Tuesday, June 26, 2007

"Japan in June" Posts

This June, I was blessed with a trip to Tokyo, Japan to see my 21 year old daughter, Kim and to visit a country I have dreamed of seeing since I was a Junior in college at Denison University in Ohio.

The following posts are primarily my photographs taken on this trip. I hope that you will enjoy them, and perhaps come to have some feel of what I experienced.

The trip was that of a lifetime. I will never forget it. I was extremely blessed that of the 8 days I was there, it rained only 2 of them.

Additionally, I will always remember the pride that I have in my daughter, Kim who has blossomed during her many months in Japan.

Always follow your dreams as long as reaching them does not damage someone else.

Dreams do come true now and again.

More Irises

Meijji

Meijii Shrine

The "Family"

Kim's Host Father and Mother

"Mr. & Mrs." Koike Kyuji, Kim's host parents. These generous people took us out to dinner at West 53rd where we shared a six-course meal.

Field of Irises

Single Iris

Iris Garden, Meijji Shrine, Tokyo

Imperial Palace Garden

Two of Many Photographers in Imperial Palace Garden

Cranes Beyond the Imperial Palace Guard House


Around the moat of the Imperial Palace, Hibiya Park, Tokyo.

Busy Fish Market

Electric Forklifts in Fish Market


Electric forklifts were everywhere, zooming by me constantly. This became so dangerous, I turned around and headed back...

Quiet Alley in Chuo-ku


Apartments appear to line this alley in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

It is early Tuesday morning, June 12th around 6 a.m.

Don't Smoke in My Town


On the streets of Chuo-ku, this particular label forbids smoking.

Back to the Fish Market


I went back to the Tsujiki Fish Market several times during my stay in Tokyo. This particular morning, the vendors were super busy.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Tea Garden in Nikko

Tree Lined Boulevard in Tokyo

Gate at Meijii Shrine

Bonsai

Information on Nikko Shoguns and Shrines

Jet Lag Over

This Monday morning, I am without the horrid jet lag. It is wonderful to be "back to myself." I recommend no one take this effect lightly. I have no idea if the vitamin B complex that I took on Friday morning made a difference. I do know I started feeling much better that very afternoon. So, who knows...

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Daughter and Mother


I met these two delightful women on the Sumida River cruise back from Asakusa on Monday, June 11th. They were very curious about me.

Asakusa Buddhas

Tokyo Skyline


Possibly a view of man-made Odaiba Island.

Metal 'Shrine' Gate at Top of Mountain, Nikko

Sunset in Nikko

View East

The View East From the Top of the Mountain, Nikko

Sunset Over the Mountain Lake, Nikko

Tower Opposite the Other at Entrance to Shrine

Outside the Shrine

Sun Through Tree at End of Day

Tower at Entrance to a Nikko Shrine

Laughing 'God' in White

Terrifying 'God' in Red

Japanese Maple in Red

Fortunes as Prayers on Limbs


Fortunes bought at shrines tied to the limbs of a bush on a path in Nikko.

I bought my fortune at the shrine in Asakusa, but I forgot to tie it...

White Dragons


White dragons on roof-line corner of shrine in Nikko, Japan.

Path Through Tea Garden, Nikko

Sun Through Treetops

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Surrounded by Forest

Further In

Beautiful Tea Garden


In Nikko, part of the shrine complex: a beautiful tea garden.

A Shrine in Nikko

Site of "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil" Monkeys

Tosogu Shrine















Tosogu Shrine in Nikko with three extraordinary Buddhas within. Unfortunately, no photography is allowed inside the shrines. Shoes are also to be taken off so that only stocking feet touch the tatami mats.

The End of My Birthday

Near the end of June 15th at the top of a mountain overlooking a beautiful lake...

In the Garden

Water moving over rocks in a tea garden within the larger shrine complex of Nikko.

Kegon Falls




Kegon Falls, the largest waterfall in Japan. The falls are located outside Nikko. The bus trip up the mountain was fine; coming back down was amazing.

The curves in the road were virtually u-turns with very wide radii and views of the mountainside falling away.

But, the driver was so skilled, we were all relaxed and able to enjoy stunning vistas.

Trees


These trees lined the path to the shrines in Nikko.