Island Villages and Fields

The first two days of my break were spend cycling the Shimanmani Kaido.  It was lovely cycling through small villages and fields of rice and vegetables.  It was almost like Laos - but no dust, mud or corrugations.  Beautiful countryside, with a hint of the autumn colours to come.

Autumn Treats - More Chestnut Treats

First treat of the break was at lovely cafe in a Bicycle Hub in Onomichi.  Autumn was the theme and Stanley residents would be happy to see the Chestnut bread, Chestnut Danish and Chestnut Brioche.  No Chestnut muffins though for Dave Mac the muffin man!

Sculpture in the City

Sculpture is not just found in galleries, but in public places too, such as this strange piece near the United Nations University in Shibuya.

Onomichi Castle

Back from a 5 day break on the Inland Sea.  My first night was in Onomichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture.  It is a hilly port town with a history of shipbuilding.  I stayed in a hotel at the top of the hill next to this spectacular building.  It is a replica of Onomichi Castle, so a fake - but it looked good and the views over the sea were spectacular.

Itoya Rose

Itoya White

As with paint, whites are not white. Itoya had a wall of white samples.

Itoya Colours

Itoya is a store of beautiful things - absolutely nothing you need- but beautiful things to enjoy.  Paper, paper, and paper wonderful colours, textures and displayed with true Japanese organisation like paint swatches.

Itoya

Stationary on steroids.  Eight narrow stories of paper, pens and more paper and treats.  Gotta love a Giant Red Paper clip. What does it say about me that I spent time in the stationary store rather than shopping for jewels at Tiffany or Bulgari!!!

People and Pet Watching in Ginza

Fluffy, overindulged dogs in Ginza on Sunday.  A dramatic change from the soi (street) dogs of Chiang mai and Vientiane.  But they are kinda cute!

People Watching in Ginza

Harumi-dori is the main street in the upmarket area of Ginza.  The main street and side streets are closed on Sunday. The locals and tourists are out shopping and strolling and sitting.  There are tables and chairs at intermittent spots along the street.  I sat and watched for a while on Sunday afternoon.

What is an Insurance Buffet

This sign was intriguing. What is an insurance buffet? Why is it in English?

Ginza Neon and the Moon

The bright neon lights of Ginza nearly dimmed the moon.  The moon is very small on the left side of the skyscraper, but later at night, when viewed on the other side of the building, Ginza Place,  it seemed much larger - must be perspective! as it was lower on the horizon.

Le Creuset - Japan Style

Loved this little Le Creuset caravan/food truck at the food market on Sunday. They were serving curry and rice and selling small le creuset pots.

And they love Cats

This is one shop I will not go into!

The Japanese Love their dogs

There are more pets in Japan than children. So pets are treated as children.  I could not but stop and stare at these daschunds.   Very cute dogs and a cute pram, but !!!

A colleague was a dog extravaganza in a nearby park on the weekend, where you could buy every conceivable thing for dogs. She bought a 'sweater' for "Mischa"  (cute but slightly rat like pet dog) and said these prams cost over $800 US !!!!!!

Farmers Market

Out exploring yesterday I discovered a lovely, but expensive farmers market in the public spaces of United Nations University.  Even there the vegetables were wrapped in plastic!!!

Hakone - the head

La Pleurese by Claude and Francis-Xavier Lalanne.

More Hakone - Knitted Wonder Space

Inspired by Gaudi, Canadian artist Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam knitted this amazing sculputre, that children could play on inside the  "Woods of Net" Pavilion at the Hakone Open Air Museum. 

Another Hakone Sculpture

Man and Pegasus by Carl Milles.  This greets visitors as the enter Hakone Open Air Museum through the Sky Walk.  Pegasus is falling and the man appears to be about to fly into the clouds.

Hakone Open Air Museum

 This would be great in my garden!  Sphere Trames by Francois Morellet.

Hakone Open Air Museum - A Face

This sculpture by Takao Tsuchida, a Japanese artist was one of the amazing pieces of art on display at the Hakone Open Air Museum.  Visiting today wast one of the best art experiences I have ever had. Totally amazing, wonderful and often surreal art.

The Selfie Stick

The selfie stick is ubiquitous and annoying. Today I explored Showa Kinen Park, expressly to see fields of Cosmos.  This fellow and his selfie stick had the same task.

An expensive chop

Today, Saturday, was Festival of Nations at Seisen, essentially a school fete with lots of international food.  The curry and pakora were yummy as were the falafels.  I ate a very expensive,but tasty, lamb cutlet, (450 yen -  $5.60 AUD or 1200 yen - $15 for 3)  and sausage roll from the Australian stall, but was not allowed to order a VB (or a Belfast Brew from the Irish stall or a very yummy looking Sangria from the Grade 12 parents stall).

Dancing in the Streets

These men were dancing in a circle to drums and cymbals and chanting at the local festival.

Festival Floats

Giant floats, called nabuto (I think) with warrior figures and angry dogs as on this float were the highlight and definite crowd pleaser at the summer festival parade in Sakurashinmachi.

Festival Feet

Japanese thongs/sandals were the footwear of choice for men at the Sakurashinmachi festival.

Another Yellow Obi

The bow at the back of the kimono is called an obi and there are many different styles of knots or musabi.  Another yellow one that caught my eye at the Sakurashinmachi street festival.

Kimono at a Festival

There was a festival in my neighbourhood, with drums, floats and a parade and women wearing kimonos.  The young girls looked adorable in their bright floral kimonos, especially this one with her big yellow bow ( I'm sure it has a proper name beyond bow).