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  • Beach Toy, Izu Islands
    inflatable-beach-toy-image.jpg
  • Halloween in the San Francisco Castro District
    castro-street.jpg
  • Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-01.jpg
  • Wat Tham Khao Tao is a large temple in the village of Khao Tao. The temple has a cave with Buddha images and more images are being raised right along the shoreline. Overlooking the village with it’s many fishing boats there are various Buddha statues, as well as others devoted to famous monks, Kannon, not to mention Disneyesque dragons.
    Wat-Tham-Khao-Tao-3.jpg
  • Midwife at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-23.jpg
  • Okame Fat Faced Woman and Midwife at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-17.jpg
  • Topiary Birds at the Sofitel Hua Hin - The artful topiary at the Sofitel Hua Hin Resort are an attraction in themselves, whether or not you stay at this landmark hotel, formerly called the Railway Hotel.
    topiary-2.jpg
  • Bald Mengake Mask at the Mengake Mask Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this unique Kamakura event local men wearing grotesque or comical masks leave Goshi Shrine parade through the nearby streets before returning to the shrine for the ceremony.
    mengake-4.jpg
  • Wat Tham Khao Tao is a large temple in the village of Khao Tao. The temple has a cave with Buddha images and more images are being raised right along the shoreline. Overlooking the village with it’s many fishing boats there are various Buddha statues, as well as others devoted to famous monks, Kannon, not to mention Disneyesque dragons.
    Wat-Tham-Khao-Tao-6.jpg
  • Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi- known as Ashinoko is a scenic lake in Hakone. The lake is known for its views of Mt. Fuji.  Several ferries cruise the lake, providing scenic views for passengers. One of the boats is a full-scale replica of a man-of-war pirate ship.
    hakone-pirate-ship-1.jpg
  • Lions at Mengake Kamakura Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-26.jpg
  • Karasu Tengu Crow Goblin at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-18.jpg
  • Japanese Musicians at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-12.jpg
  • Shinto Priest at Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-09.jpg
  • Drummers at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-06.jpg
  • Mengake Mask Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing grotesque or comical masks  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-5.jpg
  • Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-21.jpg
  • Drummers at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-08.jpg
  • Wat Tham Khao Tao is a large temple in the village of Khao Tao. The temple has a cave with Buddha images and more images are being raised right along the shoreline. Overlooking the village with it’s many fishing boats there are various Buddha statues, as well as others devoted to famous monks, Kannon, not to mention Disneyesque dragons.
    Wat-Tham-Khao-Tao-5.jpg
  • Swayambhunath Temple is one of the liveliest Buddhist temples in Kathmandu if not all of Nepal. Many Tibetans live in the area, and make their daily 'kora' or procession around the temple, turning prayer wheels as they pass. Swayambhunath is also known affectionately as "Monkey Temple" for the hundreds of monkeys who inhabit the area and playfully jump around the Buddha, stairways and temple buildings.
    swayambhunath-2.jpg
  • Mengake Mask Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing grotesque or comical masks  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-8.jpg
  • Boots Fashion Display - besides the ever-changing fashion scene in Harajuku, the boutiques each have their own specialities, this one does boots.
    boots-display.jpg
  • Mengake Mask Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing grotesque or comical masks  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-9.jpg
  • Hello Kitty Show at Sanrio Puroland - an indoor theme park located in Tama Center, Tokyo that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more. While many of the shows are only in Japanese, Puroland nevertheless attracts many visitors from overseas as well as Japan because of the worldwide popularity of these characters.   Puroland has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.
    sanrio-puroland-2.jpg
  • Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park located in Tama Center, Tokyo that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more. While many of the shows are only in Japanese, Puroland nevertheless attracts many visitors from overseas as well as Japan because of the worldwide popularity of these characters.   Puroland has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.
    sanrio-puroland-12.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe Bar Experiment - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-24.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe Bar Experiment - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-25.jpg
  • Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    tokyu-plaza-harajuku-1.jpg
  • Kongsi or "clan halls" are benevolent organizations of popular origin found among overseas Chinese communities.  This type of social practice arose several centuries ago in China. The Chinese word Kongsi is used in modern Chinese to mean a commercial "company"; the modern term for such associations is hui guan literally meaning "meeting hall".  The system of kongsi was utilized by Chinese throughout the diaspora to overcome economic difficulty, social ostracism, and oppression. In today's overseas Chinese communities throughout the world, this approach has been adapted to the modern environment, including political and legal factors. The kongsi is similar to modern business partnerships, but also draws on a deeper spirit of cooperation and consideration of mutual welfare.
