WPC – Cherry On Top

It’s been a while since I joined in on the Weekly Photo Challenge, but I’ve been enjoying everyone else’s photos over the months. When I saw this week’s topic Cherry On Top, I thought of one thing:

Mount Fuji.

Besides the fact that it’s the symbol of Japan and a World Heritage Site, there’s something just so powerful and captivating about her. Fujisan is more often than not hidden behind clouds or a hazy sky, so any time you see her, you know it’s going to be a good day!

In spring, I went to the World Trade Centre observation deck for the first time as it’s known to be one of the best places to see Tokyo’s own symbol, Tokyo Tower. It had been raining earlier in the day, and I predicted the sunset was going to be a bit spectacular, as it often is after storm clouds have cleared.

My prediction was pretty on point! An amazing view of Tokyo Tower right there in front of us. A fiery sunset colouring the sky in reds, oranges and pinks. And the cherry on top, a perfectly clear view of Mt Fuji on the horizon.

 

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Half and Half

Last weekend, a friend and I went down to Jingu Stadium for the Tokyo Swallows vs. Yokohama Baystars game. It was my first time to an outdoor baseball park, so I was looking forward to seeing how different the atmosphere was compared to indoor stadiums.

Even though we got there around 5pm, the sun was still beating down on us something fierce! So many sweaty bodies in such close proximity – it was not cool. As the sun finally retreated over the horizon, a cool breeze gave us all some relief. Then, like a reward for putting up with the heat, we were treated to a beautiful sight. The sky flashed gorgeous shades of pink and purple for about 10 minutes before the night sky took over. It made for some interesting half and half images: a battle of the earth vs. the sky.

Were they photos of the sunset with a baseball game in the foreground? Or was the focus the park with a nice sunset in the background?

Thanks Ben at the Daily Post for the interesting theme this week.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Vivid

I’ve been living in my east-facing apartment for about 3 months now, and I’ve come to realise something a little depressing. It has happened about 3 or 4 times in the past couple of weeks, where I’ll be working on my computer in the kitchen or living room, and while taking a quick break I’ll open up Instagram on my iPhone. My eyes bulge as scroll down and see about 10 of my Instagram friends who also live in Tokyo posting pictures of an epic sunset which is happening right at that moment. So I drop everything and rush outside to check it out with my own eyes. How sad is it that I need technology to tell me what’s going on right outside my window! Other times, I’ve overheard people down on the street below actually exclaiming how pretty the sky is which has also given me the same reaction. Maybe I should start going for a run at 7pm just to make sure I don’t miss any more!

Brilliant sunsets tend to happen mostly in spring and autumn in Japan. Thankfully, there have been occasions in the past where I was in the right place at the right time. Watching the sky changing colours multiple times and seeing that last glow of sunlight is an experience unlike any other. It makes time slow down, it’s calming, it’s inspiring!

I chose 2 photos that show my interpretation of Vivid for this week’s Photo Challenge. The first was taken from an overpass near my home when I lived in Nagoya, and the second from my current workplace here in Tokyo.