
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!
Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service returns to theaters with first-ever IMAX screenings and remaster
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Is Oni Koroshi sake in a drink box wino fuel or a hidden gem?
Family Mart’s Shibuya Cat Street shop hosts first-ever rescue cat photo exhibition for Cat Day
A fun and cheap souvenir for kids: 100-yen shop play money featuring Japan’s brand-new yen bills!
The 10 best manga to read in 2022, as recommended by Japanese bookstores
Cats and dogs apologising at Japanese press conference is our newest gacha capsule toy obsession
This overlooked neighborhood east of Tokyo is awesome in many ways, left us with just one regret
Japan’s newest weird capsule toys are…super realistic capsule rocks?!?【Photos】
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
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】
Yes, our new smartphone looks like at least two Studio Ghibli anime characters, Sharp says