Tokorozawa Daily Photo

Hello Hello

2011-03-20T18:30:00.000+09:00

Just a quick post to let you know that I have started my new photo blog here.
Hope you'll drop by!

Love,
Kaori

Time To Go

2011-01-31T23:15:00.001+09:00

Hi everyone! Ok, so the big news!

I couldn't think of a clever way to hint at it so I'm just going to say it...I'M MOVING!!!

I really can't believe it myself but as much as I adore this city...this seemed like the perfect time for a change. So after living in Tokorozawa for 7 years with my family, then another 4 years on my own...I'm moving into the city. And when I say "city," I mean "THE CITY" as in Japan's capital...Tokyo Metropolis!!!

I'm super excited, if you couldn't tell by all the exclamation marks! The move is in a couple of weeks so I've got a whole lot of packing to do...so I'm going to take a break from blogging for a bit. But I'm hoping to start another blog so I can learn and explore more about my new city and share it with you!

This will be my last post on Tokorozawa Daily Photo. I had a great time starting this blog and being a member of the CDP community. And through that I got to meet SO many interesting fellow bloggers who posted wonderful photos of places all around the world, which I've enjoyed immensely!

So I'd just like to say a big ole "Thank you!" to everyone...I'll see you soon!

Much Love,

Kaori

Reaching Out

2011-01-30T18:14:00.000+09:00

I really liked how the shadow of the trees spread out across the ground. It was a nice sunny day. Perfect for taking photos!

Anyways, my posts have been kind of sporadic lately...things have been kind of hectic! It's amazing how short 24 hours can be sometimes. But I've also got big news coming up...will let you know soon!

Ready for Spring

2011-01-28T10:00:00.002+09:00

It's sunny and colder than ever! They keep on saying "today is the coldest day this winter," every single day and the temperature keeps on dropping...maybe they should say something along the lines of "it's cold but it will probably get colder tomorrow" so I won't expect it to be warmer the next day!

But it seems the plants around Tokorozawa are ready for spring. Are those new shoots...or is this just wishful thinking?

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Second Try

2011-01-24T22:30:00.001+09:00

This is a photo of Arahata Fujizuka, the man-made mountain. I was there again (previous post) in hopes to see Mt. Fuji from the top.

But although it was a great day and we could actually see it slightly with our eyes...my camera couldn't catch it. I really wished I could of shown how it was looming quietly above the trees.

Since I couldn't catch Mt. Fuji on my camera, I'm also including the picture of Mt. Fuji drawn on the sign at the top of Arahata Fujizuka. It shows that Mt. Fuji is 3776.3 meters tall.

Better luck next time...

Under the Sky

2011-01-23T15:30:00.000+09:00

I took this from the car, right before we drove under it, but I liked how the picture of this bridge turned out. It was a great day outside for a drive or a walk.

Click below for photos of wonderful bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Wood Wall

2011-01-22T21:33:00.000+09:00

This is a photo of the walls of Asama Shrine.

I love seeing the knots and growth rings in the wood. I actually just learned that growth rings are called Nenrin (年輪) in Japanese. It literally means "year rings."

I think this is a perfect time to quickly give a shout out to my friend Kenichi's blog NENRIN. He's heading out to Morocco at the moment and his photos are really fantastic. So if you can read Japanese or just want to see the photo's, hope you'll take the time to go see his blog (http://nenrin.blogspot.com/)!

See other wonderful reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

Gather Together

2011-01-20T22:48:00.000+09:00

Nabe (鍋) is a winter favorite for a lot of people in Japan.

I think the word Nabe actually refers to the traditional clay pot that people would use to make these soup dishes. But now when people say "Let's do Nabe tonight!," it refers to this dish.

There are a lot of different soups we use for this dish. Some popular soups are Kimchi, Tomato, Soy Milk, and Collagen. It may sound bizarre but it's really good.

My friends and I ate Pork Broth Nabe (photo above) about a month ago...and we got together again for Kimchi Nabe (photo below) a week ago.

My favorite thing about Nabe is that it's just a lot of fun to eat with everyone! We all had a great time eating this yummy dish!

Pray and Bow

2011-01-19T23:02:00.000+09:00

There were a group of kids gathered in front of Asama Shrine the other day.

From their matching uniforms, I'd guess they're a part of a local soccer team. The kids were all very energetic and calling out to each other to hurry up and fall in line!

When they were all in a row, several of the kids shook the rope connected to the bell and after ringing it a few times, fell back into the line. And after a "Say-no (せいの)!" call from their coach, they all said a big "Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shima su (今年もよろしくお願いします)!!!" This means something like "please let this be a good year," a prayer to the gods, and can also be used as a greeting when we meet people at the start of the year.

Oh, and of course, the kids bowed after that to seal their wish!

Fast Feet

2011-01-17T21:39:00.000+09:00

Went skating again. I love the feel of the wind hitting your face as you pick up speed!

Blinding Lights

2011-01-16T23:15:00.000+09:00

I found this little bridge at Seibu-en Amusement Park. Below the bridge runs, not water, but hundreds of blinking blue and green lights.

It's impressive to say the least.

Here is another view from above. You can see that my camera could hardly take in it's brightness. There were lights everywhere and it was amazing.

Click below for photos of wonderful bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Galaxy Express 999

2011-01-11T23:55:00.002+09:00

I was riding this train back to Tokorozawa the other day. I was riding on the very front train car and it was completely empty. I've noticed that the train cars on the end of either side of the train tend to be less crowded.

Anyways, I can't imagine why I didn't notice this when I got on...but it was a design train!

