Tokyo Sky tree update

The Tokyo sky tree reached its full height of 634.0 meters, and is currently on the last stage of the construction, it is scheduled for completion on December 2011, and with the gran opening for spring of 2012.

The four tower cranes used at the top during the construction have been dismantled and a small crane is still being used on top of the first observatory.

Some members of the media have been allowed to ascend to the first observatory, and the view is breathtaking. I cannot wait until next year for the opening.

View Tokyo Sky tree in a larger map

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Chrysanthemums festival at Yushima Tenjin

Yushimateijin celebrates the chrysanthemum flower festival every year, around November. The temple grounds fill up with the autumn flower aroma as a large number of arrangements of this flower are on display.

Displays are in two varieties: flower arrangements and theme arrangements.

Flower arrangements are displays based on varieties of the flower.

Theme arrangements have a scene created or decorated with the flower; artisans paint a scene with the chrisantemum flower..

Every year there is a display of mannequins with Kimonos made of the flower. This year the theme of the display is “Gou” a trendy sengoku period soap opera based on the life of the Oeyo, wife of the second Tokugawa Shogun and mother of the third one.

Additionally, many families visit the temple to celebrate the Shichi-go-san, or celebratory temple visit for girls of seven, five, and three years old of age.

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Chouryu temple in Moriya city.

Chouryuji is an ancient temple in Moriya city Ibaraki Prefecture, founded in 1590. The general Asano Nagamasa stayed at the temple during the conquest of the Odawara castle by Toyotomi Hidayoshi. The general consequently issued a decree, forbidding the soldiers from looting the temple, and thus protecting it.

The temple approach and the esplanade in front of the main hall are lined with ancient cedar trees that gave the temple great range of colors during the autumn.

The temple also has dramatically aged wooden gate and bell tower that give testimony of the temple long history.

The temple is a short walk from the Moriya station on the tsukuba express and is definitely worth of a visit if you are around the area.

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Saint Paul’s Festival in Ikebukuro

Saint Paul’s University (Rikkyo University), in Ikebukuro celebrates the school festival in November, where food, music and entertainment are provided for other students and visitors.

The University founded in 1874, with the Ikebukuro building being built in 1918. The school buildings are gorgeous and well maintained, as only a private school can afford to do.

The School library is relatively new, completed in 1960, but its design manages to keep the harmony with the older buildings.

The festival is not so different from other countries school festivals, apart from the menu on the stands, and some of the bands music.

The festival is open to everybody and looking at the attendance, seems like some of the students invited the whole family.

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