Japan Pic of the Day

Rihoko, the kids, and I traveled to Yokohama to visit some good friends while we were in Japan. On our way we had some time to kill in Atami station. Christopher and I were waiting for Rihoko and Nanami when we spotted these maiko (apprentice geisha), standing outside of the station gates. There were several people going up to the ladies and having their picture taken. As Christopher and I walked closer to the barrier dividing the inside of the station from the exterior the three ladies noticed us and started waving at my four-year-old son. I took the opportunity to snap a picture.

Maiko

Japan Pic of the Day

Here is a shinkansen (bullet train) which sped through Atami station while we were waiting for its slower version to arrive and take us for the first leg of our trip back to the States.

Shinkansen

Shinkansen

Japan Pic of the Day

Here is a picture of us just before having dinner on my father-in-law's birthday. Sorry, my kids were in the other room. From left to right are Tetsuya Tanaka, Sakahe Tanaka, me, and Rihoko Colwill. Note the tempura waiting for us to dig in.

Otoosan's birthday dinner.

Japan Pic of the Day

Sakura at Mishima Taisha.

Japan Pic of the Day

Japanese translation of some of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books.

Japan Pic of the Day

These tsunami warning signs were found near the lighthouse pier in Ajiro.

Tsunami Warning Sign

Tsunami Warning Sign

Japan Pic of the Day

This is my favorite Japanese dish. Tempura, prepared by my mother-in-law. We enjoyed this delicious meal to celebrate my father-in-law's birthday.

Tempura

Japan Pic of the Day

Mt. Fuji
Taken by my father-in-law, Tetsuya Tanaka.

Japan Pic of the Day

Ramen Restaurant

Japan Pic of the Day

I love Japanese cars. This new Subaru R2 caught my eye one day when we were walking through Ajiro.

Subaru R2

Subaru R2

Japan Pic of the Day

Japanese Translation of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

Japan Pic of the Day

Green Tea from Shizuoka...in Shizuoka.

Japan Pic of the Day

I took this picture while visiting Mishima Taisha (Mishima Shrine) with my family. The sakura (cherry blossoms) were everywhere. This is one of the lamps around the grounds of the shrine, surrounded by sakura.

Lamp post in Mishima Taisha