Tokyo


My first attempt at speaking Japanese. My Senseis and fellow students at the Sendagaya Institute.	View of Meguro-ku, Tokyo from the Ebisu Garden Tower. Click on the thumbnail to find where my apartment is in the picture.	My first (and so far only) snowfall in Tokyo.

In winter, when the weather in Tokyo is clear, there are some nice views of Mount Fuji, 100 km to the west.

Incredible view of snow-capped Mount Fuji from the roof of my apartment building. Sunset over Mount Fuji from the Ebisu Garden Tower.

One of the best times to be in Japan is when the cherry blossoms (sakura) are blooming (first week of April in Tokyo). Tokyo is at its most beautiful, and the Japanese are at their most genki. People flock to Tokyo's parks (Ueno and Kitanomaru Parks are among the most popular and crowded), and sit under the cherry trees drinking, eating, and being generally merry. Known in Japanese as hanami, it is a uniquely Japanese experience, and it is thoroughly enjoyable.

The cherry blossoms in full bloom at Kitanomaru Park. A shrine in Yutenji, nearby my home. A large crowd of very happy Japanese enjoying hanami. I enjoyed hanami 1999 with my lovely Japanese teachers. The party goes on into the evening, when the trees are lit up.

Sumo Wrestling- at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium, January 2000.

A small shrine outside Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium. Perhaps where the sumo wrestlers say a prayer before their bouts. Sumo wrestlers waiting their turn. The pre-match stretching ritual. The match itself only lasts a few seconds. However, the pre-match ritual, which includes drinking water provided by the winner of the previous match, throwing salt, and stretching, is quite a lengthy process. The battle is on. The object is to knock you opponent out of the ring, or at least make him step outside it.

Yakyu- Japanese baseball. Some pix of Japan's variation of the American pastime.

The Tokyo Dome, more affectionately known as the "Big Egg" for obvious reasons if you see it in daylight. It is the home of the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League and the Nippon Ham Fighters of the Pacific League. Prior to the Cubs/Mets "Opening Series 2000" game. You never know who might show up for the ballgame. The Kirin Beer Girl happily serving a cold brew.


Incredible view of snow-capped Mount Fuji from the roof of my apartment building.	Sunset over Mount Fuji from the Ebisu Garden Tower.


The cherry blossoms in full bloom at Kitanomaru Park.	A shrine in Yutenji, nearby my home.	A large crowd of very happy Japanese enjoying hanami.	I enjoyed hanami 1999 with my lovely Japanese teachers.	The party goes on into the evening, when the trees are lit up.


A small shrine outside Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium. Perhaps where the sumo wrestlers say a prayer before their bouts.	Sumo wrestlers waiting their turn.	The pre-match stretching ritual. The match itself only lasts a few seconds. However, the pre-match ritual, which includes drinking water provided by the winner of the previous match, throwing salt, and stretching, is quite a lengthy process.	The battle is on. The object is to knock you opponent out of the ring, or at least make him step outside it.


The Tokyo Dome, more affectionately known as the "Big Egg" for obvious reasons if you see it in daylight. It is the home of the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League and the Nippon Ham Fighters of the Pacific League.	Prior to the Cubs/Mets "Opening Series 2000" game.	You never know who might show up for the ballgame.	The Kirin Beer Girl happily serving a cold brew.