Sunday, March 20, 2011

A New Journey


Hello everyone! How are you?

It's been quite awhile and I have been a lazy bum about starting a new photo blog. But on this lovely Sunday afternoon here in Tokyo, I decided that I wanted to start today. So here it is...photos from Tokyo, more specifically Shinjuku ward (or Shinuku-ku, as we say it in Japanese), a place I now call home.

I would also very much like to thank everyone who left comments on my other blogs or sent me an email directly, inquiring about my safety after the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan last week. I was overwhelmed by it all and I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping me and everyone in Japan in your thoughts and prayers.

The earthquake came as quite a shock, but it was nothing compared to the devastation of the tsunami that hit the eastern coast of Japan. Tokyo is, at the moment, doing fine. There's a lot of news about blackouts, radiation, and lack of products in stores...but even that doesn't seem like much when I think about the many many people who've lost their loved ones and homes in the tsunami.

This may be a really odd time to start a new blog...but I wanted to share with you the photos of Shinjuku because it's such a wonderful city filled with interesting people and places. And in this time of need, there have been so many acts of kindness everywhere, it has really warmed my heart. I hope you'll let me share these stories and join me on this journey though Shinjuku.

Much Love,
Kaori

39 comments:

  1. Good luck to you and the people of Japan. Your disaster has caused our government to take a look at how safe this country is with the nuclear reactors we have. Some are very old and the designs are flawed.

    The Madrid fault in the center of this country is a place that came to life one time and that earthquake killed a lot of people and it was in the center of the country. It also created a large lake called Reelfoot Lake.

    I lived in Sendai from the spring of 1953 (came down from Sapporo) to the summer of 1956 when I moved back to the states. I have a blog about it. Sendai-shi or www.mytravelsinjapan.com if you are interested.

    Good luck to you and this new blog. It started off perfectly.

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  2. Ganbade!!! I'm so glad your have a new blog. I stayed ai Shinjuku twice during summer when I was a child. I have lots fond memories of it :)

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  3. Dear Kaori, Good to hear from you and that you are safe. My thoughts and prayers have been and are in Japan. Good luck to your new blog and life, will be following your blog!

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  4. Kaori-san, konnichiwa! Genki desu ka? Ohisashiburi! I'm thrilled to see your new Shinjuku blog and to read that you are ok! I join the chorus of people from around the world with my thoughts and prayers for the people of Japan! My first days as an English teacher were spent at teacher training sessions at the Keio Plaza Hotel; I loved staying there thanks to Mombusho!
    God bless you and yours - genki de ne!

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  5. Dear Kaori,

    Im glad you are safe. Im praying for people affected by the quake.

    Congrats on your new blog! Good luck! :)

    Hugs,
    Dani

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  6. I am so glad you are okay. You and Olivier, the Frenchman in Kagoshima are the only people I "know" in Japan and I thought of you often. I just don't know what else to say I'm so sickened by what happened.

    This shot is gorgeous by the way.

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  7. Glad to hear that you are well & I will be following your new blog with interest. :)

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  8. Hi Kaori, welcome to your new blog :)* Take care of you !

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  9. Hello Kaori,I wish you all the best in your life.
    Regards.
    kostas

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  10. We are very happy that you are safe. Our hearts go out to Japan. Many of us are angry that our government hasn't done more to help. For example, here on the San Francisco Bay the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has some 40 ships equipped for just such emergencies, ready to sail on 48 hours notice. Yet PresiDEBT Nero fiddles in Rio while Japan needs help and the Middle East burns - and these ships are still at anchor. Some are equipped to distill water. Some are fitted out to generate power and send ashore. Some are designed to land heavy equipment ashore. President Bush sent this fleet to Indonesia immediately after the tsunami there. MARAD has more of these ships stationed up and down the west coast.

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  11. Congrats on the new blog! I like the look of it.

    The light on the train tracks is just amazing. A perfect shot for a new start. :)

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  12. yo! ^0^
    kaori chan, what a beautiful foto to start off your new blog.
    I hope the mood gets better in the weeks to come.
    Take care!

