Rabbit on the Moon

The mornings are getting darker and colder. The moon was still bright out on my way to work today.

Do you see the rabbit making mochi?

Red Alert!

This is Tokorozawa's fire ladder truck.

No idea why it was there but the little kids who passed by it were going wild over it, screaming 'Ooh ooh ooh kan kan kan!' which is apparently what a firetruck siren sounds like to them.

Sit and Relax

I just can't seem to get enough of these ginkgo leaves!

Walk the Line

This is how most children in grade school walk to school. In a straight line.

There is one public school for each district in the city and most of those districts are divided into a number of smaller sections. So in the morning, the children in those sections would gather in front of someones house or at a corner, then walk to school together.

I think this is a good idea because not only is there safety in numbers (not that this area is dangerous), but it's about the only time that children from different grades can be together.

With all the racket these kids were making while walking past, I'd say they were having a good time.

Who's the Joker

I found these cards just laying around on the train platform the other day.

There must be a joker around here somewhere...

Yellow (featuring Red)

Carpet of yellows with a dash of red.

So bright.
So colorful.

So autumn.

Kyogen

The Tokorozawa Minsho Koyo Festival was taking place in the outside stage at Koku Koen this weekend.

This was a Kyogen performance called 'Onigawara.' Onigawara is a Japanese gargoyle roof onament. The story is about a lord who sees this onigawara and is reminded of someone...only to realize that it was his wife! Pretty funny.

Early to Rise

I've just started joggin recently. Only for a few miles but I'm hoping to get better.

So the big question is...should I run at night or in the morning?

Watching a sunrise like this while running sounds lovely. But then, will it still be lovely when I'm out of breath? Hmmm.

A Walk Around the Park

A sunny autumn day at the park.

The Momiji leaves have finally changed color. I love how you can see specks of gold, pink, and orange among all that red!

Play Ball!!!

Tokorozawa Kita High School was playing against Seibo Gakuen at the baseball stadium in Koku Koen.

This stadium was renovated in 2006 and is used mostly for high school and little league games.

Between the Stones

This is another road in Koku Koen, a big park nearby.

Don't you love how the moss is growing in between the stones? I'm a big fan of moss.


Some high school baseball players were jogging down this path while I was crouching down to take photos. If you look closely, you can see the green fence from the baseball stadium between the trees.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

The rain has gone and I am enjoying fall immensely!

Like this path in Koku Koen.

Moody Rain

Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day

(preferably when I'm out of town or asleep...)

Hills Tokorozawa Ekimae Kusunokidai

This is part of the entrance to the building in yesterdays photo.

I like this wall because light shines through it, but the light from outside also reflects on it, so that there's a slight change in the hues with the angle.

I also like this building itself because it is minutes from the station. How great would it be to be able to leave the apartment and hop on a train in a few minutes?



PS) Today is Friday the Thirteenth! Anyone have bad luck? Good luck? Either way, hope you all have a happy weekend!

A Building in the Puddle

It's not raining anymore! Well, at least for now.

Walking back home I saw a big puddle with lights flickering in it. Pretty, don't you think?

It was reflecting the Hills Tokorozawa Ekimai Kusunokidai, an apartment building right next to the station.

Here Comes the Rain

The rain is back...and with a bit of a force!

Why is it that the rain seems to come down hardest when you step outside? It was like that this morning. Everything was a blur on my way to the station. Kind of like this photo.

Creek in Fall

Just out riding my bike and took a short break by the creek. All the trees are cherry trees so it's beautiful in the spring. But, ofcourse, it's still a pretty view now.

I like looking for something in the reflection. Nothing in particular. Just something...

Tokorozawa Library

This is the sign at the entrance of the Tokorozawa Library. It says 'Tokorozawa Library' (surprise, surprise!) in Kanji.

It was actually closed when I went by the other day. Darn. So I'm heading there again this week. But I did take a photo of this sign because I liked bricks behind it.

Don't you love libraries? The quietness, the smell of books, and the excitement of finding a story that you've never read before. Can't wait!

Kumano Shrine

This is the Chozuya (手水舎) at the Kumano Shrine.

This is where they have the water you can use, to wash your hands and mouth, to purify yourself before offering a prayer at the main shrine. The water of this Chozuya comes out of the mouth of a fierce-looking dragon.

Bamboo Still Growing

Behind Tokorozawa's City Hall there are tall bamboo trees all along the sidewalk.

I don't think they're that old because the bamboo trees are still very thin. But it felt really good riding my bike past all these bamboo trees!

Another Early Morning

Every sunrise is one of a kind. This morning was no different.

Rushing By

I've been rushing around and trying to update this blog...hopefully things have calmed down and the updates will be more consistant!

This is a view out of the Red Arrow Limited Express Train that stops in Tokorozawa and heads for Shinjuku. One of my favorite rides.