A sight of autumn at Meiji-Jingu Outer Park
It's hard to appreciate autumn in Tokyo because there's not so many greens to see the leaves turn red or yellow. However, just behind the Jingu stadium, there's a street full of Ginkgo trees which turn yellow beautifully this season.
It seems like this is a very known spot to see these yellow leaves in Tokyo.
You can get here by train, get off at Gaienmae st. (Ginza line) or Shinanomachi st. (JR line). Try asking around for "Ichounamiki-dori" if you got lost. The leaves should still be there for few more days so hurry up.
It seems like this is a very known spot to see these yellow leaves in Tokyo.
You can get here by train, get off at Gaienmae st. (Ginza line) or Shinanomachi st. (JR line). Try asking around for "Ichounamiki-dori" if you got lost. The leaves should still be there for few more days so hurry up.
Illuminations at Tokyo Midtown
A short walk from Roppongi Hills is the Tokyo Midtown. Tokyo Midtown is nice place for shopping and dining just like Roppongi Hills . Behind the shop buildings, there's a park and in this season, it's very illuminated, worth seeing.
This supposed to be the Christmas tree.
Also, Tokyo Tower is visible from this park.
This park will be illuminated everyday after 5 p.m. until 25th December. Expect large crowds on weekends.
This supposed to be the Christmas tree.
Also, Tokyo Tower is visible from this park.
This park will be illuminated everyday after 5 p.m. until 25th December. Expect large crowds on weekends.
Christmas Illuminations in Roppongi
It's that time of the year again where the city is decorated with colored LEDs everywhere. It's Christmas illuminations all over Tokyo. Here's how it looks like around Roppongi Hills.
A view of Keyakizaka street. It's all white lights this year compared to blue lights in previous years.
From Keyakizaka, you can see Tokyo Tower too.
A view of Keyakizaka street. It's all white lights this year compared to blue lights in previous years.
From Keyakizaka, you can see Tokyo Tower too.
Tochigi Hot Air Balloon Championship 2009
Two days ago, I went to Utsunomiya to see some hot air balloons participating in the 2009 Tochigi Hot Air Balloon International Championship.
However, the competition started very early in the morning (at 6.30am) and I couldn't get there ontime, so I missed most of the hot air balloons. There should be more than 15 balloons, but by the time I got there, all but 3 had fled away.
Tochigi Hot Air Balloon Championship is an annual event. Hot air balloon competitions were also held in other places in Japan and apparently this one in Tochigi is the final round. More info here.
However, the competition started very early in the morning (at 6.30am) and I couldn't get there ontime, so I missed most of the hot air balloons. There should be more than 15 balloons, but by the time I got there, all but 3 had fled away.
Tochigi Hot Air Balloon Championship is an annual event. Hot air balloon competitions were also held in other places in Japan and apparently this one in Tochigi is the final round. More info here.
Ginger Ale KitKat
Look what I found when I was shopping for groceries yesterday. It's another one of those unique new flavors of KitKat. This time, it's ginger ale flavored.
Looks like a white chocolate KitKat. But after unwrapping it, you can tell it's ginger ale by the smell.
Looks like a white chocolate KitKat. But after unwrapping it, you can tell it's ginger ale by the smell.
Shinjuku at night, city of signboards
One of the reasons why I like Shinjuku is that it transforms every single night into a bright city of signboards. I don't really know much about other cities in other countries, but I guess Shinjuku is among the brightest cities in the world.
Taking photos at night (no matter how bright the city is) is not an easy task. Here's my best effort. Enjoy.
A view of the busy street near in front of Mistukoshi department store.
Omoideyoko-cho, a small street full of Japanese old-style drinking shops. Near to JR Shinjuku st. west exit.
Behind the bus terminal, JR Shinjuku st. west exit.
Taking photos at night (no matter how bright the city is) is not an easy task. Here's my best effort. Enjoy.
A view of the busy street near in front of Mistukoshi department store.
Omoideyoko-cho, a small street full of Japanese old-style drinking shops. Near to JR Shinjuku st. west exit.
Behind the bus terminal, JR Shinjuku st. west exit.
Shonan Beach and Surfing
I know I've posted some photos of Shonan beach before. Since recently I was there again, here's another view of Shonan beach.
Shonan beach is one of famous surfing spots in Japan. More popular than other spots because it's closer to Tokyo. It's usually over crowded in the summer. Even though it's a lot colder now, there's still a lot of surfers. There are surf shops near the beach for renting gears, and there are also surfing schools if you're just getting into the sport.
Shonan beach is one of famous surfing spots in Japan. More popular than other spots because it's closer to Tokyo. It's usually over crowded in the summer. Even though it's a lot colder now, there's still a lot of surfers. There are surf shops near the beach for renting gears, and there are also surfing schools if you're just getting into the sport.
Hasedera and Great Buddha statue (Kotoku-In)
When you get to Kamakura, you'll be surprised with the number of temples there. But among them, Hasedera and Kotoku-In are the must-sees. Here are the reasons why.
Hasedera is a Buddhist temple hosting one of the largest wooden Buddha statue in Japan (however, cameras are not allowed in the Buddha statue room). Other than this, there's also a beautiful garden with many things to see.
Since this temple is located on a slightly higher ground, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of Kamakura. You can read more about Hasedera here.
