Author Archives: Jim Buell

Wise Man of Fuji

A Japanese proverb states, “He who climbs Mount Fuji once is a wise man, he who climbs it twice is a fool.” I now rest comfortably in the sweet spot of that proverb. I’ve done just enough climbing to be … Continue reading

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Pairs, disordered

Having grown up in the middle of a continent, I’m not very accustomed to boats. So the party I went to on a ship the other day was especially fun for me. Below are two pairs of pictures from that … Continue reading

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Sky Tree

The massive Sky Tree rises over everything in Tokyo’s Sumida ward. Actually, it rises over most things. At 634.0 metres (2,080 ft), the Sky Tree is the world’s tallest tower and the second tallest structure in the world behind Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. A Tōbu Isesaki … Continue reading

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Marvelous Mangosteen

I love trying fruits that I’ve barely even heard of before. My newest fruit is the purple mangosteen, a tropical fruit that can only be grown in consistently warm climates. Because of the climate required, mangosteens are rarely seen in … Continue reading

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Footprint of a Castle

A man inspects the remaining stone base of a castle that once stood in what is now the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo. The castle was completed in 1638, but burned down only 19 years later. This stone base is all … Continue reading

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Imperial Gardens

I visited the Imperial Gardens in central Tokyo on a rainy day last week. Despite the rain, people enjoyed the blooming flowers in the gardens. This building is a teahouse that can be used for traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. A … Continue reading

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Cherry Blossoms on Film

Cherry blossoms in Japan are as beautiful as they are fleeting. The flowers bloom in the spring for only a few short weeks before wind and rain steal them from the branches. It’s common for Japanese to celebrate the season … Continue reading

Posted in 東京、代々木、桜、花見、公園 | Leave a comment

Chiang Mai

Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai offered a more relaxed atmosphere than Bangkok, but it was still lively and full of attractions.  Though much smaller than Bangkok, the streets of Chiang Mai were still full of cars, tuk-tuks, and tons … Continue reading

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Exploring Bangkok

I explored the Thai capital of Bangkok for much of my ten-day trip. Here are some selected photos. A monk walks along a pathway in the Wat Arun temple in Bangkok. Matt Cartas writes a message on a roof tile … Continue reading

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Temple of the Dawn

In the wake of the nuclear disaster in Japan, I decided to leave the country for a time so I could feel a bit safer and evaluate the situation. Over the course of about 24 hours, I decided to leave, … Continue reading

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