I cherish the brief and fleeting snowfalls we get every winter in Tokyo. Since it’s only January, let’s hope there’s yet one more before the cherry blossoms.

At Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo, Japan
東京都渋谷

In the spring it’s the pink cherry blossoms blooming. And now, it’s the lavender Christmas lights. Between Gotanda and Osaki along the Meguro River.

I’ve photographed it thousands of times now, but I still can’t get enough. From the rooftop of my building in Meguro, Tokyo, on a crystal clear winter day.

As viewed from the Eitai Bridge, on my bike ride home on a hot summer night.

東京都中央区佃、永代橋から

Along the Meguro River early this spring.
東京都目黒川

Better late than never, here is perhaps my favorite photo from hanabi (viewing the cherry blossoms) 2011. Good to see the Japanese letting loose a bit despite the tragedies that have befallen them. From Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Japan.

東京都代々木公園

Actually it’s a house made of newspapers. Not sure why they were actually constructing it… I guess just a thing to do on a Sunday in the park.

Yoyogi Park, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, Japan
東京都渋谷区代々木公園

What’s remarkable about this photo is what you don’t see, namely the big, noisy, bright sign boards, reminiscent of Times Square in New York, or even “Blade Runner.” They have all been shut off to conserve electricity, which is now in short supply in Tokyo and the quake/tsunami ravaged Tohoku regions. There are also rolling blackouts being implemented throughout the region.

It’s eerily dark and quiet in Shibuya compared to what it normally is. I took this picture around 8:30 pm in the evening, but it feels like it’s 4am. Actually, it’s usually more lively at 4am than it was this evening. I’d say I prefer it this way, except for knowing the reason for it.

… checking out their options for getting home with the trains not running after the big quake.

The earthquake registered 8.9 on the Richter scale and was centered offshore Miyagi Prefecture, over 300 miles north of Tokyo. So while we definitely got a big jolt, we in Tokyo have emerged largely unscathed. I’m afraid the same cannot be said for those in the Tohoku region.