First Photo Dump

Ok Tokyo will have to come later… because I think showing off Mutsu is more important..

The format for R3d’s Photo-dump will be picture + description– rather then some big ‘ole extrapolation on what’s happening or what I’m thinking.

Ok here we go (all via my Flickr acct.)

Taking off from Haneda Airport in Tokyo for the 1 hour flight across cloudy Japan to Aomori Prefecture.

My new boss Furusato-Sensei (who’ll I’ll talk about later) and my new friend “Mike” picked me up at the airport and drove me 3 hours too Shimokita. However, not before we stopped to have…

A Giant bowl of Maguro (Tuna) Fish & Rice! Ha ha..

We finally arrived at my apartment, but before I could crash I had to greet my apartment manager. (As a hint.. if you’re not sure what to do *bow* then *apologize* lol).

Finally my apt manager, my boss, and others who dropped in to say “hello” ‘read that I was tired’ and let me close the door in peace.

I Live at Crestwood Plaza

It’s a pretty neat apartment place. At first I thought it was small… then I cleaned it up a bit– moved stuff around– and got some space back.. But I think soon I’ll learn to live lighter and smaller… or at least I hope so.

The complex I’m in is actually 8 apartments divided into two sets of fours (like a duplex). There’s another complex in front and houses in the back. I live in the apartment behind that blue rav4 with the ski rack (my current car btw).

These are our neighbors. They’re not much to look at, but to me it appears to be a mechanic shop of some type. Someday I’ll walk over and say “konnichiwa.”

The useful thing is that our neighbors have a jidohanbaiki (?) or vending machine like 10 yards away from my door.

Power and Trees… Very green in Mutsu.. It has a unique Japanese-ish/northwest feel to it

Peace and quiet is broken up three times a day by this public address system which is planted about 20 feet from my bedroom window. (Goes off everyday @ 12, 5, & 7pm)

Two things I find odd about Japan… It’s a mostly cash based society and mostly Gas centric. From the cooking stove to the kerosene heater in my living room.

With that being the case.. It’s important to have plenty of “easy to use” extinguishers around.

When I got here the nebuta festival was starting to wrap up. This caravan just passed by our street at around 6 or 7pm.

Nebuta Float

Around Mutsu City

I’d be lying if I said I’ve seen all of Mutsu.. It’s difficult enough just getting used to Japan. However– It’s a weird, but awesomely different place.

(bento & Rice balls over the flower bridge?)

Last time I lived here in Japan three years ago in Atsubetsu-ku/Sapporo City– I described living in Japan as being somewhere sort of familiar, but three quarters size and one off from ‘normal.’

The stores look right, but they’re smaller.

I think the little things make it special even when no one else recognizes it.

Some things pull you right into thinking you’re in Japan/Asia.

Some things remind you of home– or at least what you wish your home had every now and then.

Signs, I think, in Japan to foreigners take some time get used too. You think you know this one, but you can’t be sure. (Aomori Prefecture, property of

It’s politics season– and while I thought Mutsu wasn’t a big player in Japan– these political signs are everywhere promoting the big election Aug. 30.

This Onsen sign brings me to another project I want to work on for fun.. That’s mount Kamafuse in the background and I want to do a 100 pictures b&w of Mount Kamafuse from all over and from different angles (The bay, store windows, car windows, everywhere — 100 shots)