Warming colors of winter in the Port of Kobe.

As the cold winter sets in, a little warmth can be found in the Port of Kobe with beautiful bright colors awash uplifting the soul.

Spring in Kyoto begins

A path leads the way to a Buddhist temple in Kyoto. As winter’s grip loosens the colors of life begin to bloom again lifting one’s spirits.

The smell of burnt incense is a reminder of being in a spiritual structure

A lone candle sits in a dark pot among the burned sticks of incense laying in the ash at a Buddhist temple in Kyoto. The smell of spirituality fills the prayer hall among the dark walls in meditation.

Railway line from Kyoto Station through Higashiyama leads towards Lake Biwa

A railway line from Kyoto station through the hills of Higashiyama leads towards the Lake Biwa area. The afternoon sunset brings spring color hues.

Spring Silhouette of Kyoto

During a brisk cold spring afternoon in Kyoto a tree fans out into the sky gathering warmth for its coming blossoms.

After a long day is finished, Umeda Osaka

A noisy intersection in Umeda Osaka is winding down late at night as people head home after a long day at the office.  From the noise of the railway bridge above to the yellow hue of the street lights casting shadows of the people waiting to cross is played out 6 days a week.

The Shinsekai area of Osaka

Streets of Osaka, the Shinsekai area.  This is known as the most run-down and dangerous area of Japan as it was heavily occupied by the Yakuza and crime was rampant.  It started out in 1912 as an amusement park and soon after the war, it started a downhill slide. These days it is still in dispair almost as it has been forgotten by Osaka itself.  The area hosts gaming halls for Shogi, Gomoku, and Mahjong inhabited mostly by the elderly poor.  It also hosts a large active transvestite community that can be seen wandering the covered arcades of karaoke bars   However, despite the rough image the food here is at a very good price and is as tasty as anywhere else in Japan so check it out for the out of the norm experience in Japan.  (Note: Japan is known for its very low crime rate and almost eat off the cleanliness of the streets).

Gaming Hall lost in time…

The Sankei Club (三桂クラブ大坂 新世界) in Shinsekai area of Osaka Japan.

The Sinsekai area (New World) can be called literally Shogi Town due to having many Shogi gaming halls within its borders from decades back.  The area still hosts gaming halls for Shogi mainly inhabited by the elderly though many young kids are taking up the game. In recent years Shogi has seen a spike with new young players as the game is thought to help improve young minds, especially with their grades.   Here is another busy night at the Sankei Club with almost all seats full.  The building itself is very old and almost unchanged in decor since its birth.  To play it costs 300 Yen per hour or 1000 Yen for over four hours or to stay all day and relax.