Last Year's "Big" Tokyo snow

This was actually taken near Yokohama. Personally, I'd like to see it again. The Tokyo area hasn't much of a winter, although many Japanese believe it is the only country on earth with four distinct seasons.

(It looks blue/grey, yes, that is because it was a very dark snowy day---was not a pure white snow. This actually represents the day as I saw it. It is not underexposed because of the snow.)

Near Tokyo Station

Taken on the last Sunday evening in November. Got there just a little too late. (And after posting I noticed the blue cast....)

Jiyugaoka, Tokyo

A little part of Tokyo with some interesting, although expensive small shops and excellent restaurants. A lot of ex-pats live and shop here.

Minato Mirai, Yokohama

One of the nicest places in the Tokyo area, in my opinion---and that of many others. There is a huge shopping mall there near Sakuragicho station, the tallest building in Kanto, (if not in Japan) of over 60 stories. You can take a cruise on Yokohama Bay, or take a small boat and visit Chinatown. You can easily spend a whole day here. It can be very cold and windy in the winter, but cooler than most places in the summer.

Nearby is the Yokohama immigration port. An unusually shaped structure, to say the least.

Final few from Kyoto

More October Kyoto

Oops, Flare

Kyoto again

From Kinkakuji and Nanzenji shirnes

A few more of Kyoto

One warning: If you do go to Kyoto and visit some of the popular sightseeing spots, guard your camera well. Although it is very unlikely to be stolen, people have little problem with running into you, hitting your camera or tripod (tripods are prohibited from some temples or shrines) and possibly breaking it. You may (or may not) get an apology, but your camera could be broken and it will be very, very tough to be compensated for it. Use a strap and be very careful. I was taking a quick snapshot-like photo of Kinkakuji (the golden temple below) when a group of Tokyo tourists arrived and actually tried physically pushing me away so they could get their group photo taken. This is not unusual in crowded areas in Japan. Expect to be pushed and shoved without concern, or excuse mes. And take precautions. Most of all, try to hold you temper, even if someone does knock your camera out of your hand and destroys it.

(Photos in RGB, not converted to sRGB)

More October Kyoto

I suppose this is what many expect to see when they visit Japan. It isn't a common sight--you gotta hunt for them. Even in Kyoto...

Kyoto 2006

We visited Kyoto last weekend. Naturally, the leaves have not changed much yet---it is still summer like in most of Japan. Fall comes late here, and if you blink, you may miss it.
We didn't have a lot of time to do much, especially time for me to take decent photos. I have a lot of advice for anyone planning a visit to Kyoto, but perhaps the best I could give is that if your wife/husband etc is not interested in photography, make sure you schedule time apart so that you can do more than take hurried snapshots.
More pics to come as I process them. These may not look right as I have not changed the color space back to sRGB from RGB.

Tamagawa

An unusually clear day---could even see Mt. Fuji in the background. Very rare before winter.

Early Autumn Sunday on Tama River

The Tama River (Tamagawa) forms the border between Tokyo-to and Kanagawa-ken. Tokyo is the name of the capital city, as well as the prefecture---equal to a state in the US. "American football" is becoming increasingly popular in Japan, with some high schools and junior highs now having teams. Although the Japanese schools seem to practice baseball all year round, there are other options, "American football" and "football." Regular football (some say real football) is soccer, both here and in Europe. A few teams were practicing today.