Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all blog readers.

Christmas tree at Roppongi Hills with Tokyo Tower in the background.

Farewell Fuji

The view from my office - on a clear morning! 

Farewell to Mt Fuji for three weeks as I am heading home for the Winter/ (Summer down under)/Christmas break.  

Looking forward to catching up with fans of the blog/friends/family.

The blog will be on break too.

Christmas Tree

The Japanese love Christmas.  There are lights in the streets, decorations and Christmas trees in all the shopping centres.  Most have traditional pine tree Christmas trees, but this large one made of large soft fabric rolls woven together was something different - and seemed to be a comfortable place to stop and take a selfie.

Christmas Lights

Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.  LED illuminations abound in Tokyo at the moment.

Red and Green

In the Christmas Spirit, a photo in red and green of illuminated maples at Rikugi-en Gardens.

Autumn Crowds

I wasn't the only one visiting Rikugi-en Gardens on Sunday. Leaf peeping in what the Americans call it! 

 The path was crowded and everyone had their phones out - lots of selfies with leaves.  The colours were divine.

Autumn Lit Up

Rikugi-en Gardens are considered Toky's most beautiful landscape gardens.  I visited on Sunday to continue my autumn leaf and maple fixation, and stayed for the illumination of the leaves.  It was beautiful.

Winter Vegetables

The vegetable farmers tending this vege patch next to school are nearly ready to harvest their winter crops.  I have been watching from the stairwell and also when I walk past, as the farmers have tilled the soil, planted the crop and now fertilizing prior to harvest.  Surprising to see cultivation to this degree in an urban environment.

Christmas Market

Sunday evening saw me at another German-inspired Christmas Market - this one in the upmarket area of Roppongi Hills.  A truly cross-cultural experience listening to carols, eating a bratwurst and pretzel, drinking a Weis bier, but surrounded by Japanese people, language and shops.

Crossings

Street crossings and structural crosses at Tokyo Plaza, Ginza.

Fall fire

More brilliant autumn colours from Yoyogi Park.

Lunch with a View

 On Sunday I took my colleague, the social and emotional counselor to lunch at a Greek restaurant, Apollo,  (operated by Australians) in Tokyo Plaza, Ginza.  The oven baked lamb shoulder with lemon greek yogurt was melt in your mouth divine. Plus they had Australian wines ( Pierro Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River) on the list.  The 270-degree views from the 13th floor were amazing too - great building with interesting spaces.

Gingko Play

I spent some time on Saturday afternoon at Yoyogi Park, appreciating the  autumn color and watching Japanese families play with the leaves.  The colors in the leaves were glorious, especially the gingkos.

Earthquake Helmets

Last week one morning there was a prolonged shaking in my office- an earthquake.  No one seemed bothered by it and exams continued.  No one reached for their helmets under the chairs in each classroom. Later I discovered it had been a magnitude 5 earthquake north of Tokyo!