When Will the Rain stop?

I gained new courage in the arts of street photography just from being in the group. I thought this girl's Ayumi Hamazaki look really shows the Shibuya spirit.

Matsushima Trio

I was even lucky enough to find some models in the evening there!

What's That, Grandpa?

The wonder of Tanabata festival, which I went all the way to Sendai for. Tohoku festivals are an amazing sight.

Yukata and Keitai

It is great to bask in the dreams of a forgotten era, but modern life does bring it's conveniences too- you are never lost in a crowd these days, with mobile phones at hand. Keitai and kimono (actually it is really a yukata, lighter and easier to wear, so better for the summer heat), could be called convenience and kimono!

The girls looked beautiful wearing them

Plum Bloosom Girl

With the spring blossoms, also come beautiful girls in yukatas to celebrate them. This girl is holding some momo-nohana, or peach blossoms, that we saw near the balloons.

Cat-Prints

I may have been the only human in the garden, but I definitely wasn't the first being to visit that day. These were cat-prints, left by one of the many logers there (for some reason, wild cats are to be found in Japanese temple gardens- maybe something to do with catching the temple mice before they eat the rice, from years gone past?)

New Year's Kimono

Nothing can welcome in the new year like a kimono, a splash of colour on this evening.

Kimonos in Kashiwa

One of my favourite "Kimonos in Kashiwa" photos. the colourful menu in the background is typical of Kashiwa, also known as 'little Shibuya' for it's funky styles. Somehow, the vividly coloured kimonos are the perfect match.

By the Crossing

Coming of Age Day is only once a year, but a time when there is a sea of kimonos throughout Japan. I took this and other photos in Kashiwa City. Thanks to the girls for being such great models and their spirit of fun!

Yuko by the Blinds

Recently we went on a short trip to Noda, to see the famous Shimizu park there. There wasn't much plant life around outside of the greenhouses, but it was nice to ring the huge temple bell and wander around what was a new place for us. We dropped off in a Chinese restaurant for lunch afterwards, where I loved the lighting through the blinds. The more I get into photography, the more light and colour take preference over form. This, for me, marks the true difference between a photo and a 'snap' taken to remember a certain place. My inspiration, you could say, is from the impressionists.

Water Lot of Dogs!

You don't get much cuter than a Portuguese Water Dog- except maybe ten of them at once!

This was taken at a demonstration of their talents for fetching things from the sea and surprisingly, a young 6-month old pup was the star of the show, beating all the others to the dive.

Bolivian Dancer

This pretty Bolivian dancer was amazingly small once she took her boots off! Seen here preparing for a traditional dance at a 'Latin American Countries' Independence Days' festival, in South London. This is something we'd never have had when I was growing up, it just shows how International London has become.

Beautiful Girl

This is one of the most attractive, natural portraits I've ever seen on Flickr. Warm and cute, so full of life yet so enigmatic.

Supermellie

Mellie, the flying dog, which seems to be a very popular photo here on Flickr. Mr. NZ seems to have got this at just the right moment and it certainly makes me chuckle!

Yoko

The other member of Tiny Universe, who also loves to take macro photographs, especially of flowers. You can see her lovely blog, Wonderful World (it's in Japanese, but you can always read the photos!)

Toshogu Shrine Visitors

That's not to say some of the other tourists aren't just as attractive.

Tama Zoo Kids

It was great to see the kids enjoying themselves so much. A whole younger generation is learning to appreciate nature around us.

Toyland

Here is a picture from Tobu World Square, which I recently visited with my mate Glen. Getting into the spirit of the place, you enter not only a toyland, but a very Japanese view of the world, open to other cultures and sights. Perhaps a bit stereotypical a view of the various places, but retaining their aesthetic charm nonetheless. It's kind of nice to see them as merely places to see, rather than real places with problems as we tend to get told they are through the news services. There's no terrorism, wars, or grinding poverty in toyland, though there is an attenpt to portray something of the latter in the New York exhibit.

Puppy Cut 03

Puppy Cut 03
Originally uploaded by eggrollboy.

Okay... our little friend was looking pretty lonely there, so here's some company for him!

Thanks to eggrollboy and the puppy for this one.

Gummies

Gummies
Originally uploaded by libraryman.

Cute! Something else I saw while looking for the mysterious, elusive, strawberry.

By Libraryman.