the view from japan » iMorpheus

bic camera

iMorpheus — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:00:53 +0000

Bic Camera is one of the largest electronics companies in Japan. Currently, there are 32 branches located throughout Japan. Officially founded in 1980, Bic Camera specializes in the sales of cameras, computers, visual and audio equipment, appliances, etc. and their entire inventory is available for home or in-store delivery. Similar to other electronics companies, Bic Camera offers customers redeemable points against their next purchase. Points corresponding to 5% – 20% of the listed price are tracked on a Bic Camera points card.
Pictured here is the Tachikawa (立川) branch located in west Tokyo.

kick boxing at cross point: impact!

iMorpheus — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:00:05 +0000

Kick boxing, boxing, and mixed martial arts gyms/doujous can be seen scattered around Tokyo. This particular doujou is located in Kichijoji, west of Shinjuku. The trainer was more than happy to allow me into the doujou during training. Thanks for the photos!

gyoza senmon ten: rinrin gyoza

iMorpheus — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:00:12 +0000

This is the gyoza, or dumpling, truck. It offers both frozen gyoza that you later prepare at home or cooked gyoza prepared right in the van! The Rin-Rin Gyoza truck offers curry, meat, veggie, kimchee, and burdock gyoza.

oudanchuu

iMorpheus — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:00:34 +0000

The last place one would expect to encounter a cultural difference is at a crosswalk. The standard procedure is to check for cars and then cross. Or, as the case may be in some countries, just cross. A two-step process at most. But if you wander outside the 23 special wards of Tokyo and into the countryside, you may witness schoolchildren, and the rare senior citizen, cross in the following manner: 1) check for cars; 2) raise one of their hands; 3) and then cross. If that is not odd enough, the flags pictured can be used instead in step two. The flags conveniently placed at school-kid height read “Crossing” or “Oudanchuu” in Japanese.

pony

iMorpheus — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:00:08 +0000

I know what you are thinking, “Oh, look at the pretty pony in the petting zoo.” Wrong. The correct statement here would be, “Look at the pretty pony on the grounds of the local daycare center.” Tokyo, daycare center, pony.

I am as confused as you are.

NOTE: As this is a rather high-end daycare center, there is adequate grazing for Mr. or Mrs. Pony.

iseya

iMorpheus — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:00:26 +0000

This is the world renown yakitori shop, Iseya. According to legend, Iseya was established in 1928. If you would like to partake of some of the best yakitori on the chuo line, head over to Kichijoji. From Shinjuku take the Chuo line to Kichijoji and then walk to the main entrance of Inokashira park. The ride from Shinjuku takes a mere 17 minutes and the doors open at noon.

kaitai sagyou

iMorpheus — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:00:28 +0000

A few times a year, law enforcement officers decide to hold safety days/safety weeks. During these times of heightened safety awareness, the long arm of the law conducts random breathalyzer tests on drivers and bicycle ownership on cyclists. As you can imagine, these safety weeks/days can be rather annoying: “Is this your bicycle? Is it registered? May I see some ID? *Calls in bicycle registration numbe.* Very annoying. If you are observant, it is possible to spot these checkpoints prior to being snagged. In the process of avoiding such a late-night checkpoint, my wife and I came upon this partially demolished structure in Tachikawa city. This building has obviously seen better days.

Kaitai sagyou = demolition.

jiko

iMorpheus — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:00:14 +0000

I came across this accident, or jiko, while wandering around Inzaimakinohara. The authorities were unwilling to discuss the details of the accident. How exactly does this happen? Anyone? Danny Choo has a brief post with a youtube clip of accidents caused by drunk driving and ignored traffic lights.

hama sen

iMorpheus — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:00:27 +0000

The modern-day Yokohama line, or ‘hama line’ to the locals, runs from Ofuna city, Kanagawa prefecture to Hachioji city in Tokyo prefecture. Okay, it does not always terminate or originate in Ofuna. Common termini are Sakuragicho, Isogo, and Higashi-Kanagawa. The Yokohama line also stops at Shin-Yokohama which is a stop on the Tokaido Shinkan sen.

From the Nihon Sun: The first railway line in Japan commenced operations in 1872 and linked Shinbashi and Yokohama.

obousan

iMorpheus — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:00:34 +0000

Turtles, snails, and three-toed sloths post some of the slowest times when traveling from point A to point B. For example, the three-toed sloth travels at a top speed of 0.15 mph. Though the gentleman pictured here is not a three-toed sloth, he definitely moved like one: raise left heel off ground. Stop. Lift toes off ground. Stop. Place heel of left foot on ground. Stop. Shift weight forward and raise right heel off ground. Stop. You get the idea. The lettering on his robe reads Kouyasan, or Mount Kouya. According to wikipedia this mountain does not exist. Read about it here. For those of you wondering how our Buddhist priest navigated a major intersection, please note that this street was closed to vehicle traffic on this day.