Wowee! I had an action packed 4-day weekend! From my first Kabuki show, to Shrines, Zen artist exhibits, the Gibli museum, the Blue Man group, meeting up with friends, to Picasso and Klee exhibits... it was a fun whirlwind of a weekend in Tokyo.
Pictured above is a "Blue Man" from the show on Saturday night. He posed for pictures with throngs of Japanese fans completely in character, that is, expressionless. I hung out for a while just watching and when groups cleared away, I went in for a shot.
I whispered "so, where are you from?" And he looked at me with that alien, expressionless face and broke into a little smile and said, "Iowa." "VT," I responded. Then he gave me a big smile and told me that another cast member was from Vermont. Yow-ee, what are the chances?!
The above picture is from the Gibli Museum. Check out Hayato Miyazaki films if you can, they're great! (Miyazaki is the man who started the company).
Pictured above is the Meiji Shrine just outside of Harajuku. It's lovely, with extensive parks, museums and places to pray. You almost forget that you're in a big city, until you catch a glimpse of a skyscraper in the distance. The contrasts between traditional Japan and modern Japan is something that continues to fascinate me.
These two shots are from Asakusa. Pictured below are walkways leading up to a gorgeous Buddhist temple. The walkway was lined with stalls and vendors selling all sorts of Japanese crafts, goods and gadgets. Above is a shot inside one of these stalls. The masks reminded me of a mask collection that hung in my house as a little girl. ;)
As many of you know, my awesome friend Jess is here for a three-week visit. She is visiting from a land far, far away, known as Burlington, VT. Pictured above: the two of us at the beach in Noto Penninsula.
Pictured above: Masa and Jess at a Shinto shrine in Wajima. Masa is translating for Jess.
Pictured above: This picture is from Wajima Onsen. We stayed for two glorious nights and true to "Onsen" form, we were treated like royalty.
Pictured Above: Uh-oh. Karaoke time!
http://yanosaori.com/
Who's the lucky man, surrounded by all of those English teachers?
I've never seen this kind of corsage... it's made out of balloons!
Koko donned a gorgeous kimono and obi for the occasion. 
Pictured above is a "Blue Man" from the show on Saturday night. He posed for pictures with throngs of Japanese fans completely in character, that is, expressionless. I hung out for a while just watching and when groups cleared away, I went in for a shot.
The above picture is from the Gibli Museum. Check out Hayato Miyazaki films if you can, they're great! (Miyazaki is the man who started the company).
Pictured above is the Meiji Shrine just outside of Harajuku. It's lovely, with extensive parks, museums and places to pray. You almost forget that you're in a big city, until you catch a glimpse of a skyscraper in the distance. The contrasts between traditional Japan and modern Japan is something that continues to fascinate me.
These two shots are from Asakusa. Pictured below are walkways leading up to a gorgeous Buddhist temple. The walkway was lined with stalls and vendors selling all sorts of Japanese crafts, goods and gadgets. Above is a shot inside one of these stalls. The masks reminded me of a mask collection that hung in my house as a little girl. ;)
The following pictures are of tree supports throughout Kenrokuen gardens. 
The picture below is of a famous foot bridge in Kenrokuen.
(Below) A glass roof covered in snow. 
