ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Enjoying my visit to Hakodate. Minus the heat, it has similarities with Kōbe, where I live - it’s a port city with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Both cities have 19th century houses built by earlier foreign communities, lots of cruise ships visit and they have “Million Dollar” night views. 0233
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 05/08/2026On my way to Hokkaidō today. Instead of flying, I have opted to take the shinkansen the whole way - JR Tōkai’s Nozomi from Shin-Ōsaka to Tōkyō, JR Higashi-Nihon’s Hayabusa from Tōkyō to Hakodate. Needed about 20 shots to get this shot of Mt Fuji without posts, powers line, or buildings in front. 0224
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 17/05/2026Went to Nakanoshima in Ōsaka yesterday to see the roses. 0886
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Hiked up to Kōbe Nunobiki Herb Garden. Entrance is free if you hike up. The cable car is £2,600 return. The soft cream is lavender. 1662
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 05/05/2026It’s Children’s Day. Went shopping at Nishinomiya Gardens. Took some photos on the roof. On the way home, encountered some mikoshi. The first one is outside Hankyū Okamoto, the second one, outside nearby JR Settsu-Motoyama. 0503
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 26/04/2026Went back to Sōrakuen today to enjoy the azaleas in bloom. 0913
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 04/04/2026Went to Daitoku-ji to one of the gardens with my cousin. 0552
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 04/04/2026We took the cable car up to Nunobiki Herb Garden and hiked down. Admission to the herb garden is free, so hike up to the herb garden if you are watching your budget or if you enjoy a good hike. 1655
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 04/04/2026Took my cousin up the ropeway to Kōbe’s Nunobiki Herb Garden. I normally avoid photos of people to protect their privacy, but I think I can safely make an exception here. 0352
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 04/04/2026Took my cousin to Kōbe’s Sōrakuen. Perhaps two weeks too early for the azaleas, but you go when you can go. 0382
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Took my cousin to Nara today. VERY crowded! The weather was perfect. 0250
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 26/03/2026Got a cousin visiting. Took him to Himeji Castle. A few cherry trees were blooming, but most looked maybe five to seven days away. We missed the blossoms, but also the crowds. 0242
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 24/11/2025Went up to Hakone on the weekend to see a friend. Fantastic views. 11027
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 13/10/2025Went to Minō Park today. I lived in Minō over thirty years ago. Used to go up to the falls all the time - especially on hot summer evenings. 11156
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 13/10/2025A not-quite-average Sunday in the neighbourhood yesterday. 0654
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/09/2025The formerly traffic-choked Midosuji-dori is now a wide pedestrian-friendly boulevard lined with tony shops. 0883
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/09/2025Went downtown Ōsaka to celebrate a birthday. We went walkabout after dinner. Ten years ago, Ōsaka had next to no tourists. Now, the Dotonbori area is packed with tourists. 0711
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 20/08/2025Went to Peacock Alley, in the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Osaka tonight. At ¥2,000 for a lemonade, let’s just say I won’t be a regular, but for a very special occasion, it’s definitely the place to be. 1621
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 19/08/2025Various shots of #Kobe Port Tower that I’ve taken recently. 1874
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 17/08/2025It was Bon Odori down at Meriken Park last night. 0581
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/08/2025It’s just 73.4 km from Kobe’s Sannomiya Station to Kyoto Station, but we booked a hotel for a two-night, three day visit to Kyoto last weekend. After dumping our bags, the first stop was Mt. Hiei. Underground to train to one-carriage train to cable car to ropeway to the top. 1724
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 24/07/2025Very different stroll location Wednesday evening. This time, the Sumiyoshi River. 0673
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 24/07/2025Out for a walk at Kobe Harbour Tuesday evening. 0877
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 06/07/2025Out at Grand Front in Umeda, Osaka this evening. 01178
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 11/05/2025A friend came down from Yokohama for Osaka Expo. We went to Shinsekai for kushikatsu. I played tourist, taking a photo or three. 31508
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 05/05/2025It’s Children’s Day today. A friend and I went to Mt. Shosha, north of Himeji. 0843
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 05/05/2025It’s Golden Week. Went out to #Osaka Castle Park with friends Sunday. 0904
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 30/04/2025Still more #photography of the azaleas at #Kobe #Sorakuen 414510
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 30/04/2025Went to #Kobe #Sorakuen for a bit of #photography while the azaleas are in bloom. It was glorious! 0927
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 23/04/2025Got the wrong cruise ship. Turns out 2 cruise ships were in #Kobe My friend’s friends were on the other ship, the Oceana Riviera, next to the Meriken Park Oriental Hotel. It departed 84 minutes prior to when I snapped the above pictures of the Celebrity Millennium, walking back from Port Island. 0583
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 23/04/2025Friends of a friend are in #Kobe today. They arrived on this. Photographed from the Portliner on my way over to Port Island. 0480
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 06/04/20254th April was the opening day of the new GLION Stadium at #Kobe Port. 0682
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 03/04/2025On #Kobe Port Island today, some cherries were at their peak, some past, some not quite there yet. 11126
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 03/04/2025Crossing over to #Kobe Port Island today, this was moored at the dock. 0471
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 01/04/2025Went to Shukugawa Monday after work to see the cherry blossoms. It’ll be a few more days until they reach their peak. It’s been quite chilly, so they should last a little longer. 0744
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 28/03/2025Came across this recently on Photos on my phone while deleting unwanted pics. Looking at it on my laptop, I realised it was one of mine, so here it is. Plum blossoms in #Kobe 1771
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 27/03/2025Was over on #Kobe Port Island again today. The Holland America cruise ship Noordam was berthed at the international port terminal. The fuzzy blob in the centre of the second shot is a🐦⬛💩.😒 0380
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 12/03/2025Today, a colossal cruise liner, SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS was in Kobe Port when I went by on the train over to Port Island. I walked back over the bridge, intent on taking pictures, but the ship was GONE three hours later. Here’s early dinner in a downtown restaurant. 0661
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 27/02/2025After two particularly exhausting days, I went to Nishinomiya Gardens and had this kaiseki for dinner. An explanation of the menu was included. 0661
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 25/02/2025Went downtown after Myoshin-ji, puttering about in the usual spots. Went to the Ganko branch in the old samurai house by the Kamo river. Fourth pic is the view from the restaurant window. Took an hour to get back home to Kobe. 0742
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 25/02/2025It snowed in Kyoto Sunday. We went to Kitano-Tenmangu. 0602
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 18/02/2025Not exactly Japanese kaiseki tonight, but it went down. Waddled out of the restaurant like a stuffed penguin. The others are blossoms at work. 0400
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 08/02/2025Pomegranate blossoms and hydrangea bushes at work, spring 2021. 1693