070
A maiko (Geisha apprentice) smirking at me in Takebayashi (Bamboo forrest) in western Kyoto. In previous times the training of Geisha started at the age of 6 years, 6 months and 6 days and lasted for many years. Nowadays they normally start around the age of 16.
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Ryoanji, a buddhist Zen-temple, listed among the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Especially famous for its rock garden with 15 bolders of which you can only see 14 at whatever angle you look at it. Only from top they are all visible.
068
In the meantime .. photos of my new cellphone have been long overdue. As one might suspect of a japanese cellphone it features all the latest never-to-think-of software like bar code scanner, two cameras, maps, navigation, internet plus a tv as shown on the picture..
067
Parasols in front of the autumn leafs slowly changing their color to deep red. Autumn in Japan is one of the most beloved seasons.
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The Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion) in Kyoto, one of the citys most famous attractions which is recognised as a World Culture Heritage by the UNESCO.
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The temple lodging where we stayed the first night in Kyoto located inside a huge temple complex. Normally temple accomodations have a quite strict set of rules but Shunkoin is run by a Japanese-American monk so the whole experience is aimed torwards more international guests ...
064
Kaiten Sushi bar in Kyoto, all kinds of flavours for 70 euro cents and orders delivered on a miniature Shinkansen-train that delivers them right to your seat ..
063
When visiting shrines or temples with the family, Japanese people often wear fancy kimono or traditional cloth to celebrate the event.
062
A fortuneteller statue in Kyoto .. all of the recent photographs are taken with my new Canon EOS 50D EF-S17-85 IS U SLR camera by the way, an early christmas present for myself.
061
Another schooltrip class in Kyoto. Fieldtrips in Japan are often undertaken too even far away destinations like the northern Hokkaido or southmost Okinawa. The kids are always recognizable by their common hats.
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Japanese Tradition? Perfect example of the balance between tradition and modern influences in Japan ...
059
An elementary school class on a fieldtrip climbing one of the many shrines in Kyoto.
058
Just came back to Tokyo after a 3-day trip to southern Kansai Area where I visited Kyoto and Osaka. Picture shows people leaving the trail of 1001 Tori gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.
057
A night out partying with swedish exchange students around our building ...
056
Stone lanterns covered with moss in Nikko, 2 1/2 hours north of Tokyo.
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Japanese kids in Meiji Jingu Shrine, central Tokyo. Wearing kimono as preperation for Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3) festival, a japanese custom for three and seven year-old girls and three and five year-old boys, held annually on November 15
054
Busy morning in the streets of Shimotakaido, Tokyo where I'm living at the moment. Luckily it takes me 1 minute to the nearest station and there is a supermarket on the first floor of my building
053
Wooden boards with prayers on them which you can find in many temples and shrines throughout Japan. You can buy your own blank one, write your thoughts or messages and them and hope for the wishes to be granted...
052
Visiting the city of Nikko, 2 1/2 hours hours north of Tokyo, famous for the mausoleum of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The first autumn leafs are starting to change their colour, a popular event in Japan.
051
The German-Japanese Business Association held a "Job Forum" event, hosted by the German Institute for Japan-studies in Tokyo. I was invited as one of three guest speaker and held a presentation about experiences and prospects for German academics in the japanese job market.
050
View from a classroom in at Meiji University, Ochanomizu, Tokyo.
049
Nomikai (see beforehand explanation) with friends from my seminar at university. Plus, first haircut in Japan ever ..
048
A temple for the lately deceased, close to my apartment building. Even in metropolitan areas like Tokyo, Japan has temples build right next to office buildings and supermarkets.
047
A man taking a walk on a sunny day next to a river near my building. Actually Tokyo seems only to be busy around train stations which build the center every district. Besides that rural living areas are quite relaxing and laid back.
046
Participated in Sado, the japanese tea ceremony again. Always impressive how many rules you have to follow. But still, it always looks impressive. Although the tea I could prepare this time wasn't as good as the teacher's.
045
Two new inhabitants in my kitchen .. 100yen happy dish sponges resembling fruits. The japanese basically put faces on everything, makes life so much more friendly ..
044
My new razor .. its manual but got a battery inside and a switch where you can turn it on so it starts vibrating, to probably ease the shaving ..
