Tag: japan

46 posts
Back at the Office, Tokyo, Japan

Back at the Office, Tokyo, Japan

Today is my first day back at work after the recent Europe trip. The view from the 18th-floor office towards Tokyo Station is still as thrilling as ever.

Typhoon Window View, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Typhoon Window View, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

My wife and I returned from our Europe trip yesterday, just in time before Typhoon No. 6 hit Tokyo. Here is a quick window view of the situation this morning.

Shadow Dancers, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan

Shadow Dancers, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan

The mid-day sun is doing some artistic work on the concourse of the Marunouchi Oazo Building in Tokyo, Japan.

Classic Elegance, Tokyo, Japan

Classic Elegance, Tokyo, Japan

A Toyota Century is parked in front of the ornate side entrance to Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan.

Komaya Retro Games, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Komaya Retro Games, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Komaya Retro Games was an old shop in the Nakajuku area of Itabashi Ward in Tokyo, Japan. It was run by a couple in their 80s and filled with old game machines.

Hot Stuff, Taito, Tokyo, Japan

Hot Stuff, Taito, Tokyo, Japan

An ambitiously-named hairdresser and beauty salon in a beautifully weathered old building in the Taito Ward of Tokyo, Japan.

Two Neighborhood Frogs, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Two Neighborhood Frogs, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

On the way home from work tonight, I walked through the Shimura area of Itabashi Ward in Tokyo. I ran into two rather different frogs, and a few other details. Unedited photos shot with iPhone 15 Pro.

May 14, 2026
Startled Droid, Taito, Tokyo, Japan

Startled Droid, Taito, Tokyo, Japan

This PET bottle recycling bin stuck between a drink vending machine and trash cans in the Taito Ward of Tokyo was giving me “startled droid” vibes.

Nakasendō Evening, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Nakasendō Evening, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

As I stepped out of the kickboxing gym last night, this was the scene along the Nakasendo, a major road traversing the Itabashi ward of Tokyo, Japan.

Urban Cat, Taito, Tokyo, Japan

Urban Cat, Taito, Tokyo, Japan

In the Taito Ward of Tokyo, Japan, a cat is mulling whether or not to proceed climbing the facade of an old Tonkatsu (fried cutlet) Restaurant.

Hotel Friend, Taito, Tokyo, Japan

Hotel Friend, Taito, Tokyo, Japan

In the Taito Ward of Tokyo, Japan, a Showa-era hotel sign is reflected in a window, opening up a view towards a quiet backstreet with a more contemporary hotel.

Quick Lunch at "Higu Bagel", Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Quick Lunch at "Higu Bagel", Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

We went for a quick lunch at Higu Bagel, a café and bagel shop in the Itabashi Ward of Tokyo, Japan. Today's specialty was a honey-mustard chicken bagel.

Two Neighborhood Frogs, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Two Neighborhood Frogs, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

On the way home from work tonight, I walked through the Shimura area of Itabashi Ward in Tokyo. I ran into two rather different frogs, and a few other details.

Going Home, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Going Home, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Enjoying a longer walk home this evening through the quiet streets of Izumicho in Itabashi, Tokyo, it appears I wasn't the only one going home at that time.

Through the Restaurant Window, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Through the Restaurant Window, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

While waiting for lunch today on my window counter seat at a new neighborhood restaurant in Itabashi, Tokyo, I captured this simple scene on the outside. Shot with iPhone 15 Pro. Edited in ON1 Photo RAW 2026.

May 6, 2026
Through the Restaurant Window, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Through the Restaurant Window, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

While waiting for lunch today on my window counter seat at a new neighborhood restaurant in Itabashi, Tokyo, I captured this simple scene on the outside.

Koinobori for Children's Day, Takayama, Japan

Koinobori for Children's Day, Takayama, Japan

Koinobori (carp-shaped windsocks) are hung across the Miyagawa River in the city of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

Buckwheat Galette at Green Café, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Buckwheat Galette at Green Café, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

On today's Green Day, the first of the “Golden Week” holidays in Japan this week, we went for lunch at “greenCAFÉ” in the Itabashi Ward of Tokyo, Japan.

Sunday Lunch at "Little Bean Works", Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Sunday Lunch at "Little Bean Works", Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Another visit for a Sunday lunch today at “Little Bean Works”, a favorite local cafe in the Azusawa district of Itabashi Ward in Tokyo, Japan.

Kickboxing Training, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Kickboxing Training, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

At the kickboxing gym this morning, before wearing my gloves for the sandbag punching practice, I captured this discreet action shot of some other members.

After the Rain, Otemachi, Tokyo, Japan

After the Rain, Otemachi, Tokyo, Japan

I worked at the office in Otemachi, Tokyo, this afternoon, and briefly stepped outside after the rain had stopped. The sunlight and the fresh air were glorious.

Shōwa Day Cafe Lunch, Akabane, Tokyo, Japan

Shōwa Day Cafe Lunch, Akabane, Tokyo, Japan

Yesterday was the Showa Day bank holiday in Japan. We went for an outside lunch at "Cafe Nijiiro Hitsuji" (rainbow-colored sheep) in Kita-Akabane, Tokyo.

The Calming Beauty of the Mundane, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

The Calming Beauty of the Mundane, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

In the morning of today's bank holiday (Shōwa Day), I took a short walk around the Oharacho area of Itabashi Ward in Tokyo, Japan.

Office Afternoon, April 27, 2026

Office Afternoon, April 27, 2026

As of April this year, my company’s rules have changed from “max. 80% remote work” to “at least 40% in the office”, so I went to work in Otemachi, Tokyo, today.

Tokyo Sunday, April 26, 2026

Tokyo Sunday, April 26, 2026

Today, after a healthy lunch at “アスショク” (Athlete Shokudo) in Takebashi, I went to Tachikawa in western Tokyo for some weekend shopping.

Rainy Evening Panoramas, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Rainy Evening Panoramas, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

It was a rainy evening when I came back from work today. On the walk home, I took some photos in the backstreets of Itabashi Ward in Tokyo, Japan.

Italian Lunch, April 20, 2026

Italian Lunch, April 20, 2026

My own and my wife's birthdays are just one day apart - so for this year's festivities, we went for lunch at Casa del Sorriso, an Italian restaurant in Tokyo.

On the accuracy of dates, and of historical details

Sengoku Japan, Ayutthaya Thailand, getting the details right.

Apr 16, 2026
Neighbors, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Neighbors, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Two buildings in the Azusawa district of Itabashi Ward in Tokyo, Japan. On the right is a Curry Restaurant, on the left is a residential building.

Kappa Bridge at Kamikochi, Nagano, Japan

Kappa Bridge at Kamikochi, Nagano, Japan

Kappa Bridge is crossing the Azusa River at Kamikōchi, a mountainous highland valley in the western part of Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

The intoxicating atmosphere of the past

Exploring the sensory details of late Sengoku Japan, from the smell of cedar to the weight of a matchlock.

Mar 22, 2026
Cafe Lunch at "Little Bean Works", Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Cafe Lunch at "Little Bean Works", Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

My wife and I went for a cafe lunch today at “Little Bean Works”, a local cafe in the Azusawa district of Itabashi Ward in Tokyo, Japan.

Pub Lane, Nakano, Tokyo, Japan

Pub Lane, Nakano, Tokyo, Japan

A typical back alley of small restaurants, pubs and music clubs in the Nakano district of Tokyo, Japan.

もちょ旅 in 伊勢志摩鳥羽(2025)

もちょ旅 in 伊勢志摩鳥羽(2025)

先日発売されたゲーム「パラノマサイト FILE38 伊勢人魚物語」の舞台が伊勢志摩だったので、去年の伊勢志摩旅行についての想い出を振り返ることにしたぜ!※ネタバレは無しだぜ!去年の旅行の話なので、パラノマサイトネタも特に無いぜ!※お伊勢さん参りはしてないぜ! 志摩スペイン村と志摩地中海村を目的に計画した伊勢志摩旅行は、なんやかんやあれこれと詰め込み、いろんな場所にいきました。伊勢志摩というよりも、実際は志摩・鳥羽中心の旅です。想像してたよりも色んな体験ができて、とても楽しかったです。「観光客にあたたかい町だな~」という印象を持ちました。 今回の旅は、伊勢志摩のスーパーパスポート「まわりゃんせ」を使うことも目的の一つだったため、基本的に移動は「電車・船」。


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Feb 28, 2026
Supermarket Corner, Jujo, Tokyo, Japan

Supermarket Corner, Jujo, Tokyo, Japan

A young mother carrying her child is turning the corner at a side street supermarket in the Jujo area of Kita Ward in Tokyo, Japan.

Scene at Futaarayama Shrine, Utsunomiya, Japan

Scene at Futaarayama Shrine, Utsunomiya, Japan

Visitors at Futaarayama Shrine in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, are looking at colorful decorations outside Kagura Hall.

Sankeien Garden, Yokohama, Japan

Sankeien Garden, Yokohama, Japan

Overlooking the pond at Sankeien Garden in Yokohama, Japan, with a view towards the three-story pagoda at Sankeien Tenmangu Shrine.

La Vita Jiyugaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

La Vita Jiyugaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

Located in Jiyugaoka in the Setagaya Ward of Tokyo, Japan, is "La Vita", a shopping area whose architectural design emulates a Mediterranean style.

Walking around Okusawa, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

Walking around Okusawa, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

A few photos from a walk around Okusawa, an interesting neighborhood in the Setagaya Ward of Tokyo, Japan.

Side Street Characters, Yanaka, Tokyo, Japan

Side Street Characters, Yanaka, Tokyo, Japan

Look into a side street in the Yanaka area of Tokyo, Japan, with various characters - human and non-human - out and about.

Entering Oyama Shrine, Kanazawa, Japan

Entering Oyama Shrine, Kanazawa, Japan

A view towards the Main Hall of Oyama Jinja in Kanazawa, Japan, while entering the main yard through the shrine’s distinctive Main Gate.

Early Plum Blossoms, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Early Plum Blossoms, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

On a sunny February day a few years ago, I ran into this sight of plum blossoms at Ryufukuji Temple in the Itabashi Ward of Tokyo, Japan.

Purification Fountain, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan

Purification Fountain, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan

The intricate purification fountain at Myokeiji, a beautiful small temple northeast of Ikebukuro Station in the Toshima Ward of Tokyo, Japan.

Benkeibashi Boat Pier, Tokyo, Japan

Benkeibashi Boat Pier, Tokyo, Japan

A bright morning scene overlooking the moat towards the boat pier near Benkei Bridge in the Chiyoda Ward of Tokyo, Japan.

Takasaki Byakue Daikannon, Takasaki, Japan

Takasaki Byakue Daikannon, Takasaki, Japan

Takasaki Byakue Daikannon is a Kannon statue located on top of Mt. Kannonyama in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.

Subway Exit Patterns, Jimbocho, Tokyo, Japan

Subway Exit Patterns, Jimbocho, Tokyo, Japan

This pattern of tiles at a subway exit in Jimbocho, Tokyo, resembles books on a shelf. An apt choice, given that the area is filled with used-book stores.