A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima

A-Bomb Dome shows how the bomb swept the city into an instant destruction.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

On the riverside in Hiroshima, a peace rally concert was going on.


Many people come from all over the world to learn about what took place in Hiroshima. A group of German tourists were seriously listening to the guide.
Cranes dedicated with prayers for peace
A-bomb Dome viewed from the Memorial Cenotaph.
A-bomb Dome viewed from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

O-bento in Shinkansen

Here is obento again on my way from Shin-Yokohama to Hiroshima in Shinkansen bullet train.

Red Sox Victory Parade Again in 2007?

Here is a photo of Manny holding the World Series Champions trophy during the 2004 Rolling Rally. Will there be another parade this year? I'm hoping. . . .

Okajima is pitching so well for the Red Sox
this year. (At the Yankees Stadium, below)

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