The One about Discovering Japanese Music: ZARD’s “Zard Blend ~Sun & Stone~
My review was featured on J!-ENT (2007): With the sad and depressing news of the death of Sakai Izumi, lead singer of the popular band ZARD, I pulled this album out and just listened to it over and over. With the October 2006 release of Read More …
The One about Hard Drive Failure
Hi everyone… A short post today as I had a major hard drive failure. In the process of reinstalling everything but hopefully will be back up to speed by tomorrow. Knock on wood.
The One about Mandarake at Nakano Broadway
In Japan, when it comes to used anime, manga and toys, Mandarake is one of Tokyo’s most well-known stores to visit. While there are stores that people can find in Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Akihabara, Osaka, Utsunomiya, Sapporo, nagoya, Umeda, Kokura and Fukuoka (and at one point, Read More …
Blog Update: Travel Guides will now be on the slider at the top
Greetings everyone, a lot of people enjoy the travel guides I have posted in the past and are often looking for them. I decided to make the slider on the top to incorporate the travel guides, to make it easier for people to find them. Read More …
The One about Ernst Lubitsch’s “Design for a Living”
Today’s selection for my cinema blog post goes to Ernst Lubitsch’s “Design for a Living”. Bold, stylish and a pre-code non-musical film by Ernst Lubitsch, “Design for Living” receives new life with the Criterion Collection’s Blu-ray release of a film which showcases radicalism but a Read More …
The One about the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fes 2017
Halloween has become a phenomenon in Japan. A little over five years ago, Halloween wasn’t even a thing in Japan. But that has changed as Halloween has become a major event in Japan were restaurants, bakeries, cafe not only found an event to take advantage Read More …
The One about Saboten Delica
In Japan, you can find many restaurants that specialize in tonkatsu (fried pork). But when you are on the go or near station and feel hungry, one place that you can depend on for tasty fried tonkatsu is Saboten. With over 330 restaurants throughout Japan, Read More …
The One about the Fujiya Nakano Broadway
One of the well-known snacks in Japan is from Fujiya Food Service and has chain of confectionery shops and restaurants throughout Japan. And while this blog is about the Fujiya Nakano Broadway, I have to write a little bit about the company’s history. Created in Read More …
The One about Shamrock by Abbot’s Choice in Roppongi
Located in the Minato Ward in Roppