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Kyoto Temple.

I wasn't allowed to take this photo, but I did anyway. I didn't use flash however. I guess flash photography can damage these statues in some way.

Onsen

A typical Onsen at an upscale resort. Open 24 hours. Gotta love it. Complete privacy.

Still Life arangement

A very nice still life arrangement at a very nice but expensive Ryokan in Northern Japan. I love the rough paper texture.

Ugly 70's building.

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Japan if full of ugly building left over from the 60's, 70's and 80's. They tend to take every design trend to the extreme, so when the trend has past, the building look even more out of date. I however feel that these buildings have a lot of character and charm. This photo was taken in Northern Japan, somewhere near Akita.

Model Cars

Japanese love their detailed model cars. They are very proud of their automotive heritage.

American goods

American goods are very popular in Japan. Here is a picture from Ueno. I love the old cigarette machine, and the paper box.

Outdoor eating experience.

This is a typical after work activity for the Japanese salery man. Eating in one of these open air izakayas. This photo was taken in Ueno in 2006.

Video Game Arcade.

A typical arcade in Tokyo. This photo was taken in Iidabashi, Kagurazaka. It is too bad that in North America, arcades have basically disappeared. In Japan it is a great place to let off some steam after work.

Video games are too damn addictive!

I have recently started playing Halo 2 online, and it has become an obsession for me. Halo is fun enough on it's own, but online it's just too much fun. Surely this is the way of the future. An escape into a virtual world. Truly, virtual worlds are more exciting than reality. One can't walk down a street with a gun and start shooting people, but in Halo, anything goes. My next steep will be to find some Japanese gamers who play halo online. I could get to practice my Japanese and play Halo at the same time! If anybody out there wants to know my gamer tag, it is Onlyprogenesis
Fell free to add me, and I would love to go for a few rounds.

Japanese Artist- PAY Katsuyuki

Here Is the website of an artist I worked with a year ago. We made T-shirts together and did one art exhibition. I have lost contact with him, so I am not sure what he is up to these days, but fortunatly I still have a link to his website. http://homepage.mac.com/payroyal/Menu31.html
He took part in Nuit Blanche (Night White), and all night art exhibition that has become a popular annual event. See http://scotiabanknuitblanche.com/home.html

Shimura Ken

Shimura Ken-Funniest man in Japan.....I think

Shimura Ken is by far my favourite Japanese comedian. I think his personality, and humble character are different from all the others. It is hard to describe, but I think the reason I like him is because he subtly laughs at his own jokes. I like the fact that he cracks himself up. His old man and woman imitations are funny too.

Letters from Iwo Jima

Letters from Iwo Jima was probably my favourite movie from 2006. It was directed by Clint Eastwood. I have to say, for an American, he really captured the true Japanese spirit and sense of humanity. He truely is a genius. I was surprised to learn that the role of Saigo (It actually means last, as he was the last surviving) was played by Kazunari Ninomiya, a member of the idol group Arashi. Arashi means storm by the way. The group is members with the same company as Smap. That would be Johnny's entertainment. Heck, sometimes boy bands to produce quality. Didn't the same thing happen with the back street boys?

American media vs Japanese Media.

I may be wrong on this but in Japan they don't go to the same level to harass and embarrass famous people to make a buck like they do in the USA. Maybe the USA could learn something from this because is it really fair to embarrass somebody to this level. Check out my article on Kiefer Sutherland
http://famouspeoplesightings.blogspot.com/2007/10/kiefer-sutherland-what-are-you-up-to.html


But I may be wrong on this point, so please comment if you have more info or opinions.

Sato Eriko

I was really in Sato Eriko at the time when this film came out. I think she is famous for her really really long legs. Not too many Japanese girls are built like that. An interesting side note, Japanese like to condense words to make them easier to say. Sato Eriko would be Satoeri. Kimura Takuya would be Kimutaku. Kei Truck would be Keitora. You get the picture.
http://www.lovehkfilm.com/panasia/cutie_honey.htm

Hummm, lets vote on the hotest girls in Japan.

I would put it in this order.
4. Any suggestions for 4 to 10 anyone?
3.Inoue waka 井上和香-I guess she is known for her rack, not the thing you put magazines on.
2. Sato Eriko-From Cutie Honey. Long long legs.
1. Anna Tsuchiya-The Half western singer/actor. Looks more western than Japanese.

