I miss Tokyo
東 京
For those who dream of this wonderful city
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Interesting Find of the Day
Interesting Find of the Day
2019.08.31
2019.08.31
mipig cafe
Tired of cats cafe? You've come to the right place!
This cozy little cafe is the home of a family of fury tiny piglets you'll love to hold on your lap. Please help yourself and make a reservation for the soothing experience, if you're not a wolf, that is.
Website: https://mipig.cafe/en/
2019.08.30
2019.08.30
New flight paths over Tokyo
Ahead of 2020 Olympics, the Transport Ministry has approved new flight paths over several wards near central Tokyo. This will cause slightly higher levels of noise in those areas but will provide a capacity boost badly needed for the Haneda Airport. A side effect is that plane-viewing enthusiasts will not need to go near Tokyo Bay to see what they admire. It would be sufficient to sit inside a high-rise with big windows to enjoy the show.
Website: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160610/p2a/00m/0na/026000c
2019.08.29
2019.08.29
銀座ミツバチプロジェクト ・ Ginza Honey Bee Project
How does it feel working in Tokyo's most expensive district? If you ask one of the honey bees at a street corner of Ginza, it may be able to tell you some fascinating urban stories.
Many people are surprised that there is a honey producer in Ginza, no less, and that the bees are working diligently day-in and day-out to find flowers in the middle of the most populated area in Tokyo. Thanks to the Royal Palace's gardens and a few other parks nearby, their job is far from impossible.
Website: http://www.gin-pachi.jp/ (in Japanese only)
Shop macaroons: https://gurusuguri.com/shop/theatres/
Honey: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07W8M352L/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_ko3zDbZ0NSCMK
2019.08.28
2019.08.28
Air Pollution in Tokyo
Once in a while, Tokyo is covered by a light mist of PM2.5 particles. The pollution sources are both domestic and foreign but a big portion is originating from China. Although not at alarming levels and nothing compared to the mainland, it still causes respiratory illnesses for a lot of people, especially the elderly. Typical face masks could not filter out these particles so you've been warned. It's therefore wise to check the map to decide how much time you want to spend outdoor.
Website: https://aqicn.org/map/japan/
2019.08.27
2019.08.27
KItoTEto 謹製 百年杉の森の積み木 ・ Centurial Cedar Forest Toy Blocks
Made from fragrant Japanese centurial cedar wood, these neatly packaged toy blocks will raise the imaginations of a little one to the wild level. Prudently crafted by professional toy artists in Akita, this is a product of dignity.
Currently on backorder but should be in stock pretty soon.
Webshop: https://goodtoy-guide.com/?pid=136415432 (in Japanese only)
2019.08.26
2019.08.26
アムスタイル ・ amstyle
Seldom would an interior design trigger a sense of solemnness but amstyle seems to have accomplished it. This designer firm has the skill to integrate functional furnitures into the heart of the living area like everything has been together since the beginning of time. The noise ratio is so low that it projects a feeling of walking into a prayer room.
Website: https://www.amstyle.jp/
2019.08.25
2019.08.25
KISS TOKYO ドクターシリカ97 ・ KISS TOKYO Drs.Silica 97 water
Carefully blended, this unique bottle of mineral water is a good source of SiO₂, which rejuvenates the skin by activating the collagen and hyaluronic acid inside, according to the company. It also contains 7 other special ingredients, fused in a "golden ratio" to further boost your health. Want to moisturize your kiss today?
2019.08.24
2019.08.24
公衆電話ガチャコレクション ・ Miniature Public Phones
Time has come for one public phone per household! Unbelievably detailed, these models of nostalgic designs will come to a Gacha machine (ガチャ) near Tokyo this November. Perfectly photogenic alongside with your action/girl/robot figure collections.
Website: https://www.takaratomy-arts.co.jp/items/item.html?n=Y876738
PDF: https://www.takaratomy-arts.co.jp/company/pdf/R_NTTEastJapanPublicTelephoneGacha.pdf
2019.08.23
2019.08.23
成蹊大学図書館 ・ Seikei University Library
Your future is in sight once you step into this magnificent library designed by master architect Shigeru Ban (坂茂). Tours are strictly prohibited without prior application and also limited to certain categories of scholars, so just watch the video and admire the school life you didn't have.
