I miss Tokyo
東 京
For aliens of this wonderful city
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2019.09.30
2019.09.30
ファーストキャビン築地 ・ First Cabin Tsukiji
If there's such thing as luxury capsule hotel, then First Cabin is it. The "capsules" are actually bedroom partitions with a thin shutter -- far better than the two-level tubes standard in the industry. Some capsules even include a small table which is unthinkable! Not to mention the clean, bright and spacey shared bath that resembles a hot spring!
2019.09.29
2019.09.29
新宿高野 果実ピュアゼリー ・ Shinjuku Takano Pure Fruit Jelly
Perfectly packaged in fruit-shape containers, these jelly cups are made from the top selections in the famous Shinjuku fruit and cake shop. Established in 1919, Takano is celebrating its first centennial this year. Can you imagine the sweet achievement of selling juicy fruits for 100 years?
Webshop: https://takano-online.jp/category/FRUIT_PURE_JELLY/22300000104295.html
2019.09.28
2019.09.28
Emergency Calls
Just a note on numbers to call when there's an emergency situation. English is no problem. A complete English guide can be found at the link below.
- Call 119 for sickness, injury, or fire
- Call 110 for police
- Call #7119 when not sure what to do
2019.09.27
2019.09.27
ガリガリリッチ君たまご焼き味 ・ Garigari Rich Kun Egg Roll Flavor
The icicle candy loved by millions has a new flavor this October, and it is... ta da! Sweet egg roll! Funny as it sounds, the company is fully confident that it will be a big hit this autumn. If the taste is not rich enough, the package also suggests you to drip some soy sauce or ketchup. Would it go well with hot rice too?
2019.09.26
2019.09.26
2019 東京インターナショナルオーディオショウ ・ Tokyo International Audio Show
This upcoming event on November 22-24 features the best audio equipments from manufacturers all over the world. If you're a musician, a guitarist, an electronic audiophile, or a sound engineer, then you can't miss this wonderful opportunity to see the cutting-edge gadgets in one go (35 acoustically-sealed demo rooms for your traversal). Admission is free with registration at entrance.
Website: http://iasj.info/tokyo-international-audio-show/2019/
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/e2DKvwe4YVgR83d46 Tokyo International Forum
2019.09.25
2019.09.25
Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo Pins
Many people like to collect things while visiting their favorite places. If pins are your things, make sure you keep an eye on the wonderful offerings from Hard Rock Cafes in Tokyo. Special limited editions sell out really fast.
Website: http://hardrockjapan.com/pins/tokyo/
2019.09.24
2019.09.24
ミニ鋸 ・ Mini Handsaws
From a virtually unknown tool shop, Nakacho Handsaw Factory (中長鋸製販), comes a set of small handsaws long loved by many professional craftsmen in Japan. These are millimeter-thin, steel-made and carefully calibrated to produce beautiful cuts with minimal effort. Great for delicate woodworks or building plastic models.
2019.09.23
2019.09.23
折り紙会館 ・ Origami Kaikan
Opened in 1858 (yes, that's a long time ago), a shop and museum dedicated to the Japanese paper folding art is a great place for witnessing the elaborative culture in its fullness. The shop also provides a washi (Japanese style paper) selection that's jaw-dropping. Admission is free, closed on Sundays and holidays.
2019.09.22
2019.09.22
池坊専慶・Ikenobo Senkei
A group of monks specialized in flower arranging duties in their Kyoto temple over 550 years ago were the pioneers of the Kadou (華道) tradition in Japan. Senkei is one of the best known member of the group and his ancestors are still actively promoting this ancient art at the school of Ikebo Ikebana Tokyo Headquarter today.
Website: http://www.ikenobo.jp/english/
Webshop: https://www.kadosha.co.jp/en/
2019.09.21
2019.09.21
Blue LED
You may not remember it, but blue LED was not available before the 1990's. Thanks to 3 Nobel prize winning Japanese scientists, Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura, it became the reality. This is a key invention because it enables humanity to generate white light very efficiently.
