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