Asakusa
Lightning:
Heron’s cry
Stabs the darkness
Basho
Recently I visited a temple in Asakusa with some friends. It was a remarkable place. It turns out i had been there once before a few years ago. At that time though it was winter and empty and everything was closed. I think i like it much better in Summer!
I believe i call it a shrine a few times in the video, but in hindsight i am pretty sure that was incorrect. Shinto shrines, buddhist temples. also you can see a number of deities and statues that relate to buddhism… at least i think thats accurate. But what do i know. I’ve only studied these things out of books. Asakusa was quite nice and we spent several hours wandering around exploring. we found some amazing bread at this local bakery and some ice cream! See video at bottom!
I spent today cleaning my apartment and doing laundry. I am truly amazed at my good fortune. I have a small apartment north of Tokyo in Urawa. its adorable… i’ll put pictures up another day, but suffice it to say its going to be hard leaving here. I did laundry today. which is interesting because there is no dryer and the washer is outside on my patio. Thats the case for most residences in Japan, no dryers and the wash is usually hung up to dry. On days where the sun comes out, like today, while i was on the train into Shibuya you can see big tall apartment buildings with futon mattresses and clothing hung over all the balconies. Everyone trying to take advantage of the sunshine to get some clothing dry!
When i returned to Urawa I stopped at my local coffee shop, the Rain Dogs Cafe. I usually just sit inside near the window and watch the people jogging around the lake across the street. read a book, occasionally study 
Between Tokyo and Urawa I’ve noticed that everyone is so… busy. I know granted it is Japan, and more specifically Tokyo, everyone is always running around. going somewhere, meeting somebody. For example whenever I am in a coffee shop you never see someone in there reading, or studying, or working on something, anything… everyone is meeting someone or discussing business, or ordering something and then leaving. or eating and then leaving. nobody just… stops. At least for a little bit…
I am sure this is a generalization but thats the way i perceive it…
But i digress… Right now I am sitting on my apartment floor on a tatami mat. I have the sliding doors and curtains open to the cooling night air. My street is usually very dark and quite at night. For dinner I boiled a few eggs, made some noodles, and had a glass of tea. And now i sit here writing away, tea in hand, near my window/door… its a little surreal. I think i could stay here forever… if i didn’t want to finish college up…
And you were nervous about going over there. I told you you would love it!