While I enjoy the fact that Japan has four distinct seasons, I think summer will always be my favourite. While others grumble about the heat, I happily bask in the sun, listening to the cicadas sing, and sipping ice coffee in the shade. For me, summer means tank tops and trips to the beach; watermelon and sashimi. This summer, I got to enjoy lots of time off as I was in between contracts before starting a new job. I read lots, ate lots – and with the exception of travelling home to Northern Ireland, stayed pretty local, with a few day trips scattered here and there. Here are a few pics from my own summer. I hope you had a nice one too.
It was my birthday and so Mrs IKIMASHO got me a really thoughtful gift – a commissioned painting by the artist Erica Ward, remembering the coin laundry where we took our first photo together. 
Warmer evenings meant neon strolls. Shibuya by night… 
And by day. 
With the cicadas providing a symphony, we walked around the suburban backstreets. This rice shop caught our eye… 
As well as this quaint scene. Summer in Tokyo ❤️ 
A cute restaurant with cheap bentos 
Jumbo hydrangeas… 
And jumbo gyoza! 
This summer was the hottest I can remember. To cool down, we made our own smoothies, and treated ourselves to good ice cream. 
After arriving back from Northern Ireland, we were extremely jet lagged and so found ourselves in Tachikawa at 8am… 
For a random morning showing of Blade Runner Final Cut! It was bizarre and yet amazing to be eating popcorn at 9am surrounded by pensioners watching this movie. 
We took advantage of being in Tachikawa by visiting the enormous Showa Memorial Park – a National Park with bike trails that led us to this sunflower spot. 
🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻 
Summer vibes, walking with my father-in-law, and with my BMX. 
A day trip down to Manazuru, an extremely sleepy fishing town in Kanagawa. I think about 7,000 people live there and it felt very remote. 
It had a nice little bay with hills rising in the distance. Winters must feel a bit isolated here though, I imagine. 
Hidden corners in Manazuru 
With impromptu photo shoots 
Seafood lunches – one fried, one fresh. 
Back in Tokyo, there were greens… 
And pinks… 
And lots of colours in between. 
Have a great month ahead, everyone 🙂
IKIMASHO! 
Some tasty looking food and images of the houses and street scenes.
Thanks for the evocative excellent photos. And for that sunhat!