TOKYU HANDS!

Today I'd like to write "Japan" series again,
The building in picture is "TOKYU HANDS" in Ikebukuro (in Tokyo).
It is a department store of DIY tools etc! with a huge variation of things.

From practical things to very stupid things.
It is very nice place to find practical thingfor you office, for example, you can see the number of pens and makers lined up there! and this is just a part of it, in fact.

And Stupic thing, look at the last picture. You will find a SUSHI and Nudles etc, but they are all fake and they actually eraser! (you can'e eat...)
Well, please don't ask "What it is for?" It's a just for a fun. Why don't you have a eraser looking like food and decorate your desk!

American 3 - Persian 1

I wrote American 3 - Persian 1, but it's not a score of game or critisising about political conflict between those countries...

It's a cat in my house in Japan. It is cross of American short hair 3/4 and Persian cat.
It looks almost like American short hair but the hair is very soft like Persian and the neck looks very thick because of long hair.


Characteristics:
1. a great sensitivity against good fish.
2. bravely attack and try to get a fish on the table (when it is good)
3. good at climbing a tree but bad at come off from there...

Today's song: "Numb" by Jay-Z & Linkin Park.

AKIRA

I watched a Japanese Anime movie "AKIRA" by Katsuhiro Otomo, which is a sort of SF action story in the near future world.
Since I've been in Lund, I have had a so many chances to be asked "Have you watched AKIRA?", but I've never watched it before.... It seems to be very famous on abroad!

In fact, it is famous and called as one of the best masterpieces in Anime movies in Japan. At least I knew the title. However, it is not such popular in major level (popular among so called and criticism and subcultural level) .

The visual effect etc. is simply amazing cool. That was my impression after I watched "Akira". Particularly the actions with motercycle are "Must check items"!! I could see why this movie was praised by so many.
Furthermore it is surprising it actually is released in 1988!
Although, some part of this movie was also a little hard to understand for me as it is frequently seen in Anime movies... nevertheless, this is not critical for this movie! Because it is cool enough in other points!!


Check it out!

PS. Maybe it's a type of movie which is favored more by boys than girls...

Official webSite (Japanese)
http://www.bandaivisual.co.jp/akira/index2.html

Asakusa and wishes

In the same day when we visited "Tsukiji", we headed to another touristic spot "Asakusa".

We walked under a famous big lantern of "Kaminari-mon" (Thunder gate) and passed through the lively "Nakamise street".
At the end of the street is the "Sensou-ji"(temple).
Folllowing a Japanese tradition, I threw a coin and prayed a wishes of 2007 to god!

It might sound to straight that we "pay" for wish but anyhow it's custom and that's the way we do. In honest, this's not seriously religous.
However, I still like this way. It's not too bad to pray our wishes in our mind and imagine the wishes come ture, isn't it?

Today's song: "Where'd you go?" by Fort Minor.

Tsukiji - a big fish market

Tsukiji is a big fish markets in Tokyo.

So as to purchase a such fine fish, a huge amount of people gether and very busy and lively fish trading is held early in the morning. (4-6 o'clock !!)
That's how the fresh fish can be served at restaurants.

After sightseeing of the central market, we went to the public opened area of the market where you can buy or eat fish or dishes (with fresh fish, of course!).

We tasted a bit expemsive but very very delicious "Maguro-don". Which is fresh raw tuna fish served on vinegared rice. Such a great teast is the really speciality of this place where fish can be served earlier than anywhere else!!

Today's song: All 'Bout The Money by Meja



TSUKIJI MARKET ASSOCIATION Homepage: http://www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/

Nikko

I visited to Nikko on 2nd-3rd of January with my family.

Nikko has many beautiful place to offer but one of the most important spot must be "Nikko sannai" area, where you can see a temple, Futaarasan-jinnja, and two shrines, Tosho-gu and Rinnou-ji (including the part of Taiyuin-reibyo).
The buildings with red green and golden decorations in Tosho-gu and Taiyuin-reibyo are beautiful and very impressive.
Indeed, Nikko is a very popular touristic place and you could see many visiters from abroad.


Official website of Nikko tourist Asssociation: http://www.nikko-jp.org/index.shtml

A Happy New Year!

A Happy New Year!
It is a boar year according to Japanese (Chinese as well?) calender. We can see so many figures and painting of boars in Japan now. (Animals in past three years were a Monkey, a Rooster and a Dog)






Btw, my time in Tokyo is running (money as well....). I bought so many things. Mainly, electric appliance and books.
For example, I ordered glasses. The picture below was seen in the glasses shop.
I hope I can show my new face with the brand new glasses soon!

There's too many I'd like to write here, but I will keep it for another day.
Because it's already midnight in Japan and I have to wake up tomorrow for a trip to "Nikko".
So that's all for today!

I wish a great year 2007 for all the friends :)