Susaki Shrine
A peaceful view of a small urban Shinto shrine in Kanazawa, Yokohama, Japan. A stone torii gate, lion-dog guardians, and shimenawa rope welcome visitors along a clean path leading to the wooden worship hall. Surrounded by trees and soft winter evening light, the serene courtyard invites quiet prayer and reflection.
Komainu
A stone lion-dog (komainu) stands guard in the quiet courtyard of a traditional Shinto shrine in urban Japan. Its powerful mane, sharp claws, and fierce expression embody protection and strength, while the small cub beneath its paw symbolizes care. A moss-covered tree, the wooden exterior of the shrine, and a straw shimenawa rope evoke a sense of history and reverence, all beneath the soft light of a chilly winter evening during blue hour.
Fiery Horizon
My border collie and I ventured onto the jetty to watch the sunset beneath a brisk winter sky, slightly warmed by the fiery glow of the setting sun. Enoshima Island lay nearby, while the Izu Peninsula stretched faintly in the far distance.
Nishihama Breakwater
Captured at Katase-Nishihama Beach in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, along the coast of Shonan Bay. An overcast evening set the stage for a long exposure, smoothing the water’s surface while perfectly aligning with the setting sun.
Golden Hour
A visit to Katase-Nishihama Beach in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, off the coast of Shonan Bay, Japan, on an overcast day provided an opportunity to capture these silhouettes of visitors along the boardwalk. As the late afternoon sun broke through the clouds, it cast a bright spotlight on the calm waters of this cold winter day.
Good Luck Deities
Alongside the lively dance, Daikokuten—one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods—also made an appearance. A beloved deity of prosperity and good fortune, Daikokuten.
Geometric Tapestry
A cluster of modern office buildings in Tokyo, Japan, featuring sleek glass facades, geometric architectural patterns, and reflective surfaces. The mix of contemporary high-rises and traditional design elements highlights the dynamic urban landscape of the city's business district. Sunlight casts subtle reflections on the windows, enhancing the interplay of light and shadow in this dense metropolitan setting.
Zuishin-mon Gate
A visit to Enoshima Island, off the coast of Shonan Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, led me to a grand gate marking the entrance to a complex of Shinto shrines atop the island. Stone stairways, winding their way up through the lush hillside, were adorned with rows of chochin paper lanterns, set out in celebration of the New Year’s holidays.
Yaesu Central Tower
Opened in 2022, Yaesu Central Tower rises above Tokyo Station, which first welcomed travelers 108 years earlier in 1914. Its sleek steel and glass facade beautifully reflects the clear blue winter sky, serving as the centerpiece of the Tokyo Midtown Yaesu development project.
An N700A series of the Shinkansen bullet train departing from Tokyo Station, which first welcomed travelers 108 years earlier in 1914. On the western Yaesu side of the station, we can see the lower floors of gleaming steel and glass of the skyscrapers that grace the skyline.
Tokyo Station
Opened in 1914, Tokyo Station has preserved its elegant Neo-Baroque architecture and iconic red-brick facade, standing in striking contrast to the modern steel-and-glass skyscrapers of the Marunouchi district.