How many cranes are at the construction site for the new Kokuritsu-Kyogijo (National Stadium)?

Took my annual long Labor Day (US Holiday) walk through Tokyo yesterday. Decided to head from my place towards Shinjuku before heading over to my children's school.

My travels brought me to Kokuritsu-Kyogijo (National Stadium) Station. However, currently there is no stadium since it is under construction for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Anyway, I ran by this place about two weeks ago on a long weekend run with a friend. We counted over a dozen cranes from our position; however, looking at this photo it looks like there are over 20-cranes of all sizes on the site working feverishly. BTW - Although there were at least three more cranes to the left of this shot, there are already over 20-cranes in this photo alone.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Meiji Jingu Gaien Ichou Namiki Matsuri 2012

Back at Meiji Jingu Gaien for the Ichou Namiki Matsuri 2012 today with the family.  As usually, my kids did not fully cooperate for a family photo.  Oh well, I will have to make to with these snaps of a fantastic day!

This is a close up of the ginkgo canopy full of gold and yellow.

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.5, ISO 200, 1/500 sec.

The main avenue to the Meji Jingu Gaien is lined with ginkgo trees on both sides.  

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 31 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 24 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

One of the more creative photographers that I observed today.  I believe that she successfully and creatively incorporated the golden hues of beer with the golder hues of the autumn ginkgo leaf.

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

Meiji Jingu Gaien Ichou Namiki Matsuri

The family was at the Meiji Jingu Gaien Ichou Namiki Matsuri or Ginkgo Street Festival this past weekend.  I wish we could have stayed longer, but I wasn't in the best physical condition. I am recovering from a lingering bout of pneumonia.

The street leading up to Meiji Jingu Gaien is lined by two rows of ginkgo trees on each side. This is often referred to as Icho Namiki. This year's trees didn't seem to be as full of leaves as last year. Perhaps the trees were trimmed back a little too aggressively in the spring or perhaps the weather was not as favorable in the spring and summer.

Each side of the street has a very festive pedestrian lane.

The flow of pedestrian traffic was often impeded by those stopping to take photos or just stopping to enjoy the golden leaves.

A blossom in the hand...

The family spent last Sunday at a kids park in the Meiji Jingu Outer Gardens. There are not many cherry trees in the kids park, but we did find a few on the way back to the bus stop. My placed a fresh blossom in my wife's hand for a snap.

A moment later my daughter had collected a handful.

First Post

This is to be a blog full of my photos of "Living in Japan", especially Tokyo.  However, I will not fill it with family photos or snaps.  This is to be personal yet impersonal project.  It will be filled with the everyday sights of Japan.  Things that I find, beautiful, strange, sublime, funny and unusual.

The title alludes to my conflicted feelings that I have for Tokyo.  Sometimes one truly feels lost in this big, frenetic city.  Other times there is a sense of discovery... finding things unexpected, forgotten or lost. 

Hopefully, I will be able to explore these feelings and share them with you.  If you find my photos interesting, please post comments.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings.

Strange sculpture near the French
Ambassador's residence in Minami Azabu.

Restaurant near Sangen-Jaya Station (三軒茶屋駅)

Sculpture on pedestal at the entrance to Meiji Jingu Gaien (Meiji Shrine Outer Garden).
Is it a unicorn? Kirin?

Ginkgo Avenue (aka Icho Namiki ) near the Meiji Jingu Gaien.
The ginkgo leaves are almost at peak fall color.

Japanese Maple Tree in "Step" Park in Moto Azabu