These are the famous characters of the manga and anime series Galaxy Express 999 (銀河鉄道999). It seems that the creator of the series, Leiji Matsumoto (松本零士) grew up along the Seibu Line, which led to this collaboration with Seibu Railways and Nerima Ward.

The blond lady you see below is Maetel, one of the main characters (and one of the only characters I actually know of) in the series. The design really stood out and everyone passing by was staring at the train. Some were even took photos, like me!

Who's the Weaver?

2011-01-10T21:30:00.000+09:00

Look at this spider's web I found on the side of a building! Actually I'm not really sure it's a spider's web...but it's someone's web.

It looked very pretty in the sun.

Tsubakimine New Town

2011-01-09T23:21:00.000+09:00

This is Uchikoshi Rikkyo (打越陸橋), a foot bridge used to cross over the road below, Tsubakimine Chuo Road.

This whole area is called Tsubakimine New Town and is a residential area that was developed in the 80s. Apparently over 20% of the area is used for greenery which keeps the environment closer to nature.

Click below for photos of wonderful bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

The Color Red

2011-01-08T23:55:00.002+09:00

Another shot at the Seibuen Amusement Park.

The red lights were super bright. I'm surprised the people using these seats didn't get dizzy...actually maybe they did, because these seats were all empty!

See other wonderful reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

Purple Haze

2011-01-07T21:30:00.009+09:00

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky." -Jimi Hendrix

I've just started running again and this is one of the songs on my play list. It's funny because I have so many favorite songs...but every time I try to think of good songs to listen to while running, I go blank. So if you have any favorite songs or suggestions, I'd love it if you could give me a few!

Right now it's cold. So cold. But we've been having great weather and I'm thankful for the blue skies...possibly enough to kiss it.

Happy weekend everyone!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Standing Silhouette

2011-01-06T22:30:00.006+09:00

My camera doesn't take very good night shots. But I really like this one just for the scene.

The couple were in line for the whirling swing ride at Seibuen Amusement Park and this is right before they were let in. It was really pretty all lit up.

Overhead

2011-01-05T16:00:00.001+09:00

We're all getting used to the sight of this crane looming above the station these days. I'm quite fond of construction sites, especially when they use cranes and other unbelievably huge machinery.

I didn't get a picture...but during the holidays this crane was actually lit up with Christmas lights. I thought it was hilarious for some reason and it gave me a reason to smile every time I walked toward the station!

Warm Feet, Warm Heart

2011-01-04T23:55:00.001+09:00

I was standing here forever, trying to figure out what I wanted. There were so many to choose from. Long socks, ankle socks, five-toe socks...oh my!

Ended up taking so long that I decided just to take a photo and come back another day.

Yummy Decoration

2011-01-03T20:00:00.008+09:00

This Shime-kazari is something Japanese people put on their doors or gates during the new year period to ward the bad spirits away. It is also a way to welcome the gods inside the house at the start of the year.

Most people go and get a shime-kazari at a temple or shrine...but these days you can also order them online. This one decorated the door of a hair salon near Tokorozawa Station. I'm always curious what people do with the orange after they take it down.

And if you're wondering about the rabbit poster in the window...2011 is the year of the rabbit!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T10:00:00.002+09:00

Happy New Year!

The corner booth at Tokorozawa Station that shows the new station model after the renovations has new years decorations, too. The station is scheduled to be completed in spring 2013.

Wishing everyone a wonderful year in 2011!!!

Almost Over

2010-12-31T17:30:00.001+09:00

What a year it's been...for me, anyway. How was your year?

I had SUCH a great time with this blog this year! It gave me a reason to start taking really LONG walks to areas in Tokorozawa that I never had a chance or a reason to go to. So many things I've learned from just talking to random people and looking up the history of the area. Next year will be my third year as part of the City Daily Photo community and I can't wait to get started!

Thank you to everyone who came by to take a glimpse at photos of Tokorozawa. And a big New Year's Eve hug to those who left comments, I really really appreciate it.

I hope it's blue skies all the way for everyone in the new year!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

After the Party

2010-12-29T23:55:00.001+09:00

There still seems to be a bit of fall left in Tokorozawa. I love how these ginkgo leaves are scattered about like confetti. Maybe mother nature was celebrating something...

Put On a Happy Face

2010-12-28T22:00:00.010+09:00

I was looking at all the leaves on the ground...and realized that a lot of them had faces!

These two were my favorite, the the wobbly smiley face and the surprised face :-)

Camellia

2010-12-27T23:00:00.000+09:00

Mostly all the trees are bare...but this flower is as bright as can be.

Field of Blue

2010-12-26T22:30:00.003+09:00

It was super duper cold and I was shaking all over...but I did manage to get this shot of the illumination at Seibu-en Amusement Park.

The whole park is lit up with colorful lights. It's pretty amazing. The theme is "Fantasy World" and the lights decorate the amusement park until January 10th from 4-9pm.

Shinin' on Eve

2010-12-24T21:00:00.002+09:00

So once again, it doesn't seem like we're getting a white Christmas. But the cloudy rainy weather cleared and it's going to be sunny skies this whole weekend, yay!

Christmas in Japan is for mainly couples and children. Couples go out on romantic dates and kids get presents, Christmas cake, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. It's all very commercial, not that it's a bad thing or anything. I love all the flair of Christmas decorations and songs we get around the city this season.

The number of Christians living in Japan is very few. Of the whole population in Japan, it's said that there are less than 1% who are Christians. I think the most recent number was around 0.7%, which is roughly 1.2 million people. For them, it's also a time to celebrate the birth of Christ with family, friends, and other church members.

