Bodiiin over at MyKriteek.com put up a 90 second critique of one of my image.  It is refreshing to have a quick and concise critique of my work.  Big time respect to Bodiiin over there for thinking to put it on his site.

http://mykriteek.com/the-banana-peel-by-jacob-schere-here-and-ther

I had never been to Kagurazaka before venturing there today.  I had heard that it was a bit of an old part of town, but what really got me to want to make a stroll around is when I heard that there are more French restaurants there than anywhere else in Tokyo.  I  enjoyed the little backstreets, that alternated between little bistros and exquisite Japanese places.

And finally after a beautiful Galette stuffed with cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes I was treated to my favorite coffee, a noisette.  yummy!

Suwara is a little town in the country side of Chiba which was once a bustling merchant town.  Now it is quiet with most of the buildings dating from the Meiji Era.

Wedged in between Onarimon station and Shimbashi station lies a lovely plethora of backstreets, cafes, and drinking spots.  Some places it seems like time stands still, or that they have been forgotten by the people at large.  The wood breaks away from it’s frame, and the paint curls under the summer sun.  Soaking up the vibe and the sweat as I wandered back and forth from the two stations.

I was fortunate to take a break from Tokyo and head out into the countryside of Chiba to visit Naritasan Temple.  I went walking and exploring with Tomo.  The weather has hot.  The shade was cool.  Walking up and around the various buildings that make up the Naritasan complex, I couldn’t help but think of all the others that had done the same before me.  How many other visitors had been there, and left their footprints on the gravel, or a little wish for happiness.

I forget sometimes that there is another side to this place I live called Tokyo.  There are places still to go.  Other adventures to see.

Thanks Tomo for helping get me out of the big Shitty….I mean City….

I have been to the top of Tokyo Tower and the Mori Building in Roppongi to get some amazing views of this mega-city Tokyo, but both of these will pale to Tokyo Sky Tree when it opens to the public in 2012.  Walking around Oshiage trying to get a view of Tokyo Sky tree I would get dizzy staring up at the structure.

The neighborhood of Oshiage was a quiet little town, not known for very much, but that will all change with the Sky Tree.  The sleepy neighborhood is already filled with a throngs of photo seekers.

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Made a pilgrimage to the Monzennakacho area of Tokyo today.  I love it’s little backstreets filled with all sorts of drinking spots, houses butted up next to each other like books in a library, and a bit of old Tokyo charm.  Wandering the steamy asphalt covered streets, seeking out those images that just seem to be calling my name.

Just a quick little stroll around the neighborhood in the bright sunshine.

I had never walked much around the eastern side of Ueno until the other day.  It was filled with business hotels, small shops, homes, and a scattering of jewelry shops.  It had all the elements that I enjoy, tight packing of so much visual information into a tight space.  The other side.

Just a few images from a short bicycle ride in the blazing Japanese sunshine.