
Appearance of frightening but beautiful Dragon’ Nest shows that summer isn’t ready to say good-bye just yet.
It’s almost time to flip the calendar over to September, but the weather in Japan shows no signs of being ready to let go of summer. This weekend, temperatures and humidity both remained extremely high in Japan’s eastern Kanto region (which includes Tokyo), even after sundown.
At dusk on Sunday, there was still enough moisture in the air for a gigantic, towering thundercloud to form north of Tokyo, which had people in and around the capital looking up to the sky as the sun slipped towards the horizon as they filmed and photographed the dynamic view.
While it’s not an official meteorological term, many people in Japan call this kind of weather pattern a “Dragon’s Nest,” after the swirling vortex of clouds that surround the titular fortress of classic Studio Ghibli anime Castle in the Sky (also known as Laputa). And while we have to rely on myth and legend for reports that dragons breathe fire, we know for sure that this real-life Dragon’s Nest spits lightning.
関東北部にすごい積乱雲
— 東山正宜 おうちで星空でも見ようよ ☄ (@itaimecom) August 26, 2018
さきほど東京から撮影 pic.twitter.com/8Zir3yb5nd
https://twitter.com/okna_hc/status/1033653319598624769先程届いた埼玉方面の雷雲全体像を捉えている一枚。かなとこ、キノコ状の雲が雷雨をもたらしているのが一目瞭然です。https://t.co/YA1R6ZZ2bS#かなとこ雲 #ラピュタ pic.twitter.com/8sy7ZBpFWZ
— ウェザーニュース (@wni_jp) August 26, 2018
From certain angles and sufficient distance, the cloud looked tranquil, and some of the flashes almost bring to mind the gentle blinking of the lights on top of a skyscraper.
ラピュタはここにあったんだ pic.twitter.com/Xwn0qp5q0q
— ヨリウ🍌 (@yoriu_) August 26, 2018
But as night went on, the lightning became increasingly intense, especially once the clouds drifted farther north from Tokyo.
https://twitter.com/isseiOS/status/1033655030564311041【関東北部で雷雨、都内でも稲妻目撃】26日(日)の夕方以降は、大気の状態が不安定になり、特に関東北部で局地的に激しい雨となっています。茨城県の高萩では18時までの1時間に34.5 mmの激しい雨を観測しました。21時頃まで冠水などに注意が必要です。https://t.co/YA1R70gDAs pic.twitter.com/zQHwz4MVTz
— ウェザーニュース (@wni_jp) August 26, 2018
Sadly, no anime castle was found floating in the center of the nest of cumulonimbus clouds, but thankfully, no damage was reported from it either.
Sources: Weather News, Jin, Otakomu
Top, insert images ©SoraNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]


Real-life Ghibli clouds appear as awesome thunderhead forms in the Tokyo skies 【Videos】
Amazing “funnel cloud” appears over the sky in Japan 【Video】
Colorful smoke-like clouds over Kyushu delight and frighten residents
Studio Ghibli’s Castle in the Sky seemingly appears over real-world China【Video】
Love Ghibli’s Castle in the Sky? Check out these real Laputa-like locations!
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Famous sweets store in Ameyoko fills a bag with sweets and a show, but is it still worth it?
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Ghibli releases free-to-use artwork from Castle in the Sky Laputa, comes with standard disclaimer
Lightning storm photos of the Skytree show the Tokyo symbol in a whole new light【Photos】
Castle in the Sky becomes a Ghibli decoration in your home with cool Laputa hanging planter
Mt. Fuji becomes Studio Ghibli’s Laputa following recent typhoon 【Photos】
Field testing the magic, voice-operated pendant from Ghibli’s Castle in the Sky 【Video】
Massive “earthquake clouds” appear over west Japan, entrance/freak people out【Photos】
Mt. Fuji gets covered with beautiful umbrella cloud that also has some people seeing a fried egg
Studio Ghibli’s new Laputa: Castle in the Sky timer is as dramatic as the anime movie
Ghibli Museum’s rooftop Robot Soldier captivates fans as snow falls in Tokyo【Video】
Chance to see Japan bucket-list must-see scenery “Road to Laputa” gone for good?
We recreate the delicious-looking meatball stew from Laputa: Castle in the Sky【SoraKitchen】
Massive storm lights up Tokyo with thousands of lightning strikes 【Pics & Videos】
Hayao Miyazaki based one of Studio Ghibli’s most memorable anime characters on his own mom
Snow falls at Ghibli Museum, creates a magical anime wonderland【Pics & Video】
Beautiful new Levistone from Ghibli’s Laputa anime going on sale soon, so order yours ASAP【Video】
Yes, our new smartphone looks like at least two Studio Ghibli anime characters, Sharp says