Big Brother

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.

Shameless Statue

Some of you may remember Taiko Bridge in front of the restaurant Marufuku Shokudo I posted awhile ago here. Well, this is what your feet will see when you cross the bridge!

And look what I found in the middle of the pond!


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

Sunday Bridges by Louis

Ta-da!

And here you can see both of the animals from yesterday's post!

Show and Tell

Look what I found! This really cool statue was standing on the wall of one of the houses I passed by the other day.

See the elephant on the top photo?
Then look at the lion below...


What else do they have in common? Besides the fact that they're both beautifully made, of couse. Can you tell?

Look Above

Today is theme day and this month is 'Statues.'

There are quite a lot of statues at Koku Park. This one is of three young men holding a wing and looking up.


It was made by Kozo Naganuma in 1943. The statue was given to the Tokorozawa Army Aviation Maintenance School the following year, which was then located here. It represents the many young men soldiers who studied aviation and aircraft mechanics at the school.

This statue, which holds the dreams and hopes of the sky, is placed here for the citizens of Tokorozawa as a statue that prays for the comfort and peace of the city.

And if you're wondering what those three young men see when they look up. Here's the view!


Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Taking a Flight

This is the tail of the airplane that is displayed right outside Koku Koen Station.

The YS-11 is the first and only aircraft to be produced in Japan. It's first flight was in August 1962. This JA8732 aircraft that is displayed was made in 1969 and used by All Nippon Airways.

The JA8732 aircraft's last flight was on April 13, 1997 from Oshima to Tokyo. You can read more about the aircraft here.

I though it appropriate to post a airplane since I will be taking a different ANA flight today for a family reunion. But I will try to post and visit everyone while I'm away. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

Tokorozawa ENT Clinic

The little girl playing an instrument. She's on top of the sign for Tokorozawa ENT Clinic, the local otorhinolaryngologist.



The Tokorozawa ENT (which I found out stood for Ear, Nose, and Throat) Clinic was founded in 1977. The sign itself is very unique. I didn't realize it was a clinic until I went to see the otorhinolaryngologist there one day.

Reflection on the Monument

This is a monument given to Tokorozawa from the local Tokorozawa Rotary Club, in honor of the city being the 'birthplace of aviation in Japan.' The words 'A Tokorozawa Filled With Culture' are written on the monument, under the drawing of the first airplane to take flight in Japan, the Henri Farman Biplane, in 1910.

See other reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections.

Jitsugetsu Shrine

This is the entrance to Jitsu-getsu Shrine (日月神社).

The stone stairs lead up toward the main shrine. I noticed a lot of people just walking around or little children playing in the lower area.

I'm sure the fierce creature guarding the shrine enjoys having people come by.

Waltz Love Heart

Christmas and New Year's is just over, and already there are hearts everywhere. Which can only mean one thing...Valentine's Day!

I know, I thought it was way to early, but apparently Tokorozawa doesn't think so!

This is a photo of the heart monument standing near the Seibu department store on the west side of Tokorozawa station. It's here for a limited time only, so now is the time to snap photos of it!

Paper Plane

This is a monument that stands in front of the Koku Koen Station. It was set up there in 1987 when the station first opened.

Koku Koen Station was named one of the 'Top 100 Stations in the Kanto Area' in 1998 by the current Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism because of its unique station design. The station building uses the image of the Henri Farman biplane, as it is the site of the first airfield in Japan.


All around Tokorozawa, and especially around Koku Koen Station, you can see a lot of monuments and designs that have to do with aviation. We're very proud that Tokorozawa is considered the birthplace of aviation in Japan.

Fly Away

This is a monument located at the north gate of the Koku Koen, called 'Mirai Hikou,' which means something like 'Navigating the Future.' It was made by the sculptor Kouji Ishiguro.