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 !

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.

Summer in the long grass

A bit of an oasis in Tokyo---at least the more urbanized part. If ya can't get out, the river is as good a place to go as any. On weekdays it isn't especially crowded, but on weekends and holidays, things change quickly. Look for weather---cold, rain, very hot and humid days, snow, high winds all drive a lot of the more dainty-types indoors. Nights are nice too...

In the Long Grass

On the Tama River. As soon as I saw this scene, it reminded me of when I was a kid in West Virginia, as well as of the title of a book (Death in the Long Grass---a book about Africa) that I read years ago.

First summer sunset

Tamagawa (river) between Tokyo and Kanagawa. So unusual nearly everyone stopped to watch it.

Minato Mirai, Yokohama Bay

Neko

At the Tamagawa Park, there are a lot of cats--neko--waiting for handouts. Like most Japanese cats, they are friendly to humans---at least they don't run away.

Summer flowers: blue/purple/white ajisai