One of the more famous places in Japan for viewing the cherry blossoms is Maruyama Park (円山公園) in Kyoto. We didn’t plan to go there, but ended up in the thick of things anyway. We had a splendid little lunch of yakiniku with C.C. Lemon to wash it down next to these guys who were enjoying their Asahi Beer (advertised in yesterday’s blog entry).

Cherry blossom viewing parties (花見) are a common sight in late March and early April in most of Japan. This picture captures the essence of many of those parties: food, friends, beer, kimono, lanterns, and Mickey Mouse. Actual cherry blossoms are an optional bonus. We were lucky enough to have them on this occasion. We did a 花見 in Tokyo, which was just as crowded, without any blossoms yet on the trees.

Posted on January 15th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: cherry blossoms, food, japan pictures, kyoto, people, sakura. Comments Off on 円山公園の花見

The Tokyo Tower looks pretty much like the Eiffel Tower. Is the Kyoto Tower supposed to look like the Space Needle? If so, it is a poor imitation. Speaking of the Space Needle, I will be in Seattle next week. Can’t wait…

The ad at the bottom of this photograph is for Asahi Super Dry Beer.

Posted on January 14th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: japan pictures, kyoto, night photography. Comments Off on Kyoto Tower

Today’s photograph is of the town of Himeji from the top of the town’s famous castle. If you ever plan to visit Himeji (and you should if you are visiting Kyoto, Osaka, or Kobe) I have two suggestions for you.

#1 If you are going to Himeji on a weekend be sure to arrive well before noon. The crowds in the afternoon on a weekend are out of control. Once inside the castle you will be unable to move for long periods of time.

#2 If you are more than 6′ tall be sure to watch your head as many of the ceilings, doorways, and ladder areas have a clearance below 6′. I hit my head so hard going up a set of stairs (ladder really, the same one you can see in the Shogun miniseries) that I thought I was going to pass out.

Posted on January 13th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: himeji, japan pictures. Comments Off on Himeji from above

This was the first, of many, bamboo glimpses we had in Kyoto. If I remember correctly, in order to get this view I had to crouch down and put my camera through some bushes while waiting in line to get into Ginkakuji (The Silver Pavilion).

Posted on January 11th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: bamboo, japan pictures, kyoto. Comments Off on Kyoto bamboo

Behind and up the road from our hotel in Hakone were a couple of very peaceful temples. Pictured above is what lies behind Sounji. There was a large graveyard which led to some paths up the mountain. We took the mountain path (which was wonderful). On the other side you find yourself back near the river and the Hakoneyumoto Train Station. The Yumoto Fujiya Hotel is also right there. So you could start there and come over the mountain to get to 金湯山早雲寺.

It is said that Hojo Ujinao (whose grave is here at Sounji) has a ghost who wanders this place at midnight. I didn’t come back to find out. Maybe next time.

Posted on January 10th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: buddhist, hakone, japan pictures. Comments Off on 箱根町の金湯山早雲寺 Sounji