石岡のおまつり Ishioka no Omatsuri 2018 - Ibaraki, Japan

Ishioka Festival 石岡のおまつり is the grand festival of the Hitachi no Kuni Sosha Gu Shrine 常陸国総社宮. It’s also one of the three great festivals in the Kanto region. The festival is formally called Hitachinokuni Soshagu Reitaisai (Hitachinokuni Grand Shrine’s Annual Festival), and the most important ceremonies at the shrine.

The gorgeous mikoshi portable shrine with a prestigious 16-pedal-chrysanthemum crest, the same as the imperial family's, 40 dashi floats and horo-shishi (lion head with a large cloth) parade through the city’s main streets. This three-day festival attracts more than 400,000 people every year.

Why does the shishi (lion) bite your head?  The purpose of "shishi-mai" (lion dance) is to drive away bad luck, evil spirits, famines and plagues. So, the shishi bites your head for a good luck.  To get a lucky bite, have the shishi bite your head. It will take your head in the mouth and bite you for a good luck!

Hitachi no Kuni Sosha Gu Shrine 常陸国総社宮 has a legendary connection to the Japanese mythology based on one of the old Japanese chronicles the Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki (常陸国風土記) (721). At the shrine there is a sacred stone which says that Yamato Takeru no Mikoto (日本武尊) seated. Yamato Takeru is a legendary Japanese hero and appears in Kojiki (712), Nihon Shoki (720), Kogo Shūi (807) and also the Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki (常陸国風土記). According to the legend, he was one of the sons of Emperor Keiko, who was the 12th Emperor of Japan and reigned from 71 to 130 AD.

Interestingly, the godfather of manga Osamu Tezuka has an ancestral connection with Ishioka. Tezuka's life's work Phoenix (火の鳥 Hi no Tori) and Yamato Takeru one of the main characters in Phoenix are illustrated beside the sacred stone at the shrine. Also, Leo the white lion in Tezuka's Jungle Emperor (ジャングル大帝 Janguru Taitei) is the shrine's iconic character because the shrine's guardian deity is a pair of white lions (白獅子 shiro shishi).

For info about Hitachi no Kuni Sosha Gu Shrine 常陸国総社宮:
http://sosyagu.jp/about/

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Asakusa Sensoji and Tokyo Skytree 浅草浅草寺と東京スカイツリー Tokyo, Japan

Asakusa (浅草) is, perhaps, one of the most popular and photographed sightseeing places in Tokyo. Sensoji (浅草寺) and Kaminarimon (雷門), Nakamise (仲見世), and Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー) are among the best known in Asakusa.

Asakusa is down to earth and you can experience Tokyo's "shitamachi" (下町)....literally means "lower town" or "downtown" vs. Yamanote (山の手) or "upper town". Shitamachi is a local area where common people used to live. It's a friendly and traditional neighborhood. Shitamachi has become very popular with Japanese and foreign tourists who look for the real soul of Tokyo!

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Fully Automated Mechanical Bicycle Parking System 全自動機械式立体駐輪場 - Roppongi, Tokyo

Wow! I came across this fully automated mechanical bicycle parking system in Roppongi, Tokyo. 

It was quite impressive to see how the system works. Such an automated mechanical parking system is able to accommodate a large number of bicycles in a limited space such as a city like Tokyo. Thanks to pretty amazing mechanical engineering.

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My favorite Ameyoko (アメ横)!!! This is the place one must visit at least once while visiting in Tokyo. It's a busy market street between JR Okachimachi and Ueno Stations. 

You can experience Tokyo's "shitamachi" (real down to earth downtown district). The name "Ameyoko" comes from "Ameya Yokocho", meaning ameya=candy store and yokocho=side alley. “Ame" also stands for "America", because American products used to be available there for a black market after World War II. 

In Ameyoko, you can find amazing deals for all sorts of products like clothes, shoes, bags, cosmetics, jewelry, fresh fish, dried food, spices, candies (of course!) and much more. Most Ameyoko stores open 9:30am to 8pm. 

Ueno Park 上野公園 was established in 1873 and became the first public park in Japan. It is a large park/53,000 square meter plot which includes Ueno Zoo, Shinobazu Pond, the National Museum of Western Art, the Shitamachi Museum and many other sightseeing spots such as shrines, temples and gardens. You need a full day to see the entire park. And, a statue of Saigo Takamori, the famous general in the Battle of Ueno, stands near the park's southern entrance.

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Sumida River Fireworks 2018 墨田川花火大会 - Tokyo, Japan

Sumida River Fireworks. Spectacular fireworks display over the Sumida River in Tokyo. 20,000 fireworks in 1.5 hrs with over 1 million spectators. Super!

