Yoyogi Hanami 2009: Redux..

I have to admit to being just about over hanami this year, but what turned out to be a long wait for the fluffy little flowers, certainly exploded into fruition last weekend around Tokyo. There are always loads of people enjoying sunny days at Yoyogi, but this little celebration was something else..

The trees were finally in full bloom and practically every area within a frisbee throw of the white petals was both groundsheet covered and occupied..









It's well known that hardcore hanami enthusiasts arrive very early in the day (or even the night before) to secure their prime position, all this preparation can make one pretty tired as the day rolls on..





Nothing like a suit and tie (and theramin) to top off the hanami experience..







Milk Suzuki from the Tokyo Milk Babies was ready to rock..





And good old Spiderman was on hand to save the day..





Until next year..

The aliens have landed..

It's not at all uncommon to be strolling down centregai and run into some completely bizarre people, but sometimes you just have to wonder. This one is admittedly from the vaults, evidence being in the panda faces in the back, and those 'oh so' short shorts of summers past..

Park life: Art and music..

More randomness from Yoyogi park. As the sun begins to shine more brightly, the sights and sounds of creative spirits become more numerous. From catch bloke to horns in the and brass in the darkest corners, these are the days of your park! Thinking about it though, where was the piper? Maybe he was down....

Park life: Crow bloke..

Yet another addition to the group of Tokyoites that enjoy taking care of our animal friends in public places, but this time, one with a difference. Tucked into one of the more uninhabited corners of Yoyogi park last weekend, I found this guy feeding the crows. Crows are infamous in Tokyo, most notably during the early morning hours where they can be found tearing apart garbage bags in search of a meal, especially in more populated areas like Shibuya. Crow bloke obviously doesn't share the same kind of disdain that the rest of Tokyo feels towards these beligerant creatures, as he goes about his business, quietly feeding them in the relative anonymity of the fading light..

Flowerpot men..

That's who these guys reminded me of last week, the Bill and Ben of Yoyogi park. Lazing around the fountain, soaking up the attention and happily posing for photos with passers by, these two were certainly an interesting looking duo that fit in quite well with all the other extroverts that hang around the park..

Come out and (cos)play!

The cold Tokyo winter afternoons are no deterrent for these guys, then again the humid summer ones aren't either. One thing I can never understand though, is the way some of cosplayers hide in the darker corners of the famous Harajuku bridge and shy away from the cameras. Okay, so they're probably in need of some downtime but jeez.. they put loads of money and time into dressing up like all manner of monsters and freaks, then go out into a crowded public place in one of the most populated cities in the world just to get all coy when a lense is pointed at them?

Still, there are enough extroverts happy enough to strike a pose to make this place easily one of the more interesting spots to visit on a quiet Sunday afternoon in Tokyo..

Dog day afternoon..

These three mutts, being towed around the Tokyo Doken Festa looked to be enjoying all the attention that was being lavished upon them- almost as much as the grandpa-bloke that was doing the towing!

Halloween in Shibuya '08.. part 2

Some more pics from the crazy night that was Halloween. These ones were taken at parties at the Ruby Room and Coins Bar 300, and in the depths of the club/love hotel area off Dogenzaka. Needless to say. everyone was pretty crazy by this stage of the night..

Halloween in Shibuya '08..

I figure if they can start it a week early, I can post about it a week late! These pictures are from outside Shibuya station, where the costume hounds were (prancing and) posing for the many cameras. We were on the lookout for the Halloween train crew but couldn't seem to located them, though it apparently did happen, as documented by Ronin Dave..

Boys and their bikes.. 04

This fully decked out lookin bike dude was spotted on Dogenzaka on Monday night, not exactly the most obvious street to go for a ride, but a great place to be seen..

Crazy (young) Ojisan bloke..

Caught this fella at the park last weekend, yet another addition to the colorful collection of extroverts that head down there each weekend to get their fill of "look at me"!

Bubble bloke..

Someone once said a man should have a skill with his hands, and on Sunday I was wondering if this guy would get a pass. Bubble bloke occasionally entertains at festivals down at Yoyogi, creating massive bubbles by dragging soapy water laden thread through the air. The results are often quite amazing in a zen kind of way, with the bubbles drifting peacefully through the air until they unceremoniously come into contact with a tree, or maybe even an inquisitive child that just can't resist..