Just few minutes walk from Hasedera is Kotoku-In. Kotoku-In is the temple where you can see the Great Buddha statue of Kamakura. This statue is the symbol of Kamakura, well-known to visitors from inside and outside of Japan. More info here.
Hasedera and Kotoku-In temple are both easily accessible by train. Stop at Hase St. (Enoshima Dentetsu Line) and just a few minutes walk to get there. If you're planning to visit other spots in Kamakura, do use the 1-Day pass for Enoshima Dentetsu Line. It is available at any Enoshima Dentetsu Line stations for 580yen.
Hasedera is a Buddhist temple hosting one of the largest wooden Buddha statue in Japan (however, cameras are not allowed in the Buddha statue room). Other than this, there's also a beautiful garden with many things to see.
Since this temple is located on a slightly higher ground, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of Kamakura. You can read more about Hasedera here.
Just few minutes walk from Hasedera is Kotoku-In. Kotoku-In is the temple where you can see the Great Buddha statue of Kamakura. This statue is the symbol of Kamakura, well-known to visitors from inside and outside of Japan. More info here.
Hasedera and Kotoku-In temple are both easily accessible by train. Stop at Hase St. (Enoshima Dentetsu Line) and just a few minutes walk to get there. If you're planning to visit other spots in Kamakura, do use the 1-Day pass for Enoshima Dentetsu Line. It is available at any Enoshima Dentetsu Line stations for 580yen.
Enoshima, Enoshima lighthouse and Shonan Candle 2009
Enoshima is a small island situated less than an hour away from central Tokyo. Enoshima is often affiliated to Kamakura, another very popular tourist area near Tokyo. I cannot remember how many times I've visited Enoshima because I like it so much.
The 1st point of interest on this island is the food. "Shirasu" and "Sazae" are two famous seafood of this part of Japan and widely available on this island. Secondly, you can take some flights of stairs (or pay 350yen to use the escalators) up to the top of the island where you can enjoy a beautiful view. If you're lucky, on a fine day Mt. Fuji can be seen very clearly from this point. Here's a view of Mt. Fuji just before sunset.
To get a better view, climb up the Enoshima lighthouse. Since the lighthouse is in the "Samuel Cocking Garden", you need tickets for both the garden and the lighthouse (500yen).
When I arrived at the light house, there was an event called "Shonan Candle 2009". About 4,000 candles were lit to create a romantic atmosphere in this yearly event.
You can get here to Enoshima by walking from Enoshima st. (Enoshima Dentetsu Line) or Katase-Enoshima St. (Odakyu Line).
The 1st point of interest on this island is the food. "Shirasu" and "Sazae" are two famous seafood of this part of Japan and widely available on this island. Secondly, you can take some flights of stairs (or pay 350yen to use the escalators) up to the top of the island where you can enjoy a beautiful view. If you're lucky, on a fine day Mt. Fuji can be seen very clearly from this point. Here's a view of Mt. Fuji just before sunset.
To get a better view, climb up the Enoshima lighthouse. Since the lighthouse is in the "Samuel Cocking Garden", you need tickets for both the garden and the lighthouse (500yen).
When I arrived at the light house, there was an event called "Shonan Candle 2009". About 4,000 candles were lit to create a romantic atmosphere in this yearly event.
You can get here to Enoshima by walking from Enoshima st. (Enoshima Dentetsu Line) or Katase-Enoshima St. (Odakyu Line).
Green tea flavored Coca-cola
There were news about green tea flavored coca-cola coming out in Japan a few months back. If you're a green tea fan, you can tell that there are so many things green-tea'd already in Japan.
Personally, I'm not a heavy cola drinker but I have to admit I depend on it when working late nights. My junior thinks this particular flavor of coca-cola is just yucky but frankly, I cannot tell whether it is any different than the typical coke. It says no calorie on the label which makes me feel a little bit healthier.
Personally, I'm not a heavy cola drinker but I have to admit I depend on it when working late nights. My junior thinks this particular flavor of coca-cola is just yucky but frankly, I cannot tell whether it is any different than the typical coke. It says no calorie on the label which makes me feel a little bit healthier.
Nippon Series finals at Tokyo Dome
Yesterday, an old friend ask me out to join him at Tokyo Dome to see the Nippon Series baseball finals. My second time in Tokyo Dome, but this time I'm sitting at the out field.
The Nippon Series (or Japan Series) is the baseball tournament to determine the best baseball team in Japan. Yesterdays game was between Yomiuri Giants and Nippon Ham Fighters. It was a great game which ended with Giants beating the Fighters 7-4.
This orange rabbit mascot is Jabbit, the mascot for the Giants.
There were also special guests yesterday, former president Bush and former prime minister Koizumi. Here's a grainy photo of them after zooming in many times. Apparently they like baseball.
The Nippon Series (or Japan Series) is the baseball tournament to determine the best baseball team in Japan. Yesterdays game was between Yomiuri Giants and Nippon Ham Fighters. It was a great game which ended with Giants beating the Fighters 7-4.
This orange rabbit mascot is Jabbit, the mascot for the Giants.
There were also special guests yesterday, former president Bush and former prime minister Koizumi. Here's a grainy photo of them after zooming in many times. Apparently they like baseball.
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