工事

Part of an enormous road and tunnel construction project in Nakameguro-ku. It is referred to as part of a "Smooth Tokyo" project on a nearby sign. Don't know where the money comes from---err, actually, I do. I guess the question is, will Tokyo traffic flow more smoothly after the construction, or will we have just lined the pockets of the construction industry. Time will tell, if we can't guess already.

Saturday Morning at Denenchofu

The "old" station building in the background is no longer in use, having being replaced by the modern station in the 1990s. The "old" station building is a replica of the original 1923 station building and now serves as an entrance to the station area.

Nakameguro-子

Must be getting old and slow. I was kneeling in the middle of this side street with the camera to my eye hoping for something to happen, when I noticed someone very close. It was the little girl on the right waving to me from about 12 inches away. Naturally, I missed the shot, but as they began to walk away, I put the camera back to my eye to see if anything interesting would happen. It did. But I never got it.

I pressed the shutter for a quick photo, and began to lower the camera as I figured they'd be too far away for another. As soon as they heard the shutter, they turned and waved. I raised the camera again, but it was too late. I snapped another anyway, and once again, they turned and waved, just as I was lowering the camera. I gave up after three.

A smart man would have just held the shutter down and hoped 8fps would catch them. A smart man would have.

Ginza Trecious

Don't know what trecious means, except that it is the name of a shop in Ginza where I spent Christmas morning and early afternoon. Don't know what I liked about the passage in Trecious. Must have been the color of the lights, or the lines. Or something.

Shibuya, on the overpass below the overpass

A place I (and lots of other folks) avoid unless there is a real need to go. Over the New Year break it was less crowded than usual, otherwise I would never have gone there.

Noon in Marunouchi

Or Hibiya. Many had already started New Year vacation. Always a good time to stay in Tokyo as the crowds decrease and people become less stressed.

Sunday in Shinjuku

Go early. Avoid the crowds. Be gone by 1130 at the latest.

Never know what you'll find under a bridge

Somewhere around Yutenji on the Hibiya line.

Minor Incident in Meguro

(Boy being stubborn.)

Oh my God!

Ginza, a place I love but don't often visit because of the crowds. However, if you get there on weekends before 11, it ain't so bad.

The Art of Education

The Student

The Teacher


The Motivation?

Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Tokyo.

Come to think of it, spending forever studying might not be such a bad thing, if the pay were better.

Winter hits Denenchofu

and it ain't what I (used to) call cold.

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