    malacca-chinatown-4.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe Sweets-go-Round - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-20.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe Bar Experiment - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-6.jpg
  • Godzilla, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-5.jpg
  • Fukurokokuji Diety of Good Fortune at Mengake Procession Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-28.jpg
  • Lion at Mengake Kamakura Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-24.jpg
  • Jiji Elderly Man at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-20.jpg
  • Japanese Musicians at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-11.jpg
  • Drummer at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-05.jpg
  • Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-02.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe -Mushroom Disco - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-18.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe Sweets-go-Round - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-8.jpg
  • Godzilla Slide, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-slide-02.jpg
  • Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    tokyu-plaza-harajuku-4.jpg
  • Audi Showroom Harajuku is now known as the Iceberg Building - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    iceberg-building-3.jpg
  • Taking a trishaw ride through Melaka seems to be the thing to do for every visitor.  There are dozens of them offering this service and the price is fixed these days at 40 Malaysian Ringgit per hour. Unlike other towns where rickshaws still ply the streets, the fixed rate ensures a reasonable fare for passengers and an equitable income for the driver. The trishaws in Melaka are colorful with lots of decorations, each with their own individual design and add flambouyant colors to the streets of Melaka..
    malacca-rickshaw-1.jpg
  • Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi- known as Ashinoko is a scenic lake in Hakone. The lake is known for its views of Mt. Fuji.  Several ferries cruise the lake, providing scenic views for passengers. One of the boats is a full-scale replica of a man-of-war pirate ship. A number of pleasure boats and ferries traverse Lake Ashi or Ashinoko on which passengers can enjoy the scenic views.  These pirate ships are somehow to enhance the excursion - though Hakone has never been known as an enclave of pirates one can only wonder at the reason for the decorations on these boats.
    hakone-pirate-ship-3.jpg
  • Togog with flowers behind the ears and bad teeth - a Balinese togog is a decorative sculpted head, often decorated with flowers.  The faces and expressions taken form from Balinese folk tales and legends.
    balinese-togog-4.jpg
  • Oni are creatures from Japanese folklore, variously called demons, devils, ogres or trolls. They are popular characters in Japanese art, literature and theatre. Depictions of oni vary widely but usually portray them as hideous, gigantic, creatures with sharp claws, wild hair, and two long horns growing from their heads. They are humanoid for the most part, but occasionally, they are shown with unnatural features such as odd numbers of eyes or extra fingers and toes. Their skin may be any number of colors, but red and blue are particularly common.
    oni-1.jpg
  • Red Brick Warehouses - Kanemori Warehouses or ''kanemori''.  These warehouses were built at the end of the Meiji period and now house a variety of boutiques and restaurants usually serving seafood.
    aka-renga-hakodate-4.jpg
  • Asian Tourists at Nagoya Castle
    asian-tourists.jpg
  • Japanese "Love hotels" attempt various themes to lighten the mood of such assignations,  this particular love hotel likes soft lights and moody colors.  this particular love hotel could almost pass for a real, normal hotel except for the smoked glass dark windows for privacy and the hidden entrance...Japanese love hotels always have a discreet entrance. More commonly they are "drive-through" with hidden parking lots or at least giant mud flaps hiding cars, or that is to say, car license plates in case the wife happens to drive by.
    japanese-love-hotel-1.jpg
  • Birds Topiary at Sofitel Hua Hin - The artful topiary at the Sofitel Hua Hin Resort are an attraction in themselves, whether or not you stay at this landmark hotel, formerly called the Railway Hotel.
