Every Morning

Rush hour can be quite crowded.

I took this photo a little before rush hour, when people start gathering on the platforms, waiting for the next train. A lot of people get on the train at Tokorozawa Station.

She's a Brick House

Well, she's not really a brick house. Just the entrance area. But it caught my eye the other day because it stood out against all the surrounding Japanese style houses.

I like brick. What about you?

(PS: Thank you for all the comments! I'm back on my feet, with a wad of tissue and coughdrops in my hand ;D)

Hello Autumn

The breeze already has a bite to it. It's definitely autumn here.

Flower Power

It's wet, dreary, and very very cold outside. And typical me, I've caught a cold. ugh.

Hope this miniature sunflower I found growing on the side of the road will brighten your day. Keep nice and warm, everyone!

PS: Very sorry I haven't been by to comment...I will be back once I get rid of this bug.

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.

Under the Vines

This is a shot of the sky through the grapevines from my day at Kitada-en (posted here).

I'm pretty short so I could easily stand under the vines, but for anyone taller than 160cm (around 6'2"), they would definitely have to angle their necks to the side or crouch over. But it would be worth it. The Kyoho grapes were delicious!

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Go Team Go!

Someone is a Seibu Lions fan! I found this banner hanging in front of the side door like a curtain.

The Seibu Lions, our pro baseball team, are doing very well this year. Although it's a pretty tight race, I have a feeling we're going to win the championships. But I'm not saying it too loudly...don't want to jinx the team!

Vineyard Fun

This weekend I had fun grape-picking at Kitada-en, a local farm in Tokorozawa. Right now the Kyoho, Pione, and Beni-izu grapes are in season.

This was my first time at a Japanese U-pick farm so I was curious how it operated. I should of known everything would be all professional...the good grapes waiting to be picked were wrapped in white paper!

So what we'd do is, look inside the white paper and choose which grape we wanted, which isn't a hard choice at all, as most are waiting beautifully to be picked!

Then we'd take the scissors and snap the stem. Very easy, right? And don't forget, the longer the stem the longer the grapes stay fresh!

I think I'm going to make this an annual outing. I loved walking under the grapevines! And the grapes were really delicious! Yum!

I Spy a Phoenix

Just happened to pass by this car with very cool wheels the other day.

I know nothing about cars but since it had the name Toyota on the back of the car, I'm assuming that's what it is. Brilliant detective work, huh?

Kotesashi Rikkyo

 

This Kotesashi Rikkyo crosses over the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, right next to Kotesashi Station. It's a very long bridge and some ot  the space underneath is used as a bicycle parking space.

There are also stairs that lead up to the bridge above, which has a sidewalk for pedestrians, too. You wouldn't be able to tell from above but the bridge is very green!

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

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Curtain of Vines

A green curtain covers one side of our city hall in the summer.

The vines are morning glories and bitter melon plants! I think they were planted sometine in June. It's amazing how fast they grow. It's a nice natural curtain!

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

P-P-P-Parking Space

I know the parking lot sign is suppose to represent a car.

But to me, it looks like a UFO. Doesn't it?

Anyways, this is the three story parking lot for the shopping center, Parco. On the weekends cars line up on the street, waiting for parking space. Usually it's the dad waiting in the car, watching TV on the car navigation, while the rest of the family get a head start on their shopping spree!


Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Bark Mosaic

This is one of the trees standing along the street where the bench from yesterday is located.

I though the coloration and texture of the tree bark was interesting. Does anyone know what kind of tree it is? Sycamore?

Take a Seat

I love public benches.

This one is sitting in the shade. On a hot day like this, there's no better spot!

Street Art

This is one of the manhole covers you'll find in Tokorozawa.

There is a Henri Farman biplane flying over tea fields as Tokorozawa is both famous for being the birthplace of Japanese aviation and producing tea.

You will also find the city tree, bird, and flower included in the design...Ginkgo leaves floating above, a flying skylark, and tea flowers below.

Bridge Under the Roof

I forgot about the small bridge they have at Shin Tokorozawa Parco. It connects the Parco Bldg and the Let's Bldg on the second and third floors.

Below you can see one of my favorite flower shops!


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

Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Night Falls

I'm ready to head home and relax. What about you?

Happy weekend to everyone!


Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

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!

Pitter Patter

It finally rained today.

It's been a long while since is last did. I can almost hear this plant saying, "Oh good, finally!."

Pure and Strong

One of my best friends from grade school has a daughter named Lily. I've always like that name.

A lily is called Yuri (百合) in Japanese, which is also a common name for girls. In floriography it means Purity.

I'm not sure what kind of white lily this is, but aren't they pretty? They look so delicate, yet if you look closely, you can see that they are growing from a crack in the asphalt.

I Stand Alone

There used to be a couple of houses here.

But just a few weeks ago, they started tearing down the wall and now most of the lot is cleared. Except for this lone tree.

I wonder what they're going to do with it. I hope they leave it.

Rooting for you, tree!

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

Drum Fun

This is a really fun game at the local arcade, which we call "game centers." It's called Taiko no Tatsujin (Master of Taiko) and what you do is, you choose a song from their list, hold the two drum sticks, and while watching the screen, hit the drum according to the instructions! The instructions appear on the screen in different shapes and colors, which stand for different ways of hitting the drum, and in the end it adds up your total score for you. If you pass, you get to play a more difficult song!


It's a lot of fun because two people get to play at once and even if you don't get a high score...hitting the drum is seriously a stress reliever! hehe.


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