People Playing Pokemon GO in Ueno Park, Tokyo

Pokemon GO, which is dominating the smartphone app market all over the world, has been available for a couple of weeks here in Japan. Although the fever right after its release is gone, millions of people are still getting carried away with the world-changing game. Ueno Park, located in the middle of Tokyo and famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms and lotuses, is now being taken over by Pokemon trainers. You would see tons of people looking into their smartphones there. It doesn’t even seem like they are bothered by the loud cicada-symphony which usually annoys people living in Japan the whole summer. Hopefully they don’t forget it’s the lotus season. Me? I got enough Magikarps to make a Gyarados and some Dratinies while enjoying the stunning views. Still a long way to Dragonite though.

People Playing Pokemon GO in Ueno Park, Tokyo [iPhone 6 Plus]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 6 Plus on Aug. 3rd and 4th, 2016

Sanja Matsuri, or Sanja Festival, in Asakusa, Tokyo

Sanja Matsuri, the annual festival of Asakusa Shrine, is one of the largest Shinto festivals held in Tokyo. 1.5 million people visit Asakusa district for the festival every year. The shrine is located right next to Senso-ji Temple, which is known as the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, as well as a popular tourists destination. During the festival days, you can see the precincts of the shrine and the temple filled with numerous food stalls and entertainment stalls. The best part of the festival is mikoshi, or portable Shinto shrines. Three great mikoshi from Asakusa Shrine and 100 mikoshi from surrounding shrines parade down the whole district. It is indeed a spectacle.

Sanja Matsuri, or Sanja Festival, in Asakusa, Tokyo [iPhone 6 Plus]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 6 Plus on May 17th, 2015

Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, in Tokyo 2015 [iPhone 6 Plus]

This is why I recommend tourists to visit Japan during spring. You can see glorious sakura, or cherry blossoms, here and there. Under the trees, people stroll, sing, eat, drink, lie down, and get intoxicated by their beauty. The flowers' lives are short, but that could make them more beautiful.

Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, in Tokyo 2015 [iPhone 6 Plus]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 6 Plus on Apr. 2nd and 3rd, 2015

Mikoshi at Tatara Festival 2014, Kawaguchi, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]

Mikoshi at the largest annual festival in my city, Tatara Matsuri.

Mikoshi at Tatara Festival 2014, Kawaguchi, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Aug. 3rd, 2014

Horse Making Okonomiyaki [iPhone 4S/HD]

Bumped into this horse guy making okonomiyaki at the largest annual festival in my city. The okonomiyaki tasted good.

Horse Making Okonomiyaki [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Aug. 2nd, 2014

Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, in Tokyo 2014

Every spring, when sakura, or cherry blossoms, start to bloom is of the greatest interest to residents in Japan. People eagerly wait for the sakura zensen, or the cherry blossom front, which refers to the advance of cherry blossoms across Japan from south to north, arriving in their towns.

This year, the sakura zensen made an arrival in Tokyo on March 25th. Although people had been busy having parties and strolling under the glorious trees for the past week, I noticed the petals starting to fall on April 1st. Their lives are indeed short. All the more reason, people get exceedingly intoxicated by their beauty. This is the most precious week of the year.

Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, in Tokyo 2014 [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Apr. 1st, 2014

Glimpses of Tokyo 2012 - 2013

Enjoy the two-minute virtual Tokyo tour!

Glimpses of Tokyo 2012 - 2013 [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S from Mar. 2012 to Apr. 2013

Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, in Tokyo 2013

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that sakura, or cherry blossoms, reached full bloom in the capital on March 22nd. It was around 10 days earlier than usual and the second earliest on record. Under the glorious blossoming trees, people stroll, sing, eat, drink, lie down and get intoxicated by their beauty, hoping to see the fugacious flowers next spring again.

Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, in Tokyo 2013 [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Mar. 26th, 2013

Kotatsu ~Japanese Heating Table~

Kotatsu, a low table with an electric heater underneath, is one of the typical Japanese heating devices. You cover it by a quilt and get your legs into it to get warmed. It is a kind of a heating devices for a very small space. It is a good idea to heat up a small space when you live in a Japanese wooden house. Japanese houses are usually designed to be drafty in order to make the life comfortable during the very humid summer. However, in winter, it is inefficient to heat up the whole house. It takes a lot of energy. Kotatsu is a reasonable solution to the problem. That is why we usually don't have a central heating system at home. (In the northern island Hokkaido, it is very common to have one)

On a cold winter day, once you are in it, I bet you would never like to move out of it. If tea, snacks or winter fruits and remotes were prepared on the table, it would be almost impossible to escape from the enchanted table till the winter ends.

