Futuristic Bicycle Parking

Sunday afternoon, I took a long round-about way to the grocery and encountered this interesting structure a short walk away from Roppongi crossing. Upon further investigation, I discovered that this is the entrance and bicycle loading area for the "Eco-Cycle", an underground bicycle parking structure. According to the web site and press release, the Mikawadai Park Eco-Cycle was opened in March 2013 with a 204-bicycle capacity. The company has a cool YouTube video that explains how it works, and Danny Choo (aka Tokyo Stormtrooper) has also posted a video.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 400, 1/50 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 400, 1/125 sec.

Delicious

After a delicious Udon dinner near Tokyo station on Saturday, I had a wander with my friend along the tracks around Yurakucho. We were looking for all sorts of interesting restaurants under the elevated train tracks and highway. We were not disappointed, and lucky (or perhaps unlucky?) we had already eaten and were not to interested in sampling some of the various treats we encountered.

Near Yurakucho one of the treats that I spotted was a lively fruit stand selling slices of chilled fruit on a stick.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/30 sec.

Later we passed an one of many interesting restaurant in the style of a fish market. One shop had some of their ingredients on display along the sidewalk.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f4.0, ISO 100, 1/8 sec.

A little further down I noticed this odd English proclamation on this restaurant's sign. It appears that this restaurant serves "Delicious Horseflesh"! Although I do not doubt that horse flesh can be prepared in a delicious manner, this is not a sign that would be common in English. One of smaller signboards bellow indicates that horse (or Uma) may be served here Bayaki (or Umayaki(?)) sushi style (馬焼寿司).

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f4.0, ISO 100, 1/40 sec.

Patience

I've been down under with the family for the last week getting refreshed in the glorious Australian winter sun. The first few days we spent enjoying the sites in tropical Cairns. One of our stops was at Marineland Melanesia on Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef. There highlight of Marineland was crocodile feeding time. The saltwater crocs were patient and suprisingly quick when food was presented.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4, ISO 200, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4, ISO 160, 1/400 sec.