    topiary-3.jpg
  • Saddhu Portrait - In Hinduism, sadhu is a common term for an ascetic or yogi who has given up pursuit of the first three Hindu goals of life: kama (enjoyment), artha (practical objectives), and dharma (duty). The sadhu is dedicated to achieving the fourth and final Hindu goal of life - liberation through meditation. Sadhus usually wear ochre colored clothing, symbolizing renunciation
    sadhu-kathmandu-2.jpg
  • Mengake Mask Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing grotesque or comical masks  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-3.jpg
  • Long Nosed Mengake Mask at  Mengake Parade Procession at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing grotesque or comical masks  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-6.jpg
  • Mengake Mask Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing grotesque or comical masks  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-2.jpg
  • Mengake Mask Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing grotesque or comical masks  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-7.jpg
  • Japanese Beer Garden with plastic trees
    Japanese-beer-garden.jpg
  • Bay to Breakers is an annual footrace which takes place in San Francisco. The name reflects the fact that the race starts a few blocks from San Francisco Bay and runs west through the city to finish at the Pacific coast, where breakers crash onto Ocean Beach. The race is 12 kilometers long and takes place on the third Sunday in May and more of a costume party than a real marathon.
    bay-to-breakers-1.jpg
  • Oni Demon at Mengake Procession Kamakura- Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-27.jpg
  • Karasu Tengu Crow Goblin at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-19.jpg
  • Hananago Long Nose Mask at Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-15.jpg
  • Hananago Long Nose Mask at Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-14.jpg
  • Tengu at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-03.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe Sweets-go-Round - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-21.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe Multicolored Pasta  - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-11.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe Sweets-go-Round - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-2.jpg
  • Godzilla, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-3.jpg
  • Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    tokyu-plaza-harajuku-3.jpg
  • Wat Tham Khao Tao is a large temple in the village of Khao Tao. The temple has a cave with Buddha images and more images are being raised right along the shoreline. Overlooking the village with it’s many fishing boats there are various Buddha statues, as well as others devoted to famous monks, Kannon, not to mention Disneyesque dragons.
    Wat-Tham-Khao-Tao-1.jpg
  • Wat Tham Khao Tao is a large temple in the village of Khao Tao. The temple has a cave with Buddha images and more images are being raised right along the shoreline. Overlooking the village with it’s many fishing boats there are various Buddha statues, as well as others devoted to famous monks, Kannon, not to mention Disneyesque dragons.
    Wat-Tham-Khao-Tao-4.jpg
  • Cruise boats run to the middle of Lake Toya and the four islands that make up Nakajima Island. Surrounded by the sound of gently lapping waves, passengers look out at Mt. Yotei and Mt. Usu and the countryside. Evoking images of times past, 'Espoir' floats on the lake like an illusionary castle and during the  Fireworks Nights, visitors can admire the display from the lake on nightly firework boat trips.
    toya-espoir.jpg
  • In Hinduism, a sadhu is a common term for an ascetic or yogi who has given up pursuit of the first three Hindu goals of life: kama (enjoyment), artha (practical objectives), and dharma (duty). The sadhu is dedicated to achieving the fourth and final Hindu goal of life - liberation through meditation. Sadhus usually wear ochre colored clothing, symbolizing renunciation.
    sadhu-kathmandu-1.jpg
  • The Takenokuzoku in Harajuku are the forerunners of the costume players, and still make occasional appearances regularly in Harajuku on Sunday, dancing their hearts out after carefully coiffing their hair-dos.
    Takenokozoku.jpg
  • The faithful dog Hachiko saw Professor Ueno off and greeted him at the end of the day at Shibuya Station in Tokyo. In  1925 Professor Ueno didn't return one evening as he had suffered a stroke at the university that day. Hachiko continued to come to the station every day for 10 years, waiting for her master to get off the train.  When Hachiko finally died, a statue of this famous dog was erected in front of Shibuya Station and has become a popular meeting place for Tokyo residents.
    hachiko-2.jpg
  • Hello Kitty Show at Sanrio Puroland - an indoor theme park located in Tama Center, Tokyo that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more. While many of the shows are only in Japanese, Puroland nevertheless attracts many visitors from overseas as well as Japan because of the worldwide popularity of these characters.   Puroland has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.
    sanrio-puroland-1.jpg
  • Bay to Breakers is an annual footrace which takes place in San Francisco. The name reflects the fact that the race starts a few blocks from San Francisco Bay and runs west through the city to finish at the Pacific coast, where breakers crash onto Ocean Beach. The race is 12 kilometers long and takes place on the third Sunday in May and more of a costume party than a real marathon.
