Overhead

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!

Happy New Year!

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

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.

Put On a Happy Face

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  :-)

Hold On

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.

Sudden Rain

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!

The Look

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

Butter Me Up

They say when a Japanese person comes back from a trip overseas, ramen is the first thing they want to eat!

I'm not sure how accurate that is but I love ramen, too. This is the Miso Butter Ramen at one of my favorite ramen shops, Cho-chin Tei (ちょうちん亭). It takes a while to get through the Moyashi (beansprout) they pile on the ramen but it goes well with the miso taste. The butter also makes the soup a bit more creamy. Yum!


The owner of the shop always greets you with a big smile and a loud "Irasshai-ma-se!!!," which means "Welcome" or "Please come inside." I've been coming here since high school and I love that no matter how long it's been since the last visit, the staff always remember you and ask after you.

I also love that the girls get a small popsicle after finishing the ramen!

Making an Exit

This is Tokorozawa Station's east exit. We have a bookstore, convenience store, flower shop, and a couple of cafes and restaurants along the arcade.

This is the quiet side of Tokorozawa Station. The busy commercial street and supermarkets are mostly all on the otherside. But on Fridays, both sides are pretty busy. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Take a look at different skies all around the world here.

Sparkling Summer Memories

This photo is blurry, I know. But fireworks are such a big part of summer in Japan, I wanted to post it anyway!

You really can't start or finish summer without fireworks. And although going to a fireworks festival is also a fun event, there's nothing like a night of sparklers with family and friends in your back yard or the local park.


All you need is a candle and a bin of water to put the sparklers in after you finish.

There are many types of sparklers but you can enjoy the sudden brightness of the crackling fireworks, the smell of smoke (which keep the mosquitos away), and the fun memories you make with any one you light up!

In Your Face

Tokorozawa has graffiti, too.

I spotted these two on my jogging course. They are always laughing at me as I huff and puff by them.

Flipping, Topping, and Eating

And here it is!

We usually put Okonomi-yaki sauce, mayonnaise, dried bonito flakes, and green seaweed seasoning (青のり) on top of the Okonomi-yaki. And it is very very good!

Oh, and since I don't eat either meat or fish, I usually get something like the Curry Mix (curry powder, potato, cheese, etc.) or Mochi Cheese Mix. You can even order your own mix and put in whatever you like, which is great for vegetarians!


And what's so much fun about Okonomi-yaki is that you get to make it by yourself. You have to use the spatulas to flip the Okonomi-yaki over, which can be quite disastrous without the right balance!


What's also interesting is the way we cut the Okonomi-yaki. You can see below that it's cut like a pizza, which is how we cut it in the Tokyo area. This is because we eat Okonomi-yaki as the main meal and usually we share with others.

In the Osaka area, on the other hand, they cut it in small squares because there they consider the Okonomi-yaki only a part of the whole meal and many eat it along with rice!


But whatever they put in it or how they cut it, Okonomi-yaki is a delicious meal you can enjoy with everyone!

In The Works

Have you ever had Okonomi-yaki?

It's very popular in Japan, and there are different ways of making it depending on the region. This is the bowl filled with various ingredients that the staff bring to you when you order. From the top is Beef/Green Onion (牛スジねぎ焼き), Pork/Kimchi (豚キムチ焼き), and Mochi/Cheese (もちチーズ焼き). I like how colorful every bowl looks!



And what we have to do is, although the bowl is close to over flowing, we need to mix everything until it looks like this, below. There is a flour mix in the bottom of the bowl and you need to mix it all up before grilling it on the pan.

This process takes some time, which I'm sure the store does on purpose, to make us all even more hungry!


Tune in tomorrow for the Okonomi-yaki after it's done!

Ooh, You're An Angel

The clouds looked like an angels wing. It really was a great day outside. Someone must of been watching over us!


Take a look at different skies all around the world here.

Bright Colors

The theme for this month is 'Bright Colors' so I got a photo of these colorful covers.

Every year, since 1976, Shincho Bunko, a Japanese publishing company, chooses 100 books at the start of summer as a special campaign. I guess it's one way to recommend books to the readers.

From the 100, 10 books were chosen for the Special Cover Edition. Apparently 'Special' means 'unbelievably colorful.'

Here is the list of books for this year:
'Kokoro' by Soseki Natsume (white)
'Natsu No Niwa' by Kazumi Yumoto (green)
'Kinkakuji' by Yukio Mishima (gold)
'Edogawa Rampo Kessaku Sen' by Ranpo Edogawa (black)
'Rashomon - Hana' by Ryunosuke Akutagawa (orange)
'Roujin To Umi (The Old Man and the Sea)' by Ernest Hemingway (yellow)
'Ningen Shikkaku' by Osamu Dazai (pink)
'Kitchen' by Banana Yoshimoto (red)
'Yukiguni' by Yasunari Kawabata (white)
'Hashi Monogatari' by Shuhei Fujisawa (blue)


I've actually only read the two books in the photo above, 'The Old Man and the Sea' and 'Ningen Shikkaku.' Of these two, I'd have to say I like Hemingway much better than Dazai, who I think is a 'triple D' writer...deep, dark, and depressing.

Have you read any of them?

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

School Girls

These girls were probably on their way home from school after some kind of practice or after school lesson. They seemed really tired...but still had the energy to chatter away.

Oh, to be young again!

In Every Glance

This is the sunset from yesterday reflecting onto the Seibu Building. And if you look closely at the photo below, you'll see a part of the sunset on the bus.


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

Over the Station

We had a very pretty sunset the other day.

I'm glad I looked behind me while walking home from the station. Or I may not have noticed this pink sky!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!


Take a look at different skies all around the world here.

Fade Away

Going back to the bridge from last sunday again, this is the speed limit sign on the road that crosses the bridge.

The sign was originally red and blue...but I guess this sign's been in the sun too long. The faded pastel color looks good against the sky though!

Happy 3rd Anniversary to Sky Watch Friday!!!
Take a look at different skies all around the world here.

Distracted

This is what I almost ran into when I was walking home from the station with my nose deep in a book. A really good book.

I even walked up the plank some before I realized I wasn't on the road anymore. Good thing the driver wasn't there or he may of had me arrested for WWR (walking-while-reading). Whew!