12-1-2010

Seeing natural scenes like these make me miss Michigan.  It could almost BE Michigan, if it wasn't in Yamanashi.

11-30-2010

The most commonly photographed and depicted autumn leaf in Japan.

11-24-2010

Sometimes there are fields in people's back yards in Japan.  Even in less populous areas of the city fields take up random plots.  It doesn't always make sense.

In this case, this field is exactly where it should be, but it got me thinking about fields.

11-19-2010

In the country, sometimes flowers grow out of the rock walls surrounding homes or other areas.  It's not as common in Tokyo because of the upkeep (and the general lack of this type of wall), but it looks nice and brightens up the rock walls.

11-17-2010

Next to Saruhashi, one of the three famous bridges in Japan, this post says...something.  None of my Japanese friends could read it either.

11-16-2010

These flowers look great, no matter what time of year.  They were growing out of a stone wall.

11-15-2010

Not sure why this maple leaf turned like it did, but it wanted to pose for a photo for me.

11-13-2010

Went hiking in Yamanashi today.  We saw Mount Fuji from the summit of another [much shorter] mountain, drank spring water and saw the changing leaves.

After descending we went to see Saruhashi, one of the three most famous bridges in Japan (with Kintaikyo in Yamaguchi and Shinkyo in Tochigi).  You can't see the fabulous construction of the bridge from this photo, but the trees make up for it.

8-17-2010

Climbed Mount Fuji overnight and saw the sunrise from the summit.  It was nice but I wouldn't do that again if I could avoid it; have you ever tried to climb a mountain at night?

8-6-2010

On my flight to Hong Kong I saw Mt. Fuji from above the clouds.

6-9-2010

Some omiage I got in Yamanashi.  Mochi with kinako (soy flour) and molasses.  Quite tasty.

6-8-2010

Kofu station in Yamanashi has a bell, which I didn't get a chance to read the history, but I think it's from the original station a long time ago.  It has a brick wall next to it that also looks old-fashioned.  Interesting bit of history.   o_O;