This was taken at the famous Jigokudani Yaen Koen (Jigokudani Monkey Park) near Yudanaka in Japan. Generally known as “Snow Monkeys” they are wild and come down from the mountains to bathe in the hot springs during cold weather. They have absolutely no fear of people and being left food by the park keepers is another incentive for them to venture down from the mountains. They’re the only macaques in the world known to bathe in this way and are apparently the most northerly dwelling primates on the planet (other than humans of course) (EM120804)
Tags: Nagano Monkey Macaque Ape Primate M43 Olympus Japan Snow Monkeys Yudanaka Snow Monkeys Jigokudani Macaques Wildlife Nature Onsen Bathing Animal Animals Bath Hot Spring
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This was taken in the beautiful area of Kamikochi.
Tags: Trees Scenery Ricoh Leaves Japanese Fall Japan Kamikochi Mountains Autumn River Japanese Alps Landscape
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This is another old image which I decided to try in mono. A Maiko is an apprentice Geisha. Although it’s a largely ceremonial role these days it has considerable status attached to it. Becoming a Geisha requires a great deal of dedication. They leave their families at a very early age (sometimes 16) and aren’t allowed much contact with the outside world in the form of friends or technology. This photograph was taken at a tea ceremony in Kyoto which is a show put on for tourists. The Maiko performs a dance and does some singing as well as making tea for her guests. I like her enigmatic smile although that’s a phrase normally associated with a particular Italian lady (Geisha_Mono)
Tags: Smile Traditional Tradition Ceremony Tea Black & White Mono Ricoh GR Japan Kyoto Tea Ceremony Geisha Maiko Portrait Japanese Ricoh Dancing Singing
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The people of Japan have a real appreciation of aesthetics. Great care is taken in choosing the colour combinations in the presentation of food for example. This is an old photograph which I recently re-discovered taken in the ancient village of Takayama. It was fascinating to walk the streets and see how much thought had been put into the colours of the floral displays and to see how they complemented their surrounds. (R0000957A)
Tags: Japanese Display Japan Takayama Flowers Plants Aesthetic Colours Floral Displays Ricoh GR Ancient Village Ricoh Traditional Tradition
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This is actually a colour photograph but as it was taken prior to a typhoon there isn't a lot of colour.
Tags: tokyo japan sky tree tower skytree
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