But regardless of religion, I do hope everyone has a happy Christmas Eve today!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Holiday Warmth

2010-12-22T21:00:00.004+09:00

It's kind of warm today. Very weird weather we've been having.

But it was a great day to sit outside for awhile with something warm. These seats outside are a part of the Anderson bakery shop at Shin Tokorozawa Parco. They have delicious bread and pasteries here.

Plus you can enjoy the christmas lights outside, too!

Santa Baby

2010-12-21T20:30:00.002+09:00

Santa outfit, anyone?

This outfit is available for only 2,498 yen and it includes a santa hat, santa tanktop, santa skirt, and (although you can't see it here) santa kneehigh socks. I would have loved to see someone buy this.

Slide and Glide

2010-12-20T11:30:00.006+09:00

Winter season without ice skating is like Christmas without a tree.

Growing up watching every national and international figure skating competition in the United States, I always wanted to be Kristi Yamaguchi and secretly thought that Victor Petrenko was kinda hot. And although I could never manage to throw myself into the air to do a jump or get all bendy and do a Biellmann spin, I've always loved skating and go to the rink every chance I get.

The skating rink at Seibu-en Amusement Park is open from 10am-4pm on weekdays and 10am-9pm on weekends. I'm seriously considering getting a season pass.

Twinkle Twinkle

2010-12-19T12:00:00.001+09:00

There were twinkling stars everywhere at Parco, the shopping mall in Shin Tokorozawa.

I was on one of the bridges that connects the Parco Bldg to the Let's Bldg. You can see another set of bridges on the otherside. There were a lot of people on that bridge admiring the christmas lights, too!

Click below for photos of wonderful bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Hold On

2010-12-17T17:30:00.000+09:00

The wind has been huffing and puffing these last few days. But some leaves are still hanging in there.

I was humming Wilson Phillip's "Hold ON" for some reason the other day and it reminded me of these leaves. "Hold on for one more day..."

Happy weekend everyone!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

History Walk

2010-12-15T23:00:00.003+09:00

This is part of the wall surrounding the construction site of the Ever Sky Tower, one of the Kotesashi Towers (there are two being built).

I don't know about construction sites in other countries, but here in Japan the construction company usually decorates the outer side of the wall. Some draw trees or flowers and sometimes they show old pictures of the area and have information about the history of the area.

Around the Ever Sky Tower, there are pictures and dates of events related to Kotesashi Station. It was fun seeing old pictures and leaning about how the station came about.

(1970 - Kotesashi Station Opens)

(1977 - The 2000 Type Train is Introduced on the Seibu Line)

(1976 - Construction of Kotesashi Heights Starts)

Magic Tree

2010-12-14T17:00:00.020+09:00

Well, I'm not really sure what this Hamamelis Japonica plant looks like in full bloom. But I'm guessing it did not grow this glove...

Scarlet Star

2010-12-13T14:00:00.000+09:00

I am feeling very merry lately! And really, who wouldn't, with so many pretty poinsettias around?

For a country that only celebrates Christmas commercially, we are really into it. All the flower shops are full of Christmas related flowers and plants, poinsettias being the most popular. It really livens the place up!

Thriller Bridge

2010-12-12T22:10:00.000+09:00

The stairs of this pedestrian bridge was very blue.

Not very many people were using it when I passed it. Maybe because everytime a truck would drive by, the whole bridge would kind of bounce and shake...not the greatest feeling when you're on it.

Click below for photos of wonderful bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

In The Water

2010-12-11T23:55:00.001+09:00

For some reason I like this shot. It's a view around dusk from the bridge above Yanase River. Do you see the koi fish in the water?

See other wonderful reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

Popular Persimmons

2010-12-10T16:06:00.000+09:00

Persimmons are one of my favorite fall fruits. I love the simple taste. Walking around Tokorozawa, you'll see a lot of persimmon trees in people's yards.

And although I'm not the best person to start talking about Japanese literature...I do remember a very famous haiku that almost all Japanese people know or have at least heard of. It's by a famous haiku poet named Masaoka Shiki (正岡子規).

"Kaki kueba Kane ga naru nari Horyuji"

(柿食へば鐘がなるなり法隆寺)

This translates to something like "Bite into persimmon, a bell resounds, Horyuji." Shiki wrote this while he was in Nara during his travels, sitting in a tea room close to Horyuji while eating persimmon, which was said to be his favorite fruit. And although it's said that the sound of bell he refers to is actually from Todaiji, a different temple in Nara, this famous haiku composes a lovely fall scene and remains to be one of the most famous haiku in Japan.

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Hooter Alert

2010-12-09T09:40:00.000+09:00

Taking a break from the autumn leaves...here is a cute little owl.

I can almost hear it saying, "HOO wants water?" Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Sweet Memories

2010-12-08T00:39:00.000+09:00

I think I need a vacation to recover from the vacation...can't seem to keep up!

Today almost felt like it was spring outside. We had a beautiful 18C sunday afternoon. But the colors of the trees remind us that we still have a while to go before it's truly spring.

And I've finally was able to post some photos from DC. Mind you, I did a whole lot of relaxing and didn't really take a lot of photos of the city...but here are some that I caught here and there:

(from my window on the plane)

(The National Archives Building)

(Cutting of the cake at the wedding reception)

(I loved the moody metro stations - Dupont Circle)

(So THIS is where I lost it - Big red shoe @Union Station)

(Union Station)

(Another shot of Union Station)

(I really adore the architecture in DC - F Street)

(9th Street NW)

(Washington Monument)

(Ronald Reagan National Airport)

(Smithsonian Castle Information Center)

Oh, and the wedding? Absolutely wonderful!

