Asian Games @ Equestrian Park: Sept 22, 2026

 

 

I visited the Equestrian Park in Setagaya City to watch the equestrian events of the Asian Games.

The 2026 Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026, the 20th games) are being held primarily in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City from September 19 to October 4. However, some events are taking place in other places. The equestrian competitions are held at the Equestrian Park in Tokyo.

The weather was clear and sunny today, following the passing of a typhoon. Japan had been struck by a typhoon on September 20 and 21, causing widespread flooding and fatalities in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures.

Originally, the cross-country phase of the eventing competition was scheduled for September 22. However, the plan was changed due to the typhoon's impact. Dressage and show jumping events were held instead.

Athletes—both human and horse—from about ten Asian countries and regions (including China, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, and Japan) participated in the competition. The national flags of the participating countries were displayed in the arena. (See also the top and 2nd photos)

 

More than 1,000 people, selected via a ticket lottery, visited the venue to cheer on the athletes.

Visitors also enjoyed walking around the venue grounds.

 

I also found an exhibition area for international exchange in the venue.

 

Naturally, security checks were conducted at the entrance.

However, the security presence felt less imposing compared to the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, and the atmosphere at the venue was relaxed.

This year's Asian Games hold 43 sports competitions and over 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions across Asia are expected to participate in.

 

Extremely hot days: July 10-25, 2026

  

Heatwaves and wildfires in Europe are making headlines of international news these days. Japan also has been experiencing an extraordinary hot weather since the beginning of July.

In Tokyo, temperatures have exceeded 30°C almost every day since July 8. From July 20 to 25, the temperature went up over 35°C for six consecutive days.

 

On many days in July, the sky over Tokyo was clear, and strong sunlight streamed down.

Japan recorded temperatures of 40°C or higher for five straight days between July 21 and 25.

 

To avoid heatstroke, I limit my daytime walks to very short periods.

The photos in this post were taken during walks between July 10 and 26. 

At Hanegi Park, the leaves of trees such as ginkgo is lush and green, creating a midsummer landscape.

 

The leaves of the tulip trees along the greenway are also deep green.

There were fewer people in the daytime than usual in the park, along the promenade, and near the station. (See also the top photo)

There are fewer cicadas chirping this year compared to usual.

Horse Show @ Baji Park: May 3, 2026

Japan is celebrating the “Golden Week” holidays from the end of April to the beginning of May.

A horse show was held at the Baji Park (Equestrian Park) in Setagaya City, Tokyo. Various events were planned.

Many families gathered at the venue, enjoying a relaxed time.

Various competitions, including show jumping and dressage, were held.

Numerous visitors watched the competitions.

I enjoyed the show jumping competition. The performance of horse and rider working together was magnificent.

The Japanese eventing team won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which has made the sport more popular than before.

The Baji Koen hosted the equestrian competitions for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. In September 2026, the equestrian events for the Asian Games will be held here.

Cherry blossom: March 27-29, 2026

 

The cherry blossoms in Tokyo reached full bloom this past weekend (Friday, March 27th - Sunday, March 29th). Many places were　crowded with people enjoying hanami or cherry blossom viewing.

I enjoyed the cherry blossoms along the walking pathways and in parks in Setagaya City.

 

On March 29th, families and groups of young people gathered at Hanegi Park, enjoying picnics under the blossoms.

The weather was fine, and the contrast between the bright blue sky and the pink cherry blossoms was striking. (see also the top and the 2nd photos)

 

Many cherry trees were also in bloom along the walking pathways.

Spring flowers such as rapeseed blossoms were also in bloom.

 

I saw children playing under the cherry trees in a small park.

This year, cherry blossoms started earlier than usual in many areas across Japan, including Tokyo. This is said to be due to the high temperatures in early spring.

Snow & election: Feb. 8, 2026

 

We have had heavy snowfall in northern Japan (Tohoku and Hokuriku regions) since early February. Tokyo also experienced snowfall yesterday and today.

I found the roads, roofs and school grounds covered with snow. The trees were lightly covered in snow at a walkingway in Setagaya City.

 

A small snowman, likely made by a child, had been placed on a tree stump.

 

The Lower House election was held on February 8th. Snow was piled up on the side of the road leading to the polling station.

Prime Minister Takaichi and her ruling party won the election in a landslide victory.

The election campaign featured little policy debate. Instead, the images of politicians as well as parties were contested. Takaichi looked to have succeeded in promoting the image of a strong leader.

As in the US and many European countries, signs of populism, inward-looking attitudes, right-wing shifts, and social media elections were evident, in my impression. 

Gotokuji Temple (Cat Temple) in early autumn: Oct 30, 2025

 

I walked in and around Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya City. I often visit the temple, but it had been a while since I had spent time strolling through the temple grounds.

 

As autumn approached in Tokyo, the leaves began to change color within the temple grounds. The trees surrounding the three-story pagoda were also gradually changing color. (See the 2nd photo)

 

Gotokuji Temple is now a popular tourist spot for foreign visitors. Today, there were far more foreign visitors than Japanese.

 

Gotokuji Temple is famous for its lucky cats, and some foreign tourists call it the “Cat Temple.” In one corner of the temple, there is a site to return lucky cat dolls purchased in the past. Thousands of lucky cats were places, and tourists were taking photos. (see also the top photo)

 

The shopping district near the temple was lined with many lucky cat-related shops. They sold lucky cat-shaped sweets and T-shirts with lucky cat illustrations.

 

A lucky cat statue stood in front of Odakyu Gotokuji Station.

Horse Show @ Equestrian Park: May 3-5, 2025

 

Japan had a Golden Week holiday season from the end of April to the beginning of May. I stayed in Tokyo and went to see the horse show at Baji (Equestrian) Park in Setagaya, western Tokyo.

 

The park was where the equestrian competitions for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games were held. Show jumping competitions, dressage competitions, dressage demonstrations, reprises, horse riding experiences for children, and other events were held over the three days from Many 3^rd to May 5^th.

 

Equestrianism has become more popular since Japan's eventing team won a bronze medal at last year's Paris Olympics. Many people visited the site to see the event, and on the final day, several thousand spectators gathered.

 

Top Japanese athletes, including an Olympic bronze medalist, participated in the jumping competitions. The audience cheered loudly at the impressive jumps.

 

The photo shows a rehearsal of the reprise by the Metropolitan Police Department's cavalry. It's surprising that some of them have been doing horse riding for only three years.

 

There were many stalls and kitchen cars at the venue. There were also many visitors with children. I enjoyed many aspects of the event.

Setagaya Line： April 30-May 1, 2025

 

The Setagaya Line is a short railway line with a total length of 5.0 km。The line runs through Setagaya City, western Tokyo. It mainly runs through residential areas and has 10 stations. The trains have only two-cars, that brings us nostalgic atmosphere.

The Setagaya Line will celebrate its 100th anniversary on May, 2025 since its fully open in 1925.

To mark the 100th anniversary, some trains are running with commemorative plates in this period. 

The most popular train is one with cat illustrations. There are also cat paw prints painted inside the train.

 

People were waiting for the train to pass in front of a small railroad crossing.

The average number of passengers per day is about 50,000. People use the line for commuting to work, school, shopping, etc.

The line is one of the most striking sights in Setagaya City.