Two old haunts, seen in a new light (one in a new dark). Here’s some pics from yesterday’s excursion to Higashiyama. I’ve been to both these places on many an occasion – Kiyomizudera is among my favorite places in Japan, in fact – but because Hanatoro is still going on, […] Read more
Not a rolling stone in sight. One thing I’ve definitely found out over the years is that weather is a huge component of photography. It’s true even if you have the best equipment in the world, but if you’re skating by on the bare minimum, it’s even more of a […] Read more
The well of wonders runs deep in this town. If you dropped a stone, I don’t think you’d ever hear it drop. I’ve said almost as much about Kyoto on this blog as I have about Hunter X Hunter, but I just can’t stop. My feelings for the city are […] Read more
Another check-mark on the Kansai bucket list. I love whisky, and so do the Japanese. If you don’t I doubt anything about this post will interest you much – though to be fair, Yamazaki itself is a lovely little town with canals and Shrines and water so good that Sen […] Read more
Spring? Well, not quite – but we’re getting there. It’s an all-Shinto day today, with some miscellaneous Higashiyama shots sandwiched on either side. And a chocolate-almond pancake from Cafe Rhinebeck pancaked in the middle. I’ve been to many Tenjin Shrines, including this one, Kitano Tenmangu (the head Shrine) but given […] Read more
The only constant in life is change. As you know if you’ve read any of my recent episodic posts, I’ve moved house recently. This time it’s down to Kyoto, where the search for long-term employment in Japan continues (if anyone knows anyone and would care to introduce me…). It’s hard […] Read more
Thank goodness Comiket can still surprise me. I’ve written a few Comiket posts already, so I’ll just drop off a few photos and share a few brief thoughts on this particular trip. As usual, the winter version is far more pleasant than the summer for obvious reasons. And as always, […] Read more
“Every time I think of you, the leaves will turn red.” We’re just at the tail end of Koyo season here in Tokyo, but today’s perfect weather seemed like a good excuse to visit one of the last major public gardens in Tokyo I’d yet to see. That’s Hamarikyu, formerly […] Read more
Why I love Japan: Dinner at “Sasebo” Burger Bar Visit Pokecenter next to hotel Onsen & Sauna with LotR soundtrack playing Vending machine whiskey in a can The quest for gainful employment (I’d take a job as an organ grinder’s monkey if it came with a work visa) takes me […] Read more
So long Phanfone, hello Vongfong… In many ways, this batch of photos is a chronicle of the week between typhoons. It starts out in Kyoto in the gloriously clear, dry weather following Phanfone’s departure, and finishes in Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula as Vongfong roars in from the South. But […] Read more