It was so great seeing the happy couple getting married, surrounded by friends and family. You can tell they are very much loved and I wish them all the best!

Ok. So that was a bit more than "some"...but I couldn't stop uploading photos! Hope you enjoy them and get a chance to visit this lovely place, too! Even without a wedding to go to, I think it's one gorgeous city :-)

(Suddenly back to reality - Tokyo Bay)

PS: I'm behind on all my comments (so sorry!) but will be by soon!

Beauty of a Roof

2010-12-03T17:15:00.000+09:00

Here is a close up photo of the Jimyoin Temple roof.

I love the way the old buildings in Japan were traditionally built, the wooden structure and the Kawara roofs. Many of the temples and shrines are built using a traditional wood joinery technique, which were nail-less or used few nails. This technique is not written down on any manual but passed down as a craft from generation to generation.

The roof made from tile is also a very important part of the structure. I read somewhere that the beauty of Japanese architecture lies in the varieties of its roof. I tend to agree.

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Not Winter Yet

2010-12-02T22:00:00.002+09:00

I always think that if it's going to be this cold outside...it might as well snow. But no sign of snow yet.

PS: Hoping to post a few photos of DC after things settle down this weekend :-)

Time

2010-12-01T17:00:00.002+09:00

Can you believe it's the last month of this year already?

Well, as usual, the first day of each month is CDP community's Theme Day. The theme for December is "Time."

I was at Koku Park again and I noticed a lot of runners on the track. The 21st Tokorozawa City Marathon is coming up in a few days and I guess everyone is in running mode. A lot of the runners had a fancy wrist watch, which I'm sure they use to time themselves, and kept on glancing at it while they ran.

The marathon starts from 6:45am on Sunday, December 5th. There is the 2km, 3km, 5km, and half marathon race. I will be on the sidelines (if I can get up that early) and rooting the runners on!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Back To The Grind

2010-11-30T22:00:00.001+09:00

I'm finally back in Tokorozawa and all these colorful fall leaves were here to welcome me back!

How have you all been? I had SUCH a great time in DC...the wedding was wonderful, being with old friends was beyond fun, and thanksgiving dinner was amazing! Just between us...I really didn't want to come back (mostly, to work).

But these gorgeous leaves made coming back to reality and going back to work just a bit easier. Walking to the station surrounded by colorful trees is quite relaxing. Hope you're enjoying a lovely fall (or whatever season) day in your city, too!

Sayonara For A While

2010-11-16T22:00:00.005+09:00

I love those days where the air is crisp. It seems winter is creeping up on us...but I don't mind at all. Especially on a glorious day like this.

Tomorrow I'll be heading to DC for a few weeks. My best friend from grade school is getting married and I'm super excited for her! I'm going to be giving the wedding photographer a run for his/her money and take a whole bunch of photos. Or as much as I'm able since I'm actually in the wedding as well. Do you think it's possible for a bridesmaid to take photos during the wedding ceremony? Hmmm.

I won't be able to update this blog for awhile...but hopefully I will be able to drop by to comment on yours. In the mean time, I wish you all a wonderful week!

Hammer Away

2010-11-15T23:55:00.002+09:00

There's a lot of construction going on lately. I love watching construction sights and seeing the houses take shape.

My dad is a really good carpenter, and although that's not his profession, he used to make bunk beds and study desks for us kids when we were little. All the noise at the construction sight brings back memories!

Long and Narrow

2010-11-14T18:06:00.001+09:00

This is another bridge that crosses over Yanase River.

It's pretty narrow but I saw a lot of people crossing it on their bikes. Very clever riding technique involved.

Click below for photos of wonderful bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Beyond Tired

2010-11-12T18:39:00.001+09:00

I can almost hear these men muttering "Thank god it's Friday..." as they ride the train home. I'm sure you can imagine their faces, too. Pure exhaustion.

But whether it's from work or just too much drinking, I can't be sure.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Sound the Bells

2010-11-11T18:00:00.001+09:00

This is the rope attached to the shrine bell of Kume Suitengu (see yesterday's post). Many people who come to pray here use this rope to ring the bell. It's a way to announce their presence before their time in prayer.

You can see in the photo bellow that many people have swung this rope around to ring the bell.

There is usually a offering box under the bell, where people toss in their coins. At the shrine the method of prayer after ringing the bell is: toss coin, two bows, two claps, pray, then one last bow.

Kume Suitengu

2010-11-10T23:15:00.001+09:00

These stairs lead up to Kume Suitengu (久米水天宮) Shrine.

This shrine is what we call Sessha (摂社), a shrine that is located within another main shrine's domain. But unlike other sessha, Kume Suitengu has its own entrance and stairs.

I love how it's located in the woods and surrounded by nature. The god of safe birth is known to be here in Kume Suitengu and many families with expecting mothers come to be blessed.

Maboroshi-ken Ramen

2010-11-09T14:00:00.008+09:00

Maboroshi-ken (まぼろし軒) is a popular ramen shop in Tokorozawa. This dish is my favorite Tonkotsu-Shio Ramen (とんこつ塩ラーメン), which is ramen with broth made from pork bones and salt. Just the thing to fill your stomach after a long afternoon walk.

Maboroshi-ken just started their lunch hour. Until recently they were only open at night.

I don't know about everywhere else but in Japan there is a thing called Shime (締め pronounced She-meh). When people go out to eat and/or drink in Japan (which we call Nomikai (飲み会)) it can lead to a second stage which we call Nijikai (second party) where we all go karaoke, bowling, or just to another Izakaya. The bigger the event, the longer these after parties keep on going.

