Machida manhole covers

Once a week, I go to Machida city in Tokyo.  Machida has its own set of manhole covers which I took pictures of in the late evening.  So, these pictures are a bit dark.

The first manhole cover is for rain water.  The design is of a tree, which I assume is Machida’s tree, the Japanese zelkova.

Japanese zelkova design on the storm drain manhole cover.

The other manhole cover is for the sewer.  This one has what appears to be a flower, and I believe it’s Machida’s city flower, the Scarlet Sage.

Scarlet Sage covering the sewer.

I’ll be checking out more manhole covers when I can.  Unfortunately, Yokohama’s manhole covers aren’t very special.

2012 Picture of the Week (35/52) – Takadanobaba Murals

Takadanobaba in Shinjuku Ward is a well known place for a few reasons. It’s near the famous Waseda University, it has very good ramen, and is known as the birthplace of Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom). Across the street from the Waseda exit are two murals dedicated to Osamu Tezuka’s manga. This time, I’m giving you two pictures!

This mural depicts many of Tezuka’s manga.

There’s Astro Boy’s mural!

2012 Picture of the Week (33/52) – Tokyo Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower

In Shinjuku, Tokyo, there is a very tall educational building.  It’s the second tallest educational building in the world at 50 floors and 204 metres.  It was completed in 2008.  The Cocoon Tower has a very distinct design, and is in fact home to a couple of design schools (Tokyo Mode Gakuen, which does fashion, and HAL Tokyo, which is a special technology and design school) and a medical school.  In this picture, it’s the tall building on the left.

The Cocoon Tower is easy to recognise on the west side of Shinjuku Station.

I still haven’t been there!

I’ve been living in Kanagawa prefecture for more than 7 years, but there are many places I still haven’t visited. Here is my to do list:

1. Kawasaki Daishi (a major temple in Kawasaki)
2. Zoorasia (one of Yokohama’s zoos)
3. Nogeyama Zoo (a free zoo in Yokohama)
4. Eat sushi on Jogashima (been there, but haven’t had fresh sushi caught there)
5. Cup Noodle Museum (just opened recently)
6. Model Train Museum (also just opened)
7. Go on the Mikasa (in Yokosuka, I’ve seen it, but I haven’t been on it)
8. Tokyo Sky Tree (just opened)
9. Hakone (never been there)
10. Mt. Tanzawa (climbed Mt. Oyama, but not Tanzawa)

These are the top 10 places I’d like to go. Any more suggestions?

Instagram 31-40

I’m on a roll.  For the second week in a row, here is another batch of 10 Instagram pictures.  These pictures were taken from May 30 to June 3, 2011.  Please leave a comment stating which photo you like the most and why, as well as which you like the least and why.  Thanks!

Sunny and very warm now! (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Cheeseburger with Swiss cheese at Kua’Aina (Kamakura, Kanagawa)

Dark clouds (Kamakura, Kanagawa)

Hungry? (Kamakura, Kanagawa) – This muskmelon is around $70.

Down to the platform (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Schedule board at Futamatagawa station (Asahi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa)

Shonandai high rise apartments (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Curvy canopy (Machida, Tokyo)

2 wet balls reflected in the rain (Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa)

You know it’s June when hydrangea start to bloom (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Instagram 11-20

It’s been a while since I’ve posted my Instagram pictures.  But here are pictures 11-20, which were taken from May 25-27, 2011.  As before, please leave a comment stating which you like the most and the least and why.  Thank you in advance!

Colourful Machida street (Machida, Tokyo)

Gentle curve at Sagamiono Station (Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa)

Almost empty bus (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

English sweet shop (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Park at night (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Yokohama street from the 5th floor (Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa)

Curry (CoCo Ichibanya)

Dark clouds, but no rain (Asahi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa)

The sky is screwed (Asahi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa)

DoggyMan! (Dog treat)

Please remember to leave your votes in the comments!

Instagram 1-10

This is the first set of Instagram pictures I’ll be posting.  Each week, I’ll post 10 photos, starting with my oldest ones.  These ones are from May 24th-25th, 2011.  What I’d like you to do is leave a comment stating which photo you like the most and which you like the least, and please give a reason.  Thanks!

1. Izumino station from the train (Izumi-ku, Yokohama)

2. Finally sunny again in Yokohama (Nishi-ku, Yokohama)

3. You must run through the exit!

4. Blurry train arrives at the station. (Asahi-ku, Yokohama)

5. Odakyu Shonandai station (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

6. Food's all gone! (Big Boy)

7. Ecoる Coca-Cola (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

8. Going up to the train. (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

9. Lots of lines in Machida. (Machida, Tokyo)

10. Nakamise (Machida, Tokyo)

Once you’ve decided the best and worst photo, please leave a comment!