After a look in part one at the insides of some abandoned miner’s houses, along with the possessions left behind by the people who once lived there, the buildings themselves vary from the relatively grand, at least gate-wise,

to the rather more ramshackle.

With such tell-tale signs of age particularly apparent when it comes to technology.

Not that such hints are really needed of course, as the decidedly dilapidated state of the domiciles clearly indicate that they are well past their prime.

Especially so when the long-closed curtains are carefully prised opened, revealing at least one room that hasn’t been touched for a terrifically long time.

And yet at the same time rather bizarrely looks like it could have been lived in until not long ago.

Something that certainly can’t be said about the futon, which is not only rancid, but covered in rodent faeces.

Not unlike the kitchen, which we’ll have a nosey at next time

Yet regardless of all the rubbish, there’d be no point in trying to call somebody to make a complaint, as the connection has long since been cut.

Next week, in the third and final part, I’ll take a look at the decidedly forlorn facilities, including the aforementioned kitchen, and a not exactly comfortable commode.

Regardless of how charming this kid’s cat may be,

the little foreign fella and his father are decidedly more disturbing than delightful.

After probably working for way too long, or at least way too much, it’s now finally time for this old fella to do what he really wants to on a weekday.

The popular tourist town of Karuizawa is tremendously well known in its own right, and, being in the mountains, it’s especially busy in the summer months, as it makes the muggy weather much more manageable.

However, that said, several seasons spent there by a certain singer in the late 1970s has forever linked the location with Lennon.

And yet, rather ironically, the town owes all its success to another foreigner, a Canadian missionary named Alexander Croft Shaw, who, after first visiting in 1886, enthusiastically introduced the area to other expatriates and missionaries, setting in motion Karuizawa’s transformation into a summer retreat and tourist town.

Now though, there are only a few monuments and mostly just memories of the past, but there is — not that it has any connection to missionaries or the mega famous — an absolutely marvellous amount of moss.

More in fact than even the most ardent moss admirer could ever imagine.

Along with fantastically off-kilter constructions.

And the only remaining wooden and western designed hotel in the country.

A building that sadly ceased being accommodation in 1970, quite possibly due to its limited opening opportunities, as even at this time of year it is uncomfortably cold to say the least.

Although thankfully nearby there are warming wonders of nature,

and walks up to waterfalls.

Which once again brings us back to that well-known Western warbler.

(John Lennon images from here and here)

Maybe it’s because they already have a naturally cosy coat, or canines in kimonos are a conspicuously odd combination, but dressing up dogs just seems daft.

And yet somehow there’s something strangely pleasing about this pensioner and his painstakingly attired pooch.

Abandoned houses/buildings come in all shapes and sizes, but personally speaking, the most interesting to explore are those with a plethora of possessions inexplicably left behind by the people who once lived or worked there. And in this respect, despite their lack of size or architectural significance, a small cluster of cottages once connected to a mining company in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, was a fascinating find.

A couple of the places in particular appearing as though their dwellers had simply disappeared.

Leaving behind a fascinating array of personal effects, from what was visible as soon as one walked in,

to surprisingly well stocked wardrobes.

Along with lots of random stuff liberally dotted around the lodgings.

All of them offering hints about the workers who once lived there, but nothing really concrete, apart from perhaps their sex,

and maybe fashion sense.

However, as the departure from one building dated back to 1988,

even that was difficult to decipher.

But that said, they did like tea. Or there again, perhaps they didn’t, as this apparent present hadn’t even been unpacked.

Although possibly they just didn’t have any place left to put them.

In part two, which can be viewed here, I take a look at the buildings and rooms, which, after being left untouched for 20 years or so, are a bit worse for wear to say the least.

As well as being tremendously photogenic in a traditional sense, Tokyo also tends to lend itself very nicely to the toy-like tilt-shift technique. The trouble is, the lenses needed for such looks are ludicrously priced to say the least; however, somewhat fortunately a practically free iPhone app produces photos with fairly passable tilt-shift effects — and at the same time diverts some attention away from the camera’s many deficiencies.

A feature I’ve been playing about with for quite some time on my Twitter page, including this temple.

But it now seems time to tackle a train.

Some timber.

And also the track.

Times two.

It may well be decidedly early, but despite being dishevelled and somewhat dirty, Pooh-san it seems is ready to party.

Although considering his looks and location, any hollers of “Ho Ho Ho” could well be deemed as a little dodgy.

As The Emperor’s Cup is one of the biggest events in Japan’s horse racing calendar, it’s not exactly surprising then that yesterday Tokyo Racecourse was absolutely packed to the gunwales with gamblers.

But despite the crowds, for many it was still a solitary affair.

With contemplation,

and concentration, very much the order of the day.

Along with others combining betting with famous brands,

and even betting-related bonnets.

All of which, for the odd one or two, was obviously way too much.

But for first timers at least, it was a day of fun,

as well as fending off flu.

Complete with tremendous equestrian excitement.

And, for the eventual winner of the big race itself, sheer exhilaration.

(click images for full-sized photos)

Her work in the fields may well be over,

but for this weekend at least, she’d possibly get paid to appear at parties.

The mikoshi, or portable shrine, is a favourite of most Japanese festivals, but at the one in Kawagoe, the lifting of such far from light objects is instead forfeited for unfeasibly large floats; heavy and hulking monsters which, when manoeuvred around the city’s relatively narrow streets, are quite a spectacle to say the least.

Allowing the older fellas who lead them to feel understandably important,

and proud.

Although those doing the pushing and pulling all day are perhaps justified in feeling a little bit peeved.

But on the whole it’s a chance for participants of all ages to have a tremendous amount of fun in traditional togs,

as well as timidly tackling a little toddle around town.

When it’s relatively warm out, and winter is still a little way off, what could be better than a walk home through the woods?