Hanami

It is a special time in Japan when the Sakura (Cherry) bloom

Ueno Park, one of the most popular Sakura viewing areas in Tokyo

Advertising looks cool in Japanese (the name of a nearby shop...I am told)

Just us and a couple other people decided to head out and see the blossoms

People claim spaces under the Cherries and picnic, sing, and celebrate the arrival of the blossoms. People camp for 2 days to get a good spot.

Some greasers in another area of the park. Dancing to classic US Rock (40's -50's i.e Elvis, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, etc.) and having a good time. Fun to watch, and the music was good too.

Obviously the leader of the pack

A group of Maiko (Geisha apprentice) at the festival.

Will, I dare you to make fun of Hello Kitty to his face

It is about as close to tailgating as you can get...without Budweiser, BBQ grills, SUV's and football.

People sing and dance (more and more as the day goes on)

Another street in Ueno

A group playing traditional Japanese folk music. The instruments are shamisen, a 3 stringed instument played by hitting the strings with a "bachi" - technically a plectrum (pick) but much larger and used to strike the strings rather than strum them.

Traditional roasted fish (Ayu)

Sakura blossom

Pintail swimming under a cherry tree (please tell me I got the duck right...or else I may never be allowed back into my dad's house)

Maybe now you are beginning to realize what a big deal this is to the Japanese

The cherries along the Meguro River

A canopy of cherries

He doesn't quite understand how flipping someone off works

Sakura Festival at Senzoku-Ike (Senzoku Pond) about 4 stops from our house

People have been in these spots all day, and in some cases all weekend

Yet another street lined in cherries. This one I walk down everyday to get to work. It was one of the first streets in our area to fully bloom, so it became very popular for about a week.

A video of "Dojo Sukui," a traditional folk dance. It represents a farmer trying to catch an eel in the rice field. The man himself is dressed up to represent an eel (notice the black things under his nose)

Things in English? Vol. 2

Needless to say I now own a motorcycle, but no helmet.

Clippers and a shop-vac in one...the Japanese were the perfect market.

This must be French and I am the idiot

NASCAR is international mayne!

Just had to have one hair salon

At least until the next day
This is actually a label for a beef snack

At the Great Wall. Much better deals than the "Screw You Shop" next door

Writing is permissible

So this is where Wes-Tang gets it

Had to go all the way to China to get a $1 Dale Jr. I think those characters translate to "contains lead and may cause blindness"

The 'hood

Some photos from a day of wandering around the neighborhood and surrounding area about 2 weeks ago. Sorry the blog had been neglected, but work had been a bit hectic. That is me with the bike. A lot changes in 4 months.

A horror movie should be made about this "welcome" statue

So which room is mine?

Interesting rice shop

Interesting parking place

Garden shop

No fried chicken & collards. Just different types of curries. For some reason I thought I may find a 60 year old 300 lb. black woman that would be my momma in Tokyo.