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  13. I am happy to hear from you and know that you are ok! I am so saddened by what has happened. Japan is in my thoughts daily.
    On the lighter side, I'm very glad to see that you've begun a new blog - you were missed! I think it's a perfect time too for many reasons - a document of the time and people and place. This shot is perfect for a new beginning and quite beautiful!

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  14. I am so glad to hear from you again. You have found a great picture to start your new blog. I hope things will go better soon there, keeps us posted. My best wishes for your blog!

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  15. It's great to hear from you, I'm glad you're safe. Welcome back to the wonderful world of blogging, I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences in the big city, and seeing your photos!

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  16. KAORIIIIII... yay!! You are ON TRACK! A fabulous first post for your new blog. And I so hope that all the survivors of the recent horrors, so profoundly affected, get the help and support they need from the international community to get their lives back on track too. I so look forward to your sharing here (although my commenting may be sporadic as my work commitments may leave me less time for blogging.) Big hug to you.

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  17. So glad to see you are back with a new blog Kaori! It's absolutely beautiful.

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  18. this is my first visit with you Kaori....an excellent blog opening! My thoughts also join in the world wide concern for Japan...such a devastating time of life...God bless you all!

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  19. I was so happy to hear from you, Kaori.

    You're very generous and it's quite appropriate to start a new photoblog. We'll follow along as the people of Japan rebuild, and find ways we can help along the way.

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  20. This is a great first photo for your blog. Good luck in Tokyo.

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  21. Hey Kaori
    Welcome back. You've been missed. I am so glad that you are safe. All the best to Japan.

    I am looking forward to my next visit and here's another place I could visit. I am looking forward to your posts.

    Take care, Ev

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  22. What an adventure ...

    Looking forward to your new work. May time and life continue to treat you all kind,leading you always to a safe and bright place.

    Please have a wonderful new week ahead.

    daily athens

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  23. So relieved to know you are well. Looking forward to this blog. Sending much love to Japan from Southern California. (The cherry blossoms are blooming here right now.)

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  24. Thank you all so much for the warm welcome back! I really missed you guys :-D

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  25. A difficult time for Japan right now. My friends in Tokyo tell me how strange it is without all the lights and stores closing early. Hopefully life will return to normal soon and the rebuilding can begin. looking forward to images from Shinjuku

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  26. It is my hope that Japan will survive these horrible catastrophes with much help from the world community. Your blog will definitely be a bright spot.

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  27. Good luck with the new blog. I hope you stay safe. My heart goes to the people of Japan.

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  28. First of all let me tell you my thoughts are with the Japanese people since day one, I can't imagine what is country is going through and I wish you all the best.
    Great shot to start this new adventure.

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  29. Good luck to you with the new blog! I hope it is a great journey!

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  30. I love this light on the rails shot.

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  31. Hi Kaori❤
    Congratulations on starting your NEW blog!!!
    (Sorry to be late!!!)

    I always love you and your photos!

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  32. oh man, are you kidding me? can't believe it took me this long to find this page.... I remember that sunset! it's somehow prettier in the photo. keep it up !! see ya soon:)

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  33. Glad we found you again. Hope your are safe and recovering from mother nature's wrath.

    Darryl and Ruth : )

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  34. i can't wait to see your photos of your new city Tokyo!

    i hope Japan is starting to recover from the tragic earthquake. Hang in there.

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  35. That's a nice photo of the sun reflecting on the rails. I hope you looked behind you to make sure nothing was coming.

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  36. What a wonderful story you wrote !!!
    It is realy a hard time for Japan and also teh people in The Netherlands think of you all. It is so sad to see the pictures from that teribble day .......
    I hope everything is going to be alright !!!

    I like the picture you made !
    I bet Tokio is a great place,ones I want to go there and see it with my own eyes.

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  37. This is a great photo...I'm very inspired to shoot at the railroad trax more!

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Thank you so much! Love it when you comment! xx