Anyways, the Shime comes at the very end of the night (i.e. early morning). And this is just speaking from experience but a lot of times this ends up being ramen, probably because ramen shops tend to be open in the middle of the night and you can be in and out of the shop quite quickly.

Eating ramen at 4am is probably not the greatest idea health-wise. But it's still very very tasty!

Maboroshi-ken is open everyday from 11:30am to 5pm and again from 5:30pm to 4am.

Happy Face

2010-11-08T22:00:00.001+09:00

Monday is never an easy day. But these flowers just brightened up my day today.

Hope they cheer you up, too.

Now and Then

2010-11-07T23:55:00.001+09:00

This bridge crosses over Yanase River.

In the 1970s, during the economic growth, the river was very polluted. But through the sewer system maintenance and community clean up efforts, Yanase River currently has very clear water.

Hopefully it stays that way.

Click below for photos of wonderful bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Matsugaoka Regulating Reservoir

2010-11-06T16:23:00.001+09:00

This is the Matsugaoka Regulating Reservoir.

At first I thought it was just filled with rain water. But then I actually spotted birds, fish, and turtles enjoying the water in the reservoir. It was nice to see so much nature in a man-made lake.

See other wonderful reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

House After House

2010-11-05T14:00:00.000+09:00

This area had a lot of family houses. I really liked this view with all the houses in a row.

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

A Thousand Prayers

2010-11-04T22:30:00.001+09:00

Have you ever seen a Senbazuru (千羽鶴) before?

Senbazuru means "a thousand cranes," which is what it really is. They are paper cranes made from origami, strung together with string. It's traditional to make this Senbazuru for people who we want to wish good luck to or to get better. Every crane we make is like a prayer.

I found this Senbazuru at a shrine, which is one of the places people bring it to, to pray for the well-being of others. It even had beads at the end of the strings. I hope their prayer was answered.

Well Ridden

2010-11-03T20:45:00.003+09:00

This is Higashiharai Park (東原井公園). It's a teeny weeny park with two benches, a sandbox, and two animals on springs.

When I passed by there was no one there. But, from the looks of the handles, it seems like a lot of kids have ridden on both the panda and koala.

I remember I really liked this when I was little, too. My sister and I used to bounce around like crazy. I'm surprised we didn't pull the thing out of the ground!

I imagine many kids made the same kind of memories here, too.

Veggie Delight

2010-11-02T16:30:00.008+09:00

I found this vegetable patch around the corner from Jimyoin Temple.

I really love gardens. But I also know it takes a lot of energy and time to keep a good garden. Which is why all I do is admire my neighbor's garden these days.

But hopefully one of these days...

Crossing the Rails

2010-11-01T20:00:00.002+09:00

It's already November? Cannot for the life of me figure out how that happened so fast.

Well, it's theme day again at CDP. This month the theme is "Public Transportation." Here in Tokorozawa we don't really use anything unusual. Mostly trains, cars, and buses.

There are two train lines that go through Tokorozawa Station. As these train lines are on the ground, we have many railroad crossings like this one. During the rush hour we can be left standing there for almost 10 minutes.

But I don't really mind because I like watching the trains go by as all sorts of lights and sounds warn people of the passing train. It's quite a show.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Down the Street

2010-10-30T17:00:00.001+09:00

Just a regular street with a reflection.

See other wonderful reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

The Gate

2010-10-29T11:00:00.000+09:00

A fancy gate leading up to the cemetary's higher ground.

I'm glad we had such nice weather over the weekend. It's raining almost everyday now because of several typhoons. Crossing my fingers for more sunny days like this.

Happy weekend everyone!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Patch of Green

2010-10-28T16:00:00.006+09:00

I wanted to get my fill of the green grass while it's still here.

It's 11°C outside today. That's about 52°F. It seems we've skipped fall and jumped head first into winter. But I'm hoping this is just temporary and we'll be able to enjoy at least a week or two of warmer fall weather.

Ji-Myo-In

2010-10-27T16:00:00.000+09:00

This gorgeous building can be found in Jimyoin Temple, which is a part of the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism.

I happened to stumble upon this temple the other day, just as the chants inside the main temple started. The voices in perfect rhythm with the sound of drums was beautiful. I stood there for a few minutes just listening to their rich deep voices.

There were flowers placed at the foot of a statue, which I'm pretty sure the monks change everyday. These are various types of chrysanthemums, which is a flower traditionally given as offerings to temples. They are also common flowers seen in cemeteries, too.

It was such a beautiful day outside, I ended up taking tons of photos of this main temple.

Rest in Peace

2010-10-26T23:00:00.003+09:00

These are the lovely roses that are growing in the Akitsu Fure-ai Park I posted about the other day. There were many types of roses growing around the graves and walkways.

I really liked how the place was like a park, very cheerful but yet peaceful. There were a lot of benches placed along the paths and many families were resting there, sometimes with their dogs, chatting and reminiscing about their loved ones.

Akitsu Bridge

2010-10-24T12:23:00.000+09:00

Akitsu Bridge is a very old concrete bridge that passes over the Seibu Shinjuku Line. As there is only space for cars to pass over the bridge, another footbridge was built alongside this one for pedestrians.

You can see the railway below and many train-lovers use this bridge to take photos of trains!

Click below for photos of wonderful bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Thank you

2010-10-24T01:00:00.000+09:00

Wow, I just realized that I have exactly 100 followers!

