Earlier I posted a few preview pics of late-blooming "bundle-of-tissues" blossoms, and of plum blossoms, so today I'm posting a few pics of Kyoto's run-of-the-mill "cherry blossom" blossoms.

These first three pictures were taken a year ago by hooking up a bunch of extension tubes between the camera and my big Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 zoom. I didn't yet have my good tripod, so this big, heavy combination on my previous (tiny, flimsy) tripod made for a comical view.

The three pictures above are fairly so-so – nothing special – but I've included them here to delay you a bit so [...]

Zak sent me an article about some planned large-scale redevelopment around Kyoto Station, which reminds me that I've still not followed up on my earlier post about the area: The Most-Excellent Architecture of Kyoto Station.

When I snapped the picture above, I was standing in the huge atrium that is the shell around which Kyoto Station was designed. Beyond the glass oval thing in the center are the ticket gates, beyond which are the trains. Above the ticket gates is a glass-enclosed walkway connecting one area of the station with some restaurants and a hotel.

I really like the glass [...]

Soybeans are the building blocks of nature. Lower on the periodic table than even hydrogen, all matter in the universe is made from some form of soybeans. When roasted, they are not only useful for driving out demons, they can be ground into a fine, tasty flour called kinako. I've mentioned kinako in passing before (in Aburi-Mochi: Grilled Mochi on Skewers, and in Preschool Mochi Production).

Today, Anthony and Mommy made some kinako, just for fun.

The roasted beans have a thin, brittle shell/husk/skin(?) that one normally eats with the beans, but which pops off when you grind them in [...]

As I mentioned earlier, we made a short trip to Kanazawa the other day. Among the area's attractions are the Kenrokuen Gardens one of the so-called "three famous gardens" in Japan. It dates back to the 1600s, although its present state was formed later, in the mid 1800s.

It's famous for its beauty in the snow, and according to pictures I've seen it's pretty amazing in the spring, summer, and fall as well. Early march – with no snow and no flowers – is perhaps not the best time to visit, but we enjoyed it nevertheless.

Throughout the gardens, as [...]

Another day, another 826 pictures. Thank goodness that I decided to catch up a bit on email this morning rather than photograph the start of the Kyoto City Half Marathon, or I would have had even more photos to deal with.

As part of the festivities surrounding the half marathon, which starts and ends right here south of the Heian Shrine, the Kyoto Prefectural Mounted Police allowed kids between 4 and fourth grade to get a horse ride. Fumie's mom, who watched Anthony while Fumie and I were in Kanazawa took him over. Unbeknownst to him, I followed along with [...]