Photo of the Day: Bon Odori
Dancing around the yagura during the 2009 Tsukiji Honganji Noryo Bon Odori Taikai in Tokyo.
Photo of the Day: Yellow Lanterns
The Mitama Matsuri is held at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo every July to celebrate the souls of the departed. The entrance walk to the shrine is illuminated with over 30,000 yellow lanterns placed by locals in honor of friends and loved ones.
The picture above was taken during the the 2008 Mitama Matsuri.
Photo of the Day: Akihabara Uchimizu
It’s summer and hot in Tokyo. Young ladies wearing yukatas (summer kimono) cool the street by sprinkling water during Uchimizu in Akihabara.
Photo of the Day: Tanabata
Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival is celebrated on July 7 with colorfully decorated bamboo poles called Tanabata Kazari such as the one pictured below taken during the 2009 Shonan Tanabata Festival in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Goemon
Another Japanese movie which was recently shown in the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center in Toronto is the 2009 film titled Goemon.
Goemon is a Japanese historical fantasy movie loosely based on the story of Ishikawa Goemon, a legendary outlaw (ronin) who stole from the rich and gave to the poor (Japanese version of Robin Hood). The movie is fast paced, with a lot of action (specifically sword fighting) and special effects – a very stylish (and very different) film which feels like a live action anime movie.
The whole family watched and enjoyed the movie, a good distraction.
Photo of the Day: Yagura
Festival goers gather and dance around the yagura during the 2009 Roppongi Hills Bon Odori in Tokyo.
Speaking of Roppongi Hills, it will provide power to TEPCO, read these recent articles from Japan Today and CNNgo.com.
Please visit this week’s issue (#33) of Show Me Japan hosted by Anna at budgettrouble.com.
Photo of the Day: More Crowds
The Annual Festival of Shitaya Shrine was held on May 8-9, 2010 in Taito-ku, Tokyo. There were several large groups of people carrying mikoshis (portable shrines) through the streets just outside the JR Ueno station.
The picture above was taken from one of the overpasses.
Photo of the Day: Festival Lantern
This photo of a festival lantern with the Tsukiji Honganji Temple in the background was taken during the 2009 Tsukiji Honganji Noryo Bon Odori Taikai matsuri.
Venus Fort
Venus Fort is a shopping mall in the style of a 18th century South European town found in Palette Town in Odaiba, Tokyo.
It is very similar to the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.
It features more than one hundred boutiques, shops, cafes and restaurants.
The Church Plaza is located the farthest to the back inside Venus Fort and has hosted events and performances put on by a stunning array of entertainers and famous individuals.
Fountain Plaza is the largest plaza in Venus Fort. In the center of the plaza stands a large fountain supported by six goddesses.
You will also find a casino area inside the mall.
There is also a Historical Car showroom …
… where you can find a Delorean.
A reproduction of the Mouth of Truth from Rome, Italy is on display next to the front information area just inside the 2nd floor entrance.
Please visit this week’s issue (#31) of Show Me Japan hosted by Anna at budgettrouble.com.
Megaweb Toyota City Showcase
Mega Web is a Toyota showroom found near Palette Town in Odaiba, Tokyo.
Inside, you will find the latest models of Toyota cars and accessories, including experimental vehicles.
Vending machines (well, what did you expect, this is Japan after all!) dispense color car catalogues for 200 yen ($2).
Nearby is the Toyota Universal Design Showcase with displays for future living.
E-Com Ride is an automatic electric vehicle with the tracks leading in and out the the Megaweb building.
