As I rode my bike down this flower-lined path along the Kanda River, cherry blossom petals showered down on me. You wouldn’t expect such a gift of nature in the world’s largest city, but Tokyo is no ordinary city.

Posted on May 16th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: cherry blossoms, kandagawa, sakura. Comments Off on Sakura shower

In the lovely town of Takayama, Japan you can find this karakuri or Japanese automaton from a few hundred years ago. The puppet/robot is situated over the water drain that runs down the street so that during a rain storm the water rushing under this device will bring the puppet to life. It is essentially a water-powered robot.

The signs below the puppet say “Please don’t touch, even if it isn’t moving.” and “This karakuri runs on water so it is rare that it is actually moving.” The sign above the puppet says it is from the Edo Jidai (江戸時代 or 1603-1868).

Posted on May 15th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: takayama. Comments Off on Ancient Japanese Robot (karakuri or からくり)

I turned on my computer this morning and was greeted with this image of the Golden Pavilion (kinkakuji) which I took back in 2007. It was a glorious day even with overcast skies.

Posted on May 13th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: kyoto, 金閣寺. Comments Off on 金閣寺

In the Mori Art Museum in late 2009 there was an exhibit called “Ai Weiwei: According to What?” Some of the works in the exhibit had an interconnected theme. This bike sculpture reminded me a bit of something by M.C. Escher.

Posted on May 10th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: ai weiwei, bikes, mori tower, museums. Comments: 2

If the Japanese Cedars (杉) aren’t mighty enough for you in and around Toshogu in Nikko then toss in some impressive structures and stone lanterns for some serious solidness.

Posted on May 9th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: lanterns, nikko, snow, toshogu. Comments Off on Toshogu Cedars