I emerged from Meguro Station this evening on my way to my weekly language class, to find a wall of people standing on the corner pointing their mobile phone cameras in my direction. Not so vain to think that they were aiming their cameras at me, I thought that there might be something behind me… Continue reading Guerrilla downpours & a rainbow
Category: Japan
Changing Shibuya skyline
It’s been just over year since I arrived in Shibuya, the district of Tokyo where I currently live, and I’ve already noticed changes to the skyline showing the city evolving and renewing itself.
Sobatsubu-san (Mt Buckwheat Grain)
Japanese mountains can have some unusual names. Apparently, Sobatsubu-san (蕎麦粒山 – literally translated as Mt Buckwheat Grain) may have been given its name based on its small isosceles triangular shape that resembles a grain of soba.
Good behaviour in the park and other signs
It’s the beginning of summer, so what better way to spend a nice balmy evening than the local park? We all want to let off some fireworks, eat some watermelon and have a BBQ. But not all parks are friendly towards these activities. There’s nothing like a good warning sign telling us what to do, and… Continue reading Good behaviour in the park and other signs
WorldWideBikeRider in Tokyo
For the last week or so, Tokyo (and more specifically, the couch in my living room for a few nights) has been host to a round-the-world cyclist, Matt Blake, who arrived from England overland after an epic 14 month ride.
GEKISAKA hill race – Tour de Utsukushigahara
The Tour de France? No, the real tough hill climbing cycle event is the Tour de Utsukushigahara, with its gekisaka (檄坂 – severe slope). The race is only 22km in distance, but ascends 1,270 metres up to Utsukushigara from Asama Onsen (in Matsumoto) – the first few hundred metres of the race ascendup an 18%… Continue reading GEKISAKA hill race – Tour de Utsukushigahara
Tour de Utsukushigahara
A 22km bike ride in the mountains? No problems, put my name down. What, a 1,270 metre ascent up the mountain? What was I thinking? Japan’s “gekisaka” (severe slope) hill climb event – the Tour de Utsukushigahara. What a way to celebrate the first anniversary of my arrival in Japan. I haven’t had time to… Continue reading Tour de Utsukushigahara
Warning signs on the subway
Warning signs are rife in Tokyo, and I’ve taken on a curious fascination with them. They’re an indicator of how society (or at least authority) expects people to behave, and what behaviour is perceived to require addressing!
Ajisai, Hakusan-jinja & Rikugien
When the ajisai (hydrangea) are blooming, you know it’s the rainy season. First it’s ume (plum) blossoms in March, then sakura (cherry) blossoms in April, then tsutsuji (azaleas) in May, and now ajisai in June. Next it’s summer.
Suijo Bus to Asakusa
The Suijo Bus is a tourist ferry with a different few routes along the Sumida River and on Tokyo Bay, and is a great way to see Tokyo from another aspect that many people don’t see. It’s a good reminder that Tokyo is actually a waterfront city, which is easy to forget when in many… Continue reading Suijo Bus to Asakusa