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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Out for a quick lunch in Marunouchi

At least I was not prohibited from taking a photo here, something not always permitted in the area. I'd avoid the Mitsubishi building, which for some reason (terrorists? corporate espionage?) is entirely off limits to photography.

Sayonara

Japan's hottest summer ended yesterday with a bang. The 71st day of 30-plus degree temperature in Tokyo this year. Today it was about 20, with rain.

tsukareta...mou ii !

Okonomiyaki again

I can hardly pass by this okonomiyaki place in Jiyugaoka without stopping to look at all of its old signs and posters. I think that they were put up to enhance the old look of the place. If so, they have done an excellent job.

I don't know how the okomomiyaki is, but just the looks of the building makes me wanna try it.

Aasu mosquito coils

To work, Ladies!

On Saturday morning, I was hanging around an alley in Jiyugaoka---oh, that sounds a little weird---and at about 10AM a group of 6 or 7 ladies marched up and suddenly stopped a few meters away. At first, I was pleased that I had stopped a group of nice-looking ladies in their tracks with my mere presence. Then the lady with the clipboard began handing out instructions.

Within a few seconds, they had all disappeared inside in what seemed like an attack on the department store. I have no idea what it was all about, but they sure looked very serious. They even forgot about me.

September

After the hottest August in Tokyo since 1946, September---with its promise of cool, crisp autumn nights and mild warm days---sans the promise of cool, crisp autumn nights and mild warm days has arrived in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo. Another 34 (95F) plus degree day.