Tokyo View from the Driver's Cabin of a Train

From Tokyo Station to Hamamatsucho Station, the Keihin-Tohoku Line.

Tokyo View from the Driver's Cabin of a Train [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 26th, 2012

Manneken Pis at Hamamatsucho Station, Tokyo

There is a statue of Manneken Pis at the platform of Hamamatsucho Station, Tokyo. The first ceramic statue was donated in 1952 in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Japan's first railway opening. Three years later, when the platform was renovated, the bronze statue you can now see was donated by the same person.

The statue was initially naked, but nowadays you can see it dressed up in different costumes every month. It is said that a girl put a woolen hat on its head on a cold winter day, and that this was the origin of the custom to dress up the statue of a boy.

Manneken Pis at Hamamatsucho Station, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 26th, 2012

Fireworks and the Tokyo Sky Tree at Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Sumida River Fireworks Festival, one of the 'Three Great Fireworks Festivals of Tokyo', is the oldest fireworks show in recorded history of Japan, which has been held since 1733. It was a small show with around 20 fireworks when it started, but nowadays over 20,000 fireworks are set off in the show and almost one million people enjoy the spectacle every year.

From this year, since the completion of the Tokyo Sky Tree, you can take in the gorgeous view of fireworks being set off beside the world's tallest TV tower in this show.

Fireworks and the Tokyo Sky Tree at Sumida River Fireworks Festival [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 28th, 2012

Walking Across the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo

The Rainbow Bridge is a suspension bridge which connects central Tokyo and Odaiba, a massive artificial island floating in the Tokyo Bay. It has two decks and carries three transportation lines: Metropolitan Expressway on the upper deck, and Tokyo Prefectural Road and Yurikamome, a fully automatic transit system, on the lower deck.

You can also cross the bridge on foot. This option is highly recommended for people who love strong winds and traffic noise. Even if you are not so crazy about them, you would be impressed by the panoramic view of the Tokyo Bay from the bridge. Note that I almost froze to death once when I crossed the bridge on a blowy frigid day in deep winter.

Walking Across the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 26th, 2012

Gundam Illumination Show at Odaiba, Tokyo

There are many hot spots in Odaiba, a massive artificial island floating in the Tokyo Bay. This 'full-length' Gundam is one of them. You can see it in front of Diver City Tokyo Plaza, a commercial complex which opened this spring.

The 18 meters tall Mobile Suit is lit up by the illumination shows that take place a few times a night. Looking up at the Gundam in the lights and the night sky above it, people may dream about a future in which numerous people live in space colonies.

Gundam Illumination Show at Odaiba, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 26th, 2012

Kochikame Statues at Kameari, Tokyo

Kochikame(*) is a long-running popular comedy manga and anime in Japan. The manga has been serialized since 1976 with over 1700 chapters. It is the longest-running manga series in history.

The story is set in Kameari, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. Around Kameari Station, you can find several bronze statues of Kankichi Ryotsu, or Ryo-san, the main character of the story, and a few other supporting characters.

*The formal title of Kochikame is 'Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen Mae Hashutsujo' which literally means 'This is the police box in front of Kameari Park in Katsushika Ward', but it is usually called by the shortened name.

Kochikame Statues at Kameari, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 24th, 2012

Katsushika Fireworks Festival 2012 at Shibamata, Tokyo

In Japan, fireworks are a feature of summer. Hundreds of fireworks shows take place all over Japan during summer and millions of people go see them.

Katsushika Fireworks Festival, held at Shibamata, Katsushika, marked the beginning of the shows of this summer in Tokyo. Over 10,000 colorful fireworks lit up the summer night sky and over a half million people enjoyed the spectacle.

The fireworks season has just begun. Numerous shows are following this. Folks living in Japan, don't miss them!

Katsushika Fireworks Festival 2012 at Shibamata, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 24th, 2012

Gorilla Park at Kawaguchi, Saitama

There is a small park named Gorilla Park under a highway near my place. There, a massive gorilla putting up a wrong clock is watching for kids riding around their bike.

Gorilla Park at Kawaguchi, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 23rd, 2012

Tommi Makinen's Subaru Impreza at a McDonald's?

Sometimes in Japan, you come across some flashy car like this one.

Tommi Makinen's Subaru Impreza at a McDonald's? [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jun. 25th, 2012

Japanese Bath System

This is not a cutting edge system, but useful enough.

Japanese Bath System [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 20th, 2012

Local Bon Odori Festival at Kawaguchi, Saitama

Bon, one of the Japanese Buddhist customs, is to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. Various festivities and observances take place in Japan during the Bon season, around July 15th.

Bon Odori is one of them, which literally means Bon Dance. It is said that its origin was a folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead. Nowadays thousands of Bon Odori Festivals, from small to large ones, are held in summer evenings all over Japan and people simply enjoy the dancing rather for the original meaning of the custom.