043
Drinking Party again with friends .. Nomikai are drinking parties particular to Japanese culture. They are a part of the culture of most places of employment, from schools to nightclubs and are often held in restaurants or izakayas, usually with everyone seated at one large table or occupying a separated section of the venue and include all you can eat and drink.
042
At a Baseball match between Meiji and Waseda University .. fan culture just seems totally different the European: in the end, the fans of the loosing team congratulated the winner and left politely without any commotion.
041
Sunset over Yasukuni Shrine in Central Tokyo. Yasukuni Shrine is dedicated to the spirits of soldiers and others who died fighting for the Emperor of Japan. Because of its meaning it has become quite a controversy, especially for japanese-chinese relations when japanese officials visit the shrine.
040
Usual image in Tokyo subways .. people sleeping on my way to university and back
039
Chinese language class at Meiji University.. learning Chinese in Japanese sounds weird, but turned out to be a lot of fun
038
My ticket for Tokyo Games Show 2008 which is supposed to be the biggest fair for video games and technology innovations in the whole world. It was a lot of fun anyways
037
Japanese guy passing by in front of a traditional restaurant in a backstreet in Tokyos Ginza district
036
Buddhist monk walking through Shinjuku train station in western Tokyo
035
Inside the Kanda Myojin temple in central Tokyo, combination of moss, stones and wood
034
A japanese traditional festival called "Matsuri" right outside my apartment building. Usually festivals in Japan are sponsored or organized by a local shrine or temple.
033
On a university field trip with exchange students from Austria, Taiwan, UK, Canada, China and many more countries ...
032
Chinese symbols on a wall in a temple complex
031
After some days of rain finally sunshine and people resting in a small park
030
You probably know these game machines where you can catch prices with a crane .. in the japanese version you can win a vacuum cleaner. No need for further comments..
029
Visiting Yokohama Chinatown after Oktoberfest. Yokohama's Chinatown is supposed to be the biggest Chinatown in the world featuring more than 500 restaurants
028
Going to Yokohama Oktoberfest 2008 with former exchange students at my university, some friends and Anke visiting from Germany
027
A crossing in Ginza at night, one of Tokyo's most expensive shopping distrincts
026
Sorry for the late update, couldnt access my computer due to a virus infection for the last two days. Photograph was taken at a japanese Matsuri festival
025
Relaxed evening with sushi and japanese drinks watching season 4 opening of the american "How I Met Your Mother" show
024
Celebrating a 'Welcome to Japan' party with our professor from Germany
023
Usual scene on my daily way to University...
022
A part of the library at Meiji University, Tokyo, serving round about 22000 students
021
Birthday 2nd stage .. Karaoke after initial Nomikai.
020
Celebrating my 22nd Birthday in Tokyo. Nomikai (literally, "drink meeting") and Karaoke with old and tons of new friends. Didnt take a group picture unfortunately, but thanks everybody for joining me. I had a great evening!
019
Front of the Imperial Palace Garden, Tokyo
018
A touch-screen camera where you can select a degree of smiling from a barometer and then it will automatically take the picture if the person on the screen smiles according to the barometer
017
More nightly tours trough Tokyo, exploring 75Yen Sushi Shops, Game Halls and Bars...
016
View from the house
015
One side of my first very own flat. On the other side: Kitchen and bathroom
014
Buddhist statue in Kamakura
013
Couple walking away from a temple in Kita-Kamakura
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Moss on a stone statue
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Inside a bamboo forrest
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Statues in a temple in Kamakura, outside of Tokyo
009
Firefighters arrive after a fire nearly burned a small restaurant 50m from the apartment..
008
Dozens of barrels of Sake arranged in front of Meiji Jingu Shrine in Central Tokyo.
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Busy sidestreet in Minato-ku.
006
Goldfish in the Aquarium of Tokyo Tower.
005
Two japanese girls dressed in Kimono look over South-Tokyo from Tokyo Tower.
004
Skyview of Tokyo from Observatory Deck of World Trade Center near Hamamatsucho Stn.
003
Decorations on a temple right next to the apartment. Spent a day in Azabu and night in Asakusa and Shibuya.
002
After a day exploring the city centre of Tokyo relaxing in a small bar with new friends..
001
Flying with Emirates Airlines from Hamburg to Dubai, Dubai to Osaka and finally Osaka to Tokyo. The photograph shows the mountains in northern India..