And still no snow

Snow shovels on offer at a do-it-yoursel-store.

Naked car

Doesn't this car look like it has lost its exterior paneling?

Who will buy all these?

Piles of end-of-the-year-gifts (oseibo) in a local supermarket

Christmas concert

Children listening to a concert at the soundproof parents-child-loge in the local concert hall. There is a loudspeaker system bringing the music inside, but if they get bored and make noise, nobody will be disturbed outside. Isn't that great? And for big events, there is also a free baby-sitting service provided by the concert hall. Very family-friendly!

Pole and pine

The home of the twins

House in my neighbourhood.

Garden gate

Wooden entrance gate to a japanese garden, with a nice snow protection method for the small bush an the left.

New lunchbox for my husband

"Stylish lunch is essential energy source for men

A well-designed, comfortable home environment

is increasingly in demand as the pressure of

modern life accelerate"

My car is my castle

Why do people have such a car? Because their house (see behind) is so tiny?

In their place, instead of spending that much money for the car, I should prefer to pay more rent for a nicer house.

Shiny house in a grey street.

Welcome to Wellness

The entrance of Hanamaki Onsen (hot spring bath) village in the late afternoon light.

Paper recycling

Recycling materials collection day, which takes place every two weeks. Glass, plastics and metal cans are collected as well - you have to bring everything to the collection place between 6 and 8 in the morning, where some local "supervisors" check that you don't throw a plastic bottle into the sack for the aluminium cans.

Waiting for snow

This pine tree has been solidly secured against the tons of snow usually falling here in winter. But for the moment, we are still waiting.

Relaxing on Sunday afternoon

These folks are relaxing after a bath in a hot spring (onsen) close to Kitakami. This onsen has also a large restaurant room with the same low tables, but on week-ends there are often so many people laying around sleeping along the tables that you won't find a place to have your lunch there.

Grab dredger attacking an innocent looking lovehotel in Sendai.

Oppressing presence

Small temple with really big neighbour (in Sendai).

In the haze

The center of Kitakami, seen from the top of a nearby hill.