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.

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!

A little America in Japan

Tonight, I signed up for a Costco membership. Costco is very much like its North American counterpart, including the hot dogs in the food court area. Lots of imported food. The Costco store I went to was near Tamasakai Station in Machida. It took 3 trains to get there. Afterwards, Red Lobster was on the dinner menu. It is actually quite different than Red Lobster in Canada. Much of the menu is different, and my favourite shrimp meal isn’t there. But it was decent. Have you been to either one in Japan?

It looks just like Costco in Canada.

If it wasn't for the Japanese on the signs and flags, you'd think this was in North America.