Japan Photos 2025

[Majestic]

今川酢造 Imagawa Vinegar Mfg. (or vinegar brewery, distiller, maker, etc)

 

[johnnyG]

酢造

Sorry, I was unclear--by reading I meant how those were pronounced, in this case: すぞう

 

[Majestic]

Ahh... sorry about that (I thought the questions was too easy).
Google is telling me すづくり suzukuri.
But...in this case, I'm not sure. Feels like when its used in the name of a company, suzō might be better, but its not listed as an option.

酢造(すづくり)とは？ 意味や使い方 - コトバンク

精選版 日本国語大辞典 - 酢造の用語解説 - 酢造〈七十一番職人歌合〉〘 名詞 〙 酢をつくること。また、その職人。[初出の実例]「可二招居一輩者、鍛冶・鋳物師〈略〉商人・沽酒・酢造」(出典：庭訓往来（1394‐1428頃）)

kotobank.jp

 

[johnnyG]

すぞう

After some exploration/googling, my wife went with (thought best to use) what the company is using about itself.

すづくり is what I'd gotten via google, and I then asked her if that felt right. Which lead to her investigating, and then, seeing what they called themselves. Which is すぞう.

(sorry for the edits, but that's for clarity)

 

[johnnyG]

Today's diary. On first glance, just a normal shopfront:

But look more closely...

Two-tone:

Last year's flower?

And on edit, I'll add two more. This is a rare sign in Japan:

A van parked near there--note how the toyota emblem has been moved. (among other things)

 

[thomas]

Macaque, dog and deer skulls?

 

[johnnyG]

Macaque, dog and deer skulls?

I'll take you guys' word for it.

 

[Lothor]

Soba restaurant in Asakusa.

 

[thomas]

Looks nice!

 

[mdchachi]

Classic American car in Ginza

 

[mdchachi]

A little piece of real estate and structure from an era long gone by. Roppongi Tokyo.

What are the chances of this vintage security camera still working?

 

[mdchachi]

Lining up. Waiting for opening time at Cartier. This is a store I've never been in and probably never will go in.

 

[thomas]

@mdchachi and I met up in Ueno yesterday. The park was ready for hanami revellers, but the cherry blossoms weren't.



The few blooming sakura were besieged by crowds, foreign and domestic.

 

[mdchachi]

Turns out cherry blossoms aren't a requirement for a hanami party. Just friends, a tarp and alcohol are the minimum requirements.

 

[johnnyG]

Spring:

 

[mdchachi]

Somehow I never noticed this bizarre store before.

 

[thomas]

C'est très bizarre. Where is that?

 

[mdchachi]

C'est très bizarre. Where is that?

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[thomas]

 

[johnnyG]

The best shot (IMO) from a recent local exhibition. (unfortunately not a cherry blossom shot...!)

My strong preference is for this abstract kind of shot.

 

[mdchachi]

I think this is the first time I've ever seen a typical staffed establishment in Japan that doesn't accept cash. When I lived here I never felt comfortable with less than ¥20000 in my wallet. Now you can get by with plastic only. Even American Express.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Got a laugh yesterday at Best Buy. I paid cash to order my new PC in $20 bills. 3 or 4 workers came over to watch it being counted and then the money would not fit in their cash draw , LOL. They all commented "no one" ever paid cash now days.

 

[thomas]

Three years ago, my wife and I paid our two smartphones in 500-yen coins, about 600 pieces and quite a heavy load. The staff went out of their way to count and convert them into bills.

 

[mdchachi]

Three years ago, my wife and I paid our two smartphones in 500-yen coins, about 600 pieces and quite a heavy load. The staff went out of their way to count and convert them into bills.

いじわる

 

[juliajong]

@mdchachi and I met up in Ueno yesterday. The park was ready for hanami revellers, but the cherry blossoms weren't.

View attachment 125435

The few blooming sakura were besieged by crowds, foreign and domestic.

View attachment 125436 View attachment 125437
View attachment 125439 View attachment 125440

View attachment 125438

So amazing. That's my favourite period when the trees are blooming