Photography

This was a year of destinations... it started last year (Nov-Dec 2014) when I was in Hokkaido for one month... many great memories. Recently I have been preparing my annual year-end summary of photos... not really a top ten, more like a favorite few. Befo...  

I first knew this place through my all time favorite Japanese movie "Love Letter" (1995), which features my all time favorite Japanese actress Miho Nakayama（中山美穂）and two famous actors Takashi Kashiwabara（柏原崇）and Etsushi Toyokawa（豊川悦司）. I saw the movie fiv...  

After some sushi, it's time to stop by Warehouse No.1 and visit the Otaru Beer Hall & Brewery for a nice cold Pilsner... One of my favorite actors was Ken Takakura (16-Feb-1931 to 10-Nov-2014). He passed away just prior to my photo shoot in Hokkaido l... 

Mr. Ken Takakura acted Chunichi Dragons' Manager（中日ドラゴンズ監督）. Every fan of Japanese baseball knew that the role is actually an impersonation of Mr. Senichi Hoshino（星野仙一）.

He won the Japan Academy Prize four times... and by 1976 he had already appeared in over 180 films... one of the greats. NPB can be very interesting... of course I am a big Giants fan... hard to believe that Yoshinobu Takahashi is the new manager... to me... 

His face certainly ages at a much lower speed than mine. (I'm only 2 years older than him). His look hasn't changed much in spite of all these hard playing years. I was a fan of Yokohama Taiyo Whales, and then Yokohama Baystars, and now DeNA Baystars of c... 

back when Mr. was the coach... and of course his time with the Yankees... it was such a class move when on July 28, 2013, Matsui signed a one-day contract with the New York Yankees, and formally retired as a member of the team... Casey

It's been a few years since I last vacationed there but definitely a winter wonderland to re-visit again. Fond memories of the people, food (king crabs) and the ice-cream! Cheers fernando

great sushi... Seems I visit Hokkaido every year recently ; ) Casey

I was here a couple of time last year and most likely I will make another visit in February 2016.. in Sapporo I have a preference as well ; ) Casey ...  

for those who follow Japanese professional baseball and know the history, Asahikawa is a special place. Victor Starffin（スタルヒン）, one of the most respected pitchers of all time, fled from Russia at the age of nine to Asahikawa with his family in 1925. He sp... 

that's incredible... and will not happen in baseball in the current format... I believe that the most US MLB wins in 2015 was 20... I will definitely stop by the Asahikawa Starffin Stadium ; ) Casey

Good way to " rewind " this year and to take new resolutions, my friend. After all, this is a transitional time of the year! Best, Nicolas

It's not really a best of, more of my picks for what ever reason... technical, some personal reason, what ever... but I will definitely limit the list to 10 photos maximum. I am hoping that others will do the same... don't have to be shared, but it's a go... 

I believe the red dot was a cross country skier... the photo was taken at Shobu Pond in Nakajima Park... just across the street from my rental apartment. The night exterior (actually around 5:00 PM) was from Rumoi, average snowfall for December is 126 cm ... 

.. i still have these amazing feelings watching your 'Japan' pics ... maybe i should reconsider my next travel-destination and come over to your place ... Bim

You would be most welcomed if/when you visit Japan... A "Triptych Conundrum" of opportunity, ability, passion ; ) I have a good friend who just submitted his entry to the LensCulture Exposure Awards 2015 and I am amazed by his presentations... I would som...