![Local Bon Odori Festival at Kawaguchi, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD] @ohayuni71](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PU1sqqwnFMI/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded July 2012 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Bon, one of the Japanese Buddhist customs, is to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. Various festivities and observances take place in Japan during the Bon season, around July 15th.
Bon Odori is one of them, which literally means Bon Dance. It is said that its origin was a folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead. Nowadays thousands of Bon Odori Festivals, from small to large ones, are held in summer evenings all over Japan and people simply enjoy the dancing rather for the original meaning of the custom.
You will come across some Bon Odori Festival taking place at a small children's park or anywhere else for the matter. That is, if you live in a populated residential area in Japan.
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 19th, 2012
Bon, one of the Japanese Buddhist customs, is to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. Various festivities and observances take place in Japan during the Bon season, around July 15th.
Bon Odori is one of them, which literally means Bon Dance. It is said that its origin was a folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead. Nowadays thousands of Bon Odori Festivals, from small to large ones, are held in summer evenings all over Japan and people simply enjoy the dancing rather for the original meaning of the custom.
You will come across some Bon Odori Festival taking place at a small children's park or anywhere else for the matter. That is, if you live in a populated residential area in Japan.
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 19th, 2012
![Local Bon Odori Festival at Kawaguchi, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PU1sqqwnFMI/mqdefault.jpg "Local Bon Odori Festival at Kawaguchi, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]
Bon, one of the Japanese Buddhist customs, is to honor the spirits of ones ancestors. Various festivities and observances take place in Japan during the Bon season, around July 15th.
Bon Odori is one of them, which literally means Bon Dance. It is said that its origin was a folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead. Nowadays thousands of Bon Odori Festivals, from small to large ones, are held in summer evenings all over Japan and people simply enjoy the dancing rather for the original meaning of the custom.
You will come across some Bon Odori Festival taking place at a small childrens park or anywhere else for the matter. That is, if you live in a populated residential area in Japan.
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 19th, 2012")
![Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo ~Bladder Cherry Market Day~ [iPhone 4S/HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Pc792vXAwrY/mqdefault.jpg "Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo ~Bladder Cherry Market Day~ [iPhone 4S/HD]
Sensoji Temple, located in Asakusa, is Tokyos oldest Buddhist temple and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tokyo. It is always crowded with numerous people, and the number of the people rise further when some festivity takes place.
Hozuki-ich, or Bladder Cherry Market, is one of the festivities. It is held on July 9th and 10th every year, related to Day of 46,000 Blessings. It was said that worshiping on July 10th was equivalent to worshiping for 46,000 days and called Day of 46,000 Blessings, but people wanted to become the first worshiper on that day and got to visit there the day ahead. In time, also July 9th came to be called Day of 46,000 Blessings.
On those days, the temple bustles more than usual with the people who visit there to worship and get bladder cherries, summer fruits which were once used for medical herbs but are now mainly planted for decoration.
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 9th, 2012")
![Handheld Fireworks ~Japanese Kids Summer Activity~ [iPhone 4S/HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PcSTmkdBUZ8/mqdefault.jpg "Handheld Fireworks ~Japanese Kids Summer Activity~ [iPhone 4S/HD]
Handheld fireworks are one of the traditional toys in Japan which are usually enjoyed in summer. Japanese kids look forward to playing with them during their summer vacation. But of course small kids are not allowed to play with them without an adult around.
My five-year-old nephew begs me to play with the fireworks with him every time he comes to visit me during his vacation. This is a kind of video compilation of clips of when he came to visit me the other day.
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 19th, 2012")
![Sugamo, Tokyo ~Grandmas Harajuku~ [iPhone 4S/HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PeIyRYMcN-g/mqdefault.jpg "Sugamo, Tokyo ~Grandmas Harajuku~ [iPhone 4S/HD]
Sugamo, located in North Tokyo, is well-known as an area where the old gather. It is also called Grandmas Harajuku after Harajuku, a hot spot among the young. At Sugamo, You can see what is hot among seniors. It looks like the most trendy thing now is Lucky Charm Red Underpants.
The main attraction of the area is Koganji Temple, also called Togenuki Jizo Temple, where a Jizo, or a Ksitigarbha statue, reputedly cures people by washing and scrubbing the part of the statue that corresponds your area that ails you.
On every 4th, 14th and 24th, there are more than the usual number of markets on the Jizo Shopping Street, the bustling street in front of Koganji Temple. On those days, you may find something that you cannot find elsewhere.
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jun. 4th, 2012")
![Tanabata, the Day of the Star Festival ~Zojoji Temple, Tokyo~ [iPhone 4S/HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QDzpNXClChA/mqdefault.jpg "Tanabata, the Day of the Star Festival ~Zojoji Temple, Tokyo~ [iPhone 4S/HD]
Once upon a time, in the sky, there was a princess and a prince. The princess was the star Vega, a daughter of the Sky Emperor, the prince was the star Altair. They fell in love with each other and were blissfully married. However, they got carried away by their happy marriage too much and became to neglect their jobs. This made the Sky Emperor angry and he separated the lovers across the Milky Way. But he felt sorry for his daughter and allowed them to meet on the seventh day of the seventh month every year.
This Chinese myth has many variations and the above is the most well-known version in Japan. In some Asian countries, people hold festivals and events based on the myth. Also here in Japan, a lot of festivals and events are held around on July 7th (based on the Gregorian calendar) or August 7th (based on the lunar calendar). The day is called Tanabata. It is said that your wish will come true when you wish upon stars on Tanabata day. During this season, in towns, you can see colorful paper strips on which people wrote their wishes.
