Odds and ends

 This is the waterfall in Nanakita Park, where I frequently walk. I has been closed since the earthquake and tsunami but has been repaired and it is now open again which means that you can climb the stairs to the top and view much of the park. The water comes down the series of large steps on the left. Then it forms a stream that flows across the park, eventually entering the duck pond.

 This is the bridge between my apartment and Yaotome. They have put up some sort of hanging barrier on the area where they are going to work.

 This is on the opposite side from the above picture, to the left. I assume that what they are going to work on are the rectangular reinforced concrete blocks that are broken enough that the iron rods are showing.

 This is one of the big crime problems in Japan. People take bicycles and then just leave them whenever they are through with it. In a few days this will be gone as someone, the same criminal or another, takes it, probably to ride to the station.

 It is a bit hard to see but this picture shows two black and white, very large (3 inches) bugs. I am not sure what they were doing, but it probably should not be in a family blog. The cracks are reminders of the earthquake.

In areas around grade schools, you always find this containers with flags. These are greenish but they are usual yellow. The school kids are encouraged to pick one up and hold it high over their heads when they cross the roads. On some days teachers or PTA members stand at the intersections to remind the kids to wait for the lights and to use the flags.