Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Everyone is welcome to submit images so whether you live in Japan or have visited please drop in and share your best shots with the Flickr JapanSoc Group.  If you want to take a closer look at any of the photos click on them in the slide show and you will have the option to visit the image on FLickr, the photographer’s photo stream or any links associated with the image.

This group was started by members of JapanSoc.org who are part of an online community for those writing or reading about Japan on the web.  We are all working hard to create great content from and about Japan so that we can share it with others and I’m proud to be a part of the group. Feel free to join me there.

In his own words:

“This picture of Yokohama’s waterfront was taken from Landmark Tower. The tower has the fastest elevators in the world, reaching 12.5 meters/second as they carry tourists up to the observation deck. This was my first time in Yokohama- I was on a Christmas Eve date, which seems to be the only acceptable way to go out on the 24th. Whether we were on the train, strolling the pier, or waiting in line for the elevator, Yokohama was a sea of young couples. “

Read more about David’s adventures in Japan and see more great photos of Yokohama and his Christmas Eve date on his blog Shack in Japan.

This and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.

Put one on your desk and give it as a gift to those who love Japan.  The Nihon Sun 2009 Printable Japan Calendar will allow you and your friends to ponder a new image of Japan each month in 2009.

The download file includes two options, one for home printing which includes only the calendar images and one for professional printing which has the images centered on standard 5X7 photo paper and the copyright release that professional printers will require.  Both files include simple instructions on how to prepare the images for insertion into an empty CD case for presentation or you can simply use a binder clip to hang them on a bulletin board or wall.

Download The Nihon Sun 2009 Printable Japan Calendar Today!

Please click on the download option that is right for you:

HOME PRINTING (4.55 X 4.55 inch images – no background)

PROFESSIONAL PRINTING (4.55 X 4.55 inch images on a 5 X 7 inch white background)

Tell all of your friends about the free 2009 Printable Japan Calendar by sending them a link to this article (please do not forward the downloaded file) and peruse some other great images in the Japan Photo Gallery.

Copyright Notice

Images in The Nihon Sun 2009 Printable Japan Calendar are protected by copyright are intended for personal use only. None of the images may be used, reproduced or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or the use of any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the The Nihon Sun. To request such permission and for further inquiries about the images included in The Nihon Sun 2009 Japan Calendar please contact The Nihon Sun. An Authorization to Reproduce up to six (6) copies of each image is included in each download folder – please respect copyright laws.

In her own words:

“This shot was taken at Meiji Jingu in Tokyo on Nov 3rd 2008, the final day of the Autumn Festival. While watching a musical performance on a temporary stage at the crossroads, without any signal as far as I was aware, the Japanese people started to turn from the stage and look down the road toward the shrine. It seemed strangely rude behavior for the Japanese since the musicians were still playing and neither I nor the other gaijin (foreigners) noticing the change and peering in the same direction could see anything down the road.

After a minute or so the musicians, too, ceased and the whole crowd in front of the stage shifted their focus away from the stage, many leaving prime positions to line up along the road, and a mood of solemn expectation settled on the crowd. It was a good several minutes before these priests came into view and another few till they reached us and the crowd was completely silent all the while. As they neared the Japanese began to bow causing several gaijin to check themselves and lower their cameras until the Japanese themselves straightened and raised their own cameras.

At this point a group of large gaijin crowded in front of me to take shots and my view was blocked. Before I got my new beauty, this would have annoyed me no end but I just switched my camera to live-view and held it up over the shoulders of two of the rude men and watched through my viewfinder and snapped this shot – hooray for live-view!”

Photo details: Pentax K20D, Tamron 18-250 lens

You can find more of Danielle’s photography on her Flickr page and observations on life as an expat wife and aspiring writer in Japan at her blog Narrative Disorder.

This and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.

Japan is becoming more dependent on foreign foods sources.  As a result waistlines are expanding and the country is relying more on imported foods to feed it’s people.  Enjoy this interesting infographic on the food crisis in Japan from Jeansnow.net.

Some gals dream of becoming a princess and some Japanese girls aim to dress like one.  This video of one Japanese woman’s quest to dress like a princess needs to be seen to be believed.

Language lovers will ant to take some time to read through the top 60 Japanese words and phrases of 2008 from Pink Tentacle.

Budget Travel features photographer Jun Takagi’s photos of Tokyo.  I like this collection as it includes some street shots along with a few traditional sightseeing destinations.

Outside Japan:

Look for a Japanese izakaya in your neighborhood.  They are the Japanese version of the tapas bar and ares one of the latest food trends to hit the west coat.  Jaunted reviews Wann Izakaya in Seattle.

Mexico City is celebrating 31 year as a sister city with Nagoya, Japan with some great events.

A Japanese man is on a layover in the Mexico City Airport – he’s been there for almost two months and can’t explain why…

Image Credit: Personal Collection

The statues were carved between 1782 and 1825 and no two are alike. Some believe that if you visit the statues in the dark of night you will find only one that is warm to the touch and if you mark it and return the next day you will find the statue that most represents yourself.

My husband claims that this statue bears a resemblance to the Hunchback of Notre Dame – what do you think?

This and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection