Sagami River Koinobori

On Friday, we were at the Sagamigawa River to check out the Koinobori. It was the day before the Sagami-no-Oodako Matsuri (Sagami Big Kite Festival), but the carp (or koi) streamers were already hung and blowing in the breeze.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8 ISO 200, 1/500 sec.

Here's a poster for this year's Big Kite Festival.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8, ISO 200, 1/400 sec.

A close-up of the streamers.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec.

We were lucky to have such great weather during Golden Week this year.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8, ISO 200, 1/500 sec.

Deep fried ayu... Delicious!!!

As a treat, for lunch on Friday I joined a Japanese co-worker for lunch at a restaurant called 飄禄玉 near the Sagami River that serves exceptional trout and ayu (sweetfish).

You are given plenty of daikon (grated Japanese radish) to garnish the fish. I split open my fish and spread liberal amounts of daikon and shoyu (soy sauce).

The restaurant has a great view of the surrounding rice paddies.

The other room has a view is of Japanese garden.

Some streets are prettier than others

During cherry blossom season, some streets are much prettier than others.  I've had the opportunity to drive through several cherry tree tunnels in the Kanto area. 

This one is located in downtown Sagamihara, a suburb of Tokyo.

It was so pretty I had to take a look through my rearview mirror.

This is the street you have to drive down to get to a friends house in Setagaya. There are some smaller pedestrian paths through this neighborhood that are even more amazing.

I just wish I had an open top car to take it all in.

Time for more Sakura!

I've also been busy taking photos on good days and bad, of the cherry blossoms around Tokyo and near where I work.  This first set were taken from outside Tokyo.  I'll be posting more including some from Tokyo soon.

The first one is in Zama city.  I pass this street and park every day on my drive home.

This sakura tunnel is located in Sagamihara City outside Tokyo.

This beautiful trees are located outside my office.

Even more Magnolia!!!

I've been flower crazy lately, but rather than posting the expected shots of sakura in April, I'm posting more Magnolia Kobus!!!

This shot was taken in Sagamihara.