横浜フォトウォーク

Yokohama looks nice. I've never been there, but the pictures look fantastic.

As for working and relaxing, I always try to keep a good balance between the two. Too much work burns you out. Too much relaxing, and you fall behind. I find that, like you, think walks help a great deal. They're like mini-relaxation moments, but my mind is still running while I get out and about. ^_^

Time to relax, right now plenty... will be much less in a few months though, so i cherish the time i got now hehe.
Nice pictures once again, i like architecture lights.
Those pics always make me want to go to Japan more and more *sigh* you know how to tease Japan fans. ><

My camera died by the time I got to Akarenga in the one-day Yokohama trip last month.

It's not easy to find time to relax over here; ask a Hongkonger and s/he will tell you about the uneven balance between work and free time. The only time to relax is either the short few hours every night (some don't even have any), or the weekend definitely. I always visit some of the shops I know well and have a chat with the shopkeepers to catch up with things.

LOL When I looked at the pics I thought you were somewhere in Europe!

I do a lot of thinking whenever I'm commuting to school or when I'm going home from school. I usually think about my life (past, present, future), the things that make the way I am now, the people I know and the world I'm living in. It makes me feel that I have the answers to the questions that people might ask me someday. I found out a lot of answers with my "self-thinking". Most of them are against people's moral values though but I'll just keep those to myself.

Those shots are great, considering no tripod! Yokohama looks comfy with all that red brick. You (and the collective community) convinced me to get a DSLR; but I need a tripod, too, or otherwise an IS lens…

It's been a while since I've felt "in the zone" for more than short and irregular bursts at a time. In terms of a long timespan, I've been having anxiety because the way I am spending my time does not feel right. I think I'm able to do things I think are right, by being highly selective but more through instinct than reasoning. I will do think walks. I listen to music most of the day but suppose I should think without music going, sometimes…

Indeed is very nice; also, the new Ultraman movie has been filmed there, so for an Ultrafan it's another reason to see Yokohama :-)
About the poll, no, I havent :-(

those photos are absolutely stunning...at approximately what time were those taken at?
nice post!

Well...I am living in Yokohama, so it is quite familiar to me! Akalenga is one of the good spot indeed...and good place for photos also

Man its beautiful!!! or is it the photos are such great shots..have not reached Yokohama b4, heard about the China town there only, now Akarenga is a must see if ever i drop by in Japan....

I went to Akarenga few weeks ago to watch the Yokohama Hanabi Taikai. Fantastic shots. Akarenga looks very nice in the night.
The 'zone' article was interesting. First time I heard about the term.
I never enjoy working in the weekends. I wonder if someday I would be able to enjoy it like you, Danny. :)

Those are very beautiful shots you've got there Danny... So how long does it take for you to get there from your office Danny?

Inspiring! Didn't know they are making a new Ultraman movie though - never been to an Ultraman movie site b4...

Great pictures, looks like a really relaxing place...

I don't think I'm working hard enough LOL Guess I need to start thinking when the suns up...

I do usually get plenty of time to do what I want as far as relaxation comes. Of course, I'm only in high school and I currently don't have a "real" job other than farm labor for my dad. I also am usually busy staying fit for cross country season, so that cuts into my relaxation time frame.

I love the photos! Looks like a beautiful area. I have plenty of time to relax always, school I try and finish work in class so I don't have homework and in holidays I make sure I get lots of sleep and I'll spend time not doing much so I can zone out and just chill. I don't work as of now.

I think thinking is important. Though for me personally I like it when I don't have time to think, or I have something to occupy my brain so I don't think too deep. I find I think too much and I get unhappy. Staying busy and controlling thoughts definitly helps alot. I tend to think alot when I'm doing other things anyway, rather than liking to take a walk to think or sit and think for a bit.

excellent article. thank you!

I really don't have much time to relax these days... My course is very research intensive making the internet and dusty books my best friends... I usually get 5 hours of sleep MAX everyday...

I like to think while I walk to and from school, a 10 minute walk feels like a second when you're in deep thought, and when I get on a ride I usually turn on my MP3 to listen to some music... Currently jamming with CLANNAD's OP song Megumeru (The game version), it keeps me calm...

And tnx for the pics Danny, they're quite relaxing!

