My list of pro photo labs in Japan has been updated and moved to a new page:
http://photoguide.jp/txt/PhotoLabs_in_Japan

I found that quite a few pro labs have closed since the last time I updated the list (a few years ago). The list is much shorter now.

Over 18,000 images of Japan online. Here are the latest:

Tokyo Marathon 2008
Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle, Fukushima
Byakkotai, Aizu-Wakamatsu - Graves of samurai who committed seppuku
Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima
Shibata Castle, Niigata
Niigata city
Agano, Niigata
Zuiryuji Temple, Takaoka, Toyama
Sensoji Temple, Asakusa
Battledore Fair, Asakusa
Akihabara, Tokyo
Tokyo Anime Center
Gotokuji Temple, Setagaya, Tokyo
Hama-rikyu Gardens, Tokyo
Shiba-rikyu Gardens, Tokyo
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, Tokyo
Rikugien Garden in fall, Tokyo
Kameido Tenjin Chrysanthemums, Tokyo
Sengakuji Temple & Gishisai, Tokyo
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine and Yokozuna Rikishi Monument, Tokyo
Matsuo Basho, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Gokokuji Temple, Tokyo
Nihon Minkaen (Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum)
Komae, Tokyo
Robotics Expos 2007
Aoyama Cemetery, Tokyo
Ii Naosuke, Hikone
Indigo dyeing, Shiga
Kita-Biwako Steam Locomotive, Shiga
Egypt Pavilion, Shiga
Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine, Shiga

Videos:
Tokyo Marathon 2008
2007 International Robot Exhibition
Sotobori Canal Trains & Cherries
Lake Hyo ducks and whooping swans
Asakusa Hagoita Battledores
Asakusa Yabusame Horseback Archery
Robot boxing match
Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival 2007
Hikone Castle Moat Boat Ride
Taga Taisha Lantern Festival
Kita-Biwako Steam Locomotive train
Rowing Lake Biwa
Goshu Ondo dance
Hikone Castle Bell Time-Keeping Bell ringing

More videos…

A new book called “The Companies We Keep 2,” published in Hawaii by Bob Sigall, includes two of my pictures of the Sapporo Snow Festival.

The book is a compilation of many illustrated articles about various people, places, and companies in Hawaii. Lot of interesting tidbits and anecdotes about Jack Lord, Marilyn Monroe’s stopover in Hawaii, Ala Moana Shopping Center, local food and restauramts, etc., etc.

One article called “An Iolani Palace outside Hawaii??” is based on my photos of Iolani Palace (in Honolulu) made of snow at the Sapporo Snow Festival:
http://photoguide.jp/pix/displayimage.php?album=248&pos=14
http://photoguide.jp/pix/displayimage.php?album=248&pos=15

The article generously mentions me and my Web site.

The book author also appeared on a local TV talk show (with Andy Bumatai) on March 4, 2008 and showed my picture and mentioned my name. See video:

Book’s official site here:
http://www.companieswekeep.com/companies2_alt.html

Star Bulletin article here:
http://starbulletin.com/2007/12/30/business/story01.html

ISBN: 978-0972450416

Japan & Hawaii

I have finally started to write a series of photo essays and articles about these two places to which I’m deeply rooted.

Japan and Hawaii seem to have been made for each other–A match made in Heaven. I enjoy and relish the historical and current relationship and affinity between these two “forever friends.”

In 1881, King David Kalakaua visited Japan for 19 days and was befriended by Emperor Meiji. In 1885, Japanese immigrants began to arrive in Hawaii in large numbers. By 1924, over 200,000 Japanese immigrants came. Their descendants reached the highest levels of government and business.

From the 1970s, the second invasion of Japanese came in the form of tourists. Compared to local Japanese-Americans, these authentic Japanese at first looked, well, different.

Then since the 1990s, the hula has became very popular in Japan with both elderly and young women learning how to hula.

To those of us with roots in both Japan and Hawaii, these developments have been nothing short but astounding. With this continuing series of articles and photos, I shall celebrate and honor the Japan-Hawaii connection and my own heritage.

Hokule’a in Yokohama
Hokule’a Canoe Tour

Robert Walker Irwin-Hawaiian Minister to Japan
Ikaho Hawaiian Festival

Hula in Hawaii
Cazimeros in Japan
Making Yokaichi Giant Kite
Taga Taisha Lantern Festival
Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival 2007
Rowing Lake Biwa
Kyoto Gion Matsuri Yoiyama
T. Enami

More articles and photos related to the Japan-and-Hawaii connection will come later.

Also, during Sept. and Oct. 2007, parts of our site (especially NewsZONE and iStore) were not working due to server upgrades causing incompatibility. Sorry for the inconvenience. Everything is working now.