Olivia Munn saying "S***" on national TV!

Olivia Munn

Who is Oliva Munn?
Oliva Munn is a co-host from Attack of the show. What is her connection with Japan. She was raised there. She is also fond of cars and co-host the show, Formula D.
From http://www.oliviamunn.org/
Is she hot? I would say so.

New payment system

Japan is really ahead of the rest of the world. You can now pay for drinks with your cell phone. A scanner on the phone automatically takes money out of your account.
from http://uk.gizmodo.com/2006/09/29/

Hard Gay in Tokyo

This guy is not for everybody, but he has Borat-like status in Japan. All he does is run around the streets of Tokyo, posing as a gay man, trying to get a reaction out of people. I have to say, it is a very original idea.

Ryu-ga-gotoku 2 (Yakuza)

I just had to get this game. Not for the fighting element (I really hate fighting games), but I got it for the realistic street scenes from Tokyo's Kabukicho and Osaka's Namba area. Even stores like Donkiote are included! I have had trouble finishing part 2 because it is only in Japanese, but it sure is a great way to practice and learn how the Yakuza speak.
I have also learned that this game has been turned into a movie.

Katamari Damacy-Wacky & Creative Japanese game

The only point of this game is to get bigger and bigger. I would highly recommend it. I love the music sound track. There are so many cool songs, I would recommend getting the game just for the music. A wacky game only the Japanese could come up with.

Tokyo Game Show (TGS)

The Tokyo Game Show is the worlds biggest video game event. When I was working at Sega, I was able to go to the show. I am not a huge gamer, but I was very impressed with the booths and displays. Check it out next year if you are into gaming.
September 22,23 open to the public. @ Makuhari Messe
see http://tgs.cesa.or.jp/english/ for more information.

Video Game Culture in Japan.

Halo 3 is by far the biggest Game in the world now, but in Japan for the most part they just don't get it. X-Box sales fall far behind Sony and Nintendo, and they prefer cute or fantasy games.
Anyway, I just wanted to right about video games because I am a huge fan of the Halo series. I can't wait to try out Halo 3. I would never usually play a game like this, but my friend got me into it and I was hooked.
However, I am also a big fan of the Japanese game, Katamari Damashi among others.


From http://www.mauno.fr/
and http://www.halo3.com/

Hajimaymushday (Hajimeimashite)

Hajimaymushday (Hajimeimashite) means "Nice to meat you". This little bit of creativity is from the mind of Paul Gilbert. There are a lot more where this one came from. Just in case you didn't know, May is from Brian May. He was is the guitar player from Queen.
http://www.paulgilbert.com/

Paul Gilbert with Marty Friedman in Japan

This show is a little Cheesy, but good fun none the less. It is called Hebimetarusan, (Mr.Heavy Metal). They both show their Japanese speaking ability on this one.

Marty Friedman in Japan

Wow, this guy is a Genius! What Japanese ability.

Hi Eric! Silly Gaijin Teacher in Japan

Silly Gaijin in Japan. I used to watch this guy every morning as I was getting ready for work. This is pretty much what it's like to teach kids in Japan.

Gaijin Invation, Adam and Joe

A very cute song by Adam and Joe, check it out!

Storm Trooper in Tokyo

Storm Trooper in Tokyo. This is just pure silliness but it makes me laugh.

Look a-likes? Docomo Building & Empire State Building

From http://www.skyscrapercity.com/ & http://www.answers.com/
Look a-likes? Docomo Building & Empire State Building. They did it again. Nice building, but it just looks like a modern update of the Empire state building.

Look alikes? Tokyo Tower & Eiffel Tower

From http://concise.britannica.com&http://gojapan.about.com/
Why would Tokyo choose to steal another cities landmark? Some may say this says a lot about the Japanese people's lack of originality. Tokyo Tower from 1958 and the Eiffel Tower, 1889.

The Bento Store

A typical Japanese bento, or luchtime meal. It is amazing that all this fake food was created from wax.

Not sure what kind of Noodles these are, but it looks like Zaru Soba to me.

Noodles noodles noodles

A bowl of fake Zaru noodles displayed outside a Tokyo restaurant.

