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. 0243
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. 1244
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 17/05/2026Went to Nakanoshima in Ōsaka yesterday to see the roses. 0906
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. 0923
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. 0362
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. 0392
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 · 15/09/2025While on vacation, all food is magically calorie-free, just as all wines, beers and spirits are alcohol-free. Hence, truffle cake washed down with wine is a perfectly sensible breakfast. Sure, continental Europe causes me to gain on average a kilo per week, but this is mere coincidence. 040
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 · 15/09/2025I uploaded this meme to ChatGPT and asked it to check the veracity of its claims. Only the Danish purchase of the French-Italian weapons system over US Patriot system proved wholly factual according to ChatGPT. 010
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. 2631
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 · 16/08/2025Thank you! I’m happy to read this. After all, the main purpose of this account is to introduce people to the finer points of Japan. 😊 010
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/08/2025Finished our tour as the temple was closing. Got a brief bus ride down to Maruyama Park! From there, a city bus down Shijo, back to the hotel and the Hankyu then Hanshin trains home. 2493
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/08/2025Paid the 400 yen admission to the garden, which was spectacular. 140
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/08/2025We wandered over to Chionin, just to the north of Maruyama Park. Despite walking through Maruyama Park countless times, this was the first time in 36 years in Japan that we had visited Chionin. 150
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/08/2025Monday, the other three went home at noon, the remaining two of us went walk-about. Been here dozens of times, but seldom this early in the day. 150
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/08/2025Three of our party split off to go to the covered shopping arcades. Two soldiered on, visiting Nishi-Hongan Temple and Higashi-Hongan Temple. 180
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/08/2025Rained all day Sunday, quite heavy at times. Pictures not allowed inside Nijo Castle. 1141
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/08/2025Of course we took pictures with the Hieizan sign. 170
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 15/08/2025By the time we got there, the World Heritage Enryaku Temple complex was closed, but a garden atop the mountain was open. It was a bit too hazy to enjoy the view. 180
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. 11188
ajd-jpn.bsky.social @ajd-jpn.bsky.social · 11/05/2025More photos at Shinsekai, near Tennoji, Osaka. 11106
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