Golden Week and Oosumo

Unlike the past couple of years, I stayed around Tokyo for Golden Week this year. Here are some random snaps from last few of weeks. In other news, I'm now a (overseas) citizen of India!

Evening sakura in Chidorigafuchi.

A small birthday party for Robin in Azabu Juban.

Ken Ishii at The Hacienda, a beachside music festival in Oiso, 30 minutes south of Yokohama.

Yokohama Oktoberfest. In May. It was packed.

That's two-and-a-half pints.

Friendly staff at Unit, in Daikanyama.

Outdoor picnic in Yoyogi park...

...that quickly moved indoors after a flash torrential downpour. Just too much rain during golden week this year.

The yokozuna, Hakuho, makes his entrance on day 7 of the grand tournament in Ryogoku. The WWF should be taking notes.

Outdoor live painting at Design Festa, in Odaiba.

Outside the new Gundam cafe in Odaiba.

Despite being housed in one of the fanciest buildings on some of the most valuable land in the city, this bell is the most effective way to get the attention of the staff at the Indian embassy in Tokyo.

My shiny new travel document.

The Varmas Visit Japan

My sister and brother-in-law are aboard AC 2 back to Toronto right now, after a 10-day spring vacation in Japan. After the long, drawn-out winter this year in Japan, I was getting a bit worried that the sakura would not bloom in time for their visit. Thankfully, the weather warmed up just in time for some brilliant hanami'ing this past weekend.

Our new friend, Kubota-san, whom we met over lunch in Shibuya.

An afternoon stroll through Ueno park, fueled by chocolate-covered almonds.

Cherry and plum blossoms in full bloom in Roppongi Hills.

Freshness Burger, possibly my sister's new favourite Japanese delicacy.

Prada building, Omotesando.

Sporting Roppongi Hills' finest threads.

Making new friends at Yoyogi park.

The hanami'ing throngs in full force.

木漏れ日。Sunlight filtering through the trees.

Happy Leap Day

Happy February 29th! Snowfall in the morning, a little earthquake in the late evening, all in all a special day in Tokyo.

Here are some photos from my trip to Hokkaido earlier this month, for some snowboarding and a visit to the Sapporo Snow Festival.

On my way to work this morning, I noticed for the first time that in Japan, when it snows, people pull out their umbrellas.

Grand Hirafu resort, Niseko. Tim, recognize your baby?

Piles of snow outside Pension Popcorn.

Me and Srujan, ready for a day of powder.

Tokeidai in Sapporo. I really don't see what all the fuss is about.

Children's ice castle.

Underwater world.

Snow Mickey!

Nadeshiko.

The only things that should be stuck in the snow are ski gear and your own face.

Snow Taj Mahal.

Tsuruga castle, Aizuwakamtsu city, Fukushima prefecture.

Teletubbies.

This was probably my favourite piece. A forest full of animals awaiting the first spring blossom.

Mario Kart!

This was sponsored by a chain sushi joint. Those are real crabs and fish in there. Creepy.

China, Round 3

Happy new year! A bit late, but I didn't want the Chinese to feel left out.

I took a new year's holiday trip to China, my third visit in the last 3 years. My apartment-building-mate and fellow vegetarian, Chilan, was traveling with me, because two shady Indian dudes creeping the streets of China is always better than one. Another useless stat -- this was actually the second time I've been in Shanghai for new year's eve, meaning I've seen more countdowns in Shanghai (two) than in Tokyo (one).

Apart from Shanghai, on this trip I hit a couple of places in China that I didn't have a chance to before -- Hainan and Hangzhou. Hainan is marketed as the Hawaii of China, much like Jeju is apparently the Hawaii of Korea. The marketing seems to have worked well on the Russians, who descend on Hainan in such great numbers that most local shops have signage in Chinese and Cyrillic but no English. Hangzhou was recommended to me by several Chinese friends of mine, and I now see why. It's a pretty little city, with a pretty little lake, and meticulously pruned gardens -- as well as Ferrari and Aston Martin dealerships, in case you're in the market. The summer playground of Shanghai's wealthy.

The best thing to come out the trip -- my new, ultra-warm, tailor-made winter coat. I also was able to see Tao and Daisy, whose wedding in Shanghai I missed nearly 8 years ago.

After spending the last two months or so in Tokyo, sleeping on my couch, Arnab went back to Toronto on Wednesday of last week. Coming home from work these last few days, to an empty apartment without suitcases sprawled everywhere, I've actually felt a bit sad. Thanks to Arnab, my evenings have been busy for pretty much the last two months straight, which has been fantastic -- left to myself, I'm predisposed to staying home and doing nothing.

Last Monday, Tokyo saw its biggest snowfall of the season, to date. This winter has felt colder than those in recent memory. Whether that's due to my poor memory, acclimatization, or a genuine trend, I'm not sure. In any case, thank goodness for my awesome new coat.

One of the chef's at Savoy in Azabu Juban left and started his own rival joint, where he serves up masterpieces such as this.

This dude's face is plastered all over Shibuya station. Creepy.

Brilliant sunset view from Roppongi Hills Mori Tower.

Bounenkai at Anat's place.

The Subaru Sambar. Seriously, my Telugu friends, Google it.

Chida-san owning the crowd at Solfa, Nakameguro.

Hotpotting with Tao in Shanghai. This is a man that takes his hotpot seriously.

Catching rays on the beach in Sanya.

Viewing only, no climbing.

Giant seaside Buddha, Sanya.

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

I'm not sure why, but I really like how this picture turned out.

I guess that's how you write "Hotel" in Cyrillic.

Cycling around West Lake, Hangzhou. Stunning.

A quiet morning over West Lake.

A big night out in Shanghai, courtesy of Marc and friends. This was just the beginning.

Urban ultra-development, Shanghai-style.

Round 2 with the Shanghai crew, this time in Tokyo.

DJ Kawasaki at The Room, Shibuya.

Winter wonderland, Tokyo.