Sakura and Flowers along the Imperial Palace Moat

Back in early April I took a walk with the family through Kitanomaru Koen and around the moat on the north side of the Imperial Palace near Chidorigafuchi. The purple four-petal flowers may be Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis).

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

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f3.5, ISO 100, 1/200 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/1250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f2.8, ISO 100, 1/1600 sec.

Hibiya Park Liberty Bell

It funny what you will find on a walk through Hibiya Park. I've seen a statue of Jose Rizal, stone money from Yap, and the Liberty Bell. I ran across this replica of the famous Philadelphia bell by accident several years ago, but this past January I had my camera to take several shots to share.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f1.4, ISO 500, 1/8 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f1.4, ISO 500, 1/8 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f1.4, ISO 500, 1/8 sec.

Momoiro Clover Z Fashion?

I don't understand why these clothes are so popular, but it has something to do with a J-Pop band called Momoiro Clover Z. Seems that there are several variations of colors and hoody styles. The text on the sashes lead me to the name of the band. According to Wikipedia, it seems that they ranked as the most popular female idol group according to 2013 and 2014 surveys.

Based on my investigative work, it seems that there was some sort of event or concert planned at Meiji Jingu Gaien Stadium.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

Roppongi Hills at Night

Just a night shot of Roppongi Hills that I took in October 2013.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.0, ISO 400, 1/25 sec.

Poppies are in bloom

The poppies are in bloom in Koganei Park. Its about an hour by car from central Tokyo and is a lovely park. It happens to be the second largest park in the Metropolitan Tokyo Area and we will definitely be visiting again soon.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Why bother?

I spotted this small can of beer in the Precce Premium Food Market located in the basement of Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi. I don't drink often, but a normal 355-ml or 12oz can would be refreshing. A can slightly over 1/3rd this size is barely a mouthful and would probably be more frustrating that thirst quenching.

Anyway, I am not sure why anyone would purchase a 135-ml can of beer. Perhaps they have a small bladder? They use beer for mouthwash? The store was sold out of larger cans? They get drunk real easily?

None of these excuses, seem really very good. I just wonder what the pitch to the beer company must have been.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.0, ISO 400, 1/320 sec.

There's a Medussa in your window (or there's a Gorgon looking at you)

Near Aoyama Dori between Omotesando and Aoyama Itchome Stations I came across this interesting shop window with what appears to be a fluorescent green "papier-mâché" Medusa. I am not sure how they decided on choosing this motif for their window decoration, and doubly confused by the choice of skull scattered about on the floor. What does it all mean?

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 26 mm, f5.6, ISO 400, 1/50 sec.

Hot Toys or "Get Away From Her, You Bitch!"

There's a cool shop in Aoyama called Toy Sapiens that has all sorts of highly detailed models from sci-fi, action and super-hero movies. One of the cool models on prominent display is of Ellen Ripley from Aliens! You may have spotted her before from my resent post on the Hara Railway Museum. This photo was taken about a year ago in May 2013. If you are not familiar with Ripley or the power loader she operates in Aliens you can check out the clip posted on YouTube.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 23 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

Midtown Clouds

I've been looking at some photos that I took last year and trying post ones that I may have overlooked. This shot of Tokyo Midtown photo has caught my attention. It has just the right lighting and reflections on the windows of the building.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ v120 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/800 sec.

Nishi Azabu Crossing Space Invaders

There are several "Space Invaders" part of a tile mosaic located on the northwest corner of Nishi-Azabu crossing. I photographed it last November but spotted probably several years ago. It's a cool little detail that makes an otherwise ordinary building interesting. The funny thing is it looks like the defense against space invaders is bug spray.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 120 mm, f2.8, ISO 800, 1/200 sec.

Rainy season is coming or the ajisai" are blooming

The hydrangea (or ajisai) in Tokyo are coming into full bloom. This is usually one of the first signs rainy season approaching. This fine specimen was spotted in Arisugawa Miya Kinen Kōen.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/40 sec.