Kansas City Japan Festival

Posted on September 23, 2019 by HakusanCreation

Naomi and I will be speaking at this year’s Kansas City Japan Festival. We will be giving a one-hour presentation on our experience of the 88 Sacred Places of Shikoku Pilgrimage, a 700-mile walking pilgrimage around the island of Shikoku in Japan. Our presentation is at 1 pm in the recital hall, but events are planned for the entire day.

The festival is on October 5th at the Johnson County Community College and sponsored by the Heart of America Japan-America Society. More can be found on the festival website.

Shinbashi, Tokyo

Posted on March 1, 2019 by HakusanCreation

A solitary figure is standing in the usually vibrant district of Shinbashi, Tokyo. Unlike Ginza, its exclusive neighbor to the north, Shinbashi caters to the average Tokyo worker with reasonably-priced restaurants and bars. This is from our book Earth, Water, Wind, Fire, Emptiness: Tokyo Landscape. Click on the image for a larger view.

Tokyo Station

Posted on February 27, 2019 by HakusanCreation

Tokyo Station at night after the rush hour. When it opened in 1914, half a million passengers used the station in the first year. Today, 420,000 people pass through daily on over 3,000 trains. This is not the busiest station in Tokyo. From our book Earth, Water, Wind, Fire, Emptiness: Tokyo Landscape. Click on the image for a larger view.

City of Lights

Posted on February 25, 2019 by HakusanCreation

Tokyo at night. Click on the image for a larger view.

Population Density

Posted on February 8, 2019 by HakusanCreation

Tokyo is one of the most densely populated cities on the planet. Click on the image for a larger view.

The End of an Era, Part 4

Posted on October 6, 2018 by HakusanCreation

This is the last day of operation for the Tsukiji Fish Market. This image is from the early afternoon when the inner market was closed. The market had been in business in this location since 1935. The images on our site are from the early 1990s when access to the inner market was less restrictive. The increasing influx of tourists required the market to limit access. The restaurant in the outer market will remain in this location. This is from Tsukiji: Tokyo Fish Market Suite. Click on the image for a larger view.

The End of an Era, Part 3

Posted on October 3, 2018 by HakusanCreation

Wholesaler preparing a tuna from the auction with a knife especially designed for the fish. Maguro is the Japanese for tuna. This is the last week of operation for the fish market at the Tsukiji location. The image is from Tsukiji: Tokyo Fish Market Suite. Click on the image for a large view.

The End of an Era, Part 2

Posted on October 1, 2018 by HakusanCreation

Tuna auctioneer at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. This is the last week of operation before the market moves to Toyosu, a few kilometers from this site. The image is from Tsukiji: Tokyo Fish Market Suite. Click on the image for a larger view.

The End of an Era, Part 1

Posted on September 29, 2018 by HakusanCreation

From September 30th, visitors will not be able to view the fish market. October 6th, 2018 marks the last business day for the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market in Tsukiji: the market will move a few kilometers away to Toyosu. I was fortunate to be able to visit the market at its peak in the early 1990s. I produced a small book on this amazing place: Tsukiji: Tokyo Fish Market Suite. While the market is clearly in many people’s hearts, the aging 1935 structure was in need of updating. I am grateful to have experienced this place. Still, access to the fish market and its famous tuna auctions will not be the same. Click on the image for a larger view.