Website: https://www.seikei.ac.jp/university/library/librarytourguide.html
2019.08.22
2019.08.22
山宮商店 ・ Yamamiya Shoten
This rainy summer we've had more than enough downpours and umbrella sales has been extraordinary. While throwing away the old one, why not consider a Japanese style umbrella (和傘 wagasa) to brighten the cloudy mood? Yamamiya Shoten is one of the few makers of these traditional umbrellas for those who value craftsmanship and beauty over pragmatism.
Website: https://yamamiyaumbrella.wixsite.com/yamamiya/eng-top
2019.08.21
2019.08.21
バンダイ食べマス ・ Bandai Edible Mascots
Ever wanted to swallow your favorite anime characters because they are so cute? Now you can! Bandai has been meeting this need for a while with their candy products. Just yesterday, a new set popped up in the Tokyo convenience stores and this time it's Peanuts!
Website: https://www.bandai.co.jp/candy/products/2019/4549660393146000.html
2019.08.20
2019.08.20
SL大樹 ・ Steam Locomotive Taiju
Tobu Railway restarted SL service 2 years ago (weekends only, reservation required) and since then more than 200,000 people have experienced the excitement of the roaring whistles of SL Taiju, a C11 207 steam locomotive built in 1941.
Tobu seems to be positive about the SL business. This year they bought another SL from Moka Railway, a C11 325, keeping the legend alive and in good hands.
Website: http://www.tobu.co.jp/sl/about/gallery/
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/6bnFbCe7CNyRjbPr9 (from Asakusa via Tobu Nikko line)
2019.08.19
2019.08.19
Int-Ball
At this moment above your head, Int-Ball is helping ISS astronauts by giving the JAXA space control center an extra pair of eyes. Embedded with an amazing motion controller module only 31mm wide, a future version will be operable outside the station.
Hopefully this Star Wars-like drone will soon be equipped with laser beams to help you with lightsaber training (just kidding, but... you never know).
Website: https://fanfun.jaxa.jp/topics/detail/10536.html (in Japanese only)
2019.08.18
2019.08.18
蔦屋家電 ・ Tsutaya Electronics
Do NOT trust the sign on this shop! It's not only an electronics store, but also a very well-stocked bookstore. The atmosphere is nothing like either, though. I'll say it's closer to a hotel lounge than anything else, due to its designer interior and the coffee fragrance emanating from the cafe inside the shop.
Website: https://store.tsite.jp/tsutayaelectricsplus-futako/
2019.08.17
2019.08.17
東京犯罪情報マップ ・ Tokyo Crime Map
Here's a shocker: crimes do exist in Japan! 😂Having said that, rest assured that Tokyo is still one of the safest cities in Asia. However, if you absolutely must avoid the worst places (especially at night), this site hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is your friend.
2019.08.16
2019.08.16
名曲喫茶ライオン ・ Classic Cafe Lion
Since 1926, time has been frozen in this very unique cafe near Shibuya station. For smokers and classical music lovers only. All visitors must obey these rules:
- Set mobile phone to manner mode and no talking on the phone
- Photography and video capturing are forbidden
- Please talk quietly
- No food or drink can be carried into the shop
Website: http://lion.main.jp/
Interview: https://lifemagazine.yahoo.co.jp/articles/5756 (in Japanese only)
2019.08.15
2019.08.15
奥多摩湖 ・ Lake Okutama
Tokyo is not only famous for its city landscapes but also for its hidden natural resources. A best example is Lake Okutama, a hiking/biking location only 2 hours from Shinjuku station via the JR Chuo and Ome Lines. Autumn is perhaps the most preferred season for a visit as evidenced by the picture here.
If planning to stay overnight, please consider the amazing Arasawaya Ryokan (see second picture). Only a 5-minute walk from Okutama station, it has the perfect vibe to imprint a moving moment on the trip.
Website: Bureau of Environment Tokyo
2019.08.14
2019.08.14
山手線電光掲示板ウォッチ ・ Yamanote Line Bulletin Board Watch
Released in 2008, this oversized, non-practical watch is still one of the favorites of many Tokyo train enthusiasts. There are versions for different train routes / base stations / directions and they accurately portrait the bulletin boards on the platform. Click on the link below to search for used ones.
Search: Yahoo Auction: 電光掲示板ウォッチ
2019.08.13
2019.08.13
人生のともしび ・ Torch of life*
Burnt-out feeling recently? Then these matches match you perfectly.
Enlighten some lives today!