You will come across some Bon Odori Festival taking place at a small children's park or anywhere else for the matter. That is, if you live in a populated residential area in Japan.

Local Bon Odori Festival at Kawaguchi, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 19th, 2012

Polluted River in Kawaguchi, Saitama

River pollution has been decreasing significantly in Japan for these several decades. However, there are still some polluted rivers like this one floating near my place. It can't be said at all that this river is clean although the condition of it has got better than when I was a kid. We need to make more effort to depollute. Not only rivers but also the whole environment of the Earth.

Polluted River in Kawaguchi, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 13th, 2012

Tokyo Sweets Ningyo-Yaki

Ningyo-yaki, which literally means 'baked doll', is one of traditional Tokyo sweets. Those small baked cakes are formed into dolls and have red bean paste inside traditionally, but nowadays you can also find ones filled with chocolate or custard.

This video was taken at a ningyo-yaki shop at Nakamise Street in front of Sensoji Temple, Asakusa. You can watch how the cakes are made and get fresh cakes there.

Tokyo Sweets Ningyo-Yaki [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 9th, 2012

Local Mikoshi Festival at Kawaguchi, Saitama

Numerous matsuri, or Shinto festivals, take place during summer to autumn in Japan. Usually they are held at a Shinto shrine to welcome Shinto gods who are related to the community and ask them for prosperity and good harvests. Many of the festivals have mikoshi parades in which people march through a town with carrying mikoshi, or portable Shinto shrines.

The mikoshi festival was also held at a shrine near my place on the national holiday, Marine Day. People gathered and paraded ebulliently although it was a pretty hot and humid day.

Local Mikoshi Festival at Kawaguchi, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 16th, 2012

What the Hell are These Footprints?

I found these mysterious footprints near my place. What the hell are they for??

What the Hell are These Footprints? [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 6th, 2012

How to Make Umeshu, or Japanese Plum Wine

Ume is an oriental fruit tree similar to western plum and apricot. It blooms from late winter to early spring and bears edible fruits in late spring. Umeshu, or plum wine, is one of the most popular products made from ume fruits. It is a bit sweet and a bit sour light liquor with a clean finish. Many people love its taste. You can get it at a store, or make it by yourself.

It is not so difficult to make umeshu at your home. What you need for ingredients are ume fruits, liquor and sugar. They are all easily available at a supermarket here. Fortunately there is an ume tree in my small garden and I can make umeshu without paying a penny for the fruits. I enjoy homemade umeshu at a reasonable price every year. I have to wait to make it till early summer because my tree is late-blooming and late-bearing, but it is not a big deal.

Why not try some umeshu when you visit Japan, or make it at your home?


I would like to thank my friend Yuki for joining this video as a voice cast. Her clear narration made the video intelligible.

How to Make Umeshu, or Japanese Plum Wine [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S

Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo ~Bladder Cherry Market Day~

Sensoji Temple, located in Asakusa, is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tokyo. It is always crowded with numerous people, and the number of the people rise further when some festivity takes place.

Hozuki-ich, or Bladder Cherry Market, is one of the festivities. It is held on July 9th and 10th every year, related to "Day of 46,000 Blessings". It was said that worshiping on July 10th was equivalent to worshiping for 46,000 days and called "Day of 46,000 Blessings", but people wanted to become the first worshiper on that day and got to visit there the day ahead. In time, also July 9th came to be called "Day of 46,000 Blessings".

On those days, the temple bustles more than usual with the people who visit there to worship and get bladder cherries, summer fruits which were once used for medical herbs but are now mainly planted for decoration.

Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo ~Bladder Cherry Market Day~ [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 9th, 2012

The Tokyo Sky Tree Illumination

The Tokyo Sky Tree, the world's tallest TV tower at 634 meters, is illuminated from dusk to midnight by LED floodlights installed entire the tower. It shows two illumination patterns alternating daily: Iki, sky blue; Miyabi, purple.

Seeing the tower brightening across the Sumida River, you could feel calm while being in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

The Tokyo Sky Tree Illumination [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 9th, 2012

The Tokyo Tower Milky Way Illumination

By the completion of the Tokyo Sky Tree, the world's tallest TV tower at 634 meters tall, the Tokyo Tower ended its service as Tokyo's main TV tower. The 333 meters tall tower is no longer tall enough to cover all the broadcasting area for the capital filled with skyscrapers. It is now being operated as the backup tower of the Tokyo Sky Tree.

It is still a popular tourist attraction although it ceded the spotlight to the brand new tower. Personally, I think its look inspired by the Eiffel Tower is more gorgeous than the gangly new superstar.

An illumination show associated with Tanabata, a wont based on the Chinese myth about the star Vega, the star Altair and the Milky Way, takes place at the observation deck of the Tokyo Tower during Tanabata season every year. You can enjoy the glorious illumination that reminds you of the Milky Way.

When I visited there to see what the show was like, they were giving free admission to people who wore a yukata. Oh my goodness; I didn't know that! I should've worn a yukata!