I think Yokohama is far superior to Tokyo in sights, beauty and good times :3
I go there every chance I get on my days off. I only live about a 30min subway ride away. ^_^

aww i am too ashamed of my frivolous lifestyle! needless to say, i haven't gotten into the zone for quite some time, given that i spent most of my time now on anime or games while awaiting university to start. just curious though, you mentioned lifting weighs? given the startling variety of food in japan, how do you keep your weight in check?

i am asking this because i am looking to improve my exercise regiment, given that when university starts i probably wouldn't be able to afford the luxury of time.

As usual, great pictures. Akarenga looks wonderful (very antiquie) if thats a word.....
Looks very old school, and the lighting in your pictures build upon it. It reminds me of those films that is set in the 1920s, the whole lighting and atmosphere of that place just seems like it is 1920s USA. Maybe its just me.

Yeah, I always get into the zone as well when I go into coding frenzy. This is bad cause I have to even battle my way out to toilet or lunch. I only stop when I reach a milestone or hit a bug. lol

Awesome pictures Danny, did you bring your tripod out everytime now?
Someone need to invent a weightless and compact "full" tripod (not gorilla pod) (x_x)

I'm making sure that Yokohama will be in my places to visit.

nice daily schedule you have. for me, I think and relax at the same time. Be it on the bus, or when my hands are free. But nowadays, I sleep on the bus.. not sure if that is good or bad, but.. ^_^;; There's that "make use of time wisely" and "you rest to walk a further distance" thing. >_< My reason for sleeping is mainly: tired... T__T

These photos are very impressive. I think it was a good idea to shoot in twighlight rather than complete darkness, because the sky looks so much better! Have you tried cranking up the ISO for night shots? About 800 ISO is the highest most DSLRs will go before graininess sets in.

Wow... it looks so nice. Doesn't look like it would be all bustling like central Tokyo. Its nice. More serene me thinks.

I feel i don't get enough time to relax. I work monday through friday and i get home very tired. That's when i relax a little, then shower and watch my daily dose of anime. I get weekends off but if i'm broke then theres really nothing to do on weekends.

A night in Tokyo looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some other these places I want to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too cool!!!!!!!!

Hey Danny nice pictures and article. not exactly related but still nice. ^^ btw about taking night shots without a tripod, did you set the aperture and iso to max? I'm thinking since they look like they don't have any distortions you used the sigma on this? anyway about daily schedule. mine is currently erratic because of the baby. but usually day starts at 630am, breakfast with the misus by 730, then off to the head office. I usually stay there until 5 unless I have to go check on the branches. get home and try to build a gundam. dinner at 7pm and leave the rest for quality time with the family. ^^

This makes a surprisingly good ultra portable tripod like camera stabilizer that you can just keep in your pocket.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1041948/1_image_stabilizer_for_any_camera_lose_the_tripod/
One uses it by pulling up. But I do not think it would work well for long exposures.
Don't expect this to replace any real camera stabilizers.

I have currently unemployed and looking for work. My last job position was dissolved after working for the company for 11 years. So I have too much time to relax right now. When I am working full time, I still had enough time to relax. Once I started going to college part time on top of the full time job, I did not have enough time to relax. I will need to figure out a way to get relaxation time in once I get another job and start going back to college ^_^;;

Great photos! What EV were you using?

Have been to Yokohama, but not that much sight seeing. I've only been to Yokohama Arena (twice) for a concert of Ayumi Hamasaki, and been up to the top of the Landmark Tower. But I want to go their again, want to check out the area more and also china town there.

Nice photos! There is just something about shooting at night, which is one of the reasons why Collateral is one of my favorite movies, it is one the most beautifully shot movies. I think the first time I heard the slang "...in the zone.." was in the movie White Men Can't Jump. I wasn't completely sure what it meant when Woody Harrelson's character kept saying it. But after that, alot of sports broadcasters started using that term in general.

love the photos, that camera really is something. me, I have too much free time and sometimes it's a problem.

another good article Danny :) Its very nice of you to talk of your daily routine. I am programmer myself but I have troubles to go "in the zone", for a unknown reason I am easily distracted, cant concentrate. So after reading this post I will try to increase my concentration, your "working" post are quite the inspiring for me :)

I wish my schedual was that stable. Makes me wonder though what your wife does for a living Danny?

Looks much nicer than here. I wish I had a better camera to take nice pictures like that too...

Eerie pictures, looks different than the real place it seems!

You know, I have to visit Yokohama one day. I realized I never been there even though it's a must-see travel spot!

