Golden Gingko Tree in Yoyogi Koen

Last week at the entrance to Yoyogi Koen, I spotted the first gingko turning yellow. Autumn colors on a gingko in Mid-October are not the norm here especially with the warm and pleasant autumn weather in Tokyo the last week or two. This specimen looked relatively young, so perhaps it was looking to get an early start on its elders?

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/50 sec.

A Rose Called Pure Poetry

I had the pleasure of walking through the rose garden at Shinjuku Gyoen earlier this week. The amazing rose garden in the far east side of the park was peaking and is mobbed with admirers. I was drawn to a particular group of roses called "Pure Poetry".

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/50 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Cutest Ever Hello Kitty Traffic Barricade in Shinjuku

Not sure what to say about this... Traffic and construction barricades are common all around the world. There are many other novelty types that other have spotted in Japan, but this is the first that would require some a licensing agreement. Thinking about this (especially the business and safety decisions made by the manufacturer and construction company ) make my head hurt with cuteness and confusion.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Cube Land at Kodomo-No-Kuni

I need to verify, but on my family's last visit to Kodomo-No-Kuni, the truncated octahedron climbing structure that is a favorite link on my blog (thanks to playscapes) appears to have been replaced by Cube Land.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 18 mm, f4.0, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.