I love noodle. Ramen (originaly from China), Zaru Soba (Buckwheat noodles), and udon noodles are all favourites of mine. Nothing beats a hot bowl of ramen on a cold winters night. Or a cool, refreshing plate of Zaru Soba on a hot summers day. There is a noodle dish for all seasons in Japan.

I am a sushi Nut. 寿司

Sushi is just about my favourite food on this planet. I guess I would have to say that Salmon (Shake) is number one followed by Tuna (Maguro), Mackerel (Saba), and Eel (Unagi).
I am not a big fan of the rolls. I far prefer nigiri-zushi.
If you want cheap and desent Sushi in Tokyo, check out the famous 100 yen kaiten sushi restaurant in Shibuya. The one in Sentagaya. That is the place where I first got turned on to sushi.

Japanese Restaurants in Toronto

Nami: Means Wave in Japanese. The top level restaurant in Toronto. The most expensive too.
Fune: Means Boat in Japanese. Upscale kaiten (rotating sushi bar). Great Quality but very expensive
Izakaya: Nice food, but I personally hate the trendy theme. Give me a good old shitamachi (rustic downtown) atmosphere, and I would far prefer that instead.
Hosu: Great place, reasonable price. Korean and Japanese food.
Sushi Time: Not so good. They cut corners and serve barely passable sushi.
Crispy Role: Pretty bad. I almost choked on the plastic they left on my crab roll.

Tokyo Homeless Lives in Internet Cafe

By Indah Nur Oktavia

Tokyo - Although has a job do not mean has house, internet cafe becomes a choice than living in hotel or rents a house. That it’s new urban life style?

The new life style this time is infects certain worker in Tokyo, Japan. With above average living cost, Tokyo is one of high cost city in the world. It is not surprised if many workers are difficult to fulfill the primary requirement.

Can be say there is two homeless types in Tokyo. In one groups is homeless which really having no house to stay and money, while on the other side is homeless which having a job but insufficient to have residence.

Like reported by Reuters, a lot of second type homeless choose to end the night in internet cafe than renting a hotel room. "Cheaper than hotel, there is internet access and hundreds of comic book. There even a microwave and bathroom," says Takeshi Yamashita, a Tokyo freelance worker.

The Group like Yamashita is nicknamed freeter, from words free (free of charge) and arbiter (worker). They it is said born as result of economics crisis which punching Japan in 1990 era.

Government of Japan, through People Prosperity Ministry, informed plans to analyze more deeply about "cyber homeless". Estimated that freeter was citizen member with 20 years old average age and only applies internet cafe as a temporary solution before moving to more permanent residence.

So surely can be say there is two homeless types in Tokyo. In one groups is homeless which really having no house to stay and money, while on the other side is homeless which having a job but insufficient to have residence.

http://amdevice.blogspot.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Indah_Nur_Oktavia

In the heart of Kabukicho. Tons of host and hostess bars abound.

Hachiko

Hachiko. The famous dog that waited for his master until the day he died. Now the statue is a famous meeting spot in Shibuya Station.

A Visitors' Cultural Guide to Japan

By Orson Johnson

Your ‘land of rising sun,’ Nihon or Nippon or Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of China, Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea in the south, Japan is an Archipelago that is comprised of over three thousand islands.

Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū and Shikoku are the largest islands. The islands are mainly mountainous and volcanic; Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest peak. Tokyo is the capital, and Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nagasaki, Nara, Osaka, Sapporo, and Sendai are important cities of Japan. Japan is the country full of scenic beauties and tourist attractions including mesmeric mountains, captivating sites, temples, castles, hot springs, etc.

Japan has total population of 128,085,000 (2005 Estimate). The Japanese society is homogeneous with non-Japanese, mostly Koreans, just making up less than 1% of the population. Shinto and Buddhism are the principal religions, but varieties of Buddhism, such as Jodo, Shingon, and Nichiren, and Christianity is followed by some Japanese people.