Website: https://kokeshi-m.com/
Webshop: http://www.kokeshi-s.com/?pid=106351156
*Non-official translation
2019.08.12
2019.08.12
ちっちゃな一歩 ・ my first baby shoes
Perfect shoes for your newborn prince or princess that they would show off for a lifetime. Handcrafted by yourself with love. Enough said.
Website: https://www.mitsubai.com/tokyo/detail/tk015903.html
2019.08.11
2019.08.11
柴崎春通せんせい・Watercolor by Shibasaki
Never could one be more impressed by a senior YouTuber -- all subscribers of Shibasaki sensei would agree.
Healing the world with his brush and a vivid palette of watercolor, his skill is second to none. The choice of color is purely magical. I honestly believe that if everyone in this world could see beauty and paint like him, there will be no conflict in humanity.
2019.08.10
2019.08.10
東京ウォータータクシー・Tokyo Water Taxi
This is classy -- as you know, Tokyo is actually a water city, so going places by boat is a tradition that predates the modern train network. I'm glad to say that this piece of history is still alive and even evolved into a great tourist attraction!
The service is a bit pricy but well worth it. If you own a drone, they even offer a specialized tour for drone-filming.
Website: https://water-taxi.tokyo/
Where: https://water-taxi.tokyo/map/ (many docking spots at popular places)
2019.08.09
2019.08.09
昭和レトロ商品博物館・Showa Retro Goods Museum*
There are a few different museums in Tokyo with a Showa theme, but this one displaying a collection of many used daily items is my favorite. A major attraction is the hallway full of old movie posters. If you enjoy retro Japanese movies, you'll also find objects used during that era on display. More photos and a quick tour here (in Japanese only).
Website: http://ome-akatsukafujio-museum.com/retoro/
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/AJgZT5ibyj32
*Non-official translation
2019.08.08
2019.08.08
Origami-hand
I'm obviously biased here but Japan's entry for James Dyson Award 2019 is smartly different from many other competitors. Extremely low-tech, this "robot" is built using paper only. However, watching its motions carefully and you'll agree that its simplicity is entirely deceiving -- there must've been a whole lot of research going into this design.
Website: https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/2018/project/origami-hand/
OK, cheering aside, I must admit that this year's entries are jaw-dropping. You could easily spend all day looking at them and wondering how the world would change if these people were the designers of top manufacturers.
2019.08.07
2019.08.07
宇治茶 祇園辻利 ・ Ujicha Gion Tsujiri
Established in 1860, Gion Tsujiri is a long-standing tea producer based in Kyoto. Uji Green Tea is so well-known in Japan that probably everyone carries fond memories of its refreshing taste, especially in summer served with ice.
Recently the company has expanded its product line to offer fine health-care goods such as the lip balm shown here. You can also find various delicacies such as Funwari cakes and creamy rice cracker rolls at its online shop. Don't forget its tea ice creams next time you visit Tokyo Skytree.
Website: https://www.kyoto-wel.com/shop/S81095/
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/wEz76aFKEPMWxj887 (Tokyo Skytree branch)
2019.08.06
2019.08.06
Tokyo Night View
A breathtaking tour of Tokyo in one fine night. Although the clip is a little aged, it's still among the best videos I've ever seen highlighting the top spots in my hometown.
Try to hold your tears while being levitated off ground by the romantic BGM.
2019.08.05
2019.08.05
PIGMENT Lab
The largest pigment material retailer I've seen in Tokyo, the showroom is calming and surprisingly mind captivating. If you love colors and art, it will provide a lot of fuel for your creativity. Near the convenient Shinagawa station.
Website: https://pigment.tokyo/
2019.08.04
2019.08.04
Hex Solo Mess Kit
I'm all for a compact lifestyle, and a well designed kit is a dream comes true. This product is a very neatly packaged 6-in-1 outdoor tool set (no reason why you can't use it at home, tho). Easy to carry, meets all your cooking and eating needs, stackable with no space taken.
Website: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/168136
Campaign ends today, but a good design will last.
2019.08.03
2019.08.03
東京都庭園美術館
The Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is a quiet green oasis among its busy Meguro neighbourhood. Originally the Residence of Prince Asaka completed in 1933, its architecture is unparalleled at the era. Today it's still a great garden museum, provoking a healing peace of mind with various displays of elegant artworks of Japanese origin. The Tea Ceremony room is perhaps a most memorable highlight for foreign visitors.
Previous Finds
Previous Finds
2019.08.02
2019.08.01
2019.07.31
2019.07.30
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