The new year is rapidly approaching. If you are in Tokyo and want to participate, head over to the 23rd annual countdown at Zojoji (増上寺) near Tokyo Tower. Zojoji is not a far walk from Hamamatsucho Station or Tamachi Station. You need to get there early to get a balloon. You can get your balloon number, then go out to dinner, and then come back closer to midnight.

Unlike many places in the world, Japan is rather subdued on New Year’s Eve. Most people sit home and watch the annual Kohaku Uta Gassen (紅白歌合戦 or Red and White Song Battle) which isn’t nearly as fun as the name suggests. In fact, most foreigners find it incredibly boring.

There are activities at other shrines and temples throughout Japan, but most Japanese wait until after the new year begins to go to these places. Other big celebrations (by Japanese standards for New Year’s Eve) in the Tokyo area include Kawasaki Daishi (川崎大師) south of Tokyo and, of course, Meiji Jingu or Meiji Shrine (明治神宮). The big countdown is really only at Zojoji though.

Posted on December 29th, 2010 under Japan. Tags: shogatsu, tokyo tower. Comments Off on Tokyo Countdown 2011

I took today’s photo of a Japanese man observing the construction of the Tokyo Sky Tree back in early May of 2010. I was near Ikebukuro, approaching home, after a long day of biking around Tokyo. Since then the Sky Tree has grown by more than 100 meters.

Posted on December 26th, 2010 under Japan. Tags: sky tree, Tokyo. Comments Off on Tokyo Sky Tree observation

Even though I live in the Pacific Northwest, a place known for rain, I don’t see nearly as many umbrellas in Oregon as one does in Japan. The day after a day of rain in Japan becomes a bit of an umbrella display festival. Everyone in Japan opens their umbrellas to air out in the humid conditions. The umbrellas can be seen hanging from balconies, front doors, and any other appropriate structure. It turns a typical Japanese street scene into one with ornaments, umbrella ornaments. It’s sort of like transforming the neighborhood into a giant Christmas tree.

Posted on December 23rd, 2010 under Japan. Tags: rain. Comments Off on The day after a rainy day in Japan

The Japan Railways Nikko Station is a pretty sight in the snow. Although I’ve been to Nikko several times, I’ve never actually used this station. Why? Because the Tobu Line to Nikko is so much less expensive from Tokyo.

This station was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, or at least that is what the tourist guides say. The station began operations in 1890, which is before Wright had done much and long before he was famous. Maybe the current structure isn’t the original or maybe there wasn’t a structure until later?

Posted on December 22nd, 2010 under Japan. Tags: buildings, nikko, snow, trains. Comments: 1

I’m not sure what the significance was of this character in an omikoshi procession, but he looked pretty cool in any event.

Posted on December 20th, 2010 under Japan. Tags: matsuri, tengu. Comments Off on Tengu