The Tokyo Tower Milky Way Illumination [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 5th, 2012

Click below to learn more about Tanabata and the Chinese myth!
Tanabata, the Day of the Star Festival ~Zojoji Temple, Tokyo~

Tanabata Festival at Local Shopping Street, Kawaguchi, Saitama

Based on the Chinese myth about the star Vega and the star Altair separated by the Milky Way, a lot of festivities take place in some Asian countries around on July 7th. Here in Japan, the day is called 'Tanabata' and Tanabata Festivals are held here and there. People say that your wish will come true when you wish upon stars on that day. At the festivals, you can see decorations that remind you of the Milky Way and colorful paper strips on which people wrote their wishes.

A Tanabata Festival is held also at a local shopping street near my place every year. Despite the rainy season, a lot of people gather there, enjoy the festival and wish upon stars.

Tanabata Festival at Local Shopping Street, Kawaguchi, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 6th, 2012

Click below to learn more about the Chinese myth and Tanabata!
Tanabata, the Day of the Star Festival ~Zojoji Temple, Tokyo~

Tanabata, the Day of the Star Festival ~Zojoji Temple, Tokyo~

Once upon a time, in the sky, there was a princess and a prince. The princess was the star Vega, a daughter of the Sky Emperor, the prince was the star Altair. They fell in love with each other and were blissfully married. However, they got carried away by their happy marriage too much and became to neglect their jobs. This made the Sky Emperor angry and he separated the lovers across the Milky Way. But he felt sorry for his daughter and allowed them to meet on the seventh day of the seventh month every year.

This Chinese myth has many variations and the above is the most well-known version in Japan. In some Asian countries, people hold festivals and events based on the myth. Also here in Japan, a lot of festivals and events are held around on July 7th (based on the Gregorian calendar) or August 7th (based on the lunar calendar). The day is called 'Tanabata'. It is said that your wish will come true when you wish upon stars on Tanabata day. During this season, in towns, you can see colorful paper strips on which people wrote their wishes.

Also at Zojoji Temple, located at the foot of the Tokyo Tower, you can see the wish strips flowing in the breeze in Tanabata season. Unfortunately July 7th is in the rainy season and the weather is not often clear in Tokyo area, but people enjoy Tanabata and wish upon stars over clouds.

Tanabata, the Day of the Star Festival ~Zojoji Temple, Tokyo~ [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 5th, 2012

Click below to see what Tanabata Festival is like!
Tanabata Festival at Local Shopping Street, Kawaguchi, Saitama

Views from a Footbridge at Oji, Tokyo

A half century ago, Tokyo had one of the largest tram networks in the world, but as car traffic increased, people began to claim that trams were causing traffic jams. This made tram lines go out of service one after another and only one line survived.

Nowadays a lot of cities all over the world are starting to focus on tram system as the keystone of easing traffic jams and a transport system with clean energy. However, Tokyo can no longer return to 'the city of trams'. It is absolutely impossible to build tram tracks again in this massive city bustling 24 hours 7 days a week. What a shame!

The Toden Arakawa Line, the tram line that survived, goes through Oji Station located in North Tokyo. There, you can see trams running on the street among cars. There is a footbridge over the large crossing in front of the station. It is one of my favorite places to watch trams, trains, cars and people passing by.

Views from a Footbridge at Oji, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jun. 4th, 2012

Can an Android Be in Love?

The video below was taken several months ago. I forgot taking it and found it on my HDD today.

I came across a small exhibition titled; "Can an Android Be in Love?" when I was shopping at Shinjuku, Tokyo. It was taking place at a department store. The signboard was saying that "Geminoid F", the android in the showcase, was developed by a research team of Osaka University and ATR, an institute of telecommunications.

Holding an Android phone, She put various look on her face as girls in love do. Do you think that she really will be able to be in love with someone someday?

Can an Android Be in Love? [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Feb. 8th, 2012

Alleys in Ginza, an Upscale Area of Tokyo

If you would like to find something new about one of the most luxurious districts in the world, explore its alleys. Ginza is known as an upscale area of Tokyo, but is also an old town. The network like a massive spider's web made up by alleys in the town is a remnant from the old days, the period before the land readjustment project was implemented. Going down alleys between buildings, you would see another face of the glamorous town and find something old, but new for you.

Alleys in Ginza, an Upscale Area of Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jun. 14th, 2012

Sumo Wrestlers Getting on a Packed Train in Tokyo

You may occasionally see sumo wrestlers in a city during your stay in Japan. If you visit a district where a lot of sumo stables are, you can often see them strolling around.

Sumo Wrestlers Getting on a Packed Train in Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on May 23rd, 2012

Meerkat in the Middle of Tokyo

I came across a woman walking her meerkat at Harajuku, Tokyo. People who did not expected to meet this beastie in the middle of the capital were stopping by to look at it and took pictures of the adorable superstar.

Meerkat in the Middle of Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jun. 24th, 2012