tree bark..

buddha rides elephant..

an unsual figure in a japanese temple..

sendai city...

morning yoga practice in a temple at the top of a hill..

shinto water cleansing.....

An old Japanese ritual...really was fascinating to watch!

night before the festival...

walked out of my house, to find laterns stung across the road and a big full moon ☆

sunrise...

after the fireworks...

700,000 people attended this fireworks, display, the biggest in Japan, and it was absolutely amazing, sadly i didn't take my big camera, due to rain....so no firework shots : (

a string of kids...

they looked so funny being led along on a rope, good way to walk en masse though!

camp fire..

on the beach

waiting..

for soba, in a traditional farmhouse, restaurant ; )

butterfly blending in with...

my bikes mudgaurd...

praying for...

ancestors at obon... most japanese return to their hometowns where all the family gathers for the holiday...

o'bon

making..

sour plums... the red really shone out in this pretty little garden..

morning practice...

yoga in the mist ★

vegetarian sushi...

aloe vera....delicious!

parched...

seaside fun...

with star fish and sea urchins...

yummm....

sprouted beans....aren't they cute!

on the way home..

from the sea.. i got to see their whole morning routine ; )

summer heat..

and cool, shady temples...

from the deep blue....

friends catch, it was so sparkly and pretty, like it had been decorated with mother of pearl...

global warming...

perhaps brought these....i've never seem them here before....?

starfish...

lots of them, on the beach, such pretty colours....

not the best day..

for a barbeque.....but i did, under the front door porch, and it was delicious ☆

at the top..

of mt. zao, after a long cycle, followed by a trip in two cable cars....i much prefer the winter version though!

spirals...

summer sweets...

the photo, just doesn't do it justice! it was delicious and cold too!

cherry picking.....

and eating, so big and red and sweet!

whosaprettyboythen

a purple ball...

of many teeny weeny flowers, to make one big one!

a grey office.....

brightened....with a display of beautiful roses, the whole area smells wonderful, a small selection from a garden boasting over 200 varieties of rose!

passion..

fruit...if you see them, eat them! absolutely delicious!

unusual colour..

for a rose..

beer snack....

very very small, about 2cm, salted fish on silken tofu...