Travel Tokyo Japan

The World's Best Campaign Technology?

2011-10-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

NGP VAN and NationBuilder both provide technology software for campaigns. That's where the comparison ends.

Synchronized

2011-01-18T20:46:00.001-08:00

Synchronized, originally uploaded by daintycates.

Kinkakaju-ji Reflection

2011-01-18T20:43:00.001-08:00

Kinkakaju-ji Reflection, originally uploaded by daintycates.

Grossest Beach Bugs Ever!!!

2010-08-27T20:44:00.001-07:00

Grossest Beach Bugs Ever!!!, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

These bugs, perhaps some kind of crustacean, were COVERING the shoreline of Enoshima Island on my July trip to Japan. I was hiking and climbing all over, and could not escape them anywhere near the water. These here are about the size of pill bugs, but many were large, up to two-inches. Almost gave me nightmares. Thought I'd share.

Hiroshima: Never Again

2010-08-06T00:22:00.001-07:00

Hiroshima, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

This uniform belonged to a Japanese "mobilized youth," one of the many children in Hiroshima working on the war effort when we dropped the atom bomb. Actually, *this* uniform belonged to *many* children. It was stitched together from scraps of what was left.

Japanese - Hold Me To It

2010-08-02T23:08:00.000-07:00

I'll be photo-blogging here and documenting my successes and failures with learning Japanese, a language I should have mastered a decade ago.

I've been married to an incredible Japanese woman for 11 years, but have yet to gain basic literacy in her native language. Now, with two kids and a plan to live at least half time in Tokyo by 2020, it's time.

I love to blog, and this is public, so hopefully it will help provide the impetus for me to really learn. Hold me too it.

Takoa San

2010-07-24T18:57:00.001-07:00

Takoa San, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

During the peak of my trail running craze in 2008, I attempted a 30k in the mountains outside of Tokyo. Running in the Tokao region is a real treat, with well-defined trails that go on and on and on, ample rest stops, and breathtaking views.
The trail is accessible by train and short job if you know where to go, and the fantastic public transit means you could do four hours, hit a hot springs bath and be back in town without ever covering the same ground twice.
I unfortunately injured my knee about halfway into this particular run, but hopefully with time I will be back to scenes like this one.

Sakura Dori

2010-07-22T23:11:00.001-07:00

Sakura Dori, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

I've only been in Japan for cherry blossom season once in my eight visits. This is one of several camera photos I snapped in March 2008 on my last full day in Tokyo on that 7th visit; it is the main thoroughfare into my wife's hometown.
Cherry blossom season is amazingly beautiful, with miles and miles of suburban roads lined with mature trees. Many of the trees are tagged for maintenance and upkeep - a true national treasure.

Shinjuku, Cocoon Tower

2010-07-18T07:42:00.001-07:00

Shinjuku, Cocoon Tower, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

Anyone who follows my photos will soon notice that I adore unique architecture - and even not-so-unique architecture, when the light is right. For someone with my tastes, Shinkuku, Tokyo, is a wonderful place.
In addition to the iconic and classic Shinjuku Tower, the Skyscraper District is full of classic and modernist business buildings, such as the three-peaked Shinjuku Park Tower. The area around Shinjuku Station is also now home to the beautiful Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower, opened in fall 2008, after my last trip to Tokyo.
The Cocoon is home to three colleges, and is a sparking addition to the skyline from the viewing platforms of Tokyo Tower, and much of street-level central Shinjuku.

Shinjuku, Tokyo

2010-07-16T09:47:00.001-07:00

Shinjuku, Tokyo, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

Shinjuku is home to two distinctions - a great electronics bazaar and a vibrant nightlife. So you can buy a world-class camera in the afternoon, and hit the clubs in the evening.
It is not the most crowded of nightlife districts in Tokyo, but close, as you can see from this photo. Just about all hours of the day, the Shinjuku Station - a major junction - is crowded outside with boys and girls waiting for their dates to arrive, and at night it is mad with activity, including hawkers trying to get you in their karaoke bar or restaurant.
Leaving Shinjuku at night is also an experience, with bone-crushing people-jams on the express trains.

Sankeien Garden

2010-07-15T21:15:00.001-07:00

Sankeien Garden, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

Sankeien Garden is a luxurious preserve nestled on high ground just off Yokohama Bay. It was first established by a wealthy silk trader in the 19th century, and opened to the public in 1906.
It hosts not only a wealth of seasonal blossoming trees and flowers, but more than a dozen historic buildings relocated to the site. These include the amazing Three-Storied Pagoda of Old Tomyoji, built in 1457, and the Old Yanohara House, in incense-filled Edo period headman's home.
We visited as part of a bus tour and were rushed to try to take in the Garden's incredible sights. I would recommend reserving several hours for touring this wonderful place, followed perhaps by dinner in Yokohama Chinatown and then a stroll down by the Bay.

