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.

New Year’s visits to shrines and temples: Jan. 1-5, 2024

 

 

The year of 2024 started.

Japan had a large earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture on the first day of the year.

Hundreds of people are estimated to lose ther lives; tens of thousands of people lost their houses; tens of communities are isolated as roads and communications lines are cut.

I visit several shrine and temples to make new year’s prays. I prayed for the safety of the victims and recovery of the disaster-hit people areas.

Meiji Jingu Shrine is one of the largest shrines in Tokyo. It is in an artificial forest. (see also the 2nd photo)

Millions of people visit there on January 1 every year.

There were fewer, but many people in the shrine on Jan. 5.

 

Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine is also a popular spot for new year’s visit.

They displayed works of calligraphy by elementary-school kids at the sides of the approach to the shrine.

 

Gotokuiji Temple is famous foe its lucky cats. (See also the top photo)

I found many foreign tourists there on Jan. 1.

 

People made a long queue at Setagaya Hachiman Shrine on Jan. 1. The queue continued outside of the shrine. (See also the 3rd photo)

 

I visited Rokusho Shrine in the evening.

There was a place to burn last year’s good-luck charms.

I burned several items with my gratitude for the safety in the last year.

 

 

Meiji Shrine: Sept. 17, 2023

Meiji Shrine is one of my frequent-visit places.

Some information on the shrine is described in other posts. (e.g. an article ofSept. 13, 2022)

 

The shrine was crowded with many visitors, especially foreign tourists.

We got in the shrine through an entrance gate.  (See also the top photo)

Then, we walked some 10 minutes before arriving at the main shrine buildings.

 

There are another gate standing just in front of the main buildings. 

 

Many visitors were writing their wishes on a small tablet called ema, and hang them on a special boards.

 

The visitors’ wishes were written not only in Japanese, but also in many foreign languages. (see also the 2nd photo)

 

 

Yoyogi Park: Sept. 17, 2023

 

It is the middle of September, but hot days still continue in Tokyo. The temperature goes up over 30 degrees almost every day.

I visited Yoyogi Park today.

It was Sunday and there were many people relaxing themselves.

Some were sitting at the side of a pond.

Other were on the chairs.

Some families were enjoying footballs.

Some enjoyed kick-boarding.

Others played drams.

I found there were many foreign people in the park.

The park provides mist shower services for the visitors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New-year visits to shrines: Jan 1-3, 2023

 

The year of 2023 began.

Tokyo is peace, but Ukraine and some other countries are in war.

I hope the situations will be better in the conflict-torn areas.

 

I visited shrines and temples to make my new-year prays.

Many people made a long queue at Yoyogi Hachiman in Shibuya City, in Tokyo. (See also the top photo)

Calligraphy of school kids were displayed at the sides of the approach.

Open-air stalls were open for the visitors.

 

I also visited Rokusho Shrine in Setagaya City. (See also the 2nd photo)

The left photo is a scene taken in the night.

I prayed not only for my good health and happiness but also for peace in Ukraine.

Street scenes and skyscrapers in Shibuya and Roppongi: March 12, 2022

 

The season is turning to spring in Tokyo.

The days are getting warmer and brighter.

The ume (Japanese apricot) blossom is over and other spring flowers began to open.

 

I walked in Shibuya. 

There was an open-air market in front of the UN University in Shibuya area.

I moved to Roppongi area in downtown Tokyo.

People enjoyed walks in a sunny day.

I found new skyscrapers under construction in Roppongi area. The project is organized by Mori Building Co. and plans to build three skyscrapers, including a 330-meter-high building. It will be the highest building in Japan when it is open in 2023.

The construction site is not far from the Tokyo Tower. The tower is 333 meter high. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

The landscape of Tokyo is changing drastically even when the economy is gloomy in the COVID-19 pandemic.

I looked at Roppongi area from the Aoyama cemetery. The Roppongi Hills and other skyscrapers, as well as the Tokyo Tower, were in the sight. (See also the top photo)

People pray for peace at Ukraine Embassy in Tokyo: Marche 12, 2022

  

More than two weeks have passes since the first day of Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Cities have been destroyed in Ukraine; many people have been killed; and millions of people have fled from the country.

I visited the Ukraine embassy in central Tokyo. It is a small embassy in a residential area.

Photos of the war were displayed on the walls. Yellow and blow flowers were placed on the table at the entrance. (See the top photo)

Several people were there. They prayed for peace and left messages in the message cards. So did I. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

I also visited the Russian embassy. It is a big facility.

There were several small groups protesting against the Russian invasion.

 

There are many policemen and police cars around the embassy. It was probably to prevent violent actions by demonstrators or political groups.

Large-size demonstrations were held on several days, including Feb. 26 and 27, in several areas in Tokyo.

It looks that many Japanese people are still overwhelmed with the large-scale war.