Japan 2007 - spring

In Osaka Castle park, two young ladies with matching small dogs in bike baskets

In Shinsaibashi, unfortunately the text on the sign - "Place That Touches Dogs" - didn't come out. Apparently a "dog cafe", where you can take your inu or play with the locals.

Daruma (Bodhidharma) is all over the place here. This set of paintings from a local school (displayed in the grocery store in my building) includes paintings of Daruma figurines.

attacked by a swarm of small nihonjin girls who decorate his hair, our hero nonetheless presses on.

folks out enjoying early cherry blossoms

dog on the bar at Mojo Bar, Shinsaibashi, Osaka, Japan

plum blossom in Osaka Castle Park

a lovely day, Osaka Castle (which is actually a museum built as a replica) in the background