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.

I just do eyes

The character Hannibal Chew in Blade Runner has a great line... "I just do eyes, ju-, ju-, just eyes... just genetic design, just eyes."

It seemed that this couple likes eyes too! I spotted them and their eyes in Harajuku on my first day out with my shiny new D600at the end of May.

Nikon D600with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/200 sec.

The glowing eyes on this Hello Kitty are very creepy!

Nikon D600with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/30 sec.

Doraemon and Helly Kitty Castella?

Castella is a sweet cake imported to Japan from Portugal. It's very popular at festivals.  This stand which featured Doraemon and Hello Kitty was located outside Ueno Zoo in Ueno Park.  The man working the mold was lighting fast and used the batter dispenser with precision.

The castella vendor buttered the molds quickly with a brush and picked out any stuck Doraemon or Kitties with chopsticks.

Cycling in Yoyogi Park

My 5-year old daughter went cycling with training wheels on the children's course at Yoyogi Park on Sunday.  She had a blast with her old brother (he will be 7 years old next moth).  He didn't want to ride a bike with training wheels but after spending about 15-minutes running after her, figured out he could ride on the back of the bike.  Probably not the safest activity, and my wife and I flinched a couple times when he fell off.  However, the bike couldn't go fast with two giggling screaming children.

Rental of children's bikes is a nominal ¥100 / hour.  Bikes for adult and older children (without training wheels) can be rented for ¥200 / hour.  There are other parks further in the suburbs where bikes are free (i.e., Suginami).

The girls bikes featured Hello Kitty and had cute bells.  I don't recall if the boys bikes had such a nice bell.  I'll have to check when we return.