Yokohama Chinatown

2010-07-15T21:06:00.001-07:00

Yokohama Chinatown, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

I've been to Yokohama Chinatown a couple of times now, and while it is not quite on my "must-see-each-time-I-am-in-Japan" list, it is an impressive several blocks of shops, restaurants and pavilions.
We visited this year as part of a bus tour, and had fabulous dim sum. It has both cheap trinkets and more authentic Chinatown fare such as whole roasted duck and swallow's nest soup.
Yokohama is also known for unique flavors of soft cream, the sugar-coned treat which is practically the national dessert of Japan's tourist destinations.

Kamakura

2010-07-15T20:48:00.001-07:00

Kamakura, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

Kamaura is a World Heritage site not far from Tokyo by bus or by train, full of temples and stunning landscapes and gardens. The city proper is also a bustling tourist trap full of trinkets, food, and the occasional gem of a shop selling custom carved goods, whistles or jewelry.
This year was my first trip to Kamakura, and I will be glad to go back with more time to poke around. There is a giant Buddha that I did not get to see on this visit, and it is definitely worth an all-day visit.
I you can get there when the sun is shining, the beauty of the gardens is absolutely incredible. The site pictured above is groups of temples and residences centered and hidden into a small valley carved into the bedrock. Many of the sites are as much as 900 years old.

Hato Bus Tour

2010-07-15T20:30:00.001-07:00

Hatu Bus, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

You know how when you live IN a city, you sometimes miss it's biggest tourist attractions? I lived in Manteca, CA, for several years, twice, and never went to its famous water slides. I have worked in San Francisco for nine years and lived near it my whole life, but have never been to Alcatraz Island.
Yesterday, my wife bit the bullet and took me on a bus tour of the greater Tokyo region for my birthday, turning tourist for a day. A Tokyo native, it was her first time on the bus tours, and we visited at least two spots new to her. These bus tours are a very cost effective way to see a lot of Japan in a short amount of time, and the Hato Bus that we went on was great. Fleets of tour buses wait outside Tokyo Station, and it is easy to book online.
We took the Yokohama-Kamakura tour, which included visits to the Sankeien Garden, Yokohama Chinatown (where we had a great dim sum lunch), and two stops in the World Heritage site Kamakura.

Enoshima

2010-07-14T07:16:00.001-07:00

Enoshima, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

I try to visit Enoshima each time I am in Japan. It is a jewel of an island in the Kanagawa Prefecture, just over an hour away from Tokyo by train (depending on where in Tokyo you start). There is also a popular beach nearby.
Enoshima is chock full of Buddhist shrines, and hawks wheel above as you pass through the narrow, winding streets. The foot of the island is full of souvenir shops, and the back side full of sea-view restaurants.
In the center of the island is a lighthouse lookout with stunning views of the island.

Marui, Kokubunji

2010-07-14T07:08:00.001-07:00

Oioi, Kokubunji, Tokyo, Japan, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

Shopping centers in Tokyo are what I imagine could have been the future of those from the U.S.'s distant history. Each major train station has one, and as a rule, they have basement grocery, then a level full of luxury sweets and snacks.
Higher floors have botique clothing, toys and jewelry shops, and usually a book or media center. Many brands are recognizably American or European, but most of the retail shops are on the smaller side.
In the groceries, the fruit is absolutely beautiful - you will find much better California fruits than in California. The top floor or two is full of restaurants and cafes, sometimes surrounding another open shopping area.

Cars in the Sky

2010-07-14T07:00:00.001-07:00

Air is Valuable, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

Parking is expensive and rare in Tokyo, including in the suburbs (it is an old city with narrow streets). Little space is wasted. In addition to schemes like this one, it is common for small businesses to have electric roundabouts for squeezing more cars into tight lots.
I also have noticed that many department stores have a few levels of parking as their top floors, which never seems to be the case in California. Not sure why.
Another ubiquitous quirk of parking in Tokyo is that folks back into their parking spots as a rule. Again, not sure why.

