07/05, Arts Culture Tourism from Tokyo (Thunderstorms and Zōjō-ji Temple)

Heavy rain pounded Japan's southwestern Kyushu region on Monday, causing a bridge to collapse, with some 360,000 evacuating Kumamoto city. The record rainfall over the weekend has left one dead and another person missing, with the Japan Meteorological Agency warning of further landslides. And as the rain front, extending from western to northern Japan, moving southward, a ceremony was held in the coastal town of Atami on Monday to remember 28 residents who died two years ago following a major landslide. In Fukuoka, a local artist last week unveiled his first painted billboard in 20 years for the latest Indiana Jones film. And with storm clouds and wet weather enveloping the country, and Tanabata — the Star Festival — celebrated on Friday, July 7th, we visited the historic Zōjō-ji temple near Tokyo Tower, the day after the sky opened and erupted over most of Tokyo the night before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices