Today while I was waiting for my watch to be repaired at Seibu Loft, I spent some time browsing the ever-entertaining household product section. I saw these, and my first thought was, WTF, *chair socks*? Little argyle chair socks? Apparently you put them on the bottoms of your chair legs so they slide easily onContinueContinue reading “Chair Socks”
Monthly Archives: March 2012
Cherry Blossom Burger
What better way to celebrate the imminent opening of the cherry blossoms than with a shrimp and cabbage burger on a pink bun? •
Rockabilly Spring
When I went to Yoyogi Park on Sunday, it was still too cold to unzip my jacket, the cherry blossom buds were still tight as fists, and even the dogs were still wearing little hoodie sweatshirts, but I knew that spring had officially come because the rockabilly guys had changed their uniforms. Black leather jackets:ContinueContinue reading “Rockabilly Spring”
Superhero Hats For Bank Robbers
The next time I want to rob a bank (or stay out a little past the advisable bedtime and wake up with dark circles no coverup can hide and hair that refuses to look anything but hideous), I’m going to be ready with my combination Spiderman-mask-and-fishing hat. •
The Edward Scissorhands School of Nail Art
You know you want these! You’ll merely have to hold up one hand to get out of dishwashing and other odious chores. In a boggling bow to sheer impracticality, the contestants in a recent Japanese nail/hair/makeup contest really took fingernails to a new level. Not only are they of ancient Chinese mandarin-like proportions, they must weighContinueContinue reading “The Edward Scissorhands School of Nail Art”
Can I Please Have The Red-Hot Pincers Instead?
I have no idea what these dried insect skins are supposed to cure, but whatever it is, I hope I never get it! I saw these in the window of a traditional pharmacy, along with equally unsavory dried worms, fungus and what I hope were roots, but could easily have been something with a farContinueContinue reading “Can I Please Have The Red-Hot Pincers Instead?”
No Monks Allowed
I was somewhat surprised to see this sign prohibiting itinerant monks from asking for alms near Koganji temple, but apparently fraud is on the rise. Individuals posing as traditional Buddhist traveling monks have been taking up stations nearby the famous healing temple, holding out their begging bowls and dispensing faux blessings with abandon. The templeContinueContinue reading “No Monks Allowed”
“Bring Out Yer Dead!”
Like the carts that went around plague-stricken Europe in the dark ages, this truck was parked in front of Takadanobaba station today, carting away all the blown-out, abandoned umbrellas left behind after last week’s rainstorm. Why so many? you may ask. Notice that almost all of them are the telltale clear ¥500 variety bought byContinueContinue reading ““Bring Out Yer Dead!””
Crows Are Geniuses
At first I thought this was a somewhat feeble effort at public poetry by the Minato City municipal government, but it turns out there really is a crow menace in Arisugawa Park. I used to think the mayor of Tokyo was kind of crazy because of his public hatred of foreigners, post-menopausal women and crows,ContinueContinue reading “Crows Are Geniuses”
Nose Mint
Q: What do foreign countries smell like? A: They all smell like…MINT! You never know what unpleasant odors you’ll encounter when traveling abroad, so it’s best to be prepared with this handy travel aid from Tokyu Hands. Stick a little Nose Mint in your nostrils and you won’t have to spend precious vacation time worryingContinueContinue reading “Nose Mint”
How To Ship A Live Fish
Today at FoodEx Japan – the once-a-year trade show where everyone from honey pepper vodka producers to octopus distributors show their latest and greatest – I discovered how they ship live fish! The dude in the picture above was just looking around, like, “What’s that strange animal floating around up there? I’ve never seen anything likeContinueContinue reading “How To Ship A Live Fish”
Dogs In Kimonos
Love that this pair even have the white fur wraps girls always wear with their kimonos in wintertime! You can’t help but throw your head back and laugh in amazement when fifteen dogs parade by, dressed in Japanese formalwear. In honor of Hina Matsuri (the doll festival that happens every year at the beginning of March)ContinueContinue reading “Dogs In Kimonos”
Buddha’s Footprints
Six hundred years before anyone started carving those serene images of the Buddha we all know so well, followers worshipped his footprints. This pair is at the Kuhonbutsu temple. For some reason, I just love the idea that the object of worship doesn’t represent the Buddha himself or the ultimate destination. It honors his wayContinueContinue reading “Buddha’s Footprints”
Makeup for Men: Hell Yeah!
Ad for a line of foundation for men that lasts 24 hours before needing a touch-up. Okay, before you step into that steaming pile of sexist doo-doo, why not? Why shouldn’t men be able to cover up that unfortunate red thing between their eyes, or disguise the reminders of their teenage acne battle, just likeContinueContinue reading “Makeup for Men: Hell Yeah!”
Today’s Cute Little Season: Winter
One thing I have to say about the seasons in Japan is that they’re relentlessly picturesque. And convenient! When I woke up Wednesday morning, I looked out the window and was delighted to see it had been snowing since 3:00 a.m. – even my ho-hum neighborhood had a charming blanket of white. There was enoughContinueContinue reading “Today’s Cute Little Season: Winter”
Genghis Kahn Says Bite Me
For some mysterious reason, this Japanese version of Mongolian cuisine is known by the name of history’s fiercest warrior and pronounced “jingisu kon,” but in no way does that diminish the utter yum of sizzling meats & veggies dipped in a sauce that’s so good you’d die happy drowning in it. When you sit downContinueContinue reading “Genghis Kahn Says Bite Me”
Just When You Think It’s Safe To Ditch The Muffler…
Yep, if the plum trees are blooming, that means a giant dump of snow is just around the corner. This particular dashing of spring hopes comes with such clocklike regularity in Japan that haiku masters use “plum blossom” when they’re actually talking about surviving life’s more bitter lessons. •
Only In Japan 