Hama Rikyu Onshi Teien Garden, Tokyo

Tokyo is as urban as any other major city, meaning open green space is at a premium. There's a lovely garden on the bay in the south part of the city, a nice break from the vertical jungle.

On the way to the garden, you can already feel the green influence. That's an elevated highway on the right, beautifully disguised.

If you're lucky enough to own a building next to the park, you get an amazing opportunity to get great pics of your place. Their brochures must sell lots of office space.

The shogunate used to hunt ducks around the ponds. Now the ducks get to hang out and watch the skyline grow.

Konnichiwa Japan!

The State Department encourages officers to take a big vacation once during their tour as a chance to visit family, re-charge the batteries and get out of their post country for awhile. We chose to head to Japan and the trip was fantastic. The destination was perfect: a new and interesting place for us, good weather and a sharp contrast to hectic India.

What did we do? A little old, a little new, a little serious, a little silly, Japan in a nutshell.

The classic: James in a yukata with Mt Fuji as a backdrop. The ridiculously photogenic Kinkaku-ji temple in Kyoto.

The sporting: We had to check out Japanese baseball and hung out like groupies outside a big sumo wrestling tournament. Hey, they cross the street just like you and me - how polite!

The food: The absurdly complicated feasts. And the absurdly detailed plastic food.

The flora: rocks or lush, there's unique beauty only found in Japan.

The unique locations: Red gates and fish markets.

The joy of traveling with family!:

Check back here daily during the next couple of months for more details of our romp through Japan.