Japan Earthquake Relief Efforts

東日本大震災救援

With over 3,000 confirmed dead and more than 15,000 missing - and both those numbers to grow - relief work is in high gear.

Donations can be made to the American Red Cross or, if you are living in Japan, to the Japanese Red Cross.

Donations are being collected on street corners around Japan and via the large mass media conglomerates.

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Adult Tricycle Kyoto

大人用三輪車

On the way back from a trip downtown Kyoto on Sunday, we spied this woman out and about on her three-wheeler.

The adult tricycles are quite popular among Kyoto's elderly.

They are quite stable, easy to ride, and good for shopping.

The woman had probably been shopping along Horikawa, and was pedaling home through the "Gothic Quarter."

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Japan Earthquake Data Update

東日本大震災

March 14 earthquake data:

Magnitude: 9.0
Confirmed Dead: between 1,300 - 1,700
Missing in the town of Minami-Sanrikicho: 10,000 (of a population of 17,300)
Number stranded in Miyagi Prefecture: 20,000+
Number of People Exposed to Radioactivity: 190
Number of power plants "in trouble": four
International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale: Level 4 (same as Three Mile Island)
Insured losses: $15 billion USD
Number of troops ordered to area for relief: 100,000

Prime Minister Naoto Kan: "I think that the earthquake, tsunami and the situation at our nuclear reactors makes up the worst crisis in the 65 years since the war. If the nation works together, we will overcome.”

American ambassador to Japan John Roos: "No other evacuations have been recommended" (beyond the 20 km from the reactors).

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Japan Earthquake Tohoku Sendai

東北地方太平洋沖地震津波

Three days after a massive earthquake struck northern Japan - followed by a devastating tsunami - between 1,200 - 1,700 are presumed dead.

However, there are according to NHK as of 5 pm local time Sunday March 13 more than 10,000 people still missing.

Japanese Self Defense, police, and rescue squads are being joined by help from around the world: teams from South Korea, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, the United States, Turkey, and many other nations are pouring in.

Western Japan was spared any damage. Osaka experienced small tremors, and in Kyoto it was a day like any other. No tremors, no shaking, nothing. It was a beautiful early spring day.

Back in the northeast of Japan, more than 200,000 people are thought to be staying in 1,350 temporary shelters.

Perhaps the most ominous news is the release of radioactive material following an explosion at a Fukushima nuclear power plant.

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No Parking Bicycle Sign Sakai Osaka

自転車放置禁止区域境

On a recent trip to Sakai to visit the Bicycle Museum, we strolled around Daisen Park and an imperial tomb en route.

On the way, one sign caught our eye.

"No motor scooter or bicycle parking"

This was on the sidewalk from Mozu Station to the Museum.

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Jizobon Nijo Area

地蔵盆二条城三条会

Kyoto is dotted with mini-temples, often tucked into space between buildings.

The structures house Jizo-san, a bodhisattva worshipped in East Asian Buddhism.

The Jizo is usually depicted as a Buddhist monk, and is believed to protect children.

The small statues are found throughout Japan.

In Kyoto, in particular, these statues are ubiquitous. Following the annual Bon Festival - which celebrates the once a year return of one's departed ancestors in August - Kyoto neighborhoods come alive with Jizobon festivals.

These festival are for children. Games and gifts mix with song and religious undertones.

The Jizo pictured here will be taken out of the temple on that day and set up on a temporary altar that will be the centerpiece of a two-day festival. Once finished, the Jizo is returned to the temple for another year.

What caught our eye were the tiles on the outside of the structure, giving it the feel of the interior of a public bath.

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Chagetsu Sushi Delivery Bicycle Kyoto

茶月寿司配達自転車

Along the Sanjokai shopping arcade, a sushi delivery bike stood at the ready.

A simple sturdy black mama chari bike with no gears, the bike sports a large carry case.

The contrast of the bulky white carry case was striking.

With the distinctive 茶月 (chagetsu = tea moon) company logo on the side, the delivery vehicle cuts a dashing figure as it makes its rounds.

Online and phone-in orders are both possible.


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