Matsushima Bridge

The tranquil beauty of a Matsushima bridge. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, I even went back a second day for more. The lush greenery and lapping ocean blend together so nicely and the fresh seafood is incredible.

Matsushima Trio

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

The Boat to Matsushima

A trip to the nearby island of Matsushima took me into the refreshing seas. Here a seagull chases us, in hopes of food treats.

Tanabata Matsuri Decorations

Lanterns and origamio decorated whole swarths of the city, like a fantasy-land come to life.

Birth of a Galaxy

The displays were just stunning, seemingly depicting the vivid life of the sosmos, right here before us. Gasps of astonishment cooed out with each colourful climax.

Sankeien Garden, Yokohama-38

We had lunch in the shade of this garden- green and leafy, the perfect place in summer.

Sankeien Lotuses 1

The harsh summer sun is too much for many flowers to endure, but these water lotuses were in full bloom, in Sankeien Garden, in Yokohama. Their delicate colours go well with the rich green.

Just the sight of them cools one down and the ancients must have had a lot of sense planting them there.

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

Kashiwa Festival Dancing 3

So people danced the night away, to the beat of the taiko drummers.

Kashiwa Festival Crowds

I had never seen Kashiwa so crowded- you could hardly move and the atmosphere was electric.

Kashiwa Festival Nebuta

Nebuta Festivalesque floats were there to be seen. A taste of the magic of summer in the Northeast region of Japan came with them, much to the delight of the gathered crowds.

Kashiwa Festival Dancing 1

Summer is a time for festivals in Japan, and this one was no exception. The wild dancing near the omikoshi, to the beat of taiko drums, had to be seen to be believed.

Tremendous Sunset 1

Walking in the evening recently, this beautiful sight greeted my eyes. Like an endless, heavenly land spread out before me, I gazed at it in wonder and awe.

Mysterious Cloud Landscape

To my astonishment, flashes of distant lightening appeared from within this, like a giant, flickering plasma-ball. It was as if the cloud was alive in some way. Yet there was no sign of rain anywhere nearby.

The Face of Clouds

Just after I came back, these incredible clouds shone in the sky. I'd never seen something so fluffy and mysterious before, they were a revelation of a world going far beyond my imaginings-

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Angel Fire

If you ever wondered if nature was spiritual, or if some divine God-like force exists, this picture of heavenly light descending Earthwards through the gaps in clouds might settle your mind. Or will it?

Evening Glow

The gorgeous pinks of sakura, illumined by a setting sun. Alone, they were pale white, but only after everyone but a few remained in the temple garden, did the falling sun reveal this splendour amongst us.

Cherry Blossom Snow

Snow? No, falling cherry blossoms, in one of their last days, surrounding people like us having 'hanamis', cherry-blossom picnics. They have a magical quality and are one of the highlights of the year in Japan.