Time To Go

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

Ready for Spring

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

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...

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.

After the Party

 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

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

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

Holiday Warmth

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!

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.

Magic Tree

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

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!

Popular Persimmons

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.

Sweet Memories

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!

Not Winter Yet

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

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

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

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!

Kume Suitengu

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.