Shinjuku Today

I went to Shinjuku to meet with a friend today. The station is of course the busiest train station in the whole Japan. Before the earthquake, it was very well lighted, but now, with Tokyo Electric Power Company's loss of nuclear power plants, everyone is helping with saving energy.

This is the South Entrance of JR Shinjuku Station - this is around 5:00 pm.

There also were several groups that were calling for donations for the victims of the disaster.

This is the advertisement of the newest Shinkansen service towards Tohoku region that commenced on March 5, but it is of course not operational since the earthquake (March 11).

Inside JR Shinjuku station - lights were dimmed.

Keio Line station.

Even lights of show windows were turned off.

Here is the high rises during during the day - could tell most of the lights were turned off.

Looking towards the same building at around 7:30 pm (different angle) - very dark.

Correction about Cherry Blossoms.

Today, when I took a walk in my neighborhood, found cherry blossoms. So, I am posting this to correct yesterday's post.

This is the first little tree I found today with flowers - right by the rail track of Inokashira Line by Sankaku Koen, by Inokashira Koen Station.

Nishi-En (West Garden) of Inokashira Park had many trees with flowers.

Nishi-En again. Some people were doing Hanami already.

This is in Inokashira Park. These are not cherry, but plum blossoms. These usually come before cherry. The big tree by the painter is a cherry tree - notice this is nowhere close from having flowers.

Today's Kichojoji

It is now eight days since the first earthquake that struck north east Japan. The situation in Kichijoji is becoming more normal - we have not yet have scheduled black out.

There were several groups that were asking for contributions for the victims of the disaster - this is right outside of JR Kichijoji Station.

Stores on SunRoad Shopping Street are almost back to normal - it was busy today.

Tsurukame Land Grocery store now has enough food and vegitables.

We still have gasoline shortage - these cars are lined up for it. Regular gasoline price today was 151 yen per liter (Approx. 7.09 USD per gallon). Many gas stations are letting each customer to have only 2,000 to 3,000 yen worth. This is on Inokashira-dori Street.

Nakamichi - another busy shopping street in Kichijoji.

A little park by Nakamichi - behind Kinokuniya grocery store.

Musashino Daisan Elementary School - empty on Saturday afternoon.

Dogwood flowers are pretty in Inokashira Koen - we are yet to have cherry blossom.

Earthquake, Tsunami, and a Possible Nuclear Disaster -

are some of the things we have been dealing with here in Japan since last Friday.

Stuff from my closet fell out right after the first quake.

The situation is very serious, especially up in Sendai area. As of today, almost 1,900 people are confirmed dead, 15,000 still missing and 450,000 people have been evacuated.

I am in Tokyo, some 400 km away from the original epicenter of 3/11 earthquake. Still, we've been having seismic intensities of up to 5. Public transportation was completely shut down on that day.

Many people had to walk home from work - this photo was taken around 10 pm of last Friday.

Even close from my home in Tokyo, some brick walls fell.

This is a shot of my TV on 13 March.

I have received so many messages from my friends around the globe - South Africa, Thailand, France, USA, China, Singapore, Philippines, UK, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, and Taiwan.

Luckily, my family and I are all safe. Your thoughts are sincerely appreciated.

Denver, CO

I spent the whole week in Denver, Colorado. It was not as cold as expected - almost no snow.

Here's a big blue bear at Colorado Convention Center.

Animal heads at Buckhorn Exchange restaurant.

Martin Luther King, Jr. display at Cherry Creek Mall.

Domo - Japanese restaurant.

Someone stuck shoes on a bridge by Commons Park.

Union Station.

Mountains seen somewhere between Denver and Seattle.