Wow Danny im once again amazed by your pictures.Cant believe they are shot on this planet.
Youve got there quite a tight schedule.My Life is really unorganized.The only thing thats regular is the time i work

Nice photos as always Danny. About the zone, i get into the zone wheter when times runs short, like 4 hours left on a java assignment and all i have is uml's or little functional code, or in the train on my way home after another neverending day at university. Another great place to enter the zone is right before sleep, it's amazaming how a person can solve a problem after lying in bed.

Nice Pictures Danny!!! You pretty much stay busy unlike me!!! You make me want to do more with my time as well!!! Keep up the goodwork.

Akarenga looks like a very interesting place. What types of shops are there? Seems like somewhere I could see myself often visiting.

Also once again, great pictures. I love how your walk photos have a very first person feel to them.

Nice pics Dannny!
I've been in Yokohama on my trip to Japan.
Loved the view from the top of that... something tower.
The ferris wheel reminded me of Hachimitsu to Clover... one of my favorite animes of all times.

Wow. None of the photos made it seem like you were walking in Japan. That definitely look relaxing with all the low buildings and open sky. It's probably a good place to walk around to relieve stress too ^^.

As for my schedule, for work days it goes something like this:
1. 7-10 am: wake up and get ready for school/work/whatever
2. 6-7 pm: come home and eat dinner
3. 8 pm: internet stuff- check my blog, see what's good on here, and browse random places
4. 9 pm: work on my weekly gunpla or write the review if i'm done.
5. 3-4 am: sleep ^_^;

I do many different things on my free days though and that's when I take the time to reflect upon myself and plan ahead.

Another awesome write up, Danny. Every time you write something I always finish reading it and feel like I've gained quite a bit from it. I need to get on a schedule like you are, urgently. I'm still in college and such, and at the moment I'm not in classes, but I will be later this month. Reading this article has made me want to try again to work at getting on a good schedule to help improve my life and make progress in it faster.

Thank you Danny, As always.

That first pic is awesome.

I do my thinking while on the train to work. Usually thing about what I'm going to do at work that day ^_^;;

When I get home, I usually turn the pc on, watch any anime that i'm following that came out, read a book, veg, fall asleep ...

On weekends, I work on building my stacks of Gundam models that have built up (from wanting so many, but only time to build 1 model every weekend ... as long as I remember to have painted the parts some nights before the weekend!)

Yokohama looks European with those buildings.
Is nice.

Hi Danny,
What camera do you use to take those photos? I also have a post of my schedule, it's quite boring though :P www.octwelve.com But it's about to change in the coming weeks! ^_^

I've been following your site in the past couple of months and it inspires me.

Those photos you took are breathtaking.

I admire that you have such visions in life. Past, present and future. I am still at University and have rarely thought far ahead. I do think back on my past from time to time but I don't think it's as constructive as the way you approach it.

The way I see it not everyone will end up with a fulfilling life. It's possible to be compelled to do without motive, passion or ability. Sometimes fear, self-awareness and absolute bad luck brings about unfortunate influences to the most crucial decisions in life. Even if one was to realize this in good time and the option to change is present, the decision doesn’t become any easier to make.

I do, however, feel a little encouraged by your words. Thanks.

Yokohama looks a nice. Beatifull panorama and moore photos.

Those photos are quiet amazing. Another place I need to see. There is just never enough time to play anymore

I find that I have a lot of free time, but that it doesn't end up being relaxing. Most time is spent on the computer reading, typing, browsing, working, etc, and I find that for me to relax I sort of just have to be laying on the couch or my bed, or reading a good book.

I love that pic where you said you can see the sky stretch out into the horizon. ^^ I love pics like those. And I agree, night shots are a pain w/o a tripod.

I've always thought of working on my own and having my own business. Still do up to now coz I can't figure out what business to run. heheh! I really abuse my ability to multitask just about anything. I check my email when I wake up, eat, watch an anime or two then commute to the office while listening to my podcasts. Since I tend to finish my tasks quite fast I read up on the news and stuff before or after (depends on the work). Most of my thinking happens before I go to sleep though as I tend to plan out my day right before I hit the sack. ^^

You take very good pictures Danny. Japan seems very wonderfull through the pics you take.
I usually end up spending more than three hours everyday in travelling to and fro from work. And work is about 9-10 hrs daily. So that doesn't leave much time to go out for me cause i get home quite late (around 9pm) at night everyday. i end up watching anime till 1-2 in the morning everyday.
thats the only way i could relax i think.

