In the distance is Hakuba’s majestic mountain range (shiroumarenpo or 白馬連峰). 白馬 means white horse. It can be read as either hakuba or shirouma. It’s usually read as the former for the town and the latter for the town’s mountains. Strange, no?

A famous (or should I say infamous?) sumo wrestler went by the name of Hakuba and used these same kanji. I watched him perform many times while I was in Japan, and always thought of the town of Hakuba when I heard his name. He was forced to retire earlier this year when it was found out that he fixed matches.

Posted on December 12th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: hakuba. Comments Off on Hakuba’s Matsu River (白馬村の松川)

Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture

The only thing better than having gasshozukuri (合掌造り) in front of you is having them behind you too.

Posted on December 11th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: shirakawago, thatch roof. Comments: 1

Rainbow Bridge on the left, Tokyo Tower to the right of center in the distance across the bay

Posted on December 10th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: Tokyo. Comments: 1

Ballad display in TV Asahi (テレビ朝日)

TV Asahi studios in Roppongi in Tokyo frequently has some pretty cool-looking displays in their giant, atrium-like lobby that you can go in and view. Back in September of 2009 they were plugging a new movie with the display shown in today’s photo.

I didn’t see the movie, myself, and it can be difficult getting foreign films in the USA that weren’t super popular in the home country. IMDB gives it rather mediocre reviews as do customers on amazon.jp. Oh well, great looking promo structure in any event.

Posted on December 9th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: buildings, roppongi, Tokyo. Comments Off on Ballad (バラッド名もなき恋のうた) – Japanese Movie promo set

歌舞伎町

If you are looking for karaoke (カラオケ), all-you-can-eat yakiniku (焼肉食べ放題), a drink (居酒屋), or something a little seedier, you are sure to find it in Kabukicho. In fact, you can probably find what you are looking for at a dozen or more different establishments in Kabukicho. Today’s photo is of the approach to Kabukicho from the Shinjuku Station.

Posted on December 8th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: night photography, shinjuku, signs, Tokyo. Comments Off on Kabukicho after dark