Kamakura's famous Hasedera front gate with pine tree

Posted on October 9th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: buddhist, hasedera, kamakura, lanterns, pine, temples. Comments Off on Hasedera

A bicycle sits alone in Tokyo's Shakujii Park

If you like to people watch, head to one of Tokyo’s many parks on a weekend or holiday. For something more solitary, check ’em out on a weekday. Chances are pretty good that you won’t see anyone other than a few retired folk and/or some pre-schoolers. It may end up just being you, a parked bike, and a sign at Shakujii Park (石神井公園).

Posted on October 6th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: bikes, shakujii, signs, Tokyo, water walks in the suburbs of tokyo. Comments Off on Tokyo Metropolitan Shakujii Park

Tenso Jinja in the Fall

My neighborhood shrine (Tenso Jinja) looked great in autumn. I say autumn, but this was actually December. By December in my neck of the woods the fall foliage is long gone, but in Tokyo one can still enjoy fall colors.

Posted on October 4th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: autumn, nishi-waseda, shinto, Tokyo, 紅葉. Comments Off on More Autumn foliage in Japan

Ikki Sawamura playing Takeda Shingen in Kofu in 2010

At last year’s 信玄公祭 the famous actor Ikki Sawamura played the role of Takeda Shingen. I say famous, but I had never heard of him before. Gathering from the crowd reaction, though, I think he is rather well known by the Japanese.

Posted on October 3rd, 2011 under Japan. Tags: kofu, people. Comments: 1

Autumn in Japan

If you are currently in Japan, October and November are excellent months to go hiking. The weather is generally good, the fall foliage is beautiful (although the fall colors generally don’t hit their peak near Tokyo until late November), and the crowds (especially on weekdays) are slim to none.

Today’s photo was taken in late November on our way up Mt. Mitake.

Posted on October 2nd, 2011 under Japan. Tags: autumn, ellie, hiking, mt. mitake, ryan, 紅葉. Comments Off on Fall Japanese scene