Hidden Sea Garden

On the small lane that runs between the train tracks and a main thoroughfare is a little old house. Squished now between a high rise on one side and a four-story apartment building on the other, this little garden walk leads to one of the few older homes left in the area. The variety of succulents, annuals, and perennials mixed with little statues, seashells, corals, and other garden knick-knacks collected over a lifetime means there is always something new to see.

Pots of Gold

I spotted this little collection of potted marigolds under the train tracks near a favorite free bike parking lot (a rarity in itself) here in Tokyo. Surrounded by cement, tarmac, cars, and gravel these little blooms absolutely lit up the space even without the late afternoon sun. Someone not only potted them up and carefully arranged them, but also put up the cones and barriers to protect them from enthusiastic pedestrians making their way to the nearby restaurants and shops. These little spots that create these unexpected moments are one of my favorite things about living in Japan.