So I thought is a good time to take a moment to thank everyone for dropping by, commenting, and showing interesting in this blog. I never thought it would be this big or this much fun when I first started! I've learned so much about my city and made many dear blogger friends through this blog!

While it can be very hard to keep posting sometimes, all the comments and everyone's daily postings of gorgeous photos and interesting stories inspire me to keep at it. So, thank you! To everyone and anyone who has passed through Tokorozawa Daily Photo :-)

Love Kaori

Sail Away

2010-10-23T20:45:00.000+09:00

Took a walk and stopped by Akitsu Fure-ai Park, a local garden cemetery. I'm not sure but I think it's a pretty new concept here in Japan. The non-religious cemetery is very peaceful, filled with flowers and plants.

I found this particular headstone interesting because of the picture next to the family name "Kobayashi." Maybe the person buried here liked to go sailing.

See other wonderful reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

Ready When You Are

2010-10-22T17:20:00.000+09:00

Chestnuts growing under the blue sky...ready for you to pick! Yum! Wish you all a fun filled weekend!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Stop and Shoot

2010-10-21T19:30:00.001+09:00

The road said STOP so I stopped...to take a photo!

Favorite Fall Fruit

2010-10-20T20:30:00.002+09:00

I forgot to post photos of when I when I went fruit u-picking, this time "Nashi (梨)!"

Nashi is what we call Japanese Pears, although they are more like apples. They are really crunchy and juicy, which is why I love them!

Like the grapes, the Nashi were also wrapped to protect the fruit and we would have to rip the bottom of the bag open to look inside to see which one we wanted to pick (although there's really no need to actually "pick" any because all of them are well-made)!

The lady in the photo above told us that the Nashi this year were small compared to recent years. But they look pretty big to me! Yum!

Head First

2010-10-19T23:30:00.003+09:00

I actually didn't notice until I saw this photo on my computer...but it seems I wasn't the only one who thought this was a lovely flower!

Sudden Rain

2010-10-18T21:00:00.003+09:00

It's been raining a lot lately. And there are many people waiting for someone to come pick them up at the station exit, like she is.

But then there are others, like me, who walk home in the rain with their umbrellas. Because at times, I like getting all wet and rained on!

Oh The Horror!

2010-10-17T20:30:00.012+09:00

This is Mutsumi Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Seibu Line near Tokorozawa Station. It's also quite a famous bridge.

Have you ever heard of the movie series "Ju-on (呪怨)?"

It's a Japanese horror film that was a big hit in Japan. After the first "Ju-on" film, it was so popular, another film, "Ju-on 2," was released. This also lead to a remake in Hollywood called "The Grudge" in 2004. I nearly died of fright just from seeing the trailer for this movie (which they kept on playing on TV...at night!) so I haven't seen it. But I hear it's pretty scary!

Anyways, so you may wonder what all this has to do with this bridge...well, Mutsumi Bridge was used in one of the scenes! More specifically, the very last scene in "Ju-on 2!"

Are you curious enough to watch it?

Click below for photos of (probably) non-horror-related bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Arahata Fujizuka 2

2010-10-15T17:30:00.004+09:00

Continuing on from yesterday's post...we are climbing up Arahata Fujizuka, a man-made miniature replica of Mt. Fuji in Tokorozawa.

Arahata Fujizuka was created during the Meiji Era by the community of people living in Arahata as a way to come together as one. This 10-meter (approx. 33 feet) fujizuka was completed in 1899 and opened with a festival on July 1st, which is still currently the day that Mt. Fuji opens its climbing season.

On June 27, 1969, Arahata Fujizuka became Tokorozawa city's designated cultural asset. It is still a popular place for people who live near the area or people like me, who are just curious to see this historical place.

We left off at the fifth station yesterday.

If you've ever toured Mt. Fuji, you'll know that you can take a bus or drive your car up to the fifth station. I've done this a couple of times and enjoyed the view from the fifth station. And as I said yesterday, you can start your climb from the first station, but most climbers tend to start their journey to the top of Mt. Fuji from here. I think it takes about 5-7 hours depending on how fast you are. But because this is a fujizuka, it doesn't even take 5-7 minutes to get to the top. Thank goodness!

So on with the journey...the photo above is the sixth station marker "Roku-go-me (六合目)."

The path is really narrow with only space for one person. But this fujizuka has steps that are clear of weeds and still very sturdy. This may be due to the Arahata Fuji Preservation Society, who come to repair or clean and patrol the area often.

Next, the seventh station marker "Nana-go-me (七合目)."

Closing in to the top, the eighth station marker "Hachi-go-me (八合目)."

Almost to the top, the ninth station marker "Kyu-go-me (九合目)."

And here we are at the top. There is a small Asama Shrine and a 360 view of the surrounding area. I couldn't get the whole view, but you can see a panorama view below.

It was a bit cloudy when I took this photo. But when the sky is clear you can actually see Mt. Fuji from here, as most fujizuka's were made in places with a view of what the Asama Fuji religion considered sacred.

Arahata Fujizuka almost lost this view in 1923 when the Great Kanto Earthquake hit, and the section above the eighth station collapsed. But just as it was made, the community got together again to rebuild.

I really like how this Arahata Fujizuka is not only treasured because of its historic importance but also because of the community that surrounds it. I think I'll go again in the winter when the sky is more likely to be clear and maybe get to see Mt. Fuji like the people used to in the old days!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read all this! And an even bigger thank you to all who commented! I had a lot of fun writing about fujizuka's and learned a lot, too!

I hope you'll take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

And also go see the view from the real Mt. Fuji in Toshi's blog here!

