Japan

Video: Setsubun-no-Hi at Naminoue, Shrine

Video: Setsubun-no-Hi at Naminoue, Shrine

Good morning and Happy Sunday everyone in Okinawa. This weeks video about the Setsubun Festival at Naminoue Shrine is up and live on Youtube. In order for me to have my own channel name on YouTube, "ShootLighterTV", I need at least 100 subscribers. Please help me out and  subscribe to see more of my videos, and help me reach this first channel goal. Hope everyone has a great day, and I hope you enjoy the video.

Sake Infused KitKat - why not, right?

Sake Infused KitKat - why not, right?

KitKat here in Japan is something of a cultural phenomenon. Not content to offer just a few varieties of chocolate, Nestlé in Japan has introduced over 200 flavors of the crunchy, chocolate pieces of sweet delight, according to Kit-Kat-Flavors.com (of course there's a website for this😊).  Flavors have ranged from simple things like banana, creme brûlée and green tea, to slightly out of the norm flavors such as soy sauce, wasabi and now sake flavor with 0.8% alcohol - why not, right. Then there are the flavors that are something of a mystery, like Kit Kat Mini Fujisan, as in the famous volcano mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji, or Kit Kat Convey Your Feeling, release. Umm, ok. So Nestlé Japan, we salute you and please just keep 'em coming. 

Photo of the Day - Mihama Seawall

Photo of the Day - Mihama Seawall

Hope everyone is doing well today. Today's photo was shot with my Fuji X-Pro1 and my 56mm f/1.2 (I still love my X-Pro1) of the seawall in Mihama behind American Village. This area is getting nicer every year since the Hilton Hotel opened a couple years back. 

Photo of the Day - Lanterns

Photo of the Day - Lanterns

Lanterns area one of my favorite things about Japan. They are everywhere and while they come in many styles and shapes most look similar to this one. Businesses, usually restaurants and bars use them to let customers know they are open. This one was located in a tourist area outside a souvenir shop. Hope everyone has a great day and thanks for stopping by today.

Photo of the Day - Close Quarters

Photo of the Day - Close Quarters

Okinawa is a small island, only about 70 miles long, and so space is always at a premium. I'm always impressed with how space, no matter how small is used to it's maximum potential. I took this photo this weekend, on one of the rare nice days we've had recently. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the small road to the right is only about 8-10 feet wide and ascends to what feels like an almost 90 degree angle upwards until it meets with the road pictured on the left. In the mindle are several houses, a 10 story apartment building, and a park with a walking path, a pond and a climbing/ play area for children. All of this in an area smaller the size of an American football field.

Photo of the Day - American Village

Photo of the Day - American Village

Happy Monday everyone. Today's photo was taken with my iPhone 6s Plus in American Village using the camera app 645 Pro, one of my favorites for iPhoneograhy. Hope everyone has a great day and thanks for stopping by today.

Photo of the Day - Hamahiga Village

Photo of the Day - Hamahiga Village

Hamahiga Island is one of the smaller islands off the mainland of Okinawa, right next to Ikei Island. This shot is from a small village that I love to walk through when I visit there.

Photo of the Day - Tsuken Island

Photo of the Day - Tsuken Island

Tsuken Island, also known as "carrot island" for it's shape is only about a 15 minute ferry ride from the main island of Okinawa. There's not much there really except farms and fisherman. In fact you can rent a bike and ride the island in a couple hours. This shot is from the port where the ferry drops you off. Hope everyone has a great day. Thanks for stopping by today.