Papa! Matte!

Autumn at Tamagawadai Park

Despite earlier predictions, the autumn leaves in my part of Tokyo have been quite colorful.

After very close to 11 years here, I am beginning to get used to the late, warm autumns. I used to think it strange that autumn leaves were peaking in late November/early December as they have long ago peaked and fallen back home.

Now I am tempted to agree with people who tell me that the weather is getting cold---at 60 degrees!!!!!

I have been here too darned long.

Under the Ginkgo trees

There is a street just above Denenchofu station where many celebrities and other well-off folks live that is somewhat famous for it spring and autumn ginkgo trees. Famous enough that on autumn weekends the street is somewhat crowded with people taking photos and children playing in the leaves. It isn't the peak yet, but plenty of people were out yesterday. In another week or so, just as the color peaks, the street cleaners will be busy sweeping up the leaves as quickly as they fall. Kids haven't much time to play in them.

Tamagawa Autumn

Every year in early November, I walk the 20 minutes or so to the Tama River specifically looking for this type of scene. It usually happens around 4-4:30 on a certain part of the river just as the sun's angle gets low enough to backlight only parts of the river and vegetation. It's an indication for me that fall has really begun in Tokyo.

Overdone

Can't get enough of this street. It's hidden away about 30-40 yards from Jiyugaoka station. It's in plain view if you look, but I never paid it much attention until recently. The light this time of year is especially good from about 10 Am to 1130.

Enjoying a day off

November 3, Culture Day in Japan. I got to hang around back alleys again in the morning waiting for something interesting. I thought this young lady was kinda interesting, but that's just me.

めずらしい

No need for a dictionary to get the definition of mezurashii:*



Antique Japanese autos are a rare sight, let alone a Chevy pickup.

*Rare; unusual; novel

Rainy Day in Jiyugaoka

Umbrella check

Perhaps preparing for the belated typhoon season of 2010. There has only been one to hit Tokyo this year, and had you blinked you would have missed it. The second is predicted this weekend.

Window Shopping

I am spending too much time in Jiyugaoka, as shop owners seem to know more about me than I do myself.

Yesterday a young fellow stepped out of one of the shops and asked me all the standard questions---"Where are you from" and so on---and then asked "Do you take photos around here often? "Yes, a few times a week," I answered. "Every Saturday and Sunday," he replied. Then he told me that he thought it was a good place to take photos, which I suppose might explain why I go there so often. It's a bit different than most areas of Tokyo.

Preparations

Only in Japan: Four seasons

Said to be only country with four distinct seasons---a fact that tends to surprise people who come from other countries with four distinct seasons. I wouldn't call the weather "fall-like" yet, according to the standards of my home, but it is certainly very distinct from the scorching summer weather we had this year.

BALS-y

And no doubt about it.

This friendly lady stepped out of the shop, saw me taking photos and gave me a perfect pose and a nice smile. What else can a man ask for?

Taken on a pleasant Indian summer Sunday in Jiyugaoka. Has to be one of the most interesting little parts of Tokyo.