These torii cover a staircase on the back side of Hie Shrine in Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan.  The names of various companies are written on them.  These are companies that have given money to support the Shrine.

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This bridge is on Tennouse Isle, a man-made island on the edge of Tokyo Bay. It’s mainly a business location, so on the weekends it’s fairly empty. This is a great place to go in Tokyo to get a break from the crowds. There’s a great restaurant there called TY Harbor Brewery. Good food, good beer. Highly recommended.

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A-bomb Dome (原爆ドーム)

The A-bomb Dome in Hiroshima.

A plaque near the dome reads:

“The A-bomb Dome is the ruins of the former Hiroshima Prefecture Industrial Promotion Hall which was destroyed by first atomic bomb ever to be used in the history of humankind on August 6, 1945. The atomic bomb was detonated in the air at an altitude of approximately 600 meters almost right over the hall. The explosion of a single bomb claimed the lives of over 200,000 people and the city area of about 2-km radius was turned to ashes. In order to have this tragic fact know to succeeding generations and to make it a lesson for humankind, the reinforcement work of the ruins has been done by the contributions of many people who desire peace within and out the the country. The ruins shall be preserved forever. August 6, 1967 Hiroshima City”

Green Rice Grass

Rice grass growing in a rice field in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. This is early in the growing season, before the rice grains form.

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Praying Statue

Praying statue on Mt. Takao in rural Tokyo. If anyone knows the cultural significance or can identify this deity please comment. I’ll happily update the description.

Mt. Takao is located on the northwest edge of Tokyo. Great place for a day hike.

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Dragon in Nikko

A figure of a dragon on the roof of a temple in Nikko, Japan.

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Akasaka

Night scene in Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan. This is front of Akasaka Biz Tower. Among many other companies, Thomson Reuters has their Tokyo office here.

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Egypt (in Japan)

A miniature of the Abu Simbel temple of Ramesses II. This is about 1 meter wide. The real one is a little bit bigger.

This photo was taken at Tobu World Square, a park full of miniatures in Nikko Japan.

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Momiji (Japanese Maple)

Japanese maple leaves in Nikko, Japan.

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Choices

A man reading the menu in a front of a Chinese restaurant in Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan. Choices, choices, choices…

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