Salaryman

This morning I was awakened by a strong earthquake, two minutes ahead of my daily alarm setting. I immediately sat on the edge of the bed. While waiting for the shakings to stop, the ghost of the March 11 earthquake flashed back. As soon as the earth stabilized, I switched on the lights and proceeded with the routine of a salaryman. Shower. Eat. Travel. Work. Eat. Shower. Sleep. Pretty exciting life, right?

photo by Noemi

Underworld

In the Philippines, November 1 and 2 are public holidays. We usually take this chance to go and visit the cemeteries, and pray for the departed. Of course, we also look forward in meeting our relatives during these days. It was always a sort of mini-reunion. When we were kids, I and my cousins would collect the molten candles and shape them into balls while our parents prepared some sticky rice and other traditional Filipino food. We would end the night with ghost stories and spirit games.

Firebush

Often listed as one of the most surreal places in the world, Hitachi Seaside Park is a must visit destination in Japan. The park is very popular in Ibaraki Prefecture just days before the peak of autumn. The red-colored firebushes / kochia flooding the park is a sight to behold especially to photo enthusiasts like me. One would want to stay there forever.

Koishikawa

I was already getting lazy traveling for hours just to be in famous autumn spots here in Japan. But since I considered autumn as my creative muse, I searched "autumn in Tokyo" and found one - the Koishikawa Korakuen Garden.

Surreal

Between summer and autumn, there is a must-see place in Japan that everyone must see. The Hitachi Seaside Park is often listed as one of the most surreal places to visit. Though seasonal flowers are being showcased throughout the year, mid-April to mid-May and end of September to mid-October are considered perfect time to visit. Nemophila or baby-blue eyes turns the park into a blue mountain in April / May and kochia bushes turn it to a blushing hill in October. It must be noted that Kochia or fire bushes are quite selfish as they turn green just after two weeks of being red.

Kinchakuda

If you want to experience spring once again in these late summer-early autumn days, then go to Ikebukuro station and take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line to Koma station. In less than an hour, you will find yourself in Kinchakuda-Manjushage Park.

Kinchakuda-Manjushage Park extends along a pouch-shaped rice field embraced by the Koma River. It is just spectacular to see over a million red spider lilies blossoming out together in Kinchakuda along the river. The best time to view the blossom is from the middle of September to the middle of October. more here

 

Vintage

Autumn is my favorite season. It is also my ultimate muse. I always feel that during this time I ooze with creativity and ideas just keep on popping. And one way to translate these ideas is through a photo shoot. I don’t shoot for a living, I only shoot to release the accumulated stress I have being a salaryman. I posted a casting call in Model Mayhem and was fortunate to get positive replies from models in Japan, among them is Artemis Bare.

re-written fairytale
a path of fallen yellows
an autumn farewell

2012

2013. 

How time flies. Since I am still on vacation, I was able to look back on the photos I took last 2012. Every place I go, I'll turn it into a photographer's paradise. Photography will always be a part of me and of this blog. And from thousands of photos I took last year, here are my 12 personal favorites (with blogs to some of it).

missed by naked eyes 

chorus of flashing shutters 

frozen forever 

YOKOHAMA. My favorite city and the first place I've lived in Japan. Got the chance to visit it again last June and it brought back lots of memories. Took this photo handheld. NikonD7000 high ISO didn't disappoint.

  

Seoul

I have been to South Korea for more than 20 times already since 2009 but didn’t get the chance to explore the country as I always went there for business trips only.  Last week was a different story though.  I went to Seoul for a 4-day vacation and wasted no time wandering around in some popular tourist destinations.  Luckily for me, one of my friends, Dash, was on paternity leave (Congrats again Dash and Ai). I had an instant tour guide. From sun up to sun down, we didn’t mind the almost zero degree temperature and continued taking snap shots of the city that we badly needed a Thai massage afterwards.

 

Ibaraki

The BER month just started. And while almost everyone is looking forward for my birthday (just kidding), for the holidays of course, I am anticipating the arrival autumn. It's still my favorite season. If only we could have it for a year.

Last year, together with my fellow expats, we went to Ibaraki Prefecture to see a more colorful fall than that of Tokyo's. It was a long ride from Chiba but it was a much longer ride from Kawasaki. No complaints whatsoever especially with this view shouting Irasshaimase! (いらっしゃいませ！) Welcome to Ibaraki! to us.

the weeds of summer

paving way to royalty

autumn's enchantment

Our first stop was at Ryujin Great Suspension Bridge. It is suspended 100 meters above Ryujin Dam. The walk on the other side of the bridge is enough to lose some unwanted fats.

Above

Below

Took a quick lunch or else we're going to miss the bus to Fukuroda Falls. Lots of tourists were already there making it difficult to take photos of this majestic falls. We squeezed our way to the center and was able to take some souvenir shots.

Ibaraki is a paradise in orange and brown. A must-visit place especially during autumn season. I heard that some parts of it were affected during the March 11 earthquake but hopefully I hope everything's back to normal.

I shall see you again, autumn. Very soon.

/totomai
09/04/2011

Autumn

delight of bald trees

birds still lull on their parched limbs
bard’s masterpieces

Autumn. How I waited for it, but just in a wink, it’s gone. Either I was too lazy to go to autumnal paradises here in Japan, or I am in a concrete jungle where colorful leaves are scarce. If only I could preserve this season for a year I would definitely do it. As I said in my previous posts, I really like the atmosphere it brings (well, except for sudden moments of homesickness) and I am not looking forward to the coming winter.

Autumn is very poetic that it draws an inspiration or two. It could squeeze out dried up creative juices of anyone. For me, it is a perfect time to reflect and if only this time could be frozen for 365 days, so be it. I have no objection as I want to be inspired for the whole year.

Though sometimes, others would say that autumn is a bit depressing, with all the trees stripped off their clothes, if you look closely, it’s not that depressing after all. At first glance, it feels like it but a few more breathes later, it will turn out to be a source of hope as you will be looking for spring and you can picture out how will it be painted with all the greens and blooms.

Anyway, one interesting tradition of sort I observe here in Japan is the bonding moment of families, friends, expats during this season. Lots of people flock in the park, have picnic and observe how the foliage shed off its hues, or how they drop from the limbs or how the wind swirls the fallen leaves.

I am not sure if other countries have these autumn gatherings as I grow up from a tropical country where only rainy and sunny are the known seasons. But for me, I find it fascinating to be with your friends and family in a park watching a “natural” show. Or just maybe because Japanese never run out of ideas.

Again, I really like autumn and if only I have the powers to let it stay without a break for a year, I would do it.

If autumn is a person, I could be charged of stalking.

/totomai
12/06/08