Ichiyo Sakura Matsuri Oiran Procession
Shibazakura Moss Pink, Chichibu
Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival
Hamura Tulip Festival, Tokyo
Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, Tokyo
Tenjin Matsuri, Osaka
Sanno Festival, Tokyo
Asakusa Yabusame
Meoto-Iwa Wedded Rocks, Mie
Arakawa Shizen Koen Park, Tokyo
Tonogayato Garden, Tokyo
Senzoku-ike Pond, Tokyo
Kiyosumi Teien Gardens, Tokyo
Fukagawa-Edo Museum, Tokyo
Shinagawa-juku, Tokyo
Ontakesan, Tokyo
Tokorozawa Aviation Museum, Saitama
Yokota Air Base Friendship Festival
Sugamo, Tokyo
Hie Shrine, Tokyo
Ikegami Honmonji Temple, Tokyo
Ryogoku, Tokyo
Shinagawa Jinja Shrine, Tokyo
Tamagawa Josui, Hamura, Tokyo
Gotanda, Tokyo

My latest images center on spring festivals, cherry blossoms, and Tokyo. My Photo Xplosion continues with over 14,000 photos of Japan now online. If you want to use any photos, Contact Us. Enjoy!

Tagata Shrine Honen Festival
Miyako Odori Cherry Dance, Kyoto
Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri, Inazawa, Aichi
Takayama Matsuri, Gifu
Sagicho Festival 1st day, Omi-Hachiman
Sagicho Festival 2nd day, Shiga
Horyuji temple, Nara
Oagata Shrine, Aichi
Imperial Palace/Edo Castle
Tokyo Station
National Diet of Japan
Shinjuku Eisa Matsuri, Tokyo
Rikugien Garden, Tokyo
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Tokyo
ICU, Mitaka
Inokashira Park, Mitaka
Dog’s tooth violet, Kiyose, Tokyo
Sotobori Moat, Tokyo
Sumida Park, Tokyo
Meguro River sakura, Tokyo
Shakujii Park, Tokyo
Higashi-Kurume, Tokyo
Takayama Jinya, Gifu
Takayama, Gifu
Mizutori Festival, Nara
Lake Suwa, Okaya, Nagano
Okaya, Nagano
Tabayama village, Yamanashi
Taketomi, Okinawa
Gala Yuzawa, Niigata
Soccer at Saitama Stadium
Shibuya Station, Tokyo
Kasai Rinkai Park, Tokyo
Tokyo Marathon 2007

Images from all 47 prefectures are now online, finally. Even with 14,000+ photos, it still barely scratches the surface. But it’s a start. I still have thousands more to put online and many more cities, towns, and villages to visit and photograph in the months and years to come.

Traveling around Japan is one thing, but sorting and putting all these images online is another. Certainly very time-consuming, but fun. It’s a personal and lifetime quest to learn more about Japan. And to share my accumulated knowledge, experience, and images with others at the same time.

Direct links to each prefecture’s images are now provided on the home page.

Have a bunch of video clips at YouTube:

Tagata Shrine Honen Festival
Taiko drummers at Tokyo Marathon
Hosenji Warrior monks
Omi-Hachiman Sagicho Festival
Sagicho Matsuri Climax
Nara Mizutori Torch Festival
Shinkansen at Tokyo Station
Yamanote Line at Tokyo Station
Takahata Fudoson Setsubun
Waterfalls in Hinohara, Tokyo
Mt. Hinode-yama, Tokyo

More videos here…

I’ve incorporated this new blog system for What’s New.

Previous What’s New entries prior to April 2007 have been transferred here. See the Archive links for past entries.

My Photo Xplosion continues
with over 11,000 photos of Japan now online.
If you want to use any photos, Contact
Us. Enjoy!

Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka
Shirakawa-go, Gifu
Okinawan Dances
Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Kanazawa Castle
Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa
Ainokura, Toyama
Toyama Castle
Hikone Castle Parade
JRA Ritto Racehorse Training Center
Ishida Mitsunari Birthplace
Sekigahara, Gifu

Nihonbashi Bridge, Tokyo
Minabe, Wakayama
Seto Ohashi Bridge
Okayama Prefecture
Hot Spring Hells, Beppu
Oita Prefecture
Miyazaki
city
Tottori Prefecture
Shimane Prefecture
Kumamoto Castle
Mt. Aso, Kumamoto
Kagawa Prefecture
Goshikinuma, Fukushima
Lake
Biwa Rowing Lesson
Gokasho Merchant Homes
Gokasho Museums
C. Itoh House, Toyosato
Omi-Hachiman Merchant Homes
Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman
Sumiyoshi
Shrine Fire Festival
Kinomoto Jizo-in, Shiga
Nagahama Station
Daitsuji Temple, Nagahama
Ryuo-cho,
Shiga
Gichuji temple, Otsu
Toriimoto,
Hikone
Japanese
Festivals

More images…

Over 5,000 photos of Japan are now online. This update centers on winter, castles, and fall colors.

Sapporo Snow Festival
1998 Nagano Winter Olympics
Katsube Shrine Fire Festival
Wakakusa-yama Burning
Toka Ebisu Festival
Himeji Castle
Inuyama Castle
Nijo Castle
Osaka Castle
Nagoya Castle
Kakegawa Castle
Karatsu Castle
Akashi Castle
Imabari Castle
Uwajima, Ehime
Kochi Castle
Matsuyama Castle
Fukuoka Castle
Kokura Castle
Ogaki Castle
Hirosaki Castle
Kiyosu Castle
Sunomata Ichiya Castle
Fukuyama Castle
Kameoka, Kyoto
Todaiji Temple
Okaya, Nagano
Suwa, Nagano
Hiroshima
Lake Yogo in winter
Lake Biwa Rowing Song
Omi Shrine

For a complete list of images, see PHOTOGUIDE.JP.