Walking Around

It's just perfect outside.

Such a great day. Can't help but skip around under the sun. Or take a nap in the field. Or get a shot of my sneaker.

Green is Good

Everything is turning green...I like it.

Today is a holiday in Japan. Until 1988, this day was celebrated as the Emperor's Birthday. After he passed away, from 1989 to 2006, it was 'Greenery Day.' But now it's 'Showa Day' in honour of Emperor Showa's birthday.

Today is also the start of the 'Golden Week' here. Whoohoo!

Fruits & Veggies

Found some good lookin' apples at the local grocery store.

Naro Clothing

Naro is a specialty store that sells american brand clothes. The store has a western feel to it. Most of the clothes there are for men, but I love their flannel shirts. You can never have too many.

They also have cute native american accessories and bags, too.

Vegetable Stand

These unattended stands, called Mujin Hanbai, can be seen in some places around Tokorozawa.

These stands are owned by local farmers or gardeners. They place their produce, along with a donation box, here. The vegetables would be sold for about 100yen per bag. It's a lot cheaper compared to the supermarket.

I sometimes buy my edamame at one of the stands on weekends. I like how they trust you to leave 100yen in the box.

Just Say Noh

There's a Noh Mask Museum in Tokorozawa, near the Koku Park. I've never been in it, they close pretty early, but will have to find the time to someday.

Don't know much about Noh (Guide to Noh), but I think it's one of the oldest types of theater...kind of like a musical. The masks that they wear are one of it's features.



The museum is open every first and third Saturday & Sundays from 11am to 5pm. The admission fee is 300yen.

The Vine

This whole stone wall is covered with vines.

I don't know it this was done intentionally or not, but it's a lovely design. Wonder how long it takes to actually get it like this.

Umbrella of Blossoms

I was riding my bike down the road and this was what I saw when I looked up...cotton candy heaven.

Yards and Yards

I love browsing around at the fabric stores. Iseki is a shop located along the Prope Street. It's part fabric store, part kimono store, with a bit of interior thrown in.

I tend to go here a lot because they have a large selection of Hawaiian print fabric. But they really have everything, from satin to tulle to hello kitty buttons. It's a great place.

Vivid Pink

A whole lot of pink at the end of the road.

Cup of Coffee

This is the time of year, when it's getting warmer but can still be breezy out, that I always ponder what to get at the coffee shop. Do I want a warm latte or the new Dark Mocha & Berry Frappuccino?

Such a dilemma.

Down the Path

A nice small path between two properties. No idea where it leads to. Will find out one of these days.

I'm just wondering if those are onions growing on the left hand side. I'll have to find that out, too.

Basking in the Sun

A plant standing alongside a house. Clearly enjoying the warm rays.

I am very jealous.

After the Rain

It's sort of been raining off and on lately. I don't really mind it, it's not cold or anything.

But I have to resist the urge to splash around in the puddles on my way to work.

Last Sakura

This is a crazy cherry tree, leaning over to the side. Sort of looks like the wind is blowing it.

I think the cherry blossom season is pretty much over. We still see some, but the leaves are really taking over the trees. Well, cherry blossoms are of course pretty as can be, but I don't mind the lush green leaves either.

Himalaya Dining

Himalaya Dining has the best Indian/Nepalese food ever! They also play the ever so entertaining Indian movies and music videos. They also have a lot of books and magazines on Nepal laying around, so there's always something to keep you occupied here.

Ponzu For Everything

Ponzu, or Ponzu Shoyu (citrus sauce mixed with soy sauce), goes with just about anything. We love it here in Japan.

The supermarket right outside Tokorozawa Station, Seiyu, has a few. I especially like Kaori no Kura. It has a rich yuzu taste and I usually use it on salads, tofu, and tenpura.

The Mayo

Seiyu is a supermarket located right by Tokorozawa Station. Daiei, which is further down the road, actually has a wider variety of products. But I usually end up going to Seiyu because it's closer to my side of the station and they're food section is open until 2am. That means I could come back from the city on the last train and still by milk and eggs. Very convenient.

Anyways, I was just really surprised at how many types of mayonnaise there are. So many variety...cut calories, cholestrole free, mustard mix, small obento sizes.

Just so you know, it tastes TOTALLY different from the mayonnaise in the US.

Go Lions!

The season for baseball has begun!

As Tokorozawa is home to the Seibu Dome, we of course are rooting for the Saitama Seibu Lions!

Actually they were just 'Seibu Lions' until last year, when they changed the name to 'Saitama Seibu Lions.' Then they went on to win the Pacific League Championships and the Japan Series. They even won the Asia Series that year. So it seems like the new name brought on a spurt of good luck. Or it could've been the new manager...

Anyways, the shops around the station have a whole bunch of posters on the walls. We're hoping to win the championships 2 years in a row! Go Lions!

Gone Green

We've been having an amazing week! Wonderfully warm weather, not a cloud in the sky. Wishing I weren't stuck in the office so I can actually enjoy it.

I have noticed that my favorite tree has gone green.

Yellow Train

Waiting to get on the train.
These are the older Seibu trains.

Lemon Yellow, Saffron, or School Bus Yellow.
Can't quite decide.

Cherry Blossoms At Night

Cherry blossoms at night are fantastic.

And the Azuma River that goes through Tokorozawa shows them off beautifully. About 400 cherry trees are lit up with lanterns from 6pm to 11pm until April 14th. The cherry trees stand alongside the river for over 3km...so if you're planning on enjoying ALL the cherry blossoms, wear sneakers.

Getting Comfy

Spotted a guy taking a nap on the Seibu Line.

Can't blame him though.
It really was a great day to take a nap.

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I know I have way too many cherry blossom pictures lately, but really, I can't help myself. They're just so pretty and cheerful. And they're only here for a short bit.

New Yakumo Shrine

The Yakumo Shrine when through a renovation this winter.
(Old Yakumo Shrine)

Actually you can't really see it because I took the picture in the dark. But I like this picture because of the moon in the corner. Can you see it?

One of my friends told me that the old Yakumo Shrine looked like it could be in a horror movie like Juon. Well, I found out that Tokorozawa was actually one of the places they taped the movie.

Exciting but creepy.

Women Only

Most of the trains or subways here in the Kanto area have a Women Only train car during the 'rush hour' in the mornings. Seibu Shinjuku Line is no different.

On weekdays from 7:30am to 9:30am, the first car on the Seibu Shinjuku Line is a Women Only train car.

I always ride in this car for two reasons. For one, it's the nearest car to the station exit that I get off at. And the other, because it smells good. Especially in the summer. I'm not saying that men smell...but it definately smells better in the Women Only cars.

Kokubunji Line

From 10am to 5pm, there's a train that comes every hour and takes you straight to Kokubunji station.

This first started in 2003 when they got a train to go from Shin Tokorozawa to Kokubunji. But in 2006, in commemoration of the 111th year since the Hon-kawagoe Station was built, they now have a train starting in Hon-kawagoe and goes all the way to Kokubunji.

Very convenient for when you want to transfer onto the Chuo Line.

Hasta La Vista

This is a bar hidden in the residential area.
I've never been in it but I thought the exterior was unique.

I also hear they have great cocktails.

Great name.
Hasta La Vista.

My Tree

My favorite tree is starting to change color.
Or just adding more color.

If you look closely you can see it.

The little bird perched on one of the branches probably noticed that the tree is turning green too.