The Trend Hunter website has found a new emerging trend: foreigners in Japan who wear face masks. And it’s more true than used to be the case – I’ve seen plenty of foreigners this winter wearing masks. Maybe on doctor’s orders like me the other week, or maybe it’s really catching on. I expected people… Continue reading Trend Hunter reviews Mechakucha
Category: Japan
100 yen fortune
I’m at a Korean restaurant for some bbq extravaganza. On the table is a small machine that dispenses fortunes for 100 yen. It lights up and spins around, and releases a small rolled up piece of paper that looks like it’s just been detached from a carrier pigeon. And my fortune?
Shimbashi steam loco
This is CII292, the old steam locomotive in the square outside Shimbashi station. It’s a perfect meeting place if you’re going to hit the town at one of the many local bars and restaurants.
The non-explosive heat-in-a-bag meal
This is pretty cool – a sealed plastic bag that pops at its vent when it heats up, lets the air out, and there – your dinner doesn’t explode inside the microwave oven.
At home with the flu
I should have known that writing a post comparing surgical masks would have been a prophetic prediction of things to come – I’m currently at home with the flu. I even finished it off with “Watch out office, here I come on Monday”. I should have said Tuesday, as I was only one day out…
A first-timer’s guide to Japanese surgical face masks
Everyone’s sniffling, snuffling and snorting their way through winter, and it seems that much of the population of Tokyo is wearing a surgical face mask to keep their colds to themselves, or protect themselves from catching a nasty bug. I decided to try some masks out for myself, so went down to my local convenience store… Continue reading A first-timer’s guide to Japanese surgical face masks
Around (Tokyo) Bay in a Day
On Saturday, it was by bike around the Yamanote Line in a day. On Monday (Seijin-no-hi – Coming of Age Day – public holiday), it was leaving the bike behind, and travelling around Tokyo Bay in a Day.
Yamanote Line Circuit
Today’s excursion around the Yamanote Line reinforced that Tokyo is a great city to get around by bicycle. Phil and I had been thinking about doing this ride for a long time, and finally put the plan into implementation today. We met at the Marunouchi entrance to Tokyo Station this morning, and set out clockwise.
Marunouchi
No 30, Back to Tokyo Station. Departed at 10.15am. Returned 4.40pm. 40.93km ridden. Riding time 2.50. Rest of the time dodging cars, pedestrians and stopped at red lights.
Kanda
No 29, Last stop on the Yamanote Line circuit ride! Kanda Station.