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

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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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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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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The Tokyo Sky Tree Illumination for Christmas

The Tokyo Sky Tree Illumination for Christmas

As the first Christmas event since the Tokyo Skytree completed, the world's tallest TV tower is being illuminated in different colors from usual. Five illumination types are prepared and they change depending on the hour and the day. You can enjoy the special spectacle of lights from the sunset to 11 pm until Christmas. On every weekend, you can see the 1995 LED footlights changing their colors at 8 pm and 9 pm.

Tokyo's new landmark lights up winter nights quietly and warmly.

The Tokyo Sky Tree Illumination for Christmas [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 7th, 2012

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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

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

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

Torigoe Matsuri - One of Mikoshi Festivals in Tokyo

Torigoe Matsuri is the annual festival of Torigoe Shinto Shrine held every June. The shrine is located near Asakusa area which is famous as a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. People parade around the town with carrying mikoshi, or portable Shinto shrines. This is the scene of Miyairi, which means 'Coming into the shrine', after the parades.

Torigoe Matsuri - One of Mikoshi Festivals in Tokyo

The Tokyo Sky Tree

The Tokyo Sky Tree, 634m high and the world's tallest TV tower, has been completed finally. The Tokyo Tower, built in 1958 and 333m high, is no longer tall enough to cover all the broadcasting area and a new 600-meter-class tower is needed for the city filled with skyscrapers.

The Tokyo Sky Tree [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Mar. 27th, 2012