Tomorrow is the first day of October and yet I’m only getting round to doing a bit of a summer catch-up now. To be honest, the last few months have been brutally hot in Tokyo, and it only really feels like now summer is finally coming to an end.
Our summer was the usual mix of local wanderings and traditional festivals, but we also squeezed in an overseas trip to see my parents in Ireland, as well as a few short trips up to Ibaraki to visit my in-laws. As always, the photos below (taken May-September) are simply to give you a snapshot of what living here is like, and so I hope you like the vibe.
At the start of May, we caught the train up to Shiinamachi in Toshima-ku to see a unique Lion Dance at a shrine there. The headpieces worn by the women in particular were striking, and the whole event was kind of mesmerising amidst a backdrop of lush trees and chirping insects. 
A few weeks later, and it was time for the Sanja matsuri over in Asakusa. This is a massive event, with hundreds of small mikoshi processions happening all over the district. For two full days, the streets are filled with chanting and traditional dress. 
I admittedly mainly come to this festival to see the Yakuza on full display, something which is quite rare and only really happens at this event.
I put some more Yakuza photos here:
https://ikimasho.net/2025/07/16/sanja-matsuri-2025/
Back in the suburbs and it’s always nice to see pink hollyhocks popping up in the sun… 
And blue hydrangeas in the rain. 
Speaking of blue, Mrs IKIMASHO wore a beautiful summer yukata. 
Green, green, everywhere you look… 
Even with this little guy. 
Despite the heat, there was always time for my favourite ramen… 
And a new favourite lunch spot. Grilled fish, sashimi and other assorted goodies. 
In Japanese, “oshare” (おしゃれ) means stylish, fashionable, and trendy. This ice cream spot fit the description, with a random flavour here of Yomogi (Japanese mugwort – a medicinal herb with a slightly bitter and floral taste). 
Keeping with the theme of good food in stylish surroundings, my wife treated me to a Michelin star lunch for my birthday, something which has become somewhat of a tradition. This year’s treat was ‘est’ at the Four Seasons.
It was nice to get dressed up and enjoy a nice meal with an equally impressive view. 
At the start of July, we were treated to more nice views as we swapped Japan for Ireland for a couple of weeks. It was lovely to see my parents, as well as spend some time in proper nature. This lake was in County Wicklow… 
While the sea views of my hometown in Northern Ireland never disappoint. 
You can see more pics of our trip to Ireland here:
https://ikimasho.net/2025/08/01/postcards-from-ireland/
My in-laws recently moved to Ibaraki prefecture which is a few hours north of Tokyo. It’s a good excuse to get out of the city and spend some time in the rice fields. 
A soft sunset glow in Ibaraki 
This year we were treated to seemingly endless blue skies in Tokyo. I seem to remember many years being very cloudy but not this one. 
The insects were out in full force – I especially like seeing hummingbird moths flying about. 
Once a year, we like to go to the Awa Odori in Kagurazaka. I liked this shot of the dancers getting ready. 
It’s always a nice atmosphere, with teams of dancers weaving their way through the streets. I prefer this event to the one in Koenji as it feels a bit more manageable with a smaller crowd. 
In the last week or two it has become easier to walk about outside again – the temperatures dropping from the mid-30s to the mid-20s. It makes a big difference. Even in the small backstreets there is always something to see. 
Long-time followers of IKIMASHO will know that I post on Facebook much more regularly than on this blog. The photo above I wrote a little bit about so I’ll copy it here:
“When I moved to Tokyo in 2012, I lived in Shimokitazawa for seven years. It’s where I first met my wife and where we had our first date. I had originally planned for our first date to just be a coffee, but earlier that morning I had been cycling around and spotted a beautiful cherry blossom tree outside a soba shop, and so I quickly messaged her and we had lunch there first, before visiting a local shrine. One year later I proposed at the same spot.
Fast forward to last week and I found myself back in Shimokitazawa for an appointment, and with no plans afterwards, decided to take a little walk to that very area. I hadn’t been back since. The soba shop was still there, as was the shrine. Looking out from the temple gates onto the road, I had the strangest sensation of natsukashii – the Japanese word that describes a feeling of nostalgia and fondness for the past; a sense of longing and appreciation for cherished memories. Not only that, but as I looked beyond the gates I imagined what the scene must have looked like 400 years ago, when the temple was first built. No doubt it was once a simple village surrounded by rice fields.
Standing there, I realised how small moments – whether a cherry blossom, a soba shop, or a quiet walk – can echo across years, shaping the life you never knew you were building.”
I hope you are all keeping well and you had a nice summer too. Wishing you a happy and healthy rest of the year.
Justin / IKIMASHO
IKIMASHO! 