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Posts tagged Night Photos
Do This, Don’t Do That
Dec 7th, 2009
Took on a little photo assignment on my way home from work the other day: Signs. Japan, if nothing, is absolutely littered with signs, telling the huddled masses what to do and when to do it. Of course, nobody follows any of these rules. People park on the sidewalk, don’t pay for bicycle parking, and routinely run red lights. Ironic how the country that makes most of the cars doesn’t even know how to drive them properly. The stereotype, my dear friends, is true.
Miyagino Avenue
Dec 6th, 2009
The east (rear) side of Sendai Station was totally revitalized some years ago. The train lines were all moved underground, allowing the main boulevard, Miyagino-dori (宮城野通) to be widened. Today it’s a beautiful area. The sidewalks are wide and uncrowded, lined with trees, and there are all kinds of interesting sculptures and small shallow waterways that run along them. It’s a nice relaxing way to walk to work, before you enter the hustle and bustle of the west side of the station.
Barock
Dec 4th, 2009
Our epic Monday adventure around Sendai finally landed us at a new bar near Sendai Station. Primarily a whiskey bar, they’ve also got a little wine and one Japanese beer, Heartland, which isn’t as bad as the regular domestic swill. As you can see the atmosphere is very dark and cozy, with classic vinyl albums spinning on the turntable. Complimentary macadamia nuts and an industrial-looking nutcracker complete the experience.
The Walk Home: Under The Tracks
Nov 11th, 2009
WARNING: The following may very well be the most boring paragraph I’ve ever said or written.
As part of an ongoing photography project I’ve been trying to take different routes home from work. They are getting progressively longer though, as I have to take increasingly indirect paths. Also hindering my return home are the bullet and local train tracks that I must either pass above or below as I snake my way away from Sendai Station, which is the most direct route. I guess I’ll have to start riding my bike to and from work, but I find that there are so many photo opportunities missed while on a bicycle. There are basically only four crossings through the tracks, so eventually I’ll have to find deviations both before and after I reach them.
The Ride Home
Nov 7th, 2009
Decided to take my bike into work for a change today. Downtown it’s illegal to park your bike on the sidewalk, although hundreds of people do. Once a week or so the city comes around though and impounds all the offending bicycles. It’s about $25 to get your bike back. The closest bicycle parking lot near my office is in a pedestrian underpass. It’s only 50 yen per day, but I guess it can add up if you ride your bike downtown everyday. Some department stores, like Mitsukoshi, have free bicycle parking but it’s too far away from where I work.
I chose to take a small detour to Kokubuncho on my way home tonight, but just did a quick drive-by. Some night I’ll go back and give it the full attention that it deserves. All photos taken with a Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 lens.
The Walk Home
Nov 6th, 2009
Some sights to be seen on my daily walk home from work. I don’t work or live near the main drinking district, Kokubuncho, but rest assured there are still plenty of places to get a glass of the good stuff or something to eat as I make my way to the east side of Sendai Station.
Smalltown Life
Nov 4th, 2009
Every Wednesday evening I have to work outside the city in a small town called Tagajo. Basically it’s a suburb of Sendai, but it’s also home to many factories for big companies like Mitsubishi and Sony. I walk through the main entertainment area on my way to work, so I thought I’d keep trying out the prime lens and take some low-light photos.
Like most countryside towns in Japan, there’s only one main strip where most of the bars and tiny restaurants reside. Easy to go bar hopping and grab some eats afterwards. Of course, afterwards can be 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7am…
Dinner in Furukawa
Nov 3rd, 2009
Took a Shinkansen north up to Furukawa to visit some friends and co-workers from my days there, and made a couple new friends as well. 120 minute “nomihodai” (all you can drink!) ensures getting the night off to a fun start. The food at this particular “izakaya” (Japanese restaurant) however was pretty crappy, in particular the grilled squid was dry and bland. Afterwards a few of us made our way up the street to a darts bar, but packed it in pretty early. I crashed on my friend’s couch at around 3:30. I’ve never actually closed that darts bar down actually… and probably never will!
Tokyo Travels: Odaiba
Feb 17th, 2009
As I’m still recovering from food poisoning, including a lovely trip to the hospital today, here is another installment from our trip to Tokyo last December. This time it’s from Odaiba.
Originally this man-made island was built to defend the capital city (then Edo) from foreign sea attack, way back in the 1800’s. Today it is a popular tourist attraction for Japanese and foreigners alike. Like most popular areas in Tokyo, the best time to visit is at night.
Tokyo Tower At Night
Jan 31st, 2009
I’d been to Tokyo Tower before, but never at night. Boy, was I missing out on some spectacular views! The lineup was huge, easily over 500 people, but the line moved pretty steadily. Definitely well worth the wait.