Sunny Day after Snowy Day, Shinjuku, Tokyo

After a snow storm had passed over, Tokyo was warmed by the sunshine. People returned to their usual life although public transportation was still being disrupted a bit. Every time a heavy snowfall hits the massive capital, transportation descends into chaos. People know the city is pretty vulnerable to snow and recognize the need for countermeasures. It is, however, also true that it is difficult to take measures with a large budget, against the visitant that comes only once in a few year.

Sunny Day after Snowy Day, Shinjuku, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jan. 15th, 2013

First Snow in Tokyo Area

Japan has a variety of climates. The areas of the mainland along the Sea of Japan are known as one of the snowiest regions on earth. On the other hand, it is, in the areas of the Pacific Ocean side of the island, usually so dry in winter that you don't often see snow. Many of cities in the areas, including Tokyo and several other large cities, are vulnerable to snow. The Japan Meteorological Agency announces that it is a heavy snowfall when the snow reaches 5 cm in central Tokyo.

We had our first snow of this winter in Tokyo area on January 14th. It was a heavy snowfall. While kids and dogs went outside and played delightedly, public transportation and cats stopped their activity. It was a national holiday as Coming-of-Age Day and not so many commuters were affected. However, a large number of new adults were deprived of their transportation to Coming-of-Age event.

First Snow in Tokyo Area, 2013 [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jan. 14th, 2013

Hatsumode, First Shrine Visit of New Year in Japan

For many Japanese, the first thing to do at the start of a year is hatsumode. People visit a Shinto shrine or a Buddhist temple and make a wish for the coming year. Some of them do that as soon as the year changes. If you would like to worship at a famous shrine or a temple, you have to get in a line for several hours at the mid-winter midnight.

Even at the small shrine near my place, every year, the precincts are filled with old and young and the line of worshippers continues to the street outside. Kids, who are always told to go to bed early, are also allowed to stay up on the day.

Hatsumode, First Shrine Visit of New Year in Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jan. 1st, 2013

The Bell of New Year's Eve in Japan (Joya no Kane)

It is said in Japanese Buddhism that human beings have 108 vices. To sever the ties of them, in Japan, temple bells are tolled 108 times at midnight on New Year's Eve. It is called 'joya no kane', which literally means 'the bell of New Year's Eve'. Although bells are basically tolled by monks, some temples allow common people to toll the bell by spells. In that case, the bell rings more than 108 times to make it possible for more people to join the event.

Shakujoji Temple, located in my city Kawaguchi, also holds a joya no kane event every year. Numerous people gather there on the last night of the year, to purify their spirits of evil thought and to pray for the coming year.

The Bell of New Year's Eve in Japan (Joya no Kane) [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S from Dec. 31st, 2012 to Jan. 1st, 2013