Archive for January, 2008

Mount Takao in Autumn

Friday, January 25th, 2008

Bron and I went to 高尾山 (Mount Takao) during autumn.
高尾山 is about 45 minutes west of Tokyo by train, so it’s really easy to get to. There were lots of people there, but most of them took the cable-car to near the top so at least the trail wasn’t too crowded. We took the side trail up and the main path down, which was a good move as the side path had some nice spots to rest and enjoy the view, and also has some variation in incline (the main path is uphill all the way).

The rest of the photos are in this album (or click the photo).


Mount Takao during Autumn (click for album)

Home-Sweet-Home in Tokyo

Friday, January 11th, 2008

My apartment in Yotsuya

In Yotsuya, only 4 minutes from the nearest subway station, 30 minutes from my work, and about 25 minutes walk from Shinjuku.

The rent sure isn’t cheap, but it’s quite big and gets plenty of sun, and I didn’t have to pay key money. The landlord also provided a refridgerator and a washing machine, and curtains - yes, you usually need to buy your own! And it includes free broadband internet as a nice little bonus.

Updated:
A photo of the lounge after finally getting a table and rug.

The lounge in my apartment

Hello Kitty 2

Friday, January 4th, 2008

It seems that walking cats is a not-so-uncommon past-time in Japan.
First I saw the following (while walking in the forest down from the top of Mount Takao (高尾山) no less):

Japanese man walking a cat - on his shoulders

Then spotted in Shijuku a few weeks later:

Japanese man walking a cat - on his shoulders