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| Title | Description | ||||||
| Les Misérables, Tokyo style | No singing. No dancing. Just sitting — in silence. | ||||||
| Best Japanese TV Commercials of 2012 |  Since the world did not end on December 21st, we can now safely look back and laugh at some of the Best Japanese TV commercials of 2012! This nine plus minute collection of some of the funniest, most bizzare and seriously WTF TV ad spots is brought to us by youtuber JPCMHD. And, for sure, these classic commercials will be taken down soon so check them out now! See also:VPN's "Midnight Cooking" Enka TV Show Japanese TV Fishing = Tentacle Porn (NSFW) This is Japanese TV. That is All. |
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| Japan News This Week 6 January 2013 | 今週の日本 Japan Can Champion Women’s RightsNew York Times Expect to Be Lied to in Japan The New York Review of Books Japan sends envoy to soothe ties with South Korea BBC Japanese hawk's election victory prompts fears of regional tension Guardian Abe to leave Murayama war apology declaration alone, eye 'future-oriented' statement, Suga says Japan Times Getting to Zero: Doing the Nuclear Math about Japan’s Ageing Reactors Japan Focus Last Week's Japan News Statistics The death row population in Japan is now at a post-1949 peak. There are currently 133 inmates on death row in Japanese prisons. Source: Yomiuri Shinbun © JapanVisitor Book a hotel in Japan with Bookings Happi Coats Tags Japan News Japan Statistics politics |
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| Palette Kumoji Department Store Naha | パレットくもじ The Palette Kumoji (Ryubo) Department Store marks one end of Naha's main drag - Kokusai Dori. Built in 1991, the Palette Kumoji has 10 floors with the top floor being a roof/beer garden.  The Palette Kumoji building contains a cinema, a civic theater, multiple restaurants (Blue Seal, KFC, MOS Burger), cafes (Aunt Stella's, Climax Coffee), the Naha City Gallery, the Naha City Museum of History (with calligraphy, ceramics, and documents relating to the Ryukyu kingdom) as well as over 100 retail stores (Hiroko Bis, Sanrio Plaza, Ralph Lauren, Sonia Rykiel, etc). Music and other performances are often performed in the square just outside the building. Palette Kumoji Kumoji 1-1-1 Naha Okinawa 900-8503 Tel: 098 866 7227 Access Take the Yui Rail to Kencho-mae Station. There is car parking available for around 160 vehicles at the store. © JapanVisitor.com Inside Track Japan For Kindle Tags Naha Okinawa Shopping Department Stores Okinawa Guide |
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| Taco Rice on Okinawa | タコライス Taco rice is a popular dish of Okinawa cuisine and taco rice restaurants can be found all over the main island.  Main dishes in tacos restaurants on Okinawa include taco rice, which is ground beef with tomato, lettuce, grated cheese and salsa sauce on a bed of rice or the same ingredients rolled in a tortilla with a salsa dipping sauce. The Tex-Mex dish reportedly dates from the 1960s and the US occupation and continued military presence on the island.  Taco rice goes well with the local Orion beer and is a popular late night snack or family lunch. Kokusai Dori in Naha or Okinawa City are both good places to sample this delicious Okinawan food. Jango Jango (Tel 098 867 3046) in Makishi on Kokusai Dori is a well-established and atmospheric taco rice restaurant. © JapanVisitor.com Like this blog? Sign up for the JapanVisitor newsletter Tags Okinawa Naha Orion Taco Rice Japanese food |
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| Orion Beer | オリオンビール Orion is the signature beer of Okinawa and goes well with Okinawan food. The Orion brewery was set up in 1957 and its main beer Orion Draft Beer has an American-style mild taste with an alcohol content of 5%.  Orion also produces a number of happoshu brews including Southern Star as well as a zero alcohol variety. Orion is the 5th biggest brewery in Japan after the big four Japanese breweries: Kirin, Sapporo, Asahi and Suntory but has only a 1% share of the Japanese beer market, though this includes 50% of the Okinawan market.  Beer fans can visit the Orion beer factory (Orion Happy Park) near Nago castle ruins. Orion Happy Park 2-2-1 Agarie, Nago City Okinawa © JapanVisitor.com Like this blog? Sign up for the JapanVisitor newsletter Tags Okinawa Orion beer Orion Beer Japanese beer |
