Late Night Ride Through the Park

Last year I rode through the local park and noticed they left the soccer field lights on. At the same time, fog was just settling in across the park. It felt surreal. It looked as crazy as the picture shows, like I was walking on the surface of another planet, or inside a scary movie or something....... I think the empty bleachers is what makes it all the more creepy..... and how the flood lights substitute for a full moon.......

More Pics from the bridge

Found some older pics from last year, before I started the blog. Taken with my LX-3, which was pretty new at the time I guess. On the way home, since it's facing West......

Onsen in Hakone April 2009

This was my first experience at an onsen as an adult. When I grew up in Okinawa, I have very fond but vague memories of going to onsen with my family. But after moving to Canada, and although making many visits to Japan, I've never been to one again. It was a great experience: the surroundings, the food, and of course the hotsprings!! After a long train ride to Hakone from Tokyo, and then a nice quick dip, and then a fantastic dinner, and then another, more relaxing dip, I completely passed out. I went again in the morning, and then the day was over. I went with my father and step mother on this trip. I hope to take my wife next time. Good memories. Good times.......

Japan and Vending Machines

I was on Lisa Katayama's blog tokyomango.com and saw her recent entry of a cool special edition vending machine. This most unusual vending machine was found near my dad's apartment in Otsuka..... it dispenses batteries!! I should have double checked to see if it was still operational, or if it was just an old relic that no one had carted away yet. I mean, it looks like it was put in place in 1985!!

You know what would be cool? If there was a vending machine museum in Tokyo! Wouldn't that be cool? They have every other type of museum you can think of (parasite, tobacco, salt, etc.). How about one that people actually want to see?

Tokyo at Night

Shinjuku Station facing West


Shibuya, just up the street from 109... Kitamura Camera to the right! Great used section!!


Nissan Showroom in Ginza.... no people in the way at night


Just South of Ginza


Marunouchi area, near Tokyo Station


Still Marunouchi area



Same......








Roppongi Hills light show


Roppongi Hills


Tokyo Station area


Shinjuku West government building public observatory.... it's free!! Who needs Tokyo Tower?!?!

I've been sick at home for almost a week (well, a work week) and I've become sick of being sick, and tired of being tired, and bored of being bored. I thought I'd look back at some old pictures to re-live some of my recent trips. I thought I'd share some night shots of Tokyo. I'll post something more interesting (people or food, or both), but please enjoy these pics for now.....

Harajuku & Omotesando @ Night

There's a certain peace when shooting at night, especially in areas that are usually populated during the day. Not so many people....Harajuku and Omotesando look like ghost towns at night in the retail areas... the only thing is I have to shoot at a higher iso, and sometimes I get blurry shots...

More Bridge Pics...... I Love Fog......

I guess I should correct myself when I say 2nd Narrows Bridge pic (on previous post... and perhaps other bridge shots I've taken). These pictures are not of the 2nd Narrows Bridge ( aka "Ironworker's Memorial" ), but taken from the bridge, as I cross it every morning on the way into work...... the bridge you see here is a train bridge that crosses Burrard Inlet from N.Van and into a tunnel through Burnaby.

2nd Narrows Early Morning Fog

I was almost late for work, but I just had to stop and take a few pics. Again, I didn't have my good camera, so I didn't get the best of shots, but good enough...... I need to upgrade my work camera... my dream would be the Ricoh GR Digital III. I know, kinda overkill, but I just can't live with a bad sensored camera (1/2.5" size)..... maybe I'll pick it up in Tokyo in November.......

Buskers in Harajuku

In Japan, it is not uncommon for the next pop band to be discovered on the streets, and what better place to showcase your band than play in Harajuku on a Sunday. These guys were pretty good, and the lead singer was very charismatic, really playing and singing to the crowd. I love the quiet mystique of the bassist (as are most bassists.....). You can't see the girl drummer, because from my view, she was behind a tree, but it looked like she was playing a hacked Rockband drum kit........if I can find the name of the band (I picked up a flyer) I'll post it..... I took in 2 other street performances in Tokyo. I'll post those in the future, including one of them that I actually bought their CD.... they were really good..... I love Tokyo!!

It's a car.... it's a planter..... it's a piece of art?