Yokohama

I suppose I came to Japan in search of some cultural quintessence.  You would think to look in a place like Kyoto, where you can look around and spread your arms and breathe the air and sigh: this is Japan.  But I suppose, too, that culture can't be boxed into such narrow confines.  Even in an island like Japan, historical winds have swept in outside influences, recombining cultural elements in dramatic ways.  This is especially striking in Yokohama, a port city that's proud of its hybrid heritage.  I came across this lovely mural in the Marine Tower:

> Yokohama Photos

Yokohama also has one of the largest Chinatowns I've ever seen--and a sign with one of the strangest uses of capitalization!