kakigori (かき氷) on the table and Summer Koshien (夏の甲子園) on the TV

Two things can get you through Japan’s hot and humid August–the annual high school baseball tournament and shaved ice. I enjoyed both at the top of the Shosenkyo Ropeway near Kofu.

Posted on September 4th, 2013 under Japan. Tags: baseball, food, kofu, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, shosenkyo. Comments Off on Summer in Japan

Mudeungsan butterfly

I suppose today’s photo could have been taken anywhere, but it wasn’t. Today’s pic was taken on Mount Mudeung in Gwangju so it qualifies for Korean Tuesday.

Frequently when I go hiking I like to take along just my camera with a prime 24mm lens mounted on it. The size is smaller and weight is less than any other DSLR lens option I have. However, photos like today’s would be missed if I always opted for this lighter combination. Today’s photo is my second best hiking option, my 24-120mm f/4 lens which allows for a lot more zoom and subject isolation like this.

Posted on September 3rd, 2013 under Korea. Tags: flowers, insects, living things, macro, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600. Comments Off on Butterfly on Mt. Mudeung

Tetsu tsukemen storefront Roppongi Station (Tokyo, Japan)

As I exited the Roppongi Station turnstyle I seemed to remember from seeing “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” a couple years ago that his shop was in the underground maze between stations. I had some time to kill so instead of immediately exiting I took a route I hadn’t before. (Turns out I was confused and the original shop is in the Ginza Station, not Roppongi, and his son’s shop is in Roppongi but not in the station.)

I was also hungry so when I saw Tetsu I decided it was a good time to eat as I vaguely remembered seeing it on Ramen Adventures as a top choice.

哲 つけめん

Tetsu looked delicious, and the first couple bites were OK, but I grew tired of it quickly. By the end I decided it wasn’t one of my better ramen or tsukemen experiences. Perhaps the one in Sendagi (千駄木), reviewed by Ramen Adventures, is better.

Posted on September 2nd, 2013 under Japan. Tags: food, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, ramen, roppongi. Comments: 2

path to shrine lit by paper lanterns and a vending machine

Posted on August 31st, 2013 under Japan. Tags: fukuoka, jidohanbaiki, kushida jinja, lanterns, night photography, Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 AF-S NIKKOR G ED N, Nikon D600, shinto, torii. Comments Off on Approaching Kushida-jinja (櫛田神社) after dark

Golden Hall (金堂) of Ninnaji (Kyoto, Japan)

sign giving a little history of Ninna-ji’s Main Hall (a national treasure) in Japanese, Chinese, English, and Korean

Posted on August 30th, 2013 under Japan. Tags: buddhist, kyoto, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, Ninna-ji 仁和寺, signs, temples. Comments Off on Ninna-ji (仁和寺)