Wordless Wednesday: a lone dandelion

For Wordless Wednesday

Top of the hill (Shibamaruyama Kofun)

Going up is not too difficult. The slope is not steep and the scenery is nice. Really did make me feel like I wasn't in Tokyo, one of the most populous cities in the world.



On the way to the top I come across something interesting.

Because it's there (Shibamaruyama Kofun)

I found out something interesting when I was looking up information about the places I had gone to while on my December trip.



That these steps in Shiba Park lead up to a hill. I knew that. I didn't know it was the largest burial mound in Tokyo. Of course I had to find out more and I had to go see it on my trip back. So here are photos from my visit there. There isn't much documentation in English on-line so you might find this interesting.

Sunday Stroll: Hermosa Beach

Since we were down at Hermosa Beach, we decided to take a look around.



Bronze statue of surfer and lifeguard Tim Kelly.



One of the interesting murals and buildings here in Hermosa Beach. Want to see more?

Music: Max Bangwell and friends at the old Blue Cafe

Back when there was a nice place in Long Beach, California, for hearing live music, it was great to go there on a weekend afternoon.



Not too crowded and the locals would show up to support their friends. Like Max Bangwell with singer Lisa Cee and her husband Johnny Mastro, blues harp extraordinaire.
Check out the photos.

Food for Friday: Hennessey's Tavern in Hermosa Beach

Ever have one of those days when you just want to have a good sandwich with a good view?



Well toucans carrying beer wasn't expected...



So you want to see a bit more of Hennessey's Tavern in Hermosa Beach and some really good sandwiches?

Everything was still (Shiba Toshogu Shrine on March 12, 2011)

Without the ability to go to many places because the trains were not all running, at least I was able to go back to nearby places I had been to in December.



With the intention to see things I missed my first time there. One was the Shiba Toshogu Shrine of Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. It's a Shinto shrine which was split off from Zojo-ji back during the Meiji Period. Want to see what it's like?

Wordless Wednesday: Catspicious

For Wordless Wednesday

It felt so empty (Zojo-ji on March 12, 2011)

I don't know if I can put into words how it felt.



Perhaps looking at these photos of where people strolled and spent time might portray more.



So much space in a city with so many people. This was not the same Tokyo.

Japan is broken (Tokyo Tower on March 12, 2011)

Tokyo Tower is a symbol of Japan. I never felt it more than I did that day, with the top bent. Something so tall, so strong, damaged.



Walking from Zojo-ji to Tokyo Tower takes one by the area of Shiba Park (Shiba-koen) which is know for replicating a beautiful little valley with trees that turn color in autumn. Would you like to see how it looked on that day?

Sunday Stroll: Redondo Beach Pier

Redondo Beach is an interesting place in California. There are a number of ocean front areas and piers. This one has shopping and unusual places to eat like Oriental Breeze which I posted about a couple days ago.



Want to take a look to see what else is there?

Music: White Boy James

One of the most popular Blues singers in Southern California is White Boy James.



While I've seen him perform a few times, back in June, 2006, I kind of got a front row seat when we went to dinner at La Palapa Del Mar in Belmont Shore, Calif. There's a few more photos of James and his band here.

Food for Friday: Oriental Breeze

Every just want to have a meal where you ate whatever you want?



In a nice location with a sea breeze blowing and the ocean glinting?



Last year we just decided to do just that. Because once in a while it's good to treat yourself. So want to see what they serve at Oriental Breeze at the pier in Redondo Beach?

For here they rest (Zojo-ji Mausoleum of Tokugawa Shoguns)

The entrance to the Mausoleum of Tokugawa Shoguns. Six of the Tokugawa Shoguns and their families were buried here. Hidetada, Ienobu, Ietsugu, Ieshige, Ieyoshi, and Iemochi. Seven times a year they open it for visitors.



However around the gates are several interesting features like this amazing rock. Rocks like this are very important in Japanese gardens. In a way, this is a little garden behind Zojo-ji, worth taking a look at. 

