Tokyo Station Reboot

Last weekend I took some time to visit the newly restored Tokyo Station. The renovation appears to have been a success, but I was expecting somethnig a little more grand... Oh well, it's still a beautiful station and a very busy station.

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 400, 1/13 sec.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf2.8, ISO 400, 1/50 sec.

Meiji Jingu Gaien Ichou Namiki Matsuri 2012

Back at Meiji Jingu Gaien for the Ichou Namiki Matsuri 2012 today with the family.  As usually, my kids did not fully cooperate for a family photo.  Oh well, I will have to make to with these snaps of a fantastic day!

This is a close up of the ginkgo canopy full of gold and yellow.

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.5, ISO 200, 1/500 sec.

The main avenue to the Meji Jingu Gaien is lined with ginkgo trees on both sides.  

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 31 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 24 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

One of the more creative photographers that I observed today.  I believe that she successfully and creatively incorporated the golden hues of beer with the golder hues of the autumn ginkgo leaf.

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

More flowers in Yoyogi Park's gardens

The flower gardens in Yoyogi Park are truely beautiful in Autumn.  In addition, to the rose gardens there are areas with fabuous roses in many varieties, Cosmos of may colors, purple Bachelor Buttons, and speckled Toad Lillies.  On this day, I seemed to be focused on the purple varieties....

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f6.3, ISO 200, 1/400 sec

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/200 sec

Yellow Rose of Yoyogi Park

The flower gardens in Yoyogi are especially beautiful in early fall.  It was more like a late summer day than autumn in the park.  The roses were in full form and were appreciated by people and dragonflies alike.

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lensf8, ISO 200, 1/500 sec

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lensf5.6, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec

Donguri...

It's autumn again, and my daughter loves finding acrons in the park.  Last weekend we were at Yoyogi Park and she quickly found a handful, and of course sang the Donguri Koro Koro song.  She even tried to plant a few in the ground.

Donguri korokoro donburiko. Oikeni hamatte saa taihen.
Dojouga detekite konnichiwa. Bocchan isshoni asobimasho.
Donguri korokoro yorokonde. Shibaraku isshoni asondaga yappari oyamaga koishikute.
Naitewa dojouwo komaraseta.

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lensf4, ISO 200, 1/320 sec

Fading Red Spider Lily

On my walk home from work to the station, I passed these red spider lilies (or lycoris radiata).  The flowers didn't last many more days and faded away to stems. 

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lensf4, ISO 200, 1/30 sec

Sugar can be art.... Amezaiku (part 1)

The family was at a local festival today in Minami-Azabu that had a amezaiku artist.  Amezaiku is a kind of candy art that is fascinating to watch being made. I spent quite a bit of time fascinated by this mans edible artwork.  I'll have to post more photos later.

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 112 mm, f2.8, ISO 1600, 1/200 sec.

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 200 mm, f2.8, ISO 800, 1/200 sec.

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 120 mm, f2.8, ISO 800, 1/200 sec.

This pouch has many functions

I'm not sure how, but perhaps I should have bought one to investigate more, but this pouch has many functions... napkin, underwear, PET bottle, cosmetics, ice pack.  Not sure how it can be used as underwear.  Do you know how?

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf5.6, ISO 200, 1/25 sec.

Dessert at Ninja Akasaka

In June the family celebrated my son's birthday and Father's Day by having dinner at the Akasaka Ninja restaurant.　　We ordered off the course menu thinking that it would make for a speedy dining experience. Time is always of the essence when dining with children, but it seemed that we were foiled. I'm not sure if I can really pan the experience. The atmosphere was very good but not as over the top as I expected. The place is themed as a ninja village and diners have their own ninja hut. The dishes for the adults were interesting and creatively presented. The table magic was a hit with the kids... but the place was pricey and the whole experience took too long....

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f4, ISO 200, 1/5 sec.

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f4, ISO 200, 1/5 sec.

Harajuku Spots and Tentacles

I was on Omotesando in Harajuku at the end of July and spotted this interesting Louis Vuitton window display featuring Yayoi Kusama.

