They do wonderful things with trees here. Each is treated with great care. Dead or injured needles are removed meticulously by hand and collected...none under the tree. They're stunning.
There are the different Geisha head ornaments. They change each month according to the flowers that are currently in bloom.
While the houses are small and without much land, almost everyone has potted flowers and small gardens where possible.
Trash day for the block. They bring small bags of non-recyclable trash to a central location for pickup.
The Maintenance Robot System.
We found out that each spring and fall there is a week where students make journeys to historic and religious locations. We were in Kyoto during that spring week and it was amazing to watch the students...quiet, studious, intense and many working on their own in small groups. They had study sheets with each location that they had to answer. Very impressive. Our students could learn much from them!
That looks familiar. There are vending machines everywhere selling ice cream and liquid refreshment from water through beer. Most have a recycling container right beside them. In Japan you don't go around eating and drinking, you usually eat at the source. There is NO litter anywhere. Probably the cleanest place we've ever been.
This name looks familiar too. It's a multifunctional store in Japan. You can pay your bills there, get yen at the ATM and still buy convenience food.
There are pastry and fancy dessert shops everywhere where you can either purchase and take with you or sit down and relax. Mouthwatering!
They also have stores with prepared foods in almost all the train stations as well as ingredients for a fast dinner when you get home. They all looked delicious! Their grocery stores look as inviting!
This request was everywhere...in all the transportation systems as well as buildings. They would text and email, but never talk on the phone in public.
This was fairly typical of the parking space for your car at your home--very tiny for tiny cars.
Or, if you're in town this one is on a turntable that raises to the garage above. When it comes down it is facing the back and turns around.
Or you can go this route...
or if you're at one of the larger stores they have parking either under or above the store...very occasionally beside it. This store had the parking spaced so you could walk between the parked cars in a walkway. Note: all cars are backed into the space, not pulled in forward. The white van must have been a visitor! They also drive on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right side of the car.
and all taxis have lace headrests and are immaculately clean!
Make it yourself tea at the Suishi Go Round. There is powdered tea and a small faucet plus things to add.
Speaking of faucets...this toilet has a sink in the top. When the toilet flushes the faucet runs so you can wash your hands. The water goes into the back of the toilet through a hole and acts as the flush water for the next use.
There is also a side panel that lets you choose whether you want a heated seat, a bidet or a spray of water. Pretty efficient.
Fish right off the boat is sold by this gentleman
These gardeners were trimming two trees that hung over the water. They had netting in the water to collect the branches and needles and then hauled them in when they were finished.
Origami cranes are everywhere...they symbolize good fortune and longevity. There is an interesting article on the legend of the crane at www.sos-walk.org/sos/crane.htm.
We found out that each spring and fall there is a week where students make journeys to historic and religious locations. We were in Kyoto during that spring week and it was amazing to watch the students...quiet, studious, intense and many working on their own in small groups. They had study sheets with each location that they had to answer. Very impressive. Our students could learn much from them!
That looks familiar. There are vending machines everywhere selling ice cream and liquid refreshment from water through beer. Most have a recycling container right beside them. In Japan you don't go around eating and drinking, you usually eat at the source. There is NO litter anywhere. Probably the cleanest place we've ever been.
This name looks familiar too. It's a multifunctional store in Japan. You can pay your bills there, get yen at the ATM and still buy convenience food.
There are pastry and fancy dessert shops everywhere where you can either purchase and take with you or sit down and relax. Mouthwatering!
They also have stores with prepared foods in almost all the train stations as well as ingredients for a fast dinner when you get home. They all looked delicious! Their grocery stores look as inviting!
This request was everywhere...in all the transportation systems as well as buildings. They would text and email, but never talk on the phone in public.
This was fairly typical of the parking space for your car at your home--very tiny for tiny cars.
Or, if you're in town this one is on a turntable that raises to the garage above. When it comes down it is facing the back and turns around.
Or you can go this route...
or this one where the yellow strip raises up to lock
your car in and releases when you pay the machine..
your car in and releases when you pay the machine..
or if you're at one of the larger stores they have parking either under or above the store...very occasionally beside it. This store had the parking spaced so you could walk between the parked cars in a walkway. Note: all cars are backed into the space, not pulled in forward. The white van must have been a visitor! They also drive on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right side of the car.
and all taxis have lace headrests and are immaculately clean!
A typical residential street..two very small cars
can get by each other if they're careful.
can get by each other if they're careful.
Make it yourself tea at the Suishi Go Round. There is powdered tea and a small faucet plus things to add.
Speaking of faucets...this toilet has a sink in the top. When the toilet flushes the faucet runs so you can wash your hands. The water goes into the back of the toilet through a hole and acts as the flush water for the next use.
There is also a side panel that lets you choose whether you want a heated seat, a bidet or a spray of water. Pretty efficient.
Fish right off the boat is sold by this gentleman
These gardeners were trimming two trees that hung over the water. They had netting in the water to collect the branches and needles and then hauled them in when they were finished.
These bamboo cages are protecting small tree seedlings.
When the yardmen come to Jill's to weed wack the lawn, one man has a screen so the cuttings don't fly all over the street and driveways.
The machine to purchase your train tickets or you can load a credit card type card with additional funds. These are then scanned at the entry booths.
At the Shinkansen station they have markers for each of the cars and you line up on the gray area. The trains are only in the station 2 minutes to unload and load passengers and when the whistle goes off, the doors close whether you're on or not.
At all temples and many historical areas you remove your shoes upon entry. These are the shelves where they are waiting for your return. No worry about them disappearing...there is basically no crime in Japan.
When the yardmen come to Jill's to weed wack the lawn, one man has a screen so the cuttings don't fly all over the street and driveways.
The machine to purchase your train tickets or you can load a credit card type card with additional funds. These are then scanned at the entry booths.
At the Shinkansen station they have markers for each of the cars and you line up on the gray area. The trains are only in the station 2 minutes to unload and load passengers and when the whistle goes off, the doors close whether you're on or not.
Sewer cover
At all temples and many historical areas you remove your shoes upon entry. These are the shelves where they are waiting for your return. No worry about them disappearing...there is basically no crime in Japan.
Umbrella stand at the entrance of a Museum. It rains alot here!
Liked this one!
That's enough. There were lots more. Some of the highlights of international travel!
