Yokohama Part VII Illuminations and Hawaii

The reason I stayed in Yokohama so late was this. Yamashita Park's illumination, Snow Rose Garden.

Which were lovely.

And crowded, which made it difficult to take photos.

Besides the lighted arches there were rose images projected on the ground. Even harder to photograph because there were a lot of little kids who were playing there. It was a problem because it was very dark and difficult to see them, especially by people who were walking through the areas.

The lit roses were very nice. Roses in December, it's really nice to see this.

I was ready to return to Ikebukuro but realized I was very hungry. Very near the park I saw Eggs 'n Things. A reminder of Hawaii.

This was a bit much, but I couldn't resist getting it. The "Christmas Chocolate Short Stack".

It was pretty good. I liked that there were berries inside with the cream. However, I couldn't finish it. I ate maybe two thirds?

And finally back to Ikebukuro Station where I found dolphins. From the sea to the station. I went from Japan to China to Hawaii. 

Yokohama Part VI The Golden Dragon

The red paper lanterns, 灯笼, or dēnglong, gave a very fun and colorful appearance to Chinatown in Yokohama. But there were some golden lanterns that were special.

Looking one couldn't help but notice the string of gold lanterns.

Why were they strung up in this crazy shape?

Further along there were legs.

Close to the end there was a tail.

And finally, a head chasing a green ball of light.

Perhaps it is a pearl since Chinese dragons are sometimes depicted with a pearl to indicate good fortune and prosperity.

Golden dragons also are a symbol of prosperity and wealth. So flying through the streets of Yokohama Chinatown it is bestowing this on the merchants below. It was also very enjoyable to see this lit up beast.

Yokohama Part V Chinatown

Just a few photos from 横浜中華街,Yokohama Chukagai, Chinatown.

Freshly roasted chestnuts were tasty.

And a couple Chinatown style illuminations, 灯笼, or dēnglong. There will be a very special one in my next post.

Yokohama Part IV Chinatown's Gates

I wasn't planning on going to Yokohama's Chinatown, also known as Yokohama Chukagai, 横浜中華街, but since it was right there, I did go. Because I took a lot of photos, I will try to keep the entries here from being too long. So the first Chinatown entry is about the most noticeable thing one sees when going to Yokohama's Chinatown. Which is the gates. 

Since I was coming from the waterfront, the first gate I saw was 朝陽門, Choyo-mon. 

 Also known as the Sunrise Gate or East Gate. The blue color relates to this. Blue is the color that represents the dragon of the east, Seiryu. Which is another name given to the gate, 青龍門,Seiryu-mon.

 All the gates are very impressive, in size, color and ornamentation. 

While I didn't try to see all ten of the gates, I did see two more.

 This red gate is 善隣門, Zenrin-mon.

It is known as the Good Neighbor Gate.

Built in 1955, it was to show the goodwill between Chinese and Japanese people.

It was the first gate built in Yokohama's Chinatown.

One more gate to show. This one is at an entrance to,市場通り, Ichiba-dori. Which means Market Street. It is a shopping street that originated in the 1920's

Just a peek at the colorful and busy Chinatown. More photos of it in my next post.