Arahata Fujizuka

2010-10-14T13:30:00.015+09:00

This is the entrance to Arahata Fujizuka.

(And let me warn you right now that this is a pretty long post...you don't have to read all of it!)

A fujizuka (富士塚) is a smaller replica of our famous Mt. Fuji. As you can see the top of this fujizuka right above the torii, they are not very high. Usually they are man-made hills, sometimes made from rocks actually brought from Mt. Fuji. There is said to be over 500 fujizuka's in the kanto area.

The reason these fujizuka's were made has to do with Japan's religion, Shinto, in particular the Fuji Asama (富士浅間信仰) religion which centers around the worship of Mt. Fuji. One of their main practices would be to climb up Mt. Fuji and worship. But because not very many people were able to climb it in the Edo era, both health wise and money wise, and also because women were not allowed to enter Mt. Fuji, they decided to build a fujizuka where everyone could come and pray.

If you've ever had a chance to climb Mt. Fuji, you'll know that there are 10 stations from the foot of the mountain to the very top. And although a fujizuka is not very high, the path is made exactly like the one at Mt. Fuji and a marker is placed at every station.

The marker in the photo above says "Ichi-go-me (一合目)," which means "First Station."

I know it will make for a very long post...but I've taken a photo of each marker, just in case there's someone out there who's crazy enough to want to see them all :-)

So here we go...onto the next!

The second station marker, "Ni-go-me (二合目)."

You can see from the photo of the stairs that there are only about 10 steps from the first station. Some you can already see from the previous station, which was kind of funny. If you were to climb Mt. Fuji from the first station, it would take about 15 hours, depending on your pace.

This is the third station marker, "San-go-me (三合目)."

Fourth Station Marker, "Yon-go-me (四合目)."

This one was really hiding behind the shrubbery. They are quite small and sometimes you miss them.

This is the view looking down from the fourth station. It's a pretty steep climb.

And here's the last one for today, the fifth station marker, "Go-go-me (五合目)."

Tomorrow I'll take you to the top with a little more information on this particular fujizuka!

If any of you are interesting in Mt. Fuji, you can go see gorgeous (and I mean really really gorgeous!) photos posted by my friend Toshi on his blog here! He actually climbed to the top of Mt. Fuji this summer!

I Saw the Sign

2010-10-13T17:00:00.002+09:00

I don't know how many times I sang along with that Ace of Base song with my best friends in grade school, but I heard it again at a tennis tournament the other day and have not been able to get the song out of my head!

Anyways, this is a sign on a corner of a road that leads to Shimo Yamaguchi Station on the left and the community woods to the right. It also leads to Arahata Fuji, a miniature mountain of sorts, which I'll post about tomorrow!

...I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign...

In the Still of the Night

2010-10-12T16:00:00.000+09:00

The night seems to become brighter by the year. I'm sure the sky is just as dark...but even in the middle of the night, there are lamp posts that shine and 24 hour stores that are open.

And while I am very grateful for all of this (especially when I'm walking back home from the station at night)...sometimes I miss the pitch dark nights where all you can see are the stars twinkling above.

Sushi Go Round

2010-10-11T19:00:00.002+09:00

Sushi is still a favorite among us Japanese. There are two types of sushi restaurants, the one where a plate of sushi is placed on a conveyor belt (Kaiten-zushi 回転寿司) or one where a sushi cook directly serves you the sushi on a wooden board (Sushi-ya 寿司屋).

And although the later is typically more upscale, I love going to the former and choosing what to eat from the various sushi dishes that pass us by. This is at Kappa Zushi, a famous sushi chain restaurant in Japan.

You can see from the photos, mostly all the sushi are made up of fish or other seafood. But there are actually a couple of sushi plates that vegetarians can eat, too. I like eating the cucumber or ume (Japanese pickled plum) wrap and the fried egg sushi. Yummy!

If you can't find the sushi that you want to eat on the belt conveyor...you can also order what you want on a digital display. When you do, the Kappa Express (below) delivers the sushi directly to your table!

When you're ready to go, the staff comes to count how many plates of sushi you ate, calculates it all, and you pay the total amount at the register.

How many plates do you think you'll eat?

Marshmallow Clouds

2010-10-08T14:20:00.000+09:00

This is what I saw when I looked up this morning. Seems like a great day to end this week. Wish you all a wonderful weekend!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Golf Green

2010-10-07T12:30:00.008+09:00

This is the Seibu-en Golf Course.

Golf is all the rage here in Japan these days. I don't play golf because if I can't hit a tennis ball with a racket that big, I doubt I'm going to be able to swing a thin club and hit a teeny tiny white ball. On top of that, I'm liable to end up hitting someone at some point during the swing and I'm not looking to get sued.

So I stay away from golf. But I do love the golf course with the nicely trimmed grass...we rarely see this much grass in the same place around here.

The Look

2010-10-06T20:18:00.001+09:00

Is it just me or is this cat giving me the evil eye?

Empty Road

2010-10-05T16:30:00.000+09:00

Just a regular road. But I liked the contrast of the white building and dark wall...

(PS: I haven't been able to comment back to everyone as I'm away from home at the moment. I'll try to drop by soon! Thanks so much for commenting! I very much appreciate it :D)

I'm Nuts for Chestnuts!

2010-10-04T19:30:00.007+09:00

Tis the season for Japanese chestnuts!

Japanese chestnuts are called "Kuri (koo-ri)" here. My favorite dish is the ever popular "Kuri Gohan," which literally translates to "chestnut rice." It's simple but tasty, especially with a sprinkle of "Goma Shio (black sesame salt)!"