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| An outdoor, considerably low-tech, Japanese kitchen | Much is made of Japan’s high-tech cities and the nation’s love of gadgets, but an awful lot of day-to-day life remains stuck very much in the past. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the home. A place where very often even basics along the lines of insulation and double glazing are inventions to [...] | ||||||
| Tomari International Cemetery Okinawa | 泊外国人墓地 The Tomari International Cemetery at Tomari Port in Naha city in Okinawa contains the graves of (mostly American) foreigners who died in Okinawa, other than those killed in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.  The Tomari International Cemetery in Naha in Okinawa also contains a stone memorial to commemorate the arrival of Commodore Perry in Okinawa in 1853 on his way to Japan and his arrival at Shimoda in Tokyo Bay.  The well-kept cemetery is free to enter to pay your respects. The Tomari International Cemetery was destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 and re-established a decade later in 1955. To access the cemetery take Highway 58 north from Naha towards Kadena. Turn left at the Tomari-Takahashi crossroads. The cemetery is on your right. Serving members of the US military have done much to keep this historic spot in good order.  © JapanVisitor.com Inside Track Japan For Kindle Tags Japan Naha Perry Okinawa Japanese cemetery |
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| Zen and the art of Kyoto contemplation | In a welcome sun spot. On a bitterly cold day. Kyoto’s Nanzen-ji provided the perfect place to ponder the year that had almost passed, and make plans for the one quickly approaching. | ||||||
| Nearly nothing happens—3 months after Japan’s jail-time-for-downloading law | Fair Use — Parody It has been three months since the enactment of Japan’s Jail-time-for-Downloading Law and almost nothing has happened. Since October 1st, downloading pirated material in Japan can result in two years in prison and a fine of two ($25,600 USD) for each pirated file. For uploading, you can be [...] | ||||||
| Happy Chinese 2013 New Year of Snake |  XXX Large Size Get your free Happy Chinese 2013 New Year's wallpaper here. Here's wishing you a very Happy New Year from all of us! Related: Japan vs NYC New Year's Celebration Happy Chinese New Year 2012! |
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| Hello, 2013 | Here we are, 2013. My Eve ended up happening pretty much like I described in yesterday’s post, and yes, I couldn’t help myself and I did indeed end up live tweeting Kohaku. It’s beyond my control. Feels good starting a new … Continue reading | ||||||
| Happy Year of the Snake 2013 | あけましておめでとうございます Happy 2013 to all our visitors. It's the Year of the Snake in 2013, below is the kanji character for the Year of the Snake (巳年; hebidoshi or midoshi).  2012 saw a change of government in December with Shinzo Abe and the LDP back in power, increased tensions with neighbors China and South Korea and a further decrease in business and consumer confidence. Still the yen is weakening slightly making Japan a more affordable location for a holiday of a lifetime from the ski resorts of Hokkaido to the tropical beaches of Okinawa. We wish you all a peaceful and healthy 2013. © Japan Visitor Book a hotel in Japan with Bookings Japan Friends The Japanese Spa: A Guide to Japan's Finest Ryokan and Onsen Tags New Year nengajyo Snake |
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| The Eve | The end of the year draws near. Ever since I’ve lived in Japan, I’ve always enjoyed celebrating New Year’s Eve in a quiet (and what I think is a relatively traditional) way. It’s late in the afternoon, and my wife … Continue reading | ||||||
