Went up to Hakone on the weekend to see a friend. Fantastic views.

Went to Minō Park today. I lived in Minō over thirty years ago. Used to go up to the falls all the time - especially on hot summer evenings.

A not-quite-average Sunday in the neighbourhood yesterday.

The formerly traffic-choked Midosuji-dori is now a wide pedestrian-friendly boulevard lined with tony shops.

Went downtown Ōsaka to celebrate a birthday. We went walkabout after dinner. Ten years ago, Ōsaka had next to no tourists. Now, the Dotonbori area is packed with tourists.

Went to Peacock Alley, in the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Osaka tonight. At ¥2,000 for a lemonade, let’s just say I won’t be a regular, but for a very special occasion, it’s definitely the place to be.

Various shots of #Kobe Port Tower that I’ve taken recently.

It was Bon Odori down at Meriken Park last night.

It’s just 73.4 km from Kobe’s Sannomiya Station to Kyoto Station, but we booked a hotel for a two-night, three day visit to Kyoto last weekend. After dumping our bags, the first stop was Mt. Hiei. Underground to train to one-carriage train to cable car to ropeway to the top.

Very different stroll location Wednesday evening. This time, the Sumiyoshi River.

Out for a walk at Kobe Harbour Tuesday evening.

Out at Grand Front in Umeda, Osaka this evening.

A friend came down from Yokohama for Osaka Expo. We went to Shinsekai for kushikatsu. I played tourist, taking a photo or three.

Mt. Shosha.

It’s Children’s Day today. A friend and I went to Mt. Shosha, north of Himeji.

It’s Golden Week. Went out to #Osaka Castle Park with friends Sunday.

Still more #photography of the azaleas at #Kobe #Sorakuen

More #photography today at #Kobe #Sorakuen

Went to #Kobe #Sorakuen for a bit of #photography while the azaleas are in bloom. It was glorious!

Got the wrong cruise ship. Turns out 2 cruise ships were in #Kobe My friend’s friends were on the other ship, the Oceana Riviera, next to the Meriken Park Oriental Hotel. It departed 84 minutes prior to when I snapped the above pictures of the Celebrity Millennium, walking back from Port Island.

Friends of a friend are in #Kobe today. They arrived on this. Photographed from the Portliner on my way over to Port Island.

The azaleas are out in #Kobe

4th April was the opening day of the new GLION Stadium at #Kobe Port.

On #Kobe Port Island today, some cherries were at their peak, some past, some not quite there yet.

Crossing over to #Kobe Port Island today, this was moored at the dock.

Went to Shukugawa Monday after work to see the cherry blossoms. It’ll be a few more days until they reach their peak. It’s been quite chilly, so they should last a little longer.

Came across this recently on Photos on my phone while deleting unwanted pics. Looking at it on my laptop, I realised it was one of mine, so here it is. Plum blossoms in #Kobe

Was over on #Kobe Port Island again today. The Holland America cruise ship Noordam was berthed at the international port terminal. The fuzzy blob in the centre of the second shot is a🐦‍⬛💩.😒

Today, a colossal cruise liner, SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS was in Kobe Port when I went by on the train over to Port Island. I walked back over the bridge, intent on taking pictures, but the ship was GONE three hours later. Here’s early dinner in a downtown restaurant.

After two particularly exhausting days, I went to Nishinomiya Gardens and had this kaiseki for dinner. An explanation of the menu was included.

Went downtown after Myoshin-ji, puttering about in the usual spots. Went to the Ganko branch in the old samurai house by the Kamo river. Fourth pic is the view from the restaurant window. Took an hour to get back home to Kobe.

Myoshin-ji, holiday Monday afternoon.

It snowed in Kyoto Sunday. We went to Kitano-Tenmangu.

Not exactly Japanese kaiseki tonight, but it went down. Waddled out of the restaurant like a stuffed penguin. The others are blossoms at work.

Three very different meals in Kobe.

Pomegranate blossoms and hydrangea bushes at work, spring 2021.

Waterlilies in Kobe, June 2021.

Going down memory lane. In August, 2021 while Japanese borders were closed, we went for an overnight in Kyoto. The streets were largely deserted.

Meanwhile in #BritishColumbia, here are some photos my sister sent, shot either by my sister or her partner. Here in Kobe, kids are excited to see a few flakes fall that land on their jackets and last for a few seconds before melting.

Spring along the Shuku-gawa in nearby Nishinomiya.

It’s been flippin’ cold these last few days here in Kobe, so here are some photos from spring 2022 to remind me that warmer weather is on its way.

Far less posh #dinner at Kōbe restaurants.

Tonight’s #dinner at Nishinomiya Gardens.

Before flying back to Japan, I took a short jaunt to #London The rings affixed to Tower Bridge should tell you the year was 2012. I went in the lull between Olympic and Paralympic Games.

After I dropped my niece of at FRA, I went up to #Nederland to stay with a good friend. We took a trip to #Leiden

The final stop before sending my niece back home, was #Rothenburg #Germany We both went nuts with our #photography

Nibling #1 and I enjoyed a lot of cake on that trip. While I always had tea, she always had hot chocolate. We got along as we both loved taking pictures. She’s a professional photographer now. I took her to Venice, years later, she took her husband. #Regensburg was beautiful.

Loved Innsbruck. Of course, had to have a Sachertorte at the Sacher café.

Some highlights of Venice from a few years back. The fruit and veg in the last photo is marzipan.