February 2012
24 posts
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"I Am Sonic The Hedgehog And Gold Rings Sustain...
Inside a diner near Shinjuku, the DJ played what sounded like the theme music from Sonic the Hedgehog. I forgot what I was supposed to be thinking about and instead transformed into that spunky little rodent and started sprinting with the turbo held down and running up and around ramps and loops collecting golden rings frantically in my mind. I wondered if the golden rings represented anything or...
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"An American Inspired Diner In Tokyo"
The greasy plastic ketchup and mustard bottles are in position.
The greasy fork and spoon too. The grease has been applied precisely as to simulate exactly the haphazard grease so thoroughly strewn across America. The jukebox with Love Shack is there giving the joint atmosphere. The vintage Coca Cola clock is keeping time on the wall. The Pepsi straw holder is holding straws on the table. There...
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"The Politeness of Japanese Toilets"
Japanese toilets can be your friend. Japanese toilets exist to serve you. They stand at attention the moment you enter the stall. They play soothing Muzak to set the mood. They have an infinite number of customization options. They know everyone has a different set of needs. They will support you, and warm you, or cool you. They will wash you or startle you. They are programmable, yet seem to have...
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Most Viewed Content
I went back into the statistics for this blog to see what readers have been enjoying the most. My reports on Yu Darvish have drawn some serious traffic this year with his upcoming season in the major leagues. Readers have also checked out and sent around various reports and posts on Tokyo culture. Thankfully some of my favorite pieces to write have also proven to be popular with readers of this...
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"The Shark of Yoyogi Park"
Someone left a shark at the front gate of Yoyogi Park.
Authorities weren’t able to determine the species of the shark. Things like this don’t happen in Tokyo as they are prone to happen in other parts of the world. In Tokyo it is quite the strange occurrence for a shark to go showing up at the front gate of a public park. It’s no wonder the authorities are having a hard time...
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What is the definition of Linsanity?
Linsanity is not Jeremy Lin. Linsanity is not a nickname, meme or trending topic. Linsanity is something much bigger: Linsanity is unexpected human triumph. Linsanity is the dream we all have that talent is more important than systems, politics, connections or The so-called Man. Linsanity is when the establishment is profoundly shaken. Linsanity is when Spike Lee and a grandmother in Pasadena...
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"Pickles and Jazz"
This guy comes into the burger place I’m at and orders a big bowl of pickles.
They come out almost instantly. He pulls a tiny paperback book out of the pocket of his camelhair jacket, or whatever designer fur the thing is made out of. He eats pickles with his right hand and reads the small leather covered book with his left. He mechanically feeds the pickles into his mouth. He takes exactly...
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"Eating Celebrities"
There are these people in Japan who become celebrities because they are really expressive when they eat food. Every night, the TV channels are filled with these food celebrities trying different dishes and having really extreme reactions. All of the reactions are basically the same. They open their eyes really wide, look incredibly surprised and declare the word for ‘delicious.’ All of...
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"Umbrellas on Auto-Pilot"
People in Tokyo don’t put up their umbrellas because it is raining.
People in Tokyo put up umbrellas because they saw someone else putting up their umbrella. Someone who probably just saw someone else using an umbrella. It’s a vicious cycle. I can’t count the number of times I’ve walked out of a subway station only to be swallowed by a panicked crowd scurrying to ignite...
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"Jogging"
There is no such thing as casual running in Tokyo. The parks and sidewalks of Tokyo are basically a paved fashion runway for obsessive, maniacal souls who seek out every possible accessory that happens to remotely relate to running. Every runner in Tokyo is an entire catalogue of possibility. Tights are required. There are fanny packs involved. Backpacks. Packs for their iPods. Another pack for...
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Kyoto
When you visit Kyoto, head for the hills.
It feels like you are exploring the maps of the legend of Zelda. Stairs wind infinitely through the mountains. The most amazing temples Japan has to offer are scattered throughout the ancient capital city’s map. There is the gold temple. The silver temple. A shrine that is famous for being the stomping grounds of a famous ninja. Kyoto is where...
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"Super Bowl Monday"
Watching the Super Bowl in Tokyo always feels a little off.
Super Bowl Monday in Tokyo is a work day. You have to cue up the live stream at the office while you pretend to be hard at work. You listen to the broadcast through headphones. You try to make yourself excited and interested like you would be back home, but adrenaline is hard to conjure when those tinny iPod earbuds are involved.
If you...
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’Fashion Sport’
If you set yourself up in Harajuku, you’ll see it. Competitive fashion sport. These kids live for a single purpose: to make it on a blog. The mouths of the alleys are lined with photographers assistants wearing backpacks filled with lenses. They keep their eyes unblinking on the crowded alleyways, looking for a gem amid the sea of non-ironic Japanese hipsters. They are looking for something...
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"Taxi Driver"
Never, ever touch the door of a taxi in Tokyo. If you think you are being helpful opening your own door, you are not.
If you think you are being kind opening the door for someone else in your party, wrong again.
You are offending the very fibre of a subculture by your ignorant efforts. Once you hail the cab, wait patiently. The taxi doors are automatic and the driver will open it for you at...