Antwerp: Aug. 24, 2025

 

I visited Antwerp for the first time in nearly 30 years. This city is famous not only for its history and culture, but also for port, diamonds, and fashion industries. I saw both the changes and the unchanged aspects of the city in 30 years.

 

Antwerp is one of the world's largest diamond trading centers. The area around Antwerp Train Station is home to many diamond shops and trading offices. Not a few Jewish people are engaged in the business. I found some Jewish people wearing kippahs and traditional clothing.

 

Thirty years ago, diamond and jewelry stores were mostly located around the station. This time, there were more shops along De Keyser, the main street in front of the station. (see also the 2nd photo)

Despite a significant change of the global diamond market structure in the last three decades, Antwerp has maintained its position.

 

Meir Street, connecting the train station to the center of the old town, was neatly maintained. Today was Sunday, and many stores were closed.

 

A fashion district spread out in the area close to the old town. Antwerp is one of the world's fashion centers. In the 1980s, it produced famous designers such as the "Antwerp Six."

The “Momu” fashion museum is located in the center of the district, surrounded by many unique shops.

 

Antwerp remains historically and culturally rich. Many people gathered in the Grote Markt and enjoyed a summer beautiful day. (See also the top photo)

 

There were also many people around the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

 

The Rubens House, where Rubens had his workshop in the 17^th century, is currently under renovation. I visited the gardens and saw exhibitions. (See also the 3re photo)

Potsdam: Aug. 21, 2025

 

I visited Potsdam, an ancient city near Berlin. It's famous for Prussia's Frederick the Great and Sanssouci Palace, a Rococo masterpiece. 

It's also known as the site of the Potsdam Conference at the end of World war 2. Three leading countries, the U.S., U.K., and the Soviet Union, participated in the meeting and talked the plans of postwar peace.

 

Frederick the Great was an enlightened despot and the man who made Prussia a powerful nation. Sanssouci Palace was built in just two years, between 1745 and 1747, as the king's summer residence. The king himself participated in the construction.

Known as a representative example of Rococo architecture, its interior features asymmetrical curves and light, elegant expressions. Many works by the French painter Watteau are on display.

 

The palace's exterior is decorated with various sculptures. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

The gardens are beautiful. Terraced vineyards have been developed under the palace.(See also the top photo)

 

Frederick the Great was not only a skilled politician, diplomat, and military leader, but also a man of culture. After World War II, Andy Warhol painted a portrait of the king. 

The king is also known as a man who encouraged cultivating potatoes and developed the ceramics industry. I found his portrait in a KPM porcelain store in Brandenburg Street.

Potsdam was part of East Germany during the Cold War, and its development lagged behind. Development progressed after German reunification. The station building is converted into a large commercial facility.

Brandenburg Street was lined with neat shops.

The Cecilienhof Palace, where the Potsdam Conference was held, was under renovation and closes. I was unable to visit there. It was a pity.

Berlin: Aug. 20-22, 2025

 

 

I visited Berlin in Germany. This was my third visit there, after the visits in 1991 and 2007.

In 1991, just after the end of the Cold War, the Berlin wall still remained in many places. Trabants, cars produced in East Germany-made “Trabant” cars were still on the roads, and East Berlin's buildings were noticeably black with soot. 

In 2007, redevelopment of the city was progressing in many areas. Construction was underway in many places. However, old buildings still stood out in East Berlin.

This time, I was strongly impressed with the city's transformation. The city had been renovated, and modern buildings were lining the streets everywhere.

 

Many tourists were gathered at the Brandenburg Gate, the center of Berlin. There were drink stalls in front of the gate, and musicians were playing their performances. Embassies and cultural centers of countries such as the United States and France had been built nearby. (See also the top photo)

 

Unter den Linden street extends east from the gate. It was also better maintained than on my last visit. Tourists flocked to historical sites such as Humboldt University, the Historical Museum, and the Berlin Cathedral.

 

Berlin Central Station opened in 2006. This five-story building, with three above-ground floors and two below, houses numerous train and subway lines. The tracks intersect in a three-dimensional structure. The glass-walled buildings evoke the image of a future city seen in a movie. (See the 4th photo)

 

I saw skyscrapers in Potsdamer Platz, about 500 meters south of the Brandenburg Gate. 

Part of this area was formerly owned by Sony and other companies and the place was known as the Sony Center. Now, it is owned by investment funds and known as Das Center.

Near Potsdamer Platz is the home of the Berlin Philharmonic.

 

Remains of the Berlin Wall are scattered throughout the city. A 1.3-km long wall remains in the East Side Gallery in the eastern part of the city. Artists have created and exhibited various artworks on the wall. (see also the 2nd photo)

 

Many visitors gathered in front of the famous mural depicting a kiss between Soviet General Secretary Brezhnev and East German Chairman Honecker.

 

A few parts of the wall were displayed in Potsdamer Platz. (See also the 3rd photo)

 

During the Wall's existence, Checkpoint Charlie, managed by the US military, was one of the locations used to check the movement of people between East and West Berlin. Guardhouses and other structures remain to this day.

 

Berlin also has many Jewish memorials and museums related to World War II. Near the Brandenburg Gate, there is a monument commemorating the Jews murdered during that war.

 

The effects of the war between Ukraine and Russia were evident in various parts of the city. On Unter den Linden, photographs calling for support for Ukraine and criticism of Russia were on display.

 

A big Ukraine flag was displayed on the wall of the Wall Museum near Checkpoint Charlie.

 

Some people were calling for a support for Ukraine in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

 

A hot summer day in Shibuya: August 6, 2025

 

Japan has been in an extroadinary strong heat wave for the past few days. A record-high temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius was recorded yesterday (on August 5) in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture.

Today, a temperature of 41.4 degrees was recorded in Shizuoka City. In Tokyo, temperatures reached 37 degrees, exceeding body temperature.

Fewer people were out than usual, and many were using parasols.

At Shibuya's famous scramble crossing, many people were opening their parasols in white, pink and many other colors.

The buildings of Shibuya Station are currently under reconstruction. I found many construction cranes in the redevelopment sites.

Redevelopment projects are also underway at stations including Shinjuku in Tokyo.

Humans are not the only ones affected by the heat. Near an Odakyu Line station in Setagaya City, pigeons were hunkering down in the shade, trying to withstand the heat.

August 6 marks the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. A memorial ceremony was held in the area.

Last year, I visited the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima. Today, in Tokyo, I quietly put my hands together in prayer.