Naritasan

This part of the shrine is actually pretty massive since I first spotted it while I was riding on the train when I was going to the airport back in December. I thought it would actually be a little bit bigger in person (not that I'm unimpressed or complaining).


I love you Sigma 17-70mm MACRO! Shoving you millimeters away from focus points is probably one of the coolest things ever.


There was a tiny little olive green bird fluttering amongs the trees when I took this picture. Can you spot it? If you can't, click the picture to open it up in a new browser to get an enlarged version. If you still can't spot it get your eyes checked :O.


The only other thing I could ask for is the weather to not be so murky and damp. I suppose I shouldn't complain though since it's not really an unmanageable inconvenience when I venture off exploring or attempt to take photos.

Kairakuen Blossoms

Starting this weekend until the end of March or so Kairakuen Park in Mito is open to the public as they have a pretty extravagant plum blossom festival taking place. It was the first time seeing any type of blossom as I wasn't in time for season when I arrived back in May of 2008.


Luckily the station was located on the same JR East line and I didn't even need to make any excessive transfers. I haven't ventured into Ibaraki before, as I really didn't know what was out there except for land. Two of my Japanese co-workers are from Ibaraki and they say there isn't anything really to see except for nature.


Even still, the nature is definitely worth seeing. Perhaps it's because they spend their entire lives growing up around this kind of thing so the sense of familiarity has grown upon them.


Can't wait until next month for all the sakura festivals that will be taking place. I think I'll be seeing as many as I can while I still have the opportunity.