August 31, 2009

August 30, 2009

Off With The Old...?


Today is the last day to vote for the National Parliamentary Election.

The candidates had their final chance to speak out last night. This is the candidate for the Democratic Party in our district. During the election period, the exits around the stations are filled with supporters and staff, even the candidates themselves, asking the poeple to vote. It's pretty much a fiesta.

This election is especially festive, seeing as the Democratic Party may have a chance at ousting the long ruling Liberal Democratic Party. If this happens it'll be a very big change. Or not. You never know with the politics here in Japan.

We'll just have to see how it turns out!

August 29, 2009

Who Gets Your Vote?


These are the posters for the candidates of our district for the national parliamentary election.

Everyone is wondering if the Democratic Party will finally oust the Liberal Democratic Party, who have governed Japan almost continuously since 1955.

I took this photo the day after these were posted, and already someone has starting drawing on the candidates faces. They're probably going to get even more artistic in time. Which ever party ends up winning, somethings never change.

August 27, 2009

Summer End


I bit more of those sunflowers. With the sky so dark, it really feels like the summer is coming to an end.

While I was there, I actually played assistant for a very nice cameraman. I got to hold the reflection board while he took photos of the sunflowers. It was fun. He had a really cool Olympus camera.

August 26, 2009

To Be Your Sunflower


This is one of the many many sunflowers that were planted in the 'Himawari Batake' (sunflower field). I think the number was close to 10,000 sunflowers.

Every year some of the businesses in Tokorozawa get together to plant these sunflowers for its citizens. It's part of their campaign to liven up the city.

Standing in the middle of a sunflower field just gives you a really great feeling.

August 22, 2009

Nice Ride


I was walking towards the station when I looked down and saw this really great car. Didn't know we had these in Tokorozawa.

August 21, 2009

Tachigui Soba


Sayama Soba is a tachigui soba shop, meaning you eat Soba standing up. Places like this are pretty common here, especially the ones inside the train stations. And usually we hear that the quality isn't very good, but the one inside Tokorozawa station is actually really popular.

You can choose either Soba (buckwheat noodle) or Udon (wheat/flour noodle) and all the noodle dishes are about 350yen.

Sometimes when you get off the train, even if you're not hungry, the aroma of soba will make you want to eat it before heading back home.

August 20, 2009

Mikami Iron Shop


This is Mikami Iron Shop. Well, part of it.

They've got a lot of wires and ropes hanging around the place.

Sometimes when I go by here during the day, they've got big heavy machines making big noises in the workshop. I really want to watch them working but since I'm usually at work during the day, I keep on missing the action.

August 19, 2009

What's the Story, Morning Glory


Off with the old and on with the new! This archway was covered with roses before, but now they're morning glories, which are just as pretty.

August 15, 2009

The Flower and the Bud


I love this flower. The almost white barely pink color makes it look really delicate. Especially against all the bushes behind it.

August 14, 2009

August 12, 2009

Manga Manga Manga


This is at the bookstore inside the Tokorozawa station building. They have a pretty big manga/comic book section. There's always a lot of people standing around and reading.

I'm not a die hard fan of manga, but I read them from time to time. One of my favorites is 'Saint Onisan' or 'Saint Young Men.' I'm not too sure about the title translation, but the story is really funny. It's about Buddha and Jesus, who come down to live on earth for a vacation in Tachikawa, a city in Tokyo. They room together in this small apartment, where they are sometimes visited by Jesus's best bud, Gabriel, or Buddah's followers. It has a lot of buddhist and christian humor in it, plus you actually learn stuff about both religions, in a funny way.


August 11, 2009

Pretty Purple Petals


Whew. Finally my computer is up and running and although I'm still sort of chained to my desk at work, I've got a bit more free time now.

Anyways, I spotted this precious purple flower from all the way down the road. It really stood out against the bush and I had to take a picture of it.

Does anyone know what this flower is called?

August 4, 2009

Wind Chimes


A Japanese wind chime. It makes this really great tinkling noise in the wind. They were selling them at the flower shop by the station. Great to hang by the window during the summer!

August 2, 2009

Fuzzy Wuzzy


It's raining again! I found these plants enjoying the drizzle by the side of the road. I have no idea what they're called but they didn't seem to mind the rain.

Surprisingly I didn't either.

August 1, 2009

Taxi Anyone???


Before you know it, it's Theme Day again! Where do the days go??? This month the theme is 'Night.'

This is the West Exit at night. The taxi's are waiting in line for customers because after the last train goes, everyone has to take a taxi. I think it's about 710yen for the first 2km, then 90yen every 300m after that.

Anyways, I just want to know if the taxi door's open and close automatically anywhere else in the world? Or is that just a Japanese thing?

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