Tadanori Yokoo Art Gallery

I sometimes go to the Tadanori Yokoo Art Gallery located near Oji Zoo. The gallery is located in part of the old Hyogo Art Museum and is within walking distance of my home. I enjoy his art but wish that there would sometimes add another artist.

Momiji

Autumn seems to last a long time in Kobe with the Japanese Maple losing its leaves near the end of the year. There are flowers in Kobe all year long! But that will be another post.

Emerging

We went hiking around a reservoir one early summers day and there were so many of  these moths flying around in the trees. Then we realized that they were coming out of their cocoons at that time.

Moth

From caterpillar to butterfly (or moth). I don't know what moths and butterflies look like when they are in the caterpillar stage but I can appreciate their winged stage.

Caterpillar

Caterpillars are plentiful in the spring and summer here in Kobe. Apparently, some are poisonous... to touch? or to eat? I'm not sure but I don't want to find out!

Exoskeleton

This is the exoskeleton of a cicada. They can be found all over the city in the trees and are everywhere in the mountains.

Cicada

If you have ever been in Japan in the summer you would have heard the cries of the cicada. There are so many around the city and especially in the mountains behind my humble abode. This one is well camouflaged.

It's Bug Week

I don't know the name of this bug but I got a pretty good shot of it. This was just outside my room.

Praying Mantis

We went to an art show in Sasayama and I ended up photographing this guy that was just hanging out on a white wall.

Samarkand

One of our favourite restaurants in Busan is an ethnic place in Chinatown from the Silk Road. This was a new taste for us and fantastic food. And interesting designs on the dishes, too.

Fireworks in Kobe

Every summer there is a fireworks festival in Kobe that attracts many tourists... many of them couples on a romantic date... to the harbor to watch the show. It lasts for one and a half hours and can be viewed from many places in the city but the best view is at Merican Park.

Harbour Lights

Lights guiding the way into the harbor at Beppu, Japan.

Working Boats

Boats at the wharf waiting for their next job. A busy harbour on a small island.

Niigatsu-do

One of my favorite temples in Japan is in Nara not from Todaiji and the Great Buddha. This temple is usually not so busy and offers a great view over Nara as well as the opportunity to interact with the local deer in the area.

Temple Above Busan

We have been to Busan, Korea many times and love the vibe of the city. Within the city limits in the hills behind Busan is Beomosa Temple. This is a wonderful place to go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Seoul Time

We have been to Seoul only once together but I have been there many times. It never ceases to amaze me how Seoul can change and get better yet keep its historic beauty intact.

Street Snacks in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has a great variety of street food due to the great varieties of culture in the town. You can see these kind of snack stalls all around the city.

Street Food in Tainan

When we are in Taiwan we like to indulge ourselves with the local food This is at the weekend night market which is bustling with activity and interesting food.

The Awaji Bridge

The Awaji Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world... or at least it was when it first opened just before the year 2000. We pass under this bridge whenever we take the Jumbo Ferry from Kobe to Shodoshima. It's magnificent.

Carp Streamers

Carp streamers show up in Japan in late April and early May. They are a declaration that there is a boy in this household.

Morning River Fish

The fish in the rivers of Malacca seemed awfully calm and eager for food or air!

Deagu Scenery

We were wandering through the on burial mounds in Daegu and just taking in all the beautiful scenery when it started to rain a bit.

Dried Squid in Hua Hin

This is a dried squid vendor on the beach in Hua Hin. This is a very popular snack in Japan that you eat with beer. I was surprised to see it in Thailand... but then again, there is a lot of seafood in Thailand.

Thai Night Market

One of the best things about Thailand is the food. It is so delicious! And there is an abundance of food at all times of the day.

A View From the Top

Centre Street in Kobe is a lively place every day of the week. This is a view looking down on Centre Street after closing time.

Modern Vices

A young monk is addicted to the modern toys of the new millenium with the approval of Buddha.

Sannomiya Train Station

The view as I set foot on the train station platform one beautiful summer evening.

Cats of Kobe

There are plenty of cats in Kobe. I see cats lining the alleyways on my way to the train in the morning. "The early cat catches the bird!" Usually I see them lounging around looking very smug.

Osaka Sky Building

Recently, I don't often go to Osaka... no reason to go there these days. But on the odd occasion when I do go, I like to head over to Sky Building. The area is changing. There is a lot going on in Osaka.

Mother Nature

This the reservoir in the mountains just a short hike from where we live. It's a beautiful place to get away from it all.

Somewhere Near Borobudur

Sometimes it is the places that you are not expecting that are the most interesting. This temple was near Borobudur Temple and was a very pleasant surprise.

Busan in Black & White

The back lanes of Busan in black & white.

Night Train Indonesia

Travelling through Indonesia takes time. It doesn't look far on the map but it was about 18 hours from Jakarta to Yogyakarta. Mostly riding the train at night.

The Main Pagoda on Mt. Koya

I like going to Mt. Koya but it is about a 3 hour trip from Kobe. As it is, I must take 2 trains, a cable car and a bus to get there making it a little more troublesome than a typical trip.  But the trouble is worth it.

A New Part of Ikuta Shrine

This area was made larger and newer with a "torii" tunnel. An interesting place for tourists to photograph.

A Kobe Landmark

Port Tower is a Kobe landmark even though it is visible mostly from the water. I like its simplicity and the fact that it is still working after all these years. It is about 55 years old and has an observation deck and a rotating restaurant that continues to function. Well done Kobe.

Murtabak

We fell in love with this breakfast while we were staying in Kuala Lumpur.

Japanese Vending Machine

The vending machines in Japan are wonderful... full of variety, carbonated, non-carbonated, hot, cold, jelly.... amazing.

Exotic Location

The hotel we stayed at in Hua Hin, Thailand has to be the most exotic location that we have stayed in. It is a little run down but built from what looks like repurposed material, on stilts over the water. The sound of the ocean waves under the floor boards was soooo soothing.

Phitsanulok

We spent a couple of days in Phitsanulok which is the closest train station to Sukotthai. This town is normally passed over by tourists with nothing very famous or noteworthy to stop and see. But that is why we like it. The town has everything but on a smaller scale than the famous towns nearby. Definitely worth a look see.

A Bakery in Taipei

One of the great pleasures of traveling is trying the food. This is a bakery near the hotel that we stayed at in Taipei. I did not try anything here but everything looked very inviting.

End of an Era

At the end of this month, a Kobe landmark will be closing its doors of the main shop. The waterwheel in front of the building has always been a recognizable place for people to navigate downtown Kobe by. I have eaten here a few times and will miss the unique atmosphere the shop brought to Kobe.

The Japan Inland Sea

We often go to Shodoshima, an island in the Japan Inland Sea. It's a change of pace from the hectic life in the city. This is the view from the beach that is just 2 minutes from where we stay.

Padang Style Food

One of my favourite styles of food in Indonesia is Padang style. There is no menu. Just sit down and the waiter will begin placing dishes on your table... usually 15 or more varieties of dishes. If you eat it, you pay for it. If you don't eat it, you don't pay. Wildly simple.

Life From a Coffee Shop

I went to an interesting photography show in Ikeda. It inspired me to try  different kind of set up for my pictures.

Japanese Bamboo

Bamboo is one of my favourite plants here in Japan. I like the texture of the bamboo forest. This grove is in Osaka on the Expo '70 grounds. It's spring and you can see some of the bamboo shoots emerging. It is one of the fastest growing plants in the world.

More Paper Lanterns

A pleasant surprise awaited us when we went to the summer Beer Garden at Minatogawa Shrine. This type of paper lantern is quite famous in the northern part of Japan, especially in Aomori at the Nebuta Matsuri. This lantern was at the entrance of the shrine, a much smaller version of the ones you would find at the festival.

Busan Roof Tile

As I have mentioned before, I like taking pictures of the ornate decorations on the roofs of temples and shrines in Asia. This one is from a temple in Busan.

Colourful Kyoto

I see a lot more girls wearing kimonos in Kyoto recently. This has become a trend, not only among Japanese girls, but among foreign tourists.

Kaoshiung Harbour

I feel that Kaoshiung is an under rated place. Maybe not the most exotic or beautiful city but it has a certain charm to discover. The harbour area is one of those places. It is easy to get to and very laid back.