Only in Japan would a lack of balconies spawn a whole new category of appliances. Behold the futon dryer! Used to be, you could walk down any neighborhood street mid-day and see every family’s bedding hung over the balcony to air, secured with giant plastic clamps so they wouldn’t slip off the railing and smotherContinueContinue reading “Take That, Forces Of Dampness!”
Monthly Archives: July 2012
Cleaning Product I Did Not Buy Because It Was Too Cute
Honestly, could YOU shove this adorable little pup’s nose into the grimy corner behind the toilet, or use it’s fluffy little belly to battle the dust whales that have been lurking beneath your bed ever since you moved to Japan? I thought not. I’m afraid I bypassed this little guy in favor of a scrubberContinueContinue reading “Cleaning Product I Did Not Buy Because It Was Too Cute”
The World’s Least Exclusive Tattoo Parlor
Saw this in Harajuku I guess that only leaves the namby-pamby souls destined to spend several millennia in Purgatory… •
Beer Slurpee
This summer in Tokyo the trending drink of choice is Frozen Draft Beer! The beer itself is chilled extra cold, then a head of beer slush is swirled on top from a repurposed Icee machine. On a steamy summer night, I have to admit, this fad did not disappoint! I pounded this one down atContinueContinue reading “Beer Slurpee”
Food Fight!
SHA-KINNNN! Take that, filet o’mignon! Mika Tsutai’s manga design plates take cafeteria battles to a whole new level. Designed so the food becomes the hero in every frame, every meal is an adventure. “Aaaaaa!” Down the hatch, himono fish! “Sha-kinn!” Another granola bar bites the dust “Do…!” Fried shrimpy bits fight back Tuna, The ChosenContinueContinue reading “Food Fight!”
Meat Donuts
Now you don’t have to wait for breakfast to chow down on deep-fried donut goodness. Thanks to the product development geniuses at Mister Donut, now you can have them for dinner! In fact, you can serve them two nights in a row without guilt, since they come in two colors! Although the black sesame varietyContinueContinue reading “Meat Donuts”
Getting Carded, Japanese Style
This is the order screen at the izakaya where my Japanese class had our end-of-term nomikai. The average Japanese teenager may have it rough when it comes to taking entrance exams that will determine his whole future, but he never has to spend hours in front of the mirror, practicing intoning the words, ” rumContinueContinue reading “Getting Carded, Japanese Style”
Portaflush
Suddenly, you find yourself in a primitive public bathroom not equipped with a Sound Princess! What are you going to do to cover up unseemly noises, without wasting gallons and gallons of water? Eco-oto to the rescue! Now you can make loud flushing sounds anytime, anywhere, from your very own mobile phone! The first timeContinueContinue reading “Portaflush”
The Peril Of The Red Panty
“Notice: When sleeping, “Red Panty” may cause you excite and make you sleepless. So put on ordinary color underwear when you sleep.” A thousand apologies for not immediately publishing this instruction sheet on how to properly use Lucky Red Underwear – I bet you were wondering about that mysterious case of insomnia that developed afterContinueContinue reading “The Peril Of The Red Panty”
How to Survive a Company Drinking Party
How hard could it be? Gallop with your co-workers to a nearby watering hole, then eat, drink & be merry until they kick you out. But like the seasonal cherry blossom party, nomikais are not for the weak, and if you happen to be the junior member of the team, your duties will require staminaContinueContinue reading “How to Survive a Company Drinking Party”
The Indo-Taco!
Out walking and far from home last weekend, I was struck by the sudden need to acquire about a thousand calories. Lucky for me, there was a Mos Burger conveniently located within staggering distance. The Japanese equivalent of McDonald’s, Mos Burger’s claim to fame is a burger topped with a sunny-side-up egg. (This is aContinueContinue reading “The Indo-Taco!”
Make Your Own Pikachu Lunchbox!
Want your kid to blow away the cafeteria crowd when they open up their Pokemon lunchbox tomorrow? Fill it with this outrageous labor of love! Your child might even be distracted enough to eat that big hunk of squash, fake crab legs and seaweed it’s made from. In twelve elaborate steps (from the pages ofContinueContinue reading “Make Your Own Pikachu Lunchbox!”
Only In Japan 