallest areas is the Shinjuku Skyscraper District.  While not the most beautiful part of Tokyo, these urban trees have a certain charm to them.

9-14-2010

Bamboo is a very popular plant, abroad as well as in Japan.  Shops and restaurants try to show they have a traditional feel by planting this fast-growing grass outside their shops.  While it looks nice I imagine it's a lot of work to keep it from taking over the shop.

9-13-2010

The buildings here often have this odd, textured coating over them.  It's not quite stucco and it's not quite paint.   Sometimes I wonder if someone was trying to hide something.

9-12-2010

Details are what make Japan such a nice place to live.  Even the railings on the streets and bridges have nice details.

9-8-2010

There are small restaurants all over Tokyo.  Some would say Tokyo has more places to eat than anywhere else they've seen.  While I haven't thought about it much I'd have to agree; there are so many places it's impossible to try every place I want to go.  This is a little shop in Otsuka that caught my eye because of the paper lantern plant.

9-6-2010

Wish I could say the bamboo is dried out due to the heat because it sure feels like it would be, but this is a fence.  It's also not in Tokyo, but the heat in Japan right now is unnaturally unbearable.  This year we're hitting record highs...and when the hottest day of the year is September 4th that's not normal.

8-24-2010

Sometimes it's amazing that a photo taken at night with the correct exposure doesn't even look like it's night.  This photo was taken in full darkness by my eyes.

A lonely train station without people or trains, as viewed from on a bridge behind a chain-link fence.

8-2-2010

Vending machines are often very bright, like this Yamanote line station vending machine.  Most of the drinks in this photo are yummy.  Except the coffees...but I'm biased against all coffee.

7-24-2010

This time of year in Tokyo it's hot enough that you wish you could hide out anywhere away from the heat.  Unfortunately, that's not always possible and you find yourself blinded by sunlight and barely coherent while staring at the bushes.

At least it's not raining every day anymore.

7-21-2010

In Kyoto there's an area called Gion.  Before WWII it was a major entertainment center, famous for the best Geisha in Japan.  All of the buildings there are sided with lovely wooden panels.

7-18-2010

Seasonal flowers are nice.  Found some morning glories but didn't have my nice camera with me.  The variety of colors was amazing.  Most of them seem to turn purple just before they shrivel.

That's dew, not rain.

7-14-2010

Akihabara (Akiba) really does have everything.  If you wanna pretend to be a maid or...naked you can.

Went to Akiba to buy a new camera.  Hopefully tomorrow's photo will be taken with my new Nikon D40.  There are a few shots I've been trying to take for weeks and haven't had success because of my camera's limitations.  I might need a telephoto lens to reach one of them but we'll see.  In any case the camera was past due.

7-13-2010

Had my last visit until September at the kindergarten I usually teach at every week.  Seems every suburban town must have an old movie rental shop...with an arcade and used bookstore attached...

7-12-2010

Fruit markets always have the most perfect and amazing fruit specimens.  They come at a price though.  The big watermelons in the back are about ¥2500 ($25+) and the rest isn't cheap.  But they do taste delicious.


This time of year it's critical not to buy fresh items that you can't eat in a day or two or you'll have flies.  Some fruits like bananas will have flies the next day in the peak of summer.  Beware!

7-11-2010

This weekend I went to Aoyama Red Shoes to see a friend's band perform.  Since I've already posted a shot of The Blue Donuts I thought I'd try something that makes them look a little more epic (which they are).  This dry-brush filter makes them look like something I'd buy on a poster, and I love that the mirror caused a lens flare.  And if you like jazzy music with a Latin twist you should check out their page (official site has concert schedule).