Website: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/nobel-prize-blue-leds
2019.09.20
2019.09.20
おめかし絵文字 ・ Omekashi Emoji
How cute can a font be? See for yourself with this designer masterpiece. Available for purchase at link below.
Webshop: https://designpocket.jp/dl_font_category/detail.aspx?bid=20704
2019.09.19
2019.09.19
自転車泥汚れ専用洗剤 ・ Detergent specialized for cycling mud stain
Imagine a wild mountain bike and its owner soaked in mud while in action. Now imagine how he's going to deal with the dirty sportswear at home.
Worry no more! Because the famous Japan scourer maker Kamenoko Tawashi (亀の子束子) has introduced the perfect detergent to handle this muddy situation. Just add 10g into 10L of warm water, wash as usual and you're done.
Webshop: https://www.kamenoko-shop.jp/SHOP/28610001.html (in Japanese only)
2019.09.18
2019.09.18
わさびいろマーカー ・ Wasabi Color Marker
Spice up the studying time!
2019.09.17
2019.09.17
高輪ゲートウェイ駅 ・ Takanawa Gateway Station
Under construction since 2015, this new train station is scheduled for real actions early 2020. Designed by the famous architect Kengo Kuma (隈研吾), it features a special membrane roof covering a large area of the station to facilitate openness. Due to the need to reroute the tracks, Yamanote line and Keihin-Tohoku line services will be hugely reduced on November 16 this year. Disruptions aside, it's always exciting to witness the birth of a new stop.
Website: https://kkaa.co.jp/works/architecture/jr-new-shinagawa-station/
2019.09.16
2019.09.16
西武空中庭園 ・ Seibu Hanging Garden
A well-kept secret is a city oasis located nowhere but the 9F roof of the Seibu Department Store above the JR Ikebukuro station. Right next to its waterlily pond is a foodcourt offering many choices for your stomach's happiness. What's more, it turns into a romantic beer terrance from 4pm until 10pm so everyone could chill out after work and have fun talking and laughing (only until the end of this month, unfortunately).
2019.09.15
2019.09.15
特殊切手 ・ Special Stamps
Japan Post has a full lineup of new stamps for this year. Just check the link below and you'll see traditional toys, famous paintings, cartoon characters, etc. Certainly an exciting catalog to browse through!
Website: https://www.post.japanpost.jp/kitte_hagaki/stamp/tokusyu/2019/index_n.html
2019.09.14
2019.09.14
スクイーズアザラシ ・ Squeeze Seal
What is it? a miniature silicone gel baby seal.
Why? To relax (or to stress yourself practicing chopsticks skill)
Seriously, why?? Hmm... Don't ask me.
2019.09.13
2019.09.13
白白庵 ・ PAKUPAKUAN
Japanese hybrid art gallery near Shibuya station. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Website: http://www.pakupakuan.jp/
2019.09.12
2019.09.12
カラー映像で蘇る東京の風景 ・ Tokyo old revives in color
Amazing how time has changed and yet many things stay the same. This video featuring the Tokyo city 100 years ago led me to think: What have we done to this city that used to be so elegant and spacey? Projecting it into the next 100 years, it's hardy a cheerful thought. Anyways, no worry, perhaps it's just me.
2019.09.11
2019.09.11
関ファーム COCO TOMATO JUICE ・ Seki Farm COCO TOMATO JUICE
Grown in the town of Kiyose (清瀬市 one hour from Tokyo), the award-winning tomatoes from the Seki Farm were squeezed into this all-natural, delicious juice for your enjoyment. Always fresh because of proximity, it's been a sweet and healthy treatment for the overworked Tokyo dwellers.
Website: https://seki-farm.jp/ (in Japanese only)
2019.09.10
2019.09.10
タジマ 清涼ファン風雅シリーズ ・ Tajima Cooling Fan Elegant Series
By now we've seen quite some choices for a professional body-cooling system. However, so far nothing comes close to the streamlined designs of the Tajima Elegant Series. Efficient, flexible, and aesthetic-pleasing, the parts of the system fit well into any working environment. Until someone shrinks the home air-con, these fans are your best bet to survive a long and humid Japan summer.
