Power-accumulating train starts operating in Tochigi Pref.

Power-accumulating train starts operating in Tochigi Pref.

UTSUNOMIYA, Japan - The "Accum" power accumulating train departs JR Utsunomiya Station in Tochigi Prefecture on March 15, 2014, becoming the first of its kind to operate in Japan. East Japan Railway Co.'s Accum will accumulate electricity while running on the electric-powered Tohoku Line and use the stored battery to run on the Karasuyama Line, which has not yet been wired up.

Ex-truants help Lao kids

Ex-truants help Lao kids

TOKYO, Japan - Tensei Karasuyama (R) and other students at a high school in Tokyo for former truants or stay-at-home youths make donation boxes on May 14, 2010, in preparation for the Laos Festival in Yoyogi Park to be held May 22 and 23, 2010, to help build schools in Laos. Students of Tokyo Kokusai Gakuen High School hope to raise 3.5 million yen to build one school in Laos, in addition to the previous six built from the students' support since 1996, through donations and flea market sales.

Tokyo snapshot: Karasuyama town boasts 26 Buddhist temples

Tokyo snapshot: Karasuyama town boasts 26 Buddhist temples

Photo taken on Oct. 14, 2015, shows a bus stop sign in the Kitakarasuyama area of Tokyo's Karasuyama district, popularly known as Karasuyama Teramachi, or "temple town." There exist 26 Buddhist temples in this particular area alone. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Tokyo snapshot: Woodblock print master Kitagawa Utamaro's tomb

Tokyo snapshot: Woodblock print master Kitagawa Utamaro's tomb

Photo taken at Senkoji temple in the Kitakarasuyama area of Tokyo's Karasuyama district Oct. 15, 2015, shows a tomb of famous feudal-era master ukiyoe woodblock print artist Kitagawa Utamaro. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Tokyo snapshot: Shadows of stupas, tombs shown on temple wall

Tokyo snapshot: Shadows of stupas, tombs shown on temple wall

Photo taken on Oct.8, 2015, shows the shadows of nearby tombs and Buddhist stupas reflected on the wall of one of the 26 temples dotting the Kitakarasuyama area of Tokyo's Karasuyama district, known as Karasuyama Teramachi or "temple town." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Tokyo snapshot: Pond in Karasuyama "temple town"

Tokyo snapshot: Pond in Karasuyama "temple town"

Photo taken on Oct. 8, 2015, shows a groundwater-filled pond, a winter home for Siberian wild ducks, nestled quietly in part of a "temple town" in the Kitakarasuyama area of Tokyo's Karasuyama district. The pond is situated in the compounds of Kogakuin, one of 26 Buddhist temples dotting the area. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ex-truants help Lao kids

Ex-truants help Lao kids

TOKYO, Japan - Tensei Karasuyama (R) and other students at a high school in Tokyo for former truants or stay-at-home youths make donation boxes on May 14, 2010, in preparation for the Laos Festival in Yoyogi Park to be held May 22 and 23, 2010, to help build schools in Laos. Students of Tokyo Kokusai Gakuen High School hope to raise 3.5 million yen to build one school in Laos, in addition to the previous six built from the students' support since 1996, through donations and flea market sales. (Kyodo)