Spring is one of the best times to visit Japan; it’s warm, but not hot and it doesn’t rain too much during this time of year. Famous cherry blossoms (sakura) bloom in March-April; the Japan Meteorological Agency in early March, announces predictions about when the blooming will begin. It’s a time of revelry and festivals. Japanese celebrate Hanami, a festival of outdoors picnics and drunken revelry in parks in March or April. Hinamatsuri, the Doll Festival is celebrated on 3 March. The Golden Week (April 27 to May 6) that is the longest holiday in Japan is not good time to visit Japan, as there are four public holidays and people go on for vacation, and trains are crowded, flight and hotel prices go incredibly up, but you may plan you tour a couple of weeks immediately before or after the Golden Week.

Summer brings a dreary rainy season in June and Japan turns into a steambath in July-August, with extreme humidity and the temperature heading as high as 40°C. During this time northern Hokkaido or the mountains of Chubu and Tohoku are some of the places to visit. Summer brings number festivals that include several big and small local festivals and impressive fireworks competitions. On July 7th or early August in some places, Tanabata is a star festival commemorating a story of star-crossed lovers who could only meet on this day. Celebrated in mid-July in eastern Japan (Kanto) and mid-August in western Japan (Kansai), Obon is the largest summer festival that honors the departed spirits of one's ancestors.

Starting in September, autumn is also the best time to visit Japan. Temperature and humidity is tolerable, days are fair, and colors of fall are mesmerizing. Winter is cold and snowy, which is good time for skiing or hot-spring hopping.

Matsuri are local festivals, usually related to the rice harvest, celebrated in late summer/early autumn. Matsuri are celebrated almost every region of Japan. Gion Matsuri (Kyoto), Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka), and Kanda and Sannō Matsuri (Tokyo) are some of the most popular.

Shichi-Go-San is the festival day for children aged three, five and seven, celebrated on 15 November. Ōmisoka - New Year is celebrated with great fervor and festivity. It is holiday that shuts down the country between December 29 and January 3. People eat festive foods and gather at temple at midnight to wish in the New Year. Second Monday of January is Seijin Shiki, which is a nation wide festival of Coming of Age Day.

Japanese national holidays include January 1 (New Year's Day), 2nd Monday of January (Coming-of-Age Day), February 11 (National Foundation Day), March 21 (Vernal Equinox Day), April 29 (Showa Day), May 3 (Constitution Day), May 4 (Greenery Day), May 5 (Children's Day), 3rd Monday of July (Marine Day), 3rd Monday of September (Respect-for-the-Aged Day), September 23 (Autumnal Equinox Day), 2nd Monday of October (Sports Day), November 3 (Culture Day), November 23 (Labor Thanksgiving Day), and December 23 (The Emperor's Birthday).

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for apartments, bed and breakfasts, Tokyo apartments hotels and Tokyo bed and breakfast

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Orson_Johnson

Videocast: Taking a walk in Shibuya.

Red accent color

Modern or traditional, in Japan they love to use red as an accent color. The first is a sculpture from Kyoto Station, the second, two fortune boxes from a temple, the third, a traditional mail box in the country side.

Kyoto's very stylish and swank, Gion area. I love the walkway motif.

Nazi sign? No, Buddhist. These lanterns can be found at Temples, Festivals and restaurants. In Japanese they are called, "Chochin".

Police box sign. One person dead in traffic accident, 246 injured. This changes on a daily basis.

Home sweet home for me. A view from Iidabashi station, west exit.

Yoyogi Park silliness. I have no idea what these people are thinking. I can assure you they are no friends of mine. Anyway, group sports and games are very popular in Japan. Like skipping rope.

Skipping rope in Yoyogi Park.

Stylish store front in Omote-Sando.

Takeshita Dori, Harajuku Station. Almost always too crowded to enjoy for me. However, it is a must see for the first time tourist.

Iidabashi Station

Idol postcard shop on Takeshita dori in Harajuku.

Travel Japan

Guide to Japan, By Peter Albrektsen

Must see areas: Shinjuku. The heart of the red light district but a must see place none the less. Shibuya. , Roppingi

Favourite place to Stay: Iidabashi-Aki House. I lived there for 3 years. Not the cleanest, but such a great area. Check out Kagurazaka. Tons of nice restaurants.

Places to go out: Roppongi, Gas panic, a GI hangout, but a good place to go if you are in a crazy mood.

Intersection in Shibuya

A view from Tower Records. On the floor with all the English books and magazines.