Every Morning

2010-09-30T23:30:00.004+09:00

Rush hour can be quite crowded.

I took this photo a little before rush hour, when people start gathering on the platforms, waiting for the next train. A lot of people get on the train at Tokorozawa Station.

She's a Brick House

2010-09-29T11:30:00.024+09:00

Well, she's not really a brick house. Just the entrance area. But it caught my eye the other day because it stood out against all the surrounding Japanese style houses.

I like brick. What about you?

(PS: Thank you for all the comments! I'm back on my feet, with a wad of tissue and coughdrops in my hand ;D)

Hello Autumn

2010-09-28T10:00:00.002+09:00

The breeze already has a bite to it. It's definitely autumn here.

Flower Power

2010-09-27T10:20:00.006+09:00

It's wet, dreary, and very very cold outside. And typical me, I've caught a cold. ugh.

Hope this miniature sunflower I found growing on the side of the road will brighten your day. Keep nice and warm, everyone!

PS: Very sorry I haven't been by to comment...I will be back once I get rid of this bug.

Big Brother

2010-09-25T23:55:00.020+09:00

This pink elephant in front of this pharmacy is Satoko-chan. You can see her older brother, Sato-chan, looking out for her from inside the store.

They are both a mascot for Sato Pharmaceutical, a big pharmaceutical company in Japan. It said on their website that they chose an elephant as a mascot as they are famous for having long lives.

This Satoko-chan is always wearing something different. I noticed she recently changed into this lovely nightgown-ish outfit so I took this photo. Her brother is probably worried the sexy outfit will give the wrong idea to playboy elephants!

See other wonderful reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

Under the Vines

2010-09-24T09:00:00.004+09:00

This is a shot of the sky through the grapevines from my day at Kitada-en (posted here).

I'm pretty short so I could easily stand under the vines, but for anyone taller than 160cm (around 6'2"), they would definitely have to angle their necks to the side or crouch over. But it would be worth it. The Kyoho grapes were delicious!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Go Team Go!

2010-09-23T15:00:00.018+09:00

Someone is a Seibu Lions fan! I found this banner hanging in front of the side door like a curtain.

The Seibu Lions, our pro baseball team, are doing very well this year. Although it's a pretty tight race, I have a feeling we're going to win the championships. But I'm not saying it too loudly...don't want to jinx the team!

Vineyard Fun

2010-09-22T09:00:00.031+09:00

This weekend I had fun grape-picking at Kitada-en, a local farm in Tokorozawa. Right now the Kyoho, Pione, and Beni-izu grapes are in season.

This was my first time at a Japanese U-pick farm so I was curious how it operated. I should of known everything would be all professional...the good grapes waiting to be picked were wrapped in white paper!

So what we'd do is, look inside the white paper and choose which grape we wanted, which isn't a hard choice at all, as most are waiting beautifully to be picked!

Then we'd take the scissors and snap the stem. Very easy, right? And don't forget, the longer the stem the longer the grapes stay fresh!

I think I'm going to make this an annual outing. I loved walking under the grapevines! And the grapes were really delicious! Yum!

I Spy a Phoenix

2010-09-21T09:30:00.002+09:00

Just happened to pass by this car with very cool wheels the other day.

I know nothing about cars but since it had the name Toyota on the back of the car, I'm assuming that's what it is. Brilliant detective work, huh?

Kotesashi Rikkyo

2010-09-19T09:30:00.001+09:00

This Kotesashi Rikkyo crosses over the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, right next to Kotesashi Station. It's a very long bridge and some ot the space underneath is used as a bicycle parking space.

There are also stairs that lead up to the bridge above, which has a sidewalk for pedestrians, too. You wouldn't be able to tell from above but the bridge is very green!

Click below for more lovely photos of bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Curtain of Vines

2010-09-18T09:00:00.008+09:00

A green curtain covers one side of our city hall in the summer.

The vines are morning glories and bitter melon plants! I think they were planted sometine in June. It's amazing how fast they grow. It's a nice natural curtain!

See other wonderful reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

P-P-P-Parking Space

2010-09-17T09:00:00.003+09:00

I know the parking lot sign is suppose to represent a car.

But to me, it looks like a UFO. Doesn't it?

Anyways, this is the three story parking lot for the shopping center, Parco. On the weekends cars line up on the street, waiting for parking space. Usually it's the dad waiting in the car, watching TV on the car navigation, while the rest of the family get a head start on their shopping spree!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Bark Mosaic

2010-09-16T15:00:00.000+09:00

This is one of the trees standing along the street where the bench from yesterday is located.

I though the coloration and texture of the tree bark was interesting. Does anyone know what kind of tree it is? Sycamore?

Take a Seat

2010-09-15T09:00:00.001+09:00

I love public benches.

This one is sitting in the shade. On a hot day like this, there's no better spot!

Street Art

2010-09-14T09:00:00.001+09:00

This is one of the manhole covers you'll find in Tokorozawa.

There is a Henri Farman biplane flying over tea fields as Tokorozawa is both famous for being the birthplace of Japanese aviation and producing tea.

You will also find the city tree, bird, and flower included in the design...Ginkgo leaves floating above, a flying skylark, and tea flowers below.

Bridge Under the Roof

2010-09-12T23:00:00.000+09:00

I forgot about the small bridge they have at Shin Tokorozawa Parco. It connects the Parco Bldg and the Let's Bldg on the second and third floors.

Below you can see one of my favorite flower shops!

Click below for more lovely photos of bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Night Falls

2010-09-10T17:00:00.001+09:00

I'm ready to head home and relax. What about you?

Happy weekend to everyone!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.