How to eat a hot dog in Japan:

Falling leaves and Christmas lights

Here's a little of what I've been up to since I got back to Japan:





Photos:

• Top left: I made a short trip to check out Kawasaki, just a few minutes away by train, and got to see some beautiful fall colors.
• Top right: This is my Christmas tree--it's the first one I've had in two years!
  
• Middle left: Last night I went to Roppongi Hills. Known as a rather up-scale shopping district in Tokyo as well as for the $10,000/month apartments in the neighboring high-rise, they also have a beautiful display of Christmas lights every year. This photo really doesn't do it justice. The trees on this particular street just sparkle at night, and last year was just as gorgeous. Quite possibly my favorite lights display in Tokyo.
  
• Middle right: In the same area, there's a really nice viewpoint where you can see the skyline and Tokyo Tower. I absolutely love coming here after dark--any time of the year.
  
• Bottom left: Just a few minutes walk from Roppongi Hills is the newly-opened Tokyo Midtown, another shopping/restaurant/art museum area and also a very nice place to visit. This is part of their Christmas lights display.
  
• Bottom right: As we walked back towards the subway station, I caught a glimpse of the moon through the trees.