My co-star from earlier in the day sauntering through the streets of Nikko Edo Wonderland…

The shop behind her is selling senbei (せんべい).

Posted on February 14th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: edo wonderland, geisha, nikko, people, signs. Comments Off on Oiran (花魁)

Even though I have loads of hiking opportunities now that I’m back home in Oregon, I miss hikes like this one near Tokyo. There is something special about leaving the center of the ultimate metropolis of Tokyo by train in the morning and arriving at scenery like this on the trail up Mt. Mitake just a short time later.

Posted on February 13th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: hiking, mt. mitake. Comments: 1

Today’s photo of Ryan was my view as the Japanese ride operators waived goodbye to us on the Bandit Roller Coaster at Yomiuri Land. Moments later we could see all of Tokyo before plunging into the abyss.

Posted on February 12th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: amusement parks, ryan, yomiuriland. Comments: 1

My random wallpaper of the day is this one–Loudness in Tokyo at Loudpark 2009. This was one of their first shows, maybe even their first show, with Masayuki Suzuki (鈴木政行) on drums.

Posted on February 10th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: loudpark, metal. Comments Off on Loudness

Shirakawago Mura is probably covered in deep snow at this time of year. Someday I will visit during the winter. Summer is beautiful, too, with the rice paddies making the ground a lush green.

Posted on February 9th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: rice paddy, shirakawago, thatch roof. Comments Off on Thatched-roof (kayabukiyane or 茅葺屋根)