I remember there was a Snoopy exhibit and displays of 1950's American furniture back in Summer 2006

As usual, a lovely article with beautiful photographs! I love how you manage to capture the essence of each district.
Your schedule is quite inspirational, a good balance of work, fun and mental growth.
I do wish that my schedule could be more organised, as I feel I could prioritise more organisation in my schedule. Your list is certainly a good guidline ^-^
The 'zone' that you've mentioned is something that, I too, have experienced. I guess that most logical or creative careers would require this.
Do you have any tips as to how one would maintain this 'zone'? [I often tend to lose my muse from time to time, or find it hard to enter my zone T_T]

I like thinking, thinking rubbish is also thinking. Easy for the brain to rust when i'm on autopilot in the office or lab.

Joel on Software is a great site for those of us with Otaku jobs.

I had a nice day out in Yokohama, although China Town was way too cutesy for me (Panda Dim-Sum anyone?). There is a nice river by the end of China Town, but the town planners ruined it by building a freeway on top of it. I thought that was quite funny.

The Landmark Tower is also worth a visit. It's the only part of Yokohama where I saw fellow Westerners. I guess not many tourists venture very far outside of Tokyo's Yamanote line...

Do you have any pictures of Hokkaido ? (Have you been there ?) It seems really nice .

Nice pics danny. These pics give me a relaxing feeling and just make me want to get to japan even more. I've been studying japanese for a while now and soon will be taking classes at IU. Come to think of it this is my first comment even though I've been watching this site for a long time. n_n

I really liked those pics Danny, they came out really well. I really can't wait till I go to Japan after I finish my Uni course. My Schedule varies from day to day depending whether or not I have Uni or work. I usually wake up at about 7-9am then get ready for Uni/work. Then depending what day it is I finish around 4:30-6 in the evening, then I go home and try to get some of my assignments done. I don't feel that I get a lot of time to relax, but then again I procrastinate a bit at home. I gotta stop doing that ^^.

Danny : could you put your pics in your wallpaper section ? some are really beautifull.
it will be nice of you, because i hanven't done Yokohama by night during my stay and i regret it as i see these pics

Only been to Yokohama once, but never saw it like that. Definitely hitting it up at night again in the near future. Also, nice words about being in the zone. I also find having a very rhythmic pattern extremely helpful to being in the zone. Once you get out of that pattern (ie: summer time for students) it is hard to get back into any sort of productive mode.

Wow that's some place to visit, I remember reading in a travel magazine about Yokohama though.
I would really like to visit it someday. =D

Relax? Huh that word.. jeez I dunno lately. I find it tough to actually play a game these days (videogames are one of my hobbies) Just now I'm eating dinner, a burrito filled with two hot dogs, some cheese, and salsa to top it off.

Speaking of relaxation methods, I also practice in going back, and forth through memories to find a way to channel positive energy. As of late its been tough to actually go back to some, since a few things it has past actually hurt me.

I haven't been on a "thinking walk" for a long time. But I may give it a try when I have a chance.

I don't have a scheduled thinking walk that I go out and do. I've only randomly walked out the door by myself to explore nooks and crannies I haven't seen yet. I call these my exploring adventures (sometimes by foot or bike). Usually in this time though I let my mind drift through memories, thoughts, lessons, and future possibiilites. Does this still qualify as thinking with the brain? Or is it a recipe for a rotten morning?

what programming languages do you use XD?

I haven't relaxed in years

I hope to visit Yokohama one day! Soon I'll be living in Tokyo as a student so maybe on my days off I can go there!

And as far as relaxing goes... never enough time for it! I'm always in a rush, especially now that I'm trying to get all of my University applications completed!

Were you in Yokohama on the winter break? I saw two storm troopers walking in Yamashista Park. Here are my flickr pictures of them http://www.flickr.com/photos/how2what4/3150714350/sizes/l/

I voted no, I never get enough relaxation time, but then I love photo work so it's active rest.

Danny, these are some of your best images, (maybe I commented above, but I'm looking again.) holy cow, your little camera takes excellent night images.

That looks like a nice place to unwind your legs ^_^ Would love to visit there whenever im in Japan =3

haha yeah i do im on summer vacation before highschool starts again

wow, nice shots, Ive never been in japan before(im planning go, btw), but i have some friends in there, and the parents of one of them lives in Yokohama, she told me lots of things about the city, but an image tells more than 1000 words!!

Well relax....when i studied programming(back in the HS) I almost never gave me a break, i did all as soon as i could....as a result.....lots of errors....now Ive learn the lesson!

wonderful pics for a wonderful place,it brings back a lot of memories.
Thanks again!