If you are interested in learning more about her and her fabulous art, check out Artsy's Yayoi Kusama page.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf5.6, ISO 200, 1/60 sec.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf5.6, ISO 200, 1/60 sec.

Taiyaki People outside Omotesando Hills

You see all sorts of people in all sorts of high and low fashion in Harajuku.  It's also famous for the cosplay on most weekends on the bridge in front of Meiji Jingu Shrine.

On my walk through Harajuku this past Saturday afternoon, things were a little different.  I stumbled across this group of Taiyaki people walking outside of Omotesando Hills.  I hope that it's related to some sort of promotion, because I can't for the life of me think why one would chose a Taiyaki head over the usual Goth, Lolita, or Rockabilly costume found in Harajuku.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf4.5, ISO 200, 1/400 sec.

Been down under the last few weeks...

Sorry for the lack of posts this month. I was crazy busy at work earlier and then was with the family in Australia for our annual summer / winter Down Under break. I took plenty of photos while on vacation, and will post a few of the interesting shots before getting back to my usual Lost Tokyo vibe.

This photo of a fast swimming Gentoo Penguin was taken at Sea World Australia's Penguin Encounter. It's a great exhibit and features the three largest penguin species, Emperor, King and Gentoo Penguins. The exhibit won a Exhibit Award in the Large Institution Category from the Zoo and Aquarium Association in 2010.

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lensf4, ISO 3200, 1/320 sec

Rizal is in the Park

I was once told that I may be a distant relative of Jose Rizal. I haven't had the time to confirm, but the relatives that I did ask didn't deny it. Perhaps, it's true and I am correct.

Anyway, I came across a monument to that martyr of the Philippines in Hibiya Park. It seems that he visited Tokyo in 1888 and this monument was placed here to commemorate that visit.

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 92 mm, f5, ISO 200, 1/800 sec.

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 80 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/100 sec.

Paniculata Hydrangeas in Azabu Juban

In early June I came across these beautiful white Paniculata Hydrangeas (or PeeGee) in Azabu Juban.  I wasn't really sure if they were in fact hydrangea because of the cone shaped bloom.  Most hydrangea that I am familiar have blooms that are ball shaped. 

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 32 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/320 sec.

Yoyogi Eclipse

The school my children attend had the morning off a few weeks ago due to the annular eclipse.   So I decided to take the morning off and find a place to view to with them.  At first we were thinking of someplace high.  Eventually, we decided that Yoyogi Park would make a good place.  When we got there we settled in and joined other people watching the eclipse from a pedestrian overpass between Yokogi Olympic Stadium and Yoyogi Park.

The moon doesn't pass in front of the sun everyday, so I wish I was a little better prepared and took a more interesting photo.  Oh well, I've decided to post it anyway although it seems very average to me....

Tokyo Midtown Cricket

This father's day I had a walk in Tokyo Midtown's Garden with my daughter. She was looking for bugs to catch in a bottle, but wasn't too successful. She caught a couple dango mushi (or rolly polies) that were under the bushes. I found a cricket sitting on a blue hydrangea.

There was also this beautiful fresh fern growing in the garden.

Torii Gate Tunnel

It's been a while since my last post.  I've been very busy at work, moving apartments, catching a cold and keeping up with the end of school year activities with the children.  It's not like I haven't been taking pictures.  It's just that I haven't had the time to write or post.

Anyway, here's something to keep those who do follow this website from losing all interest.  I did explore the Akasaka neighborhood with a co-worker and visited Hie-jinga Shrine. The photos I took of the shire were very average, so I am posting my slightly more interesting photos of the torii gate tunnel and steps that leads to the shrine. 

It looks abandoned, but someone lives here

Along Akasaka Dori, just steps outside a busy subway entrance and a short distance away from the Akasaka Sacas is this old wooden house.  Due to the central location and high cost in Tokyo, I can only imagine that the property itself must be worth the building's weight in silver (or perhaps gold).

Iris Japonica (Shaga) in Akasaka

Delicate Iris flowers are blooming on the side of a hill in Akasaka on the way up to Hitotsugi Koen.  Only a few were in bloom, but perhaps there will be many more soon.