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Yasukuni Shrine Mitama Matsuri 靖国神社みたま祭り - Tokyo, Japan

Yasukuni Shrine Mitama Matsuri is one of the most popular (300,000 visitors!) and biggest summer festivals in Tokyo. 

First held in 1947, the festival lights up the path to the shrine with more than 30,000 lanterns each evening during the festival. There are mikoshi parades, taiko drum performance, concerts and Bon Odori (traditional matsuri dance) as well as food and drink stalls. 

Mitama Matsuri ("soul festival") was founded in 1947 based on a Japanese traditional ancestral ceremony practiced in mid-summer, known as Obon. It's a beautiful summer festival you can experience in Tokyo! Yasukuni Shrine (靖国神社/Yasukuni Jinja), is a Shinto shrine. It was founded by Emperor Meiji in June 1869 and commemorates those Japanese who died in the wars from the Meiji era through part of the Shōwa period.

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St. Mary's Cathedral 東京カテドラル聖マリア大聖堂 - Tokyo, Japan

St. Mary's Cathedral in Tokyo is STUNNING!!! It"s a must visit. Very spiritual experience. Really. 

The shape of the cathedral also reminds me of St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco, CA. 

"The original wooden structure, constructed in 1899 in the Gothic style, was destroyed during the air raids on Tokyo during World War II. The present church, designed by Kenzo Tange, was completed in 1964. Tange was assisted by Wilhelm Schlombs, architect to the Archdiocese of Cologne, construction engineer Yoshikatsu Tsuboi, who had worked with Tange on previous projects, and Swiss architect Max Lechner." (Wikipedia)

There's also a grotto across the parking lot from the cathedral. The grotto replicates the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France, which is known for an apparition of St. Virgin Mary on 25 February 1858. Many pilgrims to Lourdes follows the instruction of Our Lady of Lourdes to drink at the spring and bathe in it. Lourdes water is considered Holy Water. 

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Meiji Shrine 明治神宮 - Tokyo, Japan - July 4, 2018

Meiji Shrine (明治神宮 Meiji Jingū) is located in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is a Shinto shrine built in 1920, dedicated to the honorable spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. It's surrounded by a green and serene setting where you can experience a peaceful walk to and from the shrine. 

Meiji Shrine is adjacent to Yoyogi Park which includes the renowned Kenzo Tange's 1964 Tokyo Olympics Yoyogi National Gymnasium. Also nearby are Tokyo's trendy fashion mecca Harajuku, elegant shopping Omotesando, and boutique array of Aoyama. It's also a short walk to Roppongi Hills. On weekend, there's a farmer's market set up in front of the United Nations University on Aoyama Avenue.

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Kagurazaka Matsuri Festival Awa Odori - Tokyo, Japan 7-27-2018

Kagurazaka Festival (神楽坂まつり阿波踊り) is a very popular summer festival in the neighborhood of Kagurazaka, Tokyo. 

It's a four day matsuri (festival) with Hozugi Market (Japanese Lantern Plant sale) and Awa Odori Festival (traditional dance performance originated in Tokushima Prefecture). 

The festival takes place on Kagurazaka Dori—the main street of Kagurazaka with a great number of Yatai (food and drink stalls). It's exciting to see such an energetic traditional Japanese dance - Awa Odori!

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Tokyo International Forum - Tokyo, Japan 7-16-2018

Tokyo International Forum (東京インターナショナルフォーラム) is quite magnificent. It's one of the coolest buildings I've seen. 

TIF has multiple conference rooms and halls. The inside of TIF is a combination of space and architectural frames, which really made me feel like I was in a huge spaceship! There are also art exhibits, shops and restaurants in the complex. 

I highly recommend to check out TIF!...for stunning architecture, exploring the building, or just being there and amazed!!  TIF can be accessed from JR Yurakucho or Tokyo station. 

For TIF website: https://www.t-i-forum.co.jp/en/

 

 

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Matsuri Tsukuba 2018 - Ibaraki, Japan

A spectacular summer festival in Tsukuba Science City! 

This year's Matsuri Tsukuba (Festival Tsukuba) illustrated the charm of Tsukuba city - nature · history · science · diverse culture. Festival Tsukuba’s biggest attraction is the grand parade that takes place around Tsukuba Station. Japan's largest "Mikoshi", "Expo floats", "Aomori Nebuta" and “Akita Kanto lanterns”, etc. walk through the parade venue! 

Tsukuba City is best known as the science and research center of Japan, but it certainly knows how to party! Matsuri Tsukuba, with traditional and modern entertainment and a huge array of vendors, attracts 500,000 people every August.

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