Also at Zojoji Temple, located at the foot of the Tokyo Tower, you can see the wish strips flowing in the breeze in Tanabata season. Unfortunately July 7th is in the rainy season and the weather is not often clear in Tokyo area, but people enjoy Tanabata and wish upon stars over clouds.
Click below to see what Tanabata Festival is like!
http://youtu.be/qs-Kk_G2N_o
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jul. 5th, 2012")
![Sunny Day after Snowy Day, Shinjuku, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QRbjMwjXzz4/mqdefault.jpg "Sunny Day after Snowy Day, Shinjuku, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
After a snow storm had passed over, Tokyo was warmed by the sunshine. People returned to their usual life although public transportation was still being disrupted a bit. Every time a heavy snowfall hits the massive capital, transportation descends into chaos. People know the city is pretty vulnerable to snow and recognize the need for countermeasures. It is, however, also true that it is difficult to take measures with a large budget, against the visitant that comes only once in a few year.
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Jan. 15th, 2013")
![Shibuya Hachiko Crossing, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QkjwnUVUm4I/mqdefault.jpg "Shibuya Hachiko Crossing, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
This busy crossing is located in Shibuya area, a fashion center of Japan, also famous as a nightlife area. You may pass the crossing and see the huge crowd to go shopping or drinking when you visit Tokyo.
This video was taken in a weekday afternoon. Visit there in a weekend afternoon if you would like to see more people. The statue of Hachiko you can see in the video was built to tribute a dog named Hachiko. If you are interested in his sad but beautiful story, see below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachiko
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Apr. 4th, 2012")
![[2012] Worlds Largest Anime District : Akihabara, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qvk96SCvaCo/mqdefault.jpg "[2012] Worlds Largest Anime District : Akihabara, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
Akihabara, also called as Akiba, was an electric town when I was a kid. I remember that in those days my grandma called the town not Akihabara, but Akibahara. I didnt know the town was once called by a different name and I was like: Hey, grandma! Not Akibahara but Akihabara!. Come to think of it, 秋葉原 (Akihabara in Kanji) can be pronounced in both ways, Akihabara and Akibahara. But Ive digressed.
People used to visit there to get electronic parts, audio components, or home appliances at that time. It is still the largest electric town in Japan, but it is now more well-known as an otaku town and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tokyo. You can find everything about anime, manga, games and other otaku things there. Even if you are not interested in them, it could be still fun to feel the Akiba atmosphere and get electronic equipment at a reasonable price.
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Apr. 29th, 2012")
![[Simple Recipe] How to Make Gyudon (Beef Bowl) with Raw Egg [iPhone 4S/HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/R1ikQbwBI1c/mqdefault.jpg "[Simple Recipe] How to Make Gyudon (Beef Bowl) with Raw Egg [iPhone 4S/HD]
Gyudon is a rice bowl dish. Simmered beef is served on top of steamed rice. It is one of the most popular Japanese fast foods. You can see numerous gyudon stores as you walk around a city in Japan. It is also easy to make at home.
Ingredients for a large bowl:
350g steaming rice
150g thinly sliced beef
1/2 sliced onion
150ml water
1 1/2 tbsps Japanese sake (or white wine)
2 tbsps soy sauce
1/2 grated ginger
A dash of sugar
A dash of salt
A dash of Hondashi (or other instant dashi) *1
1 Raw egg (optional) *2
Directions:
1. Boil the water in a pot.
2. When the pot starts boiling, add the Hondashi and stir it.
3. Add the onion to it and boil it until soft.
4. When the onion is soft, add the Japanese sake, the sugar, the salt, the soy sauce and the beef.
5. Cover the pot and cook it on medium heat for 10 minutes.
6. Add the ginger and wait for 1 minute.
7. See how it tastes and adjust the taste with sugar and soy sauce.
8. Place the cooked ingredients on the rice in a bowl.
9. Put the beaten egg on it.
*1
Hondashi is one of packaged instant dashi. Other instant dashi like Dashinomoto are also fine. Dashi is a kind of a Japanese cooking stock. It is not very difficult to make dashi by yourself, but I use the instant one this time. This is a simple recipe.
I think many people from other countries overlook dashi when they make Japanese cuisine. Looks like some people make some Japanese cuisine without using dashi, even when it is necessary for the recipe. Then they say This doesnt taste good! Come on! Dashi is the keystone of Japanese cuisine. You cant omit it. Go to an Asian market or Amazon and get some. Or make it by yourself. If you cant get any dashi, other stocks could be used for instead. Weiba or bouillon cubes... But I have never tried them for gyudon. I am not sure if they work well.
*2
If you live in Japan, I recommend you to put a raw egg on it. It really tastes great. I dont recommend you to do it if you dont live in Japan. Eggs being distributed in Japan are designed to be eaten raw, but in other countries, they are not. You would have a stomach ache. I know that some people think Japanese are immunized with raw eggs. But it is wrong. Even Japanese would have a stomach ache when they eat a raw egg outside of Japan.
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S
Music:
Crazy Cooking (from DOVA SYNDROME http://dova-s.jp/bgm/play095.html)
easy discussion (from DOVA SYNDROME http://dova-s.jp/bgm/play035.html)
Sideman Strut Long (from GarageBand)")
![Misaki Port, Kanagawa, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SCaZdDuMlpU/mqdefault.jpg "Misaki Port, Kanagawa, Japan [iPhone 4S/HD]
Misaki Port, located at the tip of the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture, is known as a hub of distant water fishing for tuna. It is also a popular tourist destination for people from the Tokyo area and the Yokohama area. Only a 1.5 hour train or car ride from central Tokyo takes you to the calm and quiet seaside town, where you can enjoy good and reasonably priced tuna, marine sports and glorious views.
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Sep. 18th, 2012")
