On the way to Monterey

Kyoto Station

Philosopher's Walk, Kyoto

Lake Anza, Tilden Park

Fireworks in Tsuchiura

Japanese Maple in San Mateo

The banks of the Kamogawa

Tokyo Subway Poster

Mochi

New York Skyline from Queens

Station Intersection in Harajuku

Ten Places for Morning Strolls Across Japan

1. Philosopher's Walk, Kyoto
2. Meiji-Jingu Shrine, Tokyo (early morning)
3. Toshogu Shrine, Nikko
4. Sagano Forest, Kyoto
5. Aoyama, Tokyo
7. Roppongi Hills, Tokyo (pre-opening)
8. Meiji-Dori, Harajuku, Tokyo
9. Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto
10. Jizo-lined Path along the Daiya River, Nikko

Ginza by night

Mochi in New York City

Billboard at Kamakura

Crissy Field

Family Crests at Himeji Castle

Best coffee in San Francisco

Kohi

Looking out from Treasure Island

Respite at the Todai-ji Temple Complex

Great book browsing tables can be found at...

1. Kepler's Books - Menlo Park
2. Elliott Bay Bookstore - Seattle
3. Harvard Bookstore - Cambridge
4. Green Apple Books - San Francisco
5. Politics and Prose - Washington, D.C.
6. Kinokuniya Bookstore - Japantown, San Francisco
7. Prairie Lights Bookstore - Iowa City
8. Black Oak Books - Berkeley
9. Skylight Books - Los Angeles
10. Cody's Books - Berkeley

Kramerbooks

Eleven Great Places for Coffee

1. Coffee Society - Cupertino, California
2. Daibo Coffee - Tokyo, Japan
3. Cafe Borrone - Menlo Park, California
4. Martha Brothers Coffee - San Francisco
5. Sweetwaters - Ann Arbor, Michigan
6. Blue Bottle Coffee - Hayes Valley, San Francisco
7. Basement of Elliott Bay Book Company - Seattle
8. Upstairs in the Prairie Lights Bookstore - Iowa City, Iowa
9. Caffe Strada - Berkeley, California
10. Peaberry's Coffee - Rockridge, Oakland, California
11. Ogawa Coffee - Kyoto, Japan

Bakejizo of Nikko

Market Street from Twin Peaks

Tuna in Tsukiji

Golden Gate from Above

Ten great local (Virginia, Maryland, D.C.) restaurants

1. Duangrat's - Thai - Falls Church
2. Rabieng - Thai - Falls Church
3. Gom Ba Woo - Korean - Annandale
4. Five Guys Burgers
5. Aji Nippon - Sushi - Bethesda
6. Bob's Noodle House - Taiwanese eats - Rockville
7. Vegetable Garden - Macrobiotic and vegan cuisine - Rockville
8. Vace Pizza - Bethesda
9. Amsterdam Falafel - Adams Morgan, D.C.
10. Cuban Corner - Rockville

DOB in NY

Peyroux and Wainwright (and Bush too)

We went to see Madeleine Peyroux perform this evening at the Lisner auditorium on the George Washington University campus. Martha Wainwright, who opened for Madeleine, was quite passionate. In the spirit of jazz, she sang a Cole Porter tune ("Allez-vous-en"). The highlight of the evening was when she belted out "B.M.F.A." from her latest album, Martha Wainwright, in dedication to our esteemed current President. It was very well received! Obviously a very left-leaning audience tonight... Madeleine's performance, however, was a bit disappointing and much less dynamic. Although she is a very talented artist, she did not deliver the best performance. We are looking forward to seeing Coldplay this Friday, who we hear are excellent performers!

Calder Fish

View from above

Ninnenzaka, Kyoto