Kotatsu ~Japanese Heating Table~ [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S

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

The Tokyo Sky Tree Christmas Special Illumination

From December 23rd to 25th, the Tokyo Skytree was illuminated in special colors for Christmas. People enjoyed the red illumination inspired by a candle and the green illumination which reminds you of a Christmas tree, on the first Christmas since the world's tallest TV tower completed.

The massive Christmas tree soaring in the huge capital brought people peace, calmness and happiness on the holy night.

The Tokyo Sky Tree Christmas Special Illumination [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 25th, 2012

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Christmas Illumination at Roppongi Hills and the Tokyo Tower

Keyakizaka Street, which is lined with keyaki trees, or Japanese zelkova trees, passes through Roppongi Hills, one of the luxurious areas in Tokyo. The trees along the street are gorgeously illuminated every Christmas season.

When you stand on the pedestrian bridge across the street on a winter evening, you can see the Tokyo Tower soaring and shining at the end of the glittering street. Even if you were busy preparing Christmas, you could not help stopping there to enjoy the brilliant scenery.

Christmas Illumination at Roppongi Hills and the Tokyo Tower [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 23rd, 2012

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Hagoita-Ichi (Japanese Battledore Fair) at Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo

Hagoita, or Japanese battledores, are a traditional new year's toy which has been popular among young girls. It used to be a common sight to see kids playing with them on a street during new year's days. It is, however, now becoming rare to come across the scenery in urban areas.

Hagoita also often serve as ornaments. At Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Hagoita Fair is held every December 17th to 19th. The precincts of Tokyo's oldest temple are filled with numerous stalls serving beautifully decorated hagoita. It is very enjoyable to search for your favorite one among their many varieties.

Hagoita-Ichi (Japanese Battledore Fair) at Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 19th, 2012

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Japanese Lucky Rake Fair with Many Stalls at Kawaguchi Shrine

From November to December, many 'lucky rake fairs' are held at shrines around Japan. People visit a fair to get a decorated bamboo rake, which, it is said, has a charm to gather luck. Tori-no-Ichi, that takes place at Otori Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo in November, is the most well-known rake fair.

There is also a large fair called Okame-Ichi in my city Kawaguchi. It is held at Kawaguchi Shrine, the guardian god of the city, every December 15th. The street, leading you from Kawaguchi Station to the shrine, is lined by 600 food stalls and entertainment stalls, while the precincts of the shrine are dominated by rake stalls. The area bustles with numerous people exploring stalls, buying a rake and worshiping at the shrine on the winter day.

Japanese Lucky Rake Fair with Many Stalls at Kawaguchi Shrine [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 15th, 2012

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Rainbow Colored Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo

If you would like a great view of the Rainbow Bridge during winter, visit Harumi Pier at dusk. Around the winter solstice, you can watch the sun setting on right side of the bridge across the Tokyo Bay from east to west.

The bridge, connecting central Tokyo and the massive artificial island Odaiba, is illuminated in rainbow colors in December and the first few days of new year. It is literally the Rainbow Bridge.

Rainbow Colored Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 12th, 2012

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Sensoji Temple Night View at Asakusa, Tokyo

Sensoji Temple, located in Asakusa, is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. It is also known as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tokyo, which is always crowded with numerous people. It is, however, not as bustling at night as in the daytime. You can quietly enjoy the view of the historical buildings being gloriously illuminated. Although the souvenir shops along the main approach of the temple are closed, it is worth considering to visit there at night.

Sensoji Temple Night View at Asakusa, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 7th, 2012

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Old Shopping Streets at the Foot of the Tokyo Sky Tree

The Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest TV tower at 634 meters, is located in an old residential area dominated by small houses and shops. It was designed to avoid tall buildings that would disturb radio waves passing through.

In the area, there are several local shopping streets. They had been declining for decades due to the flourishing of major supermarket chains and large shopping mall chains. They hoped that the opening of the tower would galvanize them with newly built tower's attraction. However, it was not all it was cracked up to be. The number of people who visited the shopping streets decreased rather than increased after the tower's opening. People chose to visit the Tokyo's new landmark and its surrounding facilities including a large shopping mall without stopping over the old streets.

It would be sad if nostalgic scenery like this would be completely replaced with uber-modern structures.

Old Shopping Streets at the Foot of the Tokyo Sky Tree [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 7th, 2012

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