Japan
I spent about 10 days working in Japan. I managed to take a couple of excursions during this time.
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
On my arrival in Kawasaki, I found out I was in the middle of some festivity. The citizens of this city were dancing in the street to celebrate -- for what, I never found out.
My first excursion was to Kamakura, again -- I had been there on my previous trip, and I liked it so much that I decided on a revisit. Unfortunately, this time the weather was much worse, so I tried to exclude the dreary sky from my photos.
My second excursion, a week later, was to Hakone (箱根). This was my farthest excursion from my "home base" in Kawasaki, and the longest hike (I probably walked for more than 10 miles for the day. Hakone is known for its natural hot springs, and the hottest spot is at Owakudani (大涌谷).
The hot springs are so hot that they can cook eggs. These boiled eggs become black on the shell (because of the sulfur in the water), and are said to have mysterious health benefits, which I do not believe.
I took the tram -- or "Hakone Ropeway" toward Lake Ashinoko (芦ノ湖) to continue my walk.
This is a delightful walk through the forest, on the way I saw a pagoda.
Before long I reached Lake Ashi.
The trail continues through the forest, where many artifacts -- some natural, some cultural, awaited me.
Another tram ride would take me to the top of Komagatake Sancho (箱根山), where there is a bird's-eye-view of Lake Ashi. This would be the end of my excursion before I retraced my steps back.
I had just a little more time to spare before departing, and I spent it in Tokyo. The weather was rather dreadful, I spent the gloomy time in Meiji Shrine (明治神宮).
It started to rain that night. The rain actually added some luster to the night photos I took in Ginza (銀座).
One last picture from my hotel room in Kawasaki, which I called "home" intermittently for about a month.
Dancer
Buddhist Temple
Buddhist Temple
Torii (鳥居)
Lanterns
Pond inside a Buddhist temple complex
Buddhist Temple
Hakone, Owakudani Hot Spring (大涌谷)
Hakone, Owakudani Hot Spring (大涌谷)
Hakone, Owakudani Hot Spring (大涌谷)
Hakone, Owakudani Hot Spring (大涌谷)
Hakone, Owakudani Hot Spring (大涌谷)
Boiled Eggs
Hakone Ropeway
Pagoda
Lake Ashi (芦ノ湖)
Lake Ashi (芦ノ湖)
Tombstone
Creek
Pathway through the forest
View of Lake Ashi from Komagatake Sancho
Torii Gate in Meiji Shrine
Garden in Meiji Shrine
Pavilion in Meiji Shrine
Night in Ginza
Night in Ginza
Kawasaki
