If you have been reading the news online, I’m sure you know about wewontfly.com and the ongoing debate about the safety of the new TSA scanners, and the dignity and privacy issues brought up by the new and more invasive “pat down” procedures. The simple answer for many is not to fly. Road trips are…
The excellent film site /Film (Slash Film) reports that Anchor Bay has picked up the rites to release Battle Royale and Battle Royale II films. Even thought the films were fine campy additions to films, I’m not sure if the campy, over the top, (kind of low tech) effects are going to lend themselves to…
As smart phones are finally starting to catch on in Japan, mobile phone powerhouse Au is introducing a smartphone running Google’s Android OS. Although the term smart phone is almost silly when considering that the majority of even Japan’s simpler phones have had cameras, music playing capabilities, texting, and applications or “apuri” for years. Videos…
On a trip to Japan, one “Japanese” food I would recommend is ramen. Going to a ramen shop can be filling, delicious, and a great chance to meet and talk to locals. If you pick the right place to eat your ramen, your palate, your sense of adventure, and desire to see everyday life in…
I have many times during the early years of this blog been surprised and appalled by how little research CNN puts into its articles about Japan. I’ve noted before that there seems to be a belief somewhere that “everybody knows about Japan”. There are a lot of people who have spent a few months or…
While others were enjoying the Scooby Doo Halloween Google Logos on Google America, Japan got to see a Google logo dedicated to the birthday of one of Japan’s most internationally famous artists, Hokusai (whose birthday, I believe, is not known for certain). Hokusai was another person (like myself) captivated by the beauty of Mt. Fuji…
This is the end of an era. Since I washed up on the shores of Western Japan, Mecha Ike has been a constant source of entertainment for me. It was one of my first introductions to Japanese comedy, and was one of the few shows that didn’t seem to base its shows entirely on mean-spiritedness….
There has been some doubt about whether Japan Rail would be continuing with its sale of the Seishun 18 Kippu (Seishun 18 Tickets) which allow riders very inexpensive rides on local trains during certain times of the year. Despite the name (Youth 18 Tickets, literally translated), the tickets can be bought and used by anyone….
1. Knowing someone famous in the past, or before they were famous. 2. That they turned down a chance to go to a famous university or chose to be a “freeter” despite being offered a spot in a big company. 3. That they are actually incredibly rich but for some reason or another are hiding…
The newest Pepsi limited edition flavor is Pepsi Mont Blanc. For those of you with a sweet tooth, you know that Mont Blanc refers to something like a chestnut cream (or something made with marron, which I believe to be a large European chestnut used in French cakes… however I am not a foodie so…
Here’s another interesting poll. Also interesting is that, as with many of these “most hated” type of questionnaires. Some of these Japanese actors and comedians may exist on both the hated and loved lists at the same time. Here is the list of the hated ones with a little explanation of who they are. If…
This is the latest fun poll to analyze. As always, the majority of answers are applicable anywhere, but a few of them give us a little window on relationships in Japan… 9. 5 votes – Take out your school yearbook and old pictures 8. 6 votes – Prepare a toothbrush and other things she might…