Starbucks Coffee, Jiyugaoka

There probably is not any other place in the world where American mass culture and products are accepted as happily as in Japan. I remember even Bostonians resisted to this West Coast mega coffee-shop chain when they started buying up local "Coffee Connection" stores in the early 1990's. Of course, there once was a resentment to the American political "imperialism" in the 60's. The US - Japan relationship, however, has been like that of a couple in a long honeymoon. It is true even today when the rest of the world are voicing against US political, economic, and cultural imperialism.

Here at the second floor of the Starbucks in Jiyugaoka, you can stay as long as you like for reading books, writing letters, or chatting with friends except in weekends when Jiyugaoka attracts many visitors.

My table with a cup of Macha (green tea) latte and scholarly papers. What's my reading? The paper is on uneasy cultural ties between US and Europe throughout history. This is for an upcoming international sympsium this weekend. What is underneath the papers? Oh, well it is the latest fashion magazine from the Aoyama Book Center. You know me. . . .
Desks with lamps are for serious readers and students working on their assignments.
It is pleasant to sit by the large window and look at stylish pedestrians on fashionable Jiyugaoka streets.

Roppongi Hills on Sunday

Roppingi Hills' Symbolic "Giant Spider" (below) and the Toho Cinema Theartre Complex (right)

My work-day Sunday ended with a treat of a movie at the Roppongi Hills. Tonight's movie we went was "Miss Potter" with beautiful scenes from the Lake District, England. I would love to travel there sometime soon. I may need a good driver to go around. Be prepared please, my dear friend.















Taeko-san at Starbucks in Tsutaya enjoying a cup of coffee.
We found a nice noodle shop on the Azabu-juban street.

Get off at the Nanboku-line "Azabu-juban" station and have a light meal, enjoy a cup of coffee at the Starbucks in Tsutaya Bookstore & Cafe, then go to see movies at the Roppongi Hills Toho Cinema -- this is becoming a routine on my way back from work when I have enough energy left. Most days, I just directly go home, though.

Komazawa Olympic Park around 6:00AM

This is my neighborhood park: Komazawa Olympic Park provides a great jogging, walking, cycling courses. It attracts people in the neiborhood for exercises from early in the morning. If you go there at 6:20AM, you can join a group gymnastics. Joggers on the running course.

There is a "dog run" in the park. City dogs need a special place for exercises just like us.

It's nice to walk or jog on this course with lots of green trees.
Bamboo woods on the Komahachi St. in a morning light

Cloudy September -- Roppongi Hills

The weather has not been good in Tokyo these days -- either rainy or crowdy every day since I came back from the US. The view from the Toho Cinema, Roppongi Hills was not as good as usual. Which movie did I go? -- "Ocean's 13," a good choice for a cloudy Saturday.

Tokyo Metro today -- Omotesando Station

"Marche de Metro" is a food court inside the metro station.











"Kinokuniya," a gourmet grocery store, provides varieties of lunch box choices, beverages, and sweets.








Tokyo's subway is not just clean and safe. At Omotesando Station, you can purchase your lunch, a bottle of nice wine from a variety of selections, or sit for a cup of coffee and fine pastry before you go outside. Fancy underground city streets are now appearing inside stations.

Blithedale is now back to Tokyo again

JR/Subway Yotsuya Station
















Kasumigaseki subway station





Blithedale is now back to the original place from its temporary stationing in US. This summer has been hot and muggy in Tokyo. My vacation is about to over. . .

Formaggio Kitchen, Huron Ave, Cambridge, MA

Formaggio Kitchen on Huron Ave., Cambridge is famous for its gourmet food selection. On Thursday and Saturday, they bake cinnamon breads which go very quickly. They take reservations.I've been shopping at Formaggio since 1992 when I was living on Brattle Street. Then I moved to 44 Concord Ave. Apt 404 and lived there from 1993 to 1995. Formaggio, Fishmonger, and a flower shop were three separate stores at that time. Formaggio provided me main staples. Now, when I stay at Nina's, I visit there or the High Rise bakery & cafe on Concord Ave. for breakfast to get coffee and scones. (High Rise opens at 8:00AM; Formaggio at 9:00 AM. I usually buy a couple of boxes of chocolates at Formaggio to take back to Japan as souvenior. They have a great selections of sweets, wines and cheeses from all over the world in addition to their own makes.

Outside the ball park, Fenway, Boston

Matsuzaka was the pitcher of the game against the Blue Jays. He won but his pitching was shaky this day. I just came to pick up souvenior T-shirts and his bobble dolls for Matsuzaka fans in Japan. I am bringing them back soon!So, everyone, I got T-shirts and Matuzaka goods here at the Red Sox Team Store in Fenway.

Helmand Restaurant in Cambridge (Afgane food)

Helmand has two restaurants in US, one in Kendall near the Cambridge side Gallaria Mall and another in San Francisco.
Nina found this place.
Traditional costumes and goods from Afganistan are on display in the restaurant. It is quite spacious inside.

First Church Congregational in Cambridge

The First Church has beautiful Tiffany stained glass windows in the sanctuary. Here are some pictures we took after the Sunday service on September 2, 2007.
This is the choir section in the sanctuary. Music is always wonderful here at the First Church.

China Town, Boston

S, Da, Nina in a Chinese restaurant -- Da is a great guide to Boston's China Town when I come back. He orders special dishes from a Chinese menu. We were studying English Literature around the same time at BU in the 1990s.

Sea food dinner for 4 was our choice.

New York City, Summer 2007

From August 27th to 31st, I made a trip to New York to visit the library, ball park, museums, and to meet friends.
Kumiko
The New York Public Library now opens six days a week including Mondays. I like this great library as much as I like MOMA. In both, I just walk in and get what I want then can proceed to other errands to enjoy the city so easily. Although NYPL's books are not available in open shelves, it takes less than 30 minutes to get necessary books upon requests. I am always very much impressed by their Photo & Images section as well. The archivists there are extremely informative and helpful.
Hello Appolo, the Sun God. You are amazingly glorious in any season. You must be the most photographed god in the world dancing in front of the Rockfeller Center with skaters and tourists from all over the US and the world.
Rockfeller Center goes quite tropical in summer.
St. Patrick
High rise apartments, Lincoln Center and the Fordam University.

Red Sox vs. Yankees at Yankees Stadium, Thursday August 30, 2007

The Red Sox goes to the Yankees Stadium. The game starts at 1:05 p.m.Outside the stadium
Jeter and his team mates getting ready for the game



Mr. Torrey
Our seats are in the eighth row behind the Yankees dugout. Thanks to Izumi for great tickets!
Schilling
Ortiz
Varitek
Matsui


Jeter

Papi again


Matsui
The Red Sox lost the game. . . .