2019.09.09
2019.09.09
葛飾区郷土と天文の博物館 ・ Katsushika City Museum
Arguably one of the best planetariums in Tokyo is located in the Katsushika City Museum Complex, just a 45-minutes ride from JR Tokyo station. The museum presents a wide range of exhibits, from astronomy to archaeology, from Showa life replicates to river and water engineering. One can easily spend hours in this place for a highly educational afternoon.
Pamphlet: http://www.museum.city.katsushika.lg.jp/image/extra/english_brochour.pdf
2019.09.08
2019.09.08
マックフルーリーカスタード白玉のっけてみた ・ McFlurry Custard Shiratama
Cartoon characters broke into tears when McDonalds Japan released this localized dessert a few days ago. If you're a fan of shiratama dango (白玉団子 white chewy rice ball) then this McFlurry will suit your taste (note that the non-traditional rice balls are not exactly white though). Only available for a limited time in Japan.
Website: http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/mcflurry_custard_shiratama/
2019.09.07
2019.09.07
あわのもと ポン酢 ・ Awanomoto Ponzu
Japanese ponzu is a tasty citrus-based vinegar sauce and Awanomoto has modernized it with a handy foam dispenser. Goes well with almost any food, Japanese or otherwise, the sauce has become very popular lately with health-aware individuals to cut down on salt intake.
Webshop: https://www.awanomoto.com/ (in Japanese only)
2019.09.06
2019.09.06
愛犬の抜け毛から ・ Gift from your pet dog
How to deal with all the hair you brushed off your fury Hachiko? Make a blanket, of course!
This project of Makuake helps to bring you a lot closer to your dog. Just collect his/her hair for a few months and send the harvest to the professional weavers. Soon you'll receive a blanket or other products that warms your heart for a long, long time.
Website: https://www.makuake.com/project/inunoke_textile/ (in Japanese only)
2019.09.05
2019.09.05
御成街道架道橋 ・ Onari Kaido Overpass
Familiar to most Akihabara folks, the overpassing bridge across the main street has been a landmark of the area for many years. Built in 1932, it was one of the oldest land bridge in Tokyo. Normally bridges were constructed across rivers out of necessity but this one is unique that its sole purpose is to avoid a crossing on the ground level (there used to be trams running on the street). Therefore, it can be said that it's a symbol of Tokyo's modernization, which fits very well into the image of this high-tech district.
2019.09.04
2019.09.04
串の日 ・ Skewers Day
Today is Skewers Day in Japan, another randomly and non-officially named day-in-the-year invented by greedy businessmen to boost sales. The reasoning? "9-4" can be pronounced "くし" (Ku Shi) in Japanese which sounds like "串" (skewer).
The Kanji character 串 actually looks like the real thing. Isn't that interesting?
Search: https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=串し&tbm=isch (warning: makes you hungry)
2019.09.03
2019.09.03
リストランテAO 逗子マリーナ ・ Ristorante AO Zushimarina
A dinning room of prestigious quality just an hour from Tokyo, this restaurant provides a breath-taking view of the Sagami Bay. The yacht club area and beaches nearby paint a vivid European atmosphere and is ideal for romantic evening walks.
Website: https://www.riviera.co.jp/restaurant/zushi/index.html
2019.09.02
2019.09.02
平澤 南 ・ Minami Hirasawa
Illustrator Minami Hirasawa is a magician in capturing little dreamy scenes. Only a few years into professional illustrations, her works are becoming noticeable recently in bookstores, especially in ladies magazines and books section.
Website: http://www.winawi.org
2019.09.01
2019.09.01
全日本マイクロマウス大会 ・ All Japan Micromouse Contest
Since 1980, this high-tech contest has been encouraging developments of fast problem-solving robots. Loaded with electronic sensors, these little robots (called a micromouse) aim to reach the center of the maze at the fastest speed. The movement seems straight-forward but it involves an enormous effort in electronic hardware design, microprocessor programming and simulations.
Website: https://www.ntf.or.jp/mouse/ (in Japanese only)
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