Japan’s four seasons are beautiful. The summers can be a little long, as can the winters, but they are still fun to experience. I have been to Shirakawago at the beginning of summer (July pictured above). Someday I hope to make it there in the winter. Come to think of it, I’d also like to experience a spring and autumn there too. 😉

The rice paddies are well underway in July but not quite as lush as they would be a month or so later.

A few days ago, Edmund Yeo posted some photos he recently took from the same location. One is below.

The rice hasn’t been planted yet in this winter scene, and the fields are deep in snow.

Which do you like better–the green or the white?

Posted on March 9th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: shirakawago, snow. Comments: 4

I have shown you examples of Japanese advertising on lanterns previously. Today’s photo has some katakana for those who have begun studying Japanese. Here is a hint for the middle lantern.

Posted on March 8th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: lanterns, nishi-waseda. Comments Off on More lantern advertising

Chindonya (Japanese marching band) are sometimes outside of the Takadanobaba Station in Tokyo. I haven’t seen them do much marching, but they do make a lot of music. They advertise the opening of new Pachinko Parlors. They may look a little bored in the photo above, but when they are noticed (and I’m sure they are with great regularity), they can be as happy as the people who do the noticing.

The video below is not one I took, but it will give you an idea of what they sound like.

Posted on March 4th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: people, takadanobaba, video. Comments: 2

Today is the Hina Matsuri (雛祭り) in Japan. Our very kind neighbors invited us over to check out their display, pictured above, that they set up each year in late February for their daughter. We enjoyed seasonal treats for Girls’ Day with them. They invited us back for Children’s Day on May 5 to see their other display.

I was envious of their tatami floor. Even though our apartments were virtually identical, we didn’t have tatami. 🙁

Posted on March 3rd, 2011 under Japan. Tags: festivals. Comments: 5

Everything you could possibly want is within walking distance of Shinjuku Station. However, if it’s a different place you want to go, you can get on one of eleven different train lines that pass through or begin here. If trains aren’t your thing, buses leave from here for everywhere imaginable. And if that still isn’t good enough for you, you can always take a taxi.

Posted on March 1st, 2011 under Japan. Tags: shinjuku. Comments Off on Catching a cab at the Shinjuku Station