On Focus Photo Blog

Rows of small statues of Jizo, the guardian deity of children, at Hase Kannon Temple or Hasedera in Kamakura, Japan. August 2008.

Outside Harajuku Station, Tokyo, Japan. August 2008.

Entrance to the Meiji Jingu Garden, Tokyo, Japan. August 2008.

Pyramid and advertising outside of Shinjuku Station, Tokyo, Japan. August 2008.

Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower is located on the west side of Shinjuku. Jer and I walked past it one night on the way to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. As you can see, it has a very striking design. The fisheye lens makes it look positively geodesic. Tokyo, Japan. 2008.

This is a row of machines where you can purchase tickets at Shinjuku Station. Notice the map at the top of the frame, which you’re supposed to use to figure out the fare. If you don’t want to take the time to figure it out — or it’s too complicated — you can always buy the lowest priced ticket and then use a Fare Adjustment Machine at the end of your trip to pay the difference. I usually cheated and looked up my fares ahead of time on The Tokyo Transfer Guide Web site. Tokyo, Japan, August 2008.

I took this photo on my last day in Shinjuku. I was waiting for the airport shuttle on the 20th floor, which is where the hotel lobby is located. From here you can see Shinjuku Gyoen and beyond. Tokyo, Japan. August 2008.

This red dragonfly was in Shinjuku Gyoen, a very large park. The park is about 144 acres in size, and a very pleasant place to walk around on a hot and humid day. Tokyo, Japan. August 2008.

I think this picture speaks for itself mostly. I can add that there were lots of McDonald’s in Tokyo and we did eat at one for dinner one night. We tried their spicy juicy chicken sandwich, which was okay I guess. It wasn’t exactly “fast” food. This particular restaurant was located between our hotel in Shinjuku and where Jeremy was working in the Yoyogi area. Tokyo, Japan. August 2008.

I wandered into Sofmap in Akihibara Electric Town without realizing what I was getting myself into. I’d already been to a Yodabashi Camera and it had a pretty good selection… but Sofmap? Best selection of camera equipment and accessories ever. I bought a portable 2-sided light reflector (gold and silver) and a Polarizer filter — I killed another one this trip. The stack of Nikon D700 bodies behind the counter made me drool, and then there was a whole ‘nother floor with a HUGE selection of video games. By far my favorite electronics store. Tokyo, Japan. August 2008.