Images from Korea and Japan

[holdtheframe]

I recently took my M6 on a trip to Korea and Japan. Below are a couple of images from the series. If you'd like to see more, please visit the flickr albums. Korea photos are here. Japan photos are here. Please enjoy!

The first attached picture is of women who garden these large tumulis (burial mounds) within which Korea's ancient kings and royalty are buried.

The second photo attached is a woman who heats and delivers charcoal to nearby restaurants in Busan.

The third photos is of a group of soldiers who are on an outing and visiting the DMZ, the 4km strip of land that separates North Korea from South Korea, two nations who have remain at war since it started, over 59 years ago. At least the little boy is on duty.

 

[oftheherd]

Nice photos. I spent a total of 7 1/2 years in korea. It was different each time I was there. I did enjoy the markets, whether commercial like East Market (Tong Dae Mun), or the Shijangs (local food markets). Endless photo ops there. Kyongju was wonderful as well. So much history of the Shilla dynasty. Looks like you enjoyed your time there.

 

[holdtheframe]

Thanks for checking them out. My wife is from Korea so I'll be going back regularly. I especially loved the vibe of Busan.

 

[semilog]

I'm going to Japan for the first time in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately I'll have only about 4 days to roam (Osaka, Kyoto) as I'm traveling for business. Still tremendously excited, though.

 

[FrankS]

Magical place!

 

[holdtheframe]

Thanks for taking a look everyone. Here are some photos from the Japan album that I didn't get a chance to attach in the first post.

 

[holdtheframe]

Oops. I'm always forgetting to add captions.
The first photo is of rock and rollers in Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. They dress up and dance to Japanese rockabilly songs in front of the park. Very charming.

The second is all that is left of a fish after the morning rush at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo.

The last photo is of a woman who is handing out flyers for a maid cafe. Apparently a big thing in Tokyo there are cafes where all the waitresses dress as maids and serve you as if you were their master. In Akihabara of course. Apparently there are butler cafes as well...

 

[holdtheframe]

Re: captions.
Don't know why I can't link to my flickr page for these photos. It doesn't work for some reason. Sorry about this forum messiness.

 

[flip]

I'm going to Japan for the first time in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately I'll have only about 4 days to roam (Osaka, Kyoto) as I'm traveling for business. Still tremendously excited, though.

What days? There are festivals coming-up.... And light-ups at the temples. If street shooting is your thing, nightlife in Osaka (Shinsaibashi, Namba, Umeda) may be a good option. Kyoto buses in this weather are a unique form of torture. Bring dessicant and drink a lot of tea. The 17th in Gion (Kyoto) is a massive festival. 24th in Osaka Temmangu At least those were last year's dates.....

 

[semilog]

Yes, I'll be there for the 17th, and yes, street shooting is my thing.

 

[matt335]

Congratulations on your trip and photos

 

[oftheherd]

Thanks for checking them out. My wife is from Korea so I'll be going back regularly. I especially loved the vibe of Busan.

My wife of 33 years is also Korean. However I haven't been there in about 21 years. My wife has been back a couple of times. Neither of us is sure we would enjoy going back there unless we were in rural areas. It isn't the Korea we knew when we left. She watches Korean TV all the time, and sometimes I will watch it with her. It has changed!

 

[holdtheframe]

It sure has changed a lot. On this trip, we spent a fair amount of time outside of Seoul and was actually surprised by how much of Korea was still very rural.