| Peacock Indian Restaurant Akita | ピーコック インド料理 Though somewhat far from the center of Akita and a taxi is your best option to get there, Peacock was certainly worth the journey.  Delicious curries (including vegetarian options), a spacious layout, friendly staff and an excellent masala chai after a filling thali set.  Peacock is known for the variety of its nan bread, will make you a birthday cake if you let them know in advance and make a reservation on your birthday and also does take away. Peacock is two kilometers directly north of Akita City Hall. Hours: Lunch: 11am-3pm; Dinner 5pm-10pm   4-17 Yabase-shinkawamukai Akita Tel: 018 824-6114 © JapanVisitor.com Inside Track Japan For Kindle Tags Japan food Akita Vegetarian Indian Food Japanese food |
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| How Can Japanese Sumo Survive? |  Via Next Media Animation TV December 27, 2012 For the past 10 years or so, professional Japanese Sumo wrestling has seen a steady decline in popularity as it has suffered from fixed matches, links to organized crime, bar room brawls in Roppongi, a marijuana scandal and illegal gambling on baseball etc. The failure to produce a Japanese superstar wrestler has also driven away many long-term fans as well. So how can Japanese Sumo survive? Well, Taiwan's Next Media Animation TV has some funny ideas:  The above reminder is courtesy of Mr. T who also wrote: "Hey, Happy New Year of the Snake!" Related: NMATV: Japanese Sumo 3D Animation News |
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| A new ‘Japanese’ you for the New Year! | From the 3Yen contributor at “m0ar.org“… Do you avoid people trying to take your picture? Do you avoid looking into your own eyes in the bathroom mirror? Do you sincerely hate yourself and really want to change into a new “morally and spiritually superior” human being? Well, now you can do that with the all new [...] | ||||||
| Japan News This Week 23 December 2012 | 今週の日本 Tensions Between Japan and South Korea Complicate Picture for U.S. New York Times Japan's Economic Woes Offer Lessons To U.S. NPR Shinzo Abe's challenges in reviving Japan's economy BBC 【再掲】不信任が可決された双葉町長の井戸川町長インタビュー Our Planet Japanese hawk's election victory prompts fears of regional tension Guardian LDP mulling U-turn on Takeshima Day Japan Times 日本鹿儿岛县樱花提早绽放 或因受三大台风影响_中国网 Caijing Were U.S marines used as guinea pigs on Okinawa? Japan Focus Last Week's Japan News Statistics Fifty-one percent of Japanese support the idea that husband should be the main breadwinner and wives should stay home and do housework. More than half of those who replied in the Cabinet poll support the "traditional" family arrangement, a rise of 10.3% over a 2009 poll. Interestingly, those in their 20s showed the highest rise, which was 19.3%. 55.7% of people in their 20s support this. Source: Yomiuri Shinbun © JapanVisitor Book a hotel in Japan with Bookings Japanese Fiction Happi Coats Tags Japan News Japan Statistics politics |
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| Japan News This Week 9 December 2012 | 今週の日本 Kanzaburo Nakamura, Stalwart of Kabuki, Dies at 57 New York Times Japan tsunami warning lifted after wave hits coast BBC 野宿者を壁で強制隔離〜竪川公園一部がゲットー化 Our Planet Japan tunnel collapse kills nine Guardian Crowded race raises the risk of re-balloting Japan Times 日本年度汉字网络投票 “乱”字领先 Caijing The Search for the Beautiful Woman in China and Japan: Aesthetics and Power Japan Focus Last Week's Japan News Statistics Military spending as a percentage of 2010 GDP North Korea 15.6% USA 4.9% South Korea 2.6% China 1.3% Japan 1.0% China now has the world's second largest defense budget, roughly the size of the UK and France combined. Source: ZeroHedge.com © JapanVisitor Book a hotel in Japan with Bookings Japanese Fiction Happi Coats Tags Japan News Japan Statistics politics |