    bay-to-breakers-2.jpg
  • Lions at Mengake Kamakura Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-25.jpg
  • Jiji Elderly Man at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-22.jpg
  • Midwife at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-16.jpg
  • Japanese Musicians at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-10.jpg
  • Drummers at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-07.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe Sweets-go-Round - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-26.jpg
  • Choppy at Kawai Monster Cafe - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-19.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe Lavatory - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-14.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-12.jpg
  • Kawai Monster Cafe - Steven King says that monsters are real and live inside us.  The Kawai Monster Cafe is a perfect place to test this theory out. The cafe is right at home in Harajuku, which has quite a few monsters in the neighborhood.  And cuteness.  Kawai Monster Cafe is not about the cuisine, which has not been reviewed kindly.  It’s all about the presentation and the decor that keep customers coming.  The place has differently themed areas, though the Mushroom Disco is probably the most colorful.  In an adjacent area you’ll find the Milk Stand which features milk bottle lights and a cracked mirror ceiling to add to the trippy look.  The mascot is “Choppy” or Mr. Ten Thousand Chopsticks.  Another highlight is a kind of cake-merry-go-round called Sweets-go-Round.  The Bar Experiment is meant to resemble a giant jellyfish complete with illuminated sea creatures.  The rest rooms are also kitted out in color.  Even if mother nature doesn’t call, it is worth visiting anyway just for the unique experience and decor.
    kawai-monster-cafe-7.jpg
  • Godzilla Slide, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-slide-01.jpg
  • Godzilla, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-9.jpg
  • Godzilla, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-6.jpg
  • Godzilla, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-1.jpg
  • Ameba Studio Harajuku - Ameba symbol and mascot for the company of the same name that delivers video services, including TV programming.  Japan is a country is not shy to show its traditional and the modern influences, often at the same time.  Harajuku displays these contrasts like no other place in Japan.
    takeshita-street-8.jpg
  • Audi Showroom Harajuku is now known as the Iceberg Building - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    iceberg-building-2.jpg
  • Pirate on board the Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi, a scenic lake in Hakone. The lake is known for its views of Mt. Fuji.  Several ferries cruise the lake, providing scenic views for passengers. One of the boats is a full-scale replica of a man-of-war pirate ship.
    pirate-ship-1.jpg
  • Pirate on board the Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi, a scenic lake in Hakone. The lake is known for its views of Mt. Fuji.  Several ferries cruise the lake, providing scenic views for passengers. One of the boats is a full-scale replica of a man-of-war pirate ship.
    pirate-ship-2.jpg
  • Wine Bath at Yunessun Springs - Kowakien Yunessun is a hot springs spa resort and water amusement park located in the scenic surroundings of Hakone.  With a unique blend of traditional Japanese onsen hot springs and water recreation and activities such as pools, slides, and man-made waterfalls.  Yunessun also has some wacky baths such as the coffee bath, sake bath, wine bath and even a green tea bath.
    yunessun-wine-bath-1.jpg
  • The Hakodate Transportation Bureau  is the public transportation authority of Hakodate, Japan. The bureau only operates tram lines.  The current network is consisted of 4 lines with 2 routes.  Streetcars come once every 10 minutes or so on each route.
    hakodate-streetcar-1.jpg
  • The White House Love Hotel Hayama. One wonders what the President and the First Lady would think if they were to see this particular Japanese Love Hotel, located in Hayama on the Shonan Coast of Japan, south of Tokyo and Yokohama. Like all Japanese love hotels, this one has a theme, but it is doubtful if the intention is political...
    japanese-love-hotel-2.jpg
  • Puerto Galera is well known by diving enthusiasts for its coral reefs and professionally run diving operations.; Asia Divers is one of the originals that not only set up dives but offer PADI instruction; and certification.
    diving-equipment.jpg
  • In Hinduism, sadhu is a common term for an ascetic or yogi who has given up pursuit of the first three Hindu goals of life: kama (enjoyment), artha (practical objectives), and dharma (duty). The sadhu is dedicated to achieving the fourth and final Hindu goal of life - liberation through meditation. Sadhus usually wear ochre colored clothing, symbolizing renunciation
    sadhu-kathmandu-3.jpg
  • Mengake Mask Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing grotesque or comical masks  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-1.jpg
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