Rakugo

This guy looks as if he belongs on a rakugo stage.

Crossing

I spotted this guy crossing the street before the suzume odori during the Aoba Matsuri.

Hand in Fan

I really wish I had not cut off the hand.

Another Mascot

A Date Masamune mascot at the Suzume Masturi.

The Suzume Mascot

Mascots are very popular in Japan right now with many companies, cities, and prefectures trying to capitalize on their popularity.

I guess this is the official sparrow of the dance.

That girl looks like she wants nothing to do with it.

The Rat Dance

I know about the history of the Sansa Dance from Morioka. The short version is that there was a demon terrorizing the town and the residents prayed to a god called Mistuishi, (Three Rocks). Mitsuishi caught the demon, forced him to imprint his hand on the rock (This is why Iwate (literally "boulder hand" is named) , and made him promise to go away. Then all the people broke out in dance to celebrate. A better description is here.

The Demon

One of the dancers wears a demon mask during the susume odori in downtown Sendai.

Sendai Aoba Matsuri: In Form

The Aoba Matsuri is held every May in downtown Sendai. Different companies and groups have "teams" that dance, sing, and play music while walking down the streets.

Mt Daito and Mt Taihaku

The first time I saw this scene last November, it looked a lot different in my head. The two mountains looked much bigger in relation to each other.

The sun was also right behind the mountains when it set. I did not stay for the whole sunset this time.

Jozenji Torii

I wish they would keep this up forever.

Miyagi Prefecture Office

Here's a parking tip - the prefecture office (宮城県庁) has parking for 100 yen an hour.

Setting Sun

Setting sun.

Lady of Jozenji

Normally I would pull some detail out of the shadows, but I think this makes her look more mysterious.

Parade Set Up

There was no way to get across Higashi Nibancho Street on the day of Hanyu's parade. Even the subways were blocked off.

I should have parked by Nishi Park.

The Set Up

It's the season for music making on the boardwalk of Jozenji Street.

The Woman and the Crow

I with there was better background contrast and the crow was facing me.

Want it Now

This is under the pedestrian bridge by Nishi Park.

De Stijl Koffie

The coolest coffee house I have never been to. I want to paint my house like this.

The Odd Sakura

I am not very fond of the shape of this type of sakura.

Front Bokeh

One technique you can use when shooting is to use objects in the foreground for frontal bokeh. Here I used the daisies in the front to add an extra dimension which I am not sure works here.