Wordless Wednesday: The Elk

For Wordless Wednesday

To ask for protection (Zojo-ji in Tokyo, Japan)

Ankokuden, where the Black Image of Amida Buddha is enshrined.



Dressed with banners for Hina Matsuri, Girl's Day. There is more to see and a bit of information if you want to see.

With new appreciation (Zojo-ji Temple in Tokyo after the quake)

Sangedatsu Gate for Zojo-ji Temple.



Way less people. And cones in front although there doesn't appear to be any damage. I see others going in so I go too. Would you like to see what it was like after the big quake?

Sunday Stroll: Madrona Marsh

Sometimes the most interesting places are in the least expected places.



Like Madrona Marsh. It's across the street from Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance Calif. but I bet most of the people that go to the mall have no idea there is an actual marsh there.



So just a few photos of when I strolled there one winter month some time ago. Because there's more to see than one expects.

Music: Wild Child

I use to take a lot of photos of bands. At the time there were a number of small venues where I lived. So it was easy to see live music and not pay a lot of money. I was lucky to have experienced great music from great musicians. It was a lot of fun.



One band that is still touring and great fun to see is Wild Child. If you are into The Doors this is about the best around when it comes to recreating that experience. Want to see more?

Food for Friday: Sakae Sushi

One of the things I missed being able to do was take a cooking lesson from the amazing Elizabeth Andoh. She was going to teach us how to make a hanami bento.

But lucky for me, not long ago we found a place that makes special sushi that would work really well for hanami or parties or just having something good to eat when you don't feel like cooking. So let's check out Sakae Sushi in Gardena, Calif.

Closer than before (seeing Tokyo after the quake)

Still a few salary men about. This was March 12th. Don't know if they were trying to work on a Saturday or finally trying to get home from the day before.



I took the opportunity of less people to do a little looking around and photos. Since I clearly wasn't going to find lunch anywhere. Want to see?

Wordless Wednesday: Hugs for Japan

For Wordless Wednesday

Tokyo is closed

The ride on the monorail from Haneda Airport was smooth. I kept looking for any damage, broken windows, cracks in buildings and saw none. How could a city survive an 8.8 earthquake with no damage? The only thing I saw that even suggested something was happening were the occasional strange ripples in waterways as we traveled.

I reached my hotel and and convinced the desk clerk to give me a room at that time instead of waiting till 3:00 pm. I knew I would have to pay but I wanted a place to rest, to use the internet and such. Luckily they were still serving breakfast in the little lobby so I made sure to eat finally. So many people were there. I don't usually take newspapers but I did this time.

Always there (leaving Haneda Airport)

Woke up after an hour or two more of sleep. There were less people around so I ask the nice man who was next to me if they had announced that the trains are now running. He said they were.

I and others tried to see if any of the food places were selling food yet but none were. I decided it would be better to get to my hotel and try my luck there.

Sunday Stroll: Sawtelle Boulevard in Santa Monica

Sawtelle is a very popular street in Santa Monica. You can see all kinds of things there. Take a look!

Food for Friday: There's always a first time

for okonomiyaki!



A few years ago we headed out to Gaja Moc for a new experience.  Gaja Moc is a very popular okonomiyaki restaurant in Lomita, Calif. It's one of the few here that have teppan grills in the center of the table so you can cook your own okonomiyaki, mondoyaki or monjayaki.  This is a bowl of some of the ingredients like noodles, pickles, mochi, cabbage and green onion which is mixed in with water or dashi, egg and flour and usually a little dried yam.

 

That night a friend was the chef. He grilled up some of the different ingredients we added to our okonomiyaki. I should have taken more photos of the completed ones, but there were too many pitchers of Kirin beer in the way

 

You can add all kinds of sauces or mayo or bonita flakes....you name it.  We had three different kinds, including one with mochi, cheese and spicy cod roe. This was a bit extreme for what we usually go for but it was a special night. If you aren't up to cooking, Gaga Moc will prepare the okonomiyaki for you. They also have several pasta dishes, salads and great desserts. Definitely worth going to if you are up for something original and fun.