Upon returning from a day trip to Tokyo yesterday, I stumbled upon a matsuri in my own backyard. Apparently, the small park in which it was held is not long for this world - at least according to an advertising brochure I received from a nervous man working the crowd. The trees are coming down, and an apartment block is going up. I wonder if the developer organized the festival to advertise (or, for that matter, apologize)?

Yesterday’s trip took us to the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Ginza, and up to Akihabara. We passed on the Sumidagawa Fireworks on account of the ridiculous crowds; about a million people stream into eastern Tokyo and line the banks of the Sumida River to enjoy what is without a doubt the most exciting annual fireworks show in all of Japan. Unfortunately, this means that, if you expect to see anything, you have to arrive very, very early.

Robin and I plan a return to Tokyo this afternoon to visit the Meiji Shrine and nearby Harajuku. It’s Sunday, so the freaks and cosplayers should be out in full force.