Roppongi Hills

2010-07-14T06:47:00.001-07:00

Roppongi Hills, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

Roppongi Hills is on my Tokyo 'must visit' list. It's now several years old, but still one of the top new neighborhoods in Tokyo (probably until the Sky Tree development opens in 2012). The centerpiece of Roppongi Hills is the soaring Mori Tower, and there is a beautiful Japanese garden near its base.
Before the Roppongi Hills shopping and leisure district was developed, Roppongi was known chiefly for its nightlife. It is also an embassy town, with literally dozens of foreign offices. You definitely can feel the international presence when walking around the city, especially in contrast to the homogenity of many Tokyo districts.
Roppongi is also an art mecca, with three museums, including one in the Mori Tower.

Ginza - Eat, Shop, Play

2010-07-14T06:36:00.001-07:00

Ginza, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

Ginza is one of the tip-top premier destinations in Tokyo, known for its luxury shopping and dining. The building with the odd-shaped windows is a Mikimoto Botique, and the undulating tower is the De Beer's retail shop.
Tokyo is a one of the world's top shopping spots - there is a Tiffany's in Ginza, then another one just a short train ride away in Roppongi Hills. I am sure there are plenty more, too.
One things looked pretty standard - the Apple store.

Hot Springs

2010-07-14T06:29:00.001-07:00

Nasu, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

For the first few weeks of summer, the Japanese head to the beaches. When they get tired of that, it's up to the mountains and the hot springs. We did a bit of the reverse and last week made it up to the resort town of Nasu.
Hot springs are a Japanese national pastime, and thoroughly enjoyable once you get used to group bathing (most are not co-ed). Our hotel had two sets of baths, each with several kinds of soak, from the rotten-egg-smelling white water to a greenish mineral bath and a plan hot water bath.
At breakfast, you had a choice of eggs soft boiled in the springs.

Tokyo Tower and Sky Tree

2010-07-14T05:09:00.001-07:00

Tokyo Tower, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

Tokyo Tower is taller than the Eiffel, and stands just a few kilometers from Tokyo Station in the center of the prefecture. It is soon to be supplanted, however, by a much taller tower for digital TV, Tokyo Sky Tower.
From the 250-meter observation deck (the higher of two decks) in the Tokyo Tower, you can see Sky Tree under construction, built only up to its observation deck. It stands alone in the Sumida Ward, where a new town will surround its base.
Sky Tree opens in 2012.

Shibuya Cleanup

2010-07-11T00:08:00.001-07:00

Shibuya Cleanup, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

This weekend our church was having a weekend of action with the international charity HOPE Worldwide. On Saturday, members went out with emotionally disturbed kids for a play day and to watch a movie. Today after service, we did a cleanup of the Shibuya area, walking from the church to the Shibuya Station.]
There wasn't a whole lot of garbage really, we pretty much got every piece of gum and cigarette butt on the route by the time 30 of us passed through (one of three groups). We did get a decent haul of cans and bottles by combing the hedges.
I love neighborhood cleanups, and my five year old had a lot of fun, too. My wife, well, ask for forgiveness later.

Shibuya

2010-07-10T23:53:00.001-07:00

Shibuya, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

My in-laws live in a pretty small town by Tokyo standards, which makes it easy to forget the sheer density of the entertainment districts. Today we rode the train home from Shibuya, one of the moderate-sized towns near Harajuku and Shinjuku.
This is the middle of the day on Sunday, a block away from the train station. Several hundred people cross the street at every light.
Let me say, it is scenes like this that make me very glad I am tall.

Saipan Relics

2010-07-10T06:55:00.001-07:00

Saipan relics, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

One our way up to a hot springs resort in Nasu, we passed this intriguing WWII exhibit. After checking in an grabbing a snack, we went back down the road to check it out.
However, my wife got a bad feeling upon reading the hand-painted welcome signs. It seems that the historical collection was put together by some serious right-wingers, and instead of finding out what they thought of Americans, I just took a few shots from the parking lot and we headed back up the road.
On both sides of the exhibit were active junkyards, something you do not usually see in a resort town, either.

Edo Wonderland Cosplay

2010-07-10T06:44:00.001-07:00

Edo Wonderland, originally uploaded by AdrielH.

Today we spent some time at Edo Wonderland in Nikko, 2-3 hours from Tokyo. Nikko is a heritage site with incredible temples in the forests. Edo Wonderland is a theme park with ninja shows. On my first trip to Japan, we visited both, but with the kids the theme park was in favor.
The Edo period in Japan ran from 1603 to 1868 and is rich with violent lore. At Edo Wonderland, or Edo Mura as it is called in Japanese, you can rent period costumes and fit in with the scene, which includes movie and commercial TV sets.
Along with the historical garb, we saw several groups engaged in role play with their own costumes - distinguishable from the staff not only by their silver platform stills, but by the endless photographs they took took of each other. One couple even had a professional photographer in tow.