Sumida River Hanabi 2016 or Sensō-ji's Kaminarimon

In July 2016, my sister and I attempted to see the Sumida River Hanabi (Fireworks). We left a little late from the house and didn't arrive at Asakusa Station until the fireworks were starting. As expected, the crowds were large and it was impossible for those arriving late to get to the riverside to see the Hanabi. Oh well, we did make it to the Kaminarimon ("Thunder Gate"), and had a wander through crowded streets trying to find a good position. We caught glimpses of the fireworks through the builds and in reflections in glass windows. However, in the end we mostly enjoyed seeing all the revelers dressed in their summer yukata.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 400, 1/6 sec.

Sanja Matsuri

This afternoon on our way to a Tokyo International Player's production of Into the Woods, I overheard someone discussing the Sanja Matsuri which was also happening today. It was a beautiful afternoon and it would have been a great day to be at the festival. It's one of the three great festivals of Tokyo, and is usually chaotic, sweaty and crowded affair. It's a little too crowded to attend with small children, and before wife and children, I attended the several times (in 2000 and 2001).

Today, before heading into the theater, I thought about these old photos. Back then I used to shoot film, and these shots were probably taken with a N90s and an old Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 AF (push-pull zoom). The first is of several mikosi heading down the Nakamise-dōri (or main street) leading to the shrine. If you are familiar with the gate to the temple complex, you will notice that the large paper lantern has been retracted to allow the mikoshi to pass under.

The crowds were thick, even around the mikoshi staging area or "parking" area off to the side of the shire.

The sight men in their happi coats, hearing festival drums, or the even when someone mentions the Sanja Matsuri brings back a certain "natsukashii" feeling and these memories seem to bubble up.

Somehow this young woman found a quiet alley to make a call.

At every festival in Japan, there are traditional games for the kids like this one.

These bottles of ramune (Japanese lemonade) have become one of my son's favorite flavors.

Asakusa on New Year's Eve

This was the scene in Asakusa at Sensō-ji Temple on New Year's eve. This is the Hōzōmon or "Treasure House Gate".

There were many food and souvenir stalls were scattered around the shrine grounds giving the temple grounds a festive atmosphere.

The faint blue LED lights in the distance are from the Tokyo Skytree.

One of the many takoyaki vendors located in tents around the shrine.

One of the various New Year's decorations that are sold around the temple. I think these are called kumade.  They are used to rake in good luck.

One last look at the crowd in front of the temple. My friend and I decided not to wait in the line that went through the Hōzōmon or "Treasure House Gate", Nakamise-dōri (shopping street), Kaminarimon or "Thunder Gate", spilled out on Kaminarimon Dori and and U-turned back to Kaminarimon. The line moved fast, but we guessed that it would take several hours to get to the temple. We decided to drive to another shrine and get in a shorter line.

Year of the Dragon (part three)

Did you know that there is a dragon hiding under the Kaminarimon lantern that marks the entrance to Sensoji Temple in Asakusa?

Blind Daruma

Are you ready to set a New Year's goal? These little red, round guys called daruma might be able to help meet your goals.  Japanese fill in one eye when they set their goal and fill in the other when the goal has been completed.  At the end of the year many of these are burnt at the temple, when the goals have been met and new ones are to be set.

Get your at the New Year's market at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan.  Set your goal, draw in one eye and get motivated as this little guy stares at you through the year.  Happy New Year!