YOKOHAMA CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN BLOOM Photograph by AGUSTIN RAFAEL REYES Website | 500px | Flickr | Twitter | Google+ | Facebook In this stunning photograph by Agustin Rafael Reyes, we see cherry blossoms in bloom in the Tszuki Ward of Yokohama, Japan. In Japan, the traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of…
WORLD’S SHORTEST ESCALATOR Photograph by TOKYO ESCALATOR Located in the basement of More’s Department Store in Kawasaki, Japan is the world’s shortest escalator. With only 5 steps, the escalator has a modest rise of 32.8 inches (83.4 cm). It was recognized as the world’s shortest escalator by the Guinness Book of Records…
On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck off the coast of Japan. It was a magnitude 9.03 (Mw), the most powerful known earthquake ever to have hit Japan and the fifth most powerful earthquake in the world since modern record-keeping began in 1900. The earthquake triggered powerful tsunami waves that reached…
WHISKEY ON THE ROCKS Photograph by The Town Sheriff on Flickr In this creative capture by The Town Sheriff on Flickr we see a fresh take on the term, whiskey on the rocks. The whiskey? Johnnie Walker Black. As the Sheriff explains: “This shot was an idea I had in my head…
FORCES OF NATURE Photograph by Martin Rietze @ Alien Landscapes on Planet Earth This incredible photograph by Martin Rietze was NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day for March 11, 2013. In it we see the Sakurajima Volcano erupting with lightning (check out this vid for another example). According to NASA, it is…
Located in the city of Kitakyushu, Japan, Kawachi Fuji Garden is home to an incredible 150 Wisteria flowering plants spanning 20 different species. The garden’s main attraction is the Wisteria tunnel that allows visitors to walk down an enchanting tunnel exploding with colour. Located about 6 hours (according to Google Maps) from Tokyo, the…
Nara Dreamland, Japan | Photograph by Chris Luckhardt. Prints available at http://www.chrisluckhardt.com Wikipedia defines Urban Exploration (often shortened as urbex or UE) as: The exploration of man-made structures, usually abandoned ruins or not usually seen components of the man-made environment. Photography and historical interest/documentation are heavily featured in the hobby. In the latest…
Japanese Tea Room in Kyoto Photograph by Marser on Flickr In this serene capture we see the tea and meditation room at the beautiful and historic Ruriko-in Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Located about an hour outside of central Kyoto, the temple can be reached via train to Yase station. The temple is…
When Osaka’s baseball stadium closed its doors, it opened the door to a prime redevelopment opportunity in a new commercial district adjacent to Namba Train Station, the first stop from Kansai Airport. Given the location, owner Nankai Electric Railway asked Jon Jerde to create a gateway that would redefine Osaka’s identity. Jerde conceived Namba…
Located in Kuwana City (Mie Prefecture) is Nabano No Sato, a flower-focused park featuring sprawling gardens and giant greenhouses. Running annually from mid November to mid March is one of Japan’s finest Winter Illuminations, including the famous tunnel of light. The park also features an onsen (hot spring) and a variety of restaurants including…