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/