Autumn in Tokyo

Luckily I make it to Tokyo in time to see the trees changing colors.  Everyone said it was a warmer, wetter fall than usual, so it wasn't the best year for the leaves. It still looked great to me!

The ginkgo leaves are gorgeous.  We don't have any where we live in the US, so watching them change from emerald green to bright gold is a treat. 

Turning gold...

The change is starting!

  

We live near Icho Namiki (Ginkgo Avenue), one of our favorite leaf watching sites.  The leaves started falling before they completely changed colors, but it's still a gorgeous view.  The picture below was taken the first week of December.

Icho Namiki - a good place to walk the dogs, too.

We go to Rikugien for their special autumn event - they light up the garden at night.  What a fantastic idea!  It is beautiful. 

 

Most Japanese gardens incorporate water as an element.  It makes for some cool effects with the lights.

The lights cause a pretty reflection on the water - mirror symmetry!

Enjoying the night lights!

Just when you think you've seen enough, they do some special effects
with colored lights and fans.  Should have taken a video! 

Of course, the Japanese Maples turn vibrant colors, too.

This is my favorite shot though - I took it from our balcony.  The "fingers of God" light is coming through the clouds.  It helps to emphasize the quiet spot in the center of city.

This would make a nice postcard!

Thanksgiving is a little different this year!  First, the Japanese have a Thanksgiving holiday, which is Monday, the same week as the US holiday.  Business offices are closed, but that is about it - restaurants, stores, the post office - all are open.  I ask some Japanese what they do for Thanksgiving, and they say nothing.  They almost act like it is a "made-up" holiday, though they appreciate the three day weekend.  

Having Monday off means Steve has to work on the US holiday.  That's a little strange, because it's usually one of the few days he has to take off at home (because no one else is working that day)!  We're not big fans of turkey - we like it, but if we're going to spend hours in the kitchen we'd rather it be for something we really enjoy.  Usually we make a multi-course seafood feast. We're in the right place to do that, but we don't have any of our kitchen items yet, plus Steve has to go to the office.  When looking at the website of a recommended restaurant, we discover they are (coincidentally) having a multi-course winemakers dinner Thanksgiving night (the US one).  We decide that makes a good substitute!

The winemaker and her Japanese translator.

We're excited because the wines are from one of our favorite regions - the Italian Piedmont.  Steve somehow manages to be seated beside the winemaker during dinner, so he has fun reminiscing with her about our trip there.  We didn't stop by her winery on our previous vacation, so I guess that means we'll have to take another jaunt to Italy!  Can you fly direct from Tokyo....?

The kitchen and (some) of the wine behind us!

Just like in the US, they are very generous with the wine pours.  I find out that Japanese people want to talk politics with me after they've had a lot to drink - specifically regarding the US having only two political parties (how many does Japan have, anyway??).  I've had a bit of wine to drink myself, so I'm not sure my replies made much sense.  It's still a wonderful evening to celebrate how thankful we are for our many blessings!