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| Japan News This Week 16 December 2012 | 今週の日本 A Political Pendulum in a Disgruntled Japan New York Times Bodies found in boat in Japan, probably N Korean defectors CNN China submits East China Sea islands claim to UN BBC 「IAEAは帰れ！」〜福島県庁前で抗議アクション Our Planet Fukushima operator Tepco admits culpability Guardian LDP remains the front-runner in Kyodo's final survey Japan Times 日本加强钓鱼岛空中警戒监视 增加机载预警飞机_军事_中国网_权威防务资讯 Caijing Toward Resolution of the Comfort Women Issue—The 1000th Wednesday Protest in Seoul and Japanese Intransigence Japan Focus Last Week's Japan News Statistics Winter bonuses for national civil servants in Japan were down by 8.4% compared to the previous year's bonuses. The average bonus came to 565,300 yen (about USD $6760). Source: Jiji Press © JapanVisitor Book a hotel in Japan with Bookings Japanese Fiction Happi Coats Tags Japan News Japan Statistics politics |
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| Japan News This Week 30 December 2012 | 今週の日本Revival of Hitachi the Company Is a Detriment to Hitachi the City New York Times Japanese 115-year-old becomes oldest man in recorded history The Independent Japan PM Abe praises Fukushima nuclear work during visit BBC 8 U.S. sailors sue Japanese firm over radiation from nuclear meltdown LA Times Meet the woman battling Japan's whaling fleet in Antarctic ocean Guardian Mainali: 15 years in jail equals ¥68 million Japan Times Japan's new inflationary strategy: wrong target Christian Science Monitor Abe Days Are Here Again: Japan in the World Japan Focus Last Week's Japan News Statistics The population of Japan is expected to fall by 30 percent to less than 90 million by 2060, with 2 in 5 people being 65 or older. Source: Christian Science Monitor © JapanVisitor Book a hotel in Japan with Bookings Happi Coats Tags Japan News Japan Statistics politics |
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| Japan plans for Plutonium Pocky™! | Realizing there is a gaping gap in Glico’s Pocky lineup*, Japan is obviously stockpiling for the introduction of plutonium-flavored Pocky! Yummy! Fair Use — Parody Japan sticks to plan for extracting plutonium, but has little use for the tons it already has Washington Post (AP News) December 28, 2012 …a high-tech facility that [...] | ||||||
| Favorite Media of 2012 | This is what I liked this year. The most. Every year (2010, 2011) I prepare a list of my favorite media, covering games, movies, TV shows, comics, and music — I skip books because I don’t feel like I read … Continue reading | ||||||
| Holiday Break | My holidays start… here. As I’ve probably written on this blog a bunch of times over the years, Christmas isn’t much of thing here in Japan — and in fact I was at the office on that very day — … Continue reading | ||||||
| Zengo Station | 前後駅 Zengo Station is a station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line between Toyohashi and Gifu via Kanayama Station and Nagoya Station.  Limited Express trains, however, do not stop at Zengo Station. Zengo Station is close to Sogenji Temple and the Senninzuka burial mound both connected with the Battle of Okehazama. The station building is just off National Highway 1, the old Tokaido highway. © JapanVisitor.com Inside Track Japan For Kindle Tags Japan rail Meitetsu Zengo Nagoya Japanese stations |
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| Hotel Metropolitan Akita | 秋田駅 Adjacent to Akita Station, the ALS Hotel Metropolitan Akita, owned by the JR group, is one of Akita's more upmarket hotels.  Facilities at the Hotel Metropolitan Akita Station include the Sazanka restaurant serving local Akita delicacies. All rooms have internet access. Hotel Metropolitan Akita Naka Dori 7-2-1, Akita Station Bldg. Akita 010-0001 Tel: 018 831 2222 Another more down-market hotel close to Akita Station is the Toyoko Inn. © JapanVisitor.com Guide Books on Tokyo & Japan Tags Japan hotels Akita Hotels Akita hotel Japanese hotels |
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| Hot Japanese Model Mitsu Dan in Sexy Promo |  Via Rocket News 24 December 26, 2012 Last week the very hot Japanese model Mitsu Dan engaged in a super sexy promotion of the DVD release of "Safe House" or "Dangerous Run デンジャラス・ラン" (Japanese title) at the Hotel Ibis in Roppongi, Tokyo. During her promo appearance, Dan called herself “Dangerous Dan” and answered some "dangerous" questions in like fashion. On which movie star would she like to have a date with she replied “I’d like to make out with Ryan Reynolds while being spanked by Denzel Washington.” Below is a short Japanese press conference video of this event: And in case you may now be somewhat interested in this promiscuous promoter, she is currently starring in the Japanese film entitled "Be My Slave" or 私の奴隷になりなさい in which she plays the role of an office lady (OL) turned sex slave. Here is the official Japanese trailer for this film:  See also: Beat Takeshi Kitano's "Outrage Beyond" Trailer for Jackie Chan's "Chinese Zodiac" Movie "Seeking Asian Female" Movie Trailer |
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| Hello Kitty Hosiery | Hello Kitty hosers‘ hosiery? Hell, why not. Hello Kitty Stockings Hello Kitty Hell | 2012/12/19 There are bad ideas, and then there are ideas that have simply been created to infuse the vast majority of the human population with utter and total disgust…there really can be no other reason for the invention of the Hello Kitty stockings…more… [...] | ||||||
| VPN's "Midnight Cooking" Enka TV Show |  Vermillion Pleasure Night was a very funny, offbeat late-night TV comedy show that was so popular some DVDs of the show were released as well as a CD of the show's many soundtracks. In addition to that, a complete collection of all the Vermillion Pleasure Night show segments was released in early 2009. For a TV show that was only on the air for about a half year in 2000, that's really something special, indeed. In this short skit, two beautiful Japanese "cooking teachers" ham it up while singing karaoke-style enka and showing us how not to prepare seaweed soup, pickles and curried rice on VPN's "Midnight Cooking" TV segment. This version includes English subtitles and will probably be taken down soon so check it out!  Related: OH! Mikey: "Our New Life in Japan" Funny Japanese TV: "Oh Mikey!" |
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| DPRK's Moranbong Band Destroys The World |  Via North Korea December 23, 2012 Released yesterday, here is North Korea's Moranbong Band performing an instrumental version of "Without A Break" in celebration of the Democratic People's Republic of Best Korea's recent satellite launch. It is said that this song commemorates the "bravery and fortitude of the country’s military". This robust and epic performance was broadcast on KCNA TV. The Moranbong Band is an attractive, all-female and very talented group that made its debut performance earlier this year in July. When watching this video, look closely at the on-stage video screen and you can see the entire world explode into a ball of fire at 4:18!!! WTF?!?!?! O.O  Related: DPRK Best Korea Launches Best Satellite |
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| Japan finds foreign recruits thanks to really cool tattoos | Judging from this photo essay from the UK’s last bastion of journalistic excellence, Bizarre magazine, the overseas recruiting efforts of yakuza gangsters has been very promising in the filling in the voids left by Japan’s negative population growth(3Yen / 2011-01-17). embiggen embiggen Photo tip thanks to Den4, the 3Yen’s correspondent-at-large. | ||||||
| Merry Christmas! | Now that’s the Christmas spirit “Kitchen Doggie”! Or better yet, check out this Christmas-Luchdor reindeer mask… See and learn more about the true meaning of Japanese Christmas in the Comments section… | ||||||
| Mutant horny hermaphrodites beyond the Fukushima nuclear Dead Zone! | In a scenero worthy of a cheesy Godzilla/Kaiju movie… mutant, female, horned, hermaphroditic, stag beetles are arising just outside the Fukushima nuclear meltdown area. Mutant Bugs Found enenews.com | December 22, 2012 …The bugs were collected in Ibaraki [the prefecture bordering Fukushima at Ushiku city]. …The hermaphrodite beetle in is the middle…female legs and body shape but a [...] | ||||||
| Merry Squid-mas from Japan | Den4 via email writes Cthulhu One Cane to rule them all, One Cane to find them, One Cane to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. | ||||||
| Badass biker Santas in Shibuya Tokyo | Badass bosozoku* Santas invade the trendy Shibuya district of Tokyo for Christmas according to rocketnews (via Google Translate). More photos and details on rocketnews24.com (in Japanese) | ||||||
| Doin’ the Japanese Cabinet Shuffle | .. ~DailyGomiuri, on Twitter The truth is the government really does just Photoshop new heads on the official Japan Cabinet portraits since Prime Minister changes every year and while in office the Prime Minister shuffles his cabinet at least three times. | ||||||
| Tacky Tiki talismans turn up in Tokyo | Chile's Moai statue arrives in Tokyo Kyodo/Japan Times | Dec. 26, 2012 A stone replica of a Moai human figure found on Easter Island, created by Chilean artisans, arrived at a Tokyo port Tuesday to be presented next year to a Miyagi Prefecture town that was devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami...more… Learn more about [...] | ||||||
| Namiki Yabu Soba Asakusa Tokyo | 並木藪蕎麦 Asakusa in Taito ward - Tokyo's east end - is home to one of the metropolis's most famous temples, Sensoji, and one of its most famous soba noodle shops, Namiki Yabu Soba. Sensoji is always flocked with tourists, mainly from within Japan, but numerous overseas tourists too. .JPG "Soba in Namiki Yabu Soba restaurant, Asakusa, Tokyo.") While the big, bold temple with its vermillion gates and famous five-story pagoda is the central tourism draw, the whole area exudes the kind of atmosphere that is just right for sightseeing: a feel of Tokyo as it used to be, with shops selling traditional Japanese foods, snacks, sweets, toys, clothing, decorations and ornaments. Right in front of Sensoji Temple is busy, too, with rickshaw pullers at its Kaminarimon Gate soliciting tourists to be taken around the district for a few minutes in the style of an old monied resident of Tokyo and take in the sights. Traditional Japanese food is available everywhere in Asakusa, and it was at one of the most famous restaurants in Asakusa, Namiki Yabu Soba that I met up with an old friend on the weekend. Soba, a thin brown, buckwheat noodle, is one of the three most popular kinds of noodle in Japan, the other two being the thick, somewhat chewy udon and the Chinese-inspired raamen. While raamen is always served hot, soba and udon can be served either hot or cold. .JPG "Soba with seaweed on top in Namiki Yabu Soba restaurant, Asakusa, Tokyo.") Soba is traditionally associated with east Japan (typified by Tokyo) and udon with west Japan (Osaka). Soba comes in three main varieties, each served by one of three different "schools" of soba restaurant after which each variety takes its name: -yabu (藪)soba, of the kind I and my friend ate at Namiki Yabu Soba. Yabu soba is the thickest of the three sobas, and the stock is also the strongest in terms of flavor. Yabu soba is traditionally associated with the working class in Japan. Being yabu, this is what Namiki Yabu Soba serves. -sarashina (更科) soba is quite different from yabu soba in being made of quite fine strands and having a stock with a refined, delicate flavor. Sarashina soba is therefore associated with the upper classes. -sunaba (砂場) soba is halfway between yabu and sarashina, being of medium thickness and flavor and, as far as I know, is therefore not particularly associated with any social class. I had to wait for my friend for a few minutes, so, being mid-winter, I followed the lead of the old guy sitting across from me and ordered atsukan - a small flask of warmed sake - just to first thaw out. My friend was delighted by my choice and, while we were sipping on it deciding what to order, told me that in Japan the soba-ya (soba shop) was traditionally the place to do most of your drinking in Japan, moreso than the traditional pub, or izakaya. The soba-ya was where mom and pop did their familiar tippling, kids often in tow, while the izakaya was more of a special night out.
Namiki Yabu Soba is less than five minutes walk from the main Kaminarimon Gate of Sensoji Temple. Cross the road in front of the traditional sweet/snack shop on the corner and you'll find it on the right side of the street going going directly away from Sensoji Temple, just past the second set of traffic lights. Look for the white, traditional two-story building with a stone lantern out front. Namiki Yabu Soba is open 11:30am to 7:30pm every day except Thursday, when it is closed. Being as famous as it is, Namiki Yabu Soba has an English menu. © JapanVisitor.com Inside Track Japan For Kindle Tags Japan Tokyo Asakusa soba restaurant |
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| Bic Camera Nagoya | ビックカメラ Bic Camera's giant store at Nagoya Station is on the south side of the station near the entrance to the Shinkansen tracks. The other side of Nagoya Station has the twin towers of the station building and the Midland Square and Gakuen Mode skyscrapers.  As well as the usual electronics range: mobile phones, cameras, computers, tablets, TVs, DVD players etc, Bic Camera Nagoya also sells pharmaceuticals, beauty and health products, furnishings, pianos, toys, books, liquor, watches and bedding. Bic Camera (in Japanese) 453-0015 Nakamura-ku Tsubaki-cho 6-9 Tel: 052 459 1111 Hours: 10am-9pm © JapanVisitor.com Guide Books on Tokyo & Japan Tags Japan Shops electronics Nagoya Bic Camera Japanese electronics |
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| A few favourite photographs from 2012 | With 2012 coming to a close, it’s time once again to post a few of my favourite photographs from the previous 12 months. A year that saw me, with camera in hand, criss-cross the capital on countless occasions; each and every time hoping to preserve a special moment or emotion. A quest that, it goes [...] | ||||||
| The New PechaKucha Website | The new PechaKucha website is now live. It’s been live for a few days now, and I hope you all take some time over the holidays to check it out, and see what we’ve been up to for a good … Continue reading | ||||||
| Noichi Zoo Kochi Prefecture | のいち動物公園 The Noichi Zoo in Kochi Prefecture is a picturesque and interesting place to spend a few hours wandering among the resident animals.  A smaller zoo has many charms. During our visit my daughter and I were able to see everything this lovely zoo has to offer. In California we have the San Diego Zoo, which is indeed a fine institution, but it is enormous, busy, expensive, and exhausting. For us, the Noichi Zoo was close to perfect.  We noticed how the habitats were clean and well tended and provided visitors with an optimal view of the birds and animals. We were intrigued to see animals common to North America as part of the zoo's collection. I have never set my eyes upon a prairie dog or a beaver in my life, but here in Japan there they were. We encountered a few school children who greeted us with giggles and a chorus of hellos. We passed a group of senior citizens accompanied by their caregivers. The day was peaceful and idyllic.  After we had ice cream in the zoo restaurant we stopped in the gift shop. Of course I purchased a Noichi Zoo hand towel for myself. I also noticed there were affordable items that children could buy for but a few hundred yen. Noichi Zoological Park of Kochi Prefecture 738 Otani Noichi-cho Konan-shi Kochi 781-5233 Tel: 0887 56 3500  © JapanVisitor.com Inside Track Japan For Kindle Tags Japan Kochi Shikoku Zoos Japanese Zoos |
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| Taito Tourist Center wins Good Design Award | 浅草文化観光センター グッド・デザイン賞 The Good Design Award is a "comprehensive program for the evaluation and encouragement of design organized by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP)." The Good Design Award has a long history in Japan, having begun 55 years ago, in 1957.  The Good Design Award has numerous categories, most of them covering types of consumer product. One of the non-consumer product categories is "Public spaces, architecture and facilities," and this year a special prize was awarded in this category for the Akaskusa Cultural Tourist Information Center located in Taito ward, Tokyo. The Akaskusa Cultural Tourist Information Center opened in April 2012, right across from Sensoji Temple, the main tourist attraction of the Asakusa area in Taito ward. The Akaskusa Cultural Tourist Information Center is distinguished by its novel architecture that gives the impression of about five wooden houses having been stacked on top of each other. This daring suggestion of random juxtaposition, however, is redeemed by an artful overall balance, making for an unforgettable example of modern architecture that makes optimum use of glass for interior natural brightness, and wood for a warm, hospitable feel. The three recipients of the Good Design Award 2012 were the architect, Kuma Kengo; the owner, Taito ward, Tokyo; and the construction company, Fujita.
Finally, the Asakusa Cultural Tourist Information Center offers a superb view of not only the Tokyo SkyTree, but the architectural cornucopia that surrounds it, including the distinctive Asahi building with its golden "flame" on the roof. YouTube Slideshow of Asakusa Cultural Tourist Information Center © JapanVisitor.com Inside Track Japan For Kindle Tags Japan Tokyo Taito design tourist |
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| A Shibuya Crossing Merry Christmas | Wherever in the world you spend it. And whoever you spend it with. I hope you have a thoroughly wonderful time. Merry Christmas! | ||||||
| Let's Have a "Happy Ending" Today! |  December 21, 2012 - 12-12-12 is finally here. So in celebration of this "End of Times" day, let's all have a "Happy Ending" day today! Above fine art photograph by Paulo Nunes. See also: How Christmas Dies in Shijiao, China Coming Soon: Attack of The Japanese Baby Robots! |
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| Christmas Chochin Lanterns At Kanayama Station | クリスマスランタン These beautiful Christmas lanterns decorate the shopping plaza at Kanayama Station near the performance stage and the branch of Seijo Ishii.  Produced by a local Nagoya chochin (paper lantern) firm in Nagoya, the design of the lanterns is based on a traditional Finnish look in the shape of a Christmas Tree.  The lanterns are so large they were made in a separate warehouse and then brought to the company's store to be painted. One of the Christmas Tree lanterns has been purchased by the Finnish Embassy in Tokyo and another is on display inside Nagoya Shiyakusho (City Hall). © JapanVisitor.com Inside Track Japan For Kindle Tags Japan lanterns chochin Kanayama Station Nagoya Japanese crafts |
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| North Korea's KCNA Misses The Joke |  Via Beijing Cream December 20, 2012 Just last month The Onion named Kim Jong Un "The Sexiest Man Alive" and this fooled the Chinese State Media’s People’s Daily Online! Now the above press release from North Korea's Central News Agency KCNA shows that it has been duped into believing 4chan's brutal joke!  See also: People's Daily: Kim Jong Un "Sexiest Man Alive" Kim Jong Il & Om Yun Chol Win Olympic Gold! Visit New North Korea Best Korea! |
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| Has THE END happened? | The End of Japan (the rest of world is inconsequential) is foretold in the 12th Tzolkin of the Mayan Calendar. The prophecy IS coming true today, December 21st! skeptic.com/reading_room/2012-and-counting Blessed be friend. WE light workers are here to guide you and expell the evil forces of demonic entities that inhabit [...] | ||||||
| A winter picnic in pedestrianised Ginza | At the weekend, Ginza’s pedestrianised main street allows visitors to enjoy something of a rarity in Tokyo — space. A welcome move that makes the area ideal for parents, possible pets, and far less frequently, picnics. | ||||||
| Battle of Okehazama | 桶狭間の戦い The Battle of Okehazama took place in 1560 in what is now the outskirts of Nagoya city in Toyoake. A young Oda Nobunaga leading a vastly outnumbered force of reportedly only 3,000 men made a surprise attack on the camp of his enemy Imagawa Yoshimoto, scattering his forces of 35,000 soldiers and killing Yoshimoto.
The main sites commemorating the Battle of Okehazama are found between Arimatsu Station, Chukyo-keibajo-mae Station and Zengo Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line to Toyohashi from Nagoya Station or Kanayama Station.
Back on Route 1 (the old Tokaido highway) on the way to Zengo Station is a burial mound called Senninzuka, where the bodies of 2,500 of Imagawa's soldiers were laid to rest by a Buddhist priest from Sogenji Temple.
Sogenji Temple is a 1km walk from Zengo Station and commemorates the battle in an annual festival in June. © JapanVisitor.com Inside Track Japan For Kindle Tags Japan Tokyo Okehazama Nagoya Japanese history |
