Eco As Can Be

Energy conservation is a big theme in not only Shinjuku, but pretty much all of Japan these days. And vending machines are also part of this.

This sticker shows that no lights are used at anytime in order to save energy. What's interesting is that this vending machine was already environmentally-friendly, as it used a solar panel to power the lights at night. But apparently even that wasn't enough.

Many of the companies in Tokyo are also expected to cut approximately 15% of the power consumption from the previous year. So this week my company has also started in on it's energy conservation plan, such as less operating elevators, lights out during noon hours, less lighting in all rooms, higher temperature for air conditioning, and no desk lights. But it's really not so bad and something we'll be getting used to soon.

I'm just thankful they're letting us use the air conditioning again. It's been really hot the last couple of days and although it's only 23C outside...it's already 35C inside the office sometimes. Crossing my fingers for an unusually cool summer.

Sunny Afternoon

I've been eating lunch on this bench lately.

It's inside the grounds of Jo-enji Temple and a perfect spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon. Especially since the bench sits right under the big cherry tree, you can enjoy a nice breeze in the shade.

We Stand United

Our Shinjuku skyscrapers looming above the city.

From the left is Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower (newly built in 2008), Shinjuku Center Building (the tallest of the four buildings at 54 stories), Shinjuku L Tower (closest to the station), and Sonpo Japan Headquarter Building (also called "bell bottom bldg" because of its shape).

Even though I really like seeing this view...I was glad to leave all this behind and head home to start my weekend. Happy Friday to you all!
Enjoy looking at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Chanoki Inari Shrine

This is one of the guardians of the Chanoki Inari Shrine. This shrine is located within the Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu grounds, which is the main shrine. If you look at the photo below, you can see red lanterns on the top left corner, which is where this shrine is located.

Chanoki Inari Shrine is said to be the first shrine that was made by Kukai, a famous Japanese monk, when he first came to the Kanto area about 1,000 years ago. There are many tea bushes around this shrine, which Kukai brought as medicine from China.

It's said that this shrine has the power to heal eyes. The legend goes...one day the white fox, one of the guardians of the shrine, accidentally poked its eye with a branch of a tea bush and hurt it. When it washed its eye with the water from the holy spring, it was healed. And although this spring is no longer in use, many people come here to pray for healthy eyesight to this day.

Theme Day: Under Construction

It's June already...how time flies. I'd actually forgotten about it but today is theme day, which is perfect because I was planning on showing you this newly built office building anyways!

This is Shinjuku Front Tower, a 35 story office building which is scheduled to complete this month. I think they're just putting on the finishing touches. Like the trees planted along the street that are still wrapped up. But you can see in the first photo that people are already looking around inside.

Looks like another tall building is joining the many skyscrapers in Shinjuku!

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