Spiderweb Yukata in Hibiya Park

Near the end of July I visited Hibiya Park and spotted this dapper gentleman in a stylish yukata with an interesting spiderweb pattern.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

More Sunflowers from Hibiya Park

I've got a thing for sunflowers in the summer and it seems that Japan does too. Not too much to say other than the sunflowers in Hibiya Park were beautiful in mid-July. There's an upcoming Himawari (sunflower) Matsuri coming to Zama in nearby Kanagawa from 13 to 18 August 2015. (ひまわりまつり（座間会場） 2015年8月13日（木）～18日（火）)

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f5.6, ISO 200, 1/160 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/200 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.

Stone Money

I always thought that I would have to go to Yap to see stone money. However, one of those large stone coins has been in residence in Hibiya Park since 1925!

The Planet Money blog on NPR has a great podcast regarding "the island of stone money". This American Life also has a great episode on the The Invention of Money.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/30 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/40 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/125 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.

Autumn Colors

I've been busy lately, so there hasn't been much time to take photos or post. Anyway, the family did make it out to Hibiya Park last weekend. There was one particular Ginkgo (ｲﾁｮｳ) that caught my eye and some maples that were nice too.

This beautiful Ginkgo was in the Children's playground.

These maples were located in one of the Japanese gardens.

Summer in Japan...

I returned from my vacation in Australia and was greeted by Tokyo's summer heat.  There were plenty of people out enjoying the city and the park despite the stifling weather.

This couple looked comfortable on their way towards Ginza wearing their yukata.

Others in Hibiya Park were sweating and dancing the merengue to the Latin music in celebration of Colombian Independence Day.