Colors of My Heart

There’s a Starbucks in Rancho Palos Verdes (Los Angeles, CA) that I will never forget. Nestled right in front of the vast Pacific Ocean, it offers a breathtaking view that makes every sip of coffee feel like a moment of peace.  What made it truly special were the evenings—watching the sun slowly sink into the horizon, painting the ocean in shades of crimson and gold. I remember sitting there, completely immersed in the beauty, feeling time gently slow down. It’s been nearly twenty years since that visit, but the memory remains vivid in my heart. Among all the Starbucks I’ve ever been to, this one stands above the rest. It wasn’t just about the coffee—it was about the serenity, the view, and the quiet joy of being present in such a beautiful moment. Even now, I consider it the best Starbucks I’ve ever experienced. rencho palos verdes starbucks - Bing 地図 iPhone 6s Plus / F2.2 / 1/277s / ISO25 / 0.0 iPhone 6s Plus / F2.5 / 1/280s / ISO25 / 0.0 Participating in the ranking If you thi...

Two months after arriving in Mexico, once my life had settled into a comfortable rhythm, I visited the UNESCO World Heritage city of San Miguel de Allende. Located in the heart of central Mexico, this vibrant destination is renowned for its colorful streets and rich artistic culture. San Miguel de Allende is a small city in the state of Guanajuato, where cobblestone slopes and colonial-style buildings evoke the charm of medieval Europe. In 2008, it was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, drawing travelers from around the globe. At the heart of the city stands the magnificent neo-Gothic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, a towering church that dominates the skyline. In front of it lies the Jardín Allende, a lively plaza where locals and tourists gather to relax. Surrounding the square are cozy cafés, restaurants, and souvenir shops that add to the city’s welcoming atmosphere. The entire city has also been recognized as a “Pueblo Mágico” (Magical Town), a title given to plac...

Shinjuku Gyoen was made in 1906 as an imperial garden, it was re-designated as a national garden after the WW2 and opened to the public. With 58.3 ha in size and a circumference of 3.5 km, Shinjuku Gyoen, the representative modern western-style garden in Meiji era, blends three distinct styles, Formal Garden, Landscape Garden and Japanese Traditional Garden, and is considered to be one of the most important gardens from the Meiji era. Among about the 10,000 trees which grow in Shinjuku Gyoen, there are the first examples planted in Japan such plants as tulip trees, planes, Himalayan cedars and bald cypresses. From the cherry blossoms in spring to the soft greens of summer, the chrysanthemums and colorful leaves of autumn and the snowscapes of winter, Shinjuku Gyoen is an ideal place to get close to nature and enjoy the changing seasons, the perfect oasis for metropolitan. - Japanese white-eye (called Mejiro in Japanese) in Shinjuku Gyoen - The Japanese white-eye is a bird about 12 cm l...

Since my daughter was born, I’ve realized that nearly all my photos have been of her. I hardly have any landscape shots worth uploading anymore. This photo is one of them. Taken at Toshimaen. A tiny Santa Claus—you, my little one, are the greatest gift I could ever ask for. Olympus OM-D E-M1 / M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO / f/3.2 / 1/25sec / ISO4000 / +0.7 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

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...

These photos were taken during a small year-end indulgence with my family, when we stayed at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba in 2015.  At the time, I was truly impressed by the image quality of the E-M1. But looking back now, I can see quite a bit of noise—it’s a quiet reminder of how far camera technology has come in the past decade. I hope to find another chance to enjoy a little luxury with my family again someday.  Olympus OM-D E-M1 ／ M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO ／ f/2.8 ／ 1/50sec ／ ISO1600 ／ - Olympus OM-D E-M1 ／ M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO ／ f/2.8 ／ 1/8000sec ／ ISO200 ／ ± 0.0 Olympus OM-D E-M1 ／ M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO ／ f/2.8 ／ 1/1250sec ／ ISO200 ／ ± 0.0 Olympus OM-D E-M1 ／ M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO ／ f/2.8 ／ 1/30sec ／ ISO1600 ／ ± 0.0 Olympus OM-D E-M1 ／ M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO ／ f/2.8 ／ 1/30sec ／ ISO200 ／ -2.3 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...

After Sammy crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I was devastated by the grief of losing a beloved pet. I truly believed I would never welcome another cat into my life again. But then, my wife was approached by her friend  looking for a home for a cat. The poor thing had no one to care for it, and without a new owner, it was facing euthanasia… I took it as fate, a quiet calling, and decided to take the cat in. I couldn’t help but feel that Sammy had returned to us in another form. In a regional dialect, the word for “returning” is “monta”—and so we named him Monta. He was born in 2013, the same year as our daughter. It felt as though she had gained a little brother. Just like her, Monta is now twelve years old—and still full of life. Apple iPhone 5s Canon EOS 5D Mark III / EF 24-70mm F2.8L II USM / F2.8 / 1/125s / ISO1600 / +1.7  Taken by Baron Photowork 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

When our daughter learned to crawl, she began chasing Sammy around the house. I imagine it must have been exhausting for her, but Sammy never turned her away. I thought those peaceful days would last forever. But in the spring of 2015, Sammy was diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The cancer was too bad for surgery, and I was told she had only a few months left. My wife and I cried until we couldn’t cry anymore. Even as the illness wore down her body, Sammy continued to try playing with my daughter. After a courageous battle with illness, Sammy crossed the Rainbow Bridge on July 15, 2015. My daughter was not yet two years old, too young to remember the details of their time together. And yet, to this day, she fondly calls Sammy “Professor Sammy,” the one who taught her how to crawl. From the bottom of my hearts, I thank Sammy. Truly, deeply, and forever. Olympus PEN E-P2 / M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 Olympus OM-D E-M1 / M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO Sammy was a beautiful cat...