Colors of My Heart

During a brief return to Japan at the end of the year, I visited Shinjuku Gyoen. Although it was already late autumn, the garden offered a serene escape in the heart of the city.  The autumn foliage here begins to change color in late October, with the rows of plane trees and ginkgo turning a brilliant golden hue first. From late November to early December, the maples reach their peak, creating a stunning display of vibrant reds. The best time to enjoy the colors is from the end of November through early December, especially on clear mornings when the hues appear most vivid.  Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me, so all the photos were taken with my iPhone. Even so, I was able to fully appreciate the quiet beauty of the autumn leaves in the center of Tokyo. Taken with iPhone 12 Participating in the ranking If you think the content is good, please click and follow. 気に入っていただけましたら応援よろしくお願い致します。 にほんブログ村 にほんブログ村

“Baccarat ETERNAL LIGHTS – The Shape of Joy,” a cherished winter tradition at Ebisu Garden Place, was held from November 9, 2024, to January 13, 2025. At the heart of the central plaza stood the magnificent centerpiece often referred to as the “Baccarat Glass Bell”—one of the world’s largest chandeliers, measuring approximately 5 meters in height and 3 meters in width. Composed of about 8,500 crystal pieces and illuminated by 250 lights, this extraordinary work of art was created with the participation of 13 Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (M.O.F), requiring an astonishing 15,000 hours to complete. Far more than a simple lighting fixture, the glass bell is celebrated as a luminous sculpture—a design of light itself—symbolizing hope and joy for all who visit. The space is further adorned with around 100,000 champagne-gold lights and a towering 10-meter Christmas tree, creating a dazzling winter spectacle. Every 30 minutes, a special lighting performance transforms the scene into an even mo...

My journey with photography began at the age of eight, when my grandfather gave me an Olympus Pen D. I took it along on a school excursion and captured my first photos—and I’ve been photographing ever since, for nearly half a century. Perhaps inspired by watching me, my daughter expressed a desire to take photos when she was seven. We gave her my wife’s old E-PL1 and since then, we’ve occasionally gone out together to take pictures. The cherry blossom photos I’ve uploaded this time were all taken by my daughter. I taught her the basics, like camera settings and how to use the electronic viewfinder, but when it came to composition, I simply told her to shoot whatever she liked. Maybe I’m just a doting parent, but I think her sense of framing is quite impressive—she’s already a fine little photographer in her own right. As her father, my biggest concern is how long she’ll keep wanting to go out and shoot with me. Olympus E-M1 / 40-150mm F2.8 by Dararin Darling Olympus E-PL1 / 40-150mm F4...

Straddling the border between Nerima and Itabashi wards in Tokyo, Johoku Chuo Park is one of the largest green spaces in the northern part of the city. In spring, it transforms into a beloved cherry blossom destination, drawing visitors with its serene beauty. Among its many highlights, the row of cherry trees lining the Shakujii River is especially enchanting. Their pale pink blossoms reflect softly on the water’s surface, creating a dreamlike scene as if the flowers themselves are cascading gently into the stream. The riverside path remains quiet and peaceful, offering a hidden retreat where one can escape the bustle of central Tokyo and enjoy hanami in a relaxed, contemplative atmosphere. Olympus E-M1 / Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8-3.5 SWD / ISO100 / f5.6 / 1/320s / +3.0 Olympus E-M1 / Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8-3.5 SWD / ISO100 / f3.5 / 1/320s / +1.0 Olympus E-M1 / Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8-3.5 SWD / ISO500 / f6.7 / 1/320s / 0.0 Olympus E-M1 / Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F...

When people think of Kinchakuda in Saitama Prefecture, the vibrant red spider lilies (Manjushage) are what usually come to mind. However, just a short distance from Kinchakuda lies a beautiful field of cosmos flowers.  Every year, when I visited to photograph the spider lilies, I would always make a stop at the cosmos field to capture their beauty as well. The sight of cosmos blooming in profusion under the clear autumn sky was truly breathtaking. Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8-3.5 SWD / ISO100 / f3.5 / 1/640s / +0.7 Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2,0 SWD / ISO100 / f2.9 / 1/1250s / 0.0 Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F, 2. 0 SWD / ISO100 / f2.6 / 1/3200s / 0.0 Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2.0 SWD  / ISO100 / f3.0 / 1/2000s / 0.0 Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2,0 SWD / ISO100 / f3.1 / 1/2000s / 0.0 Olympus E620 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2.0 SWD / ISO100 / f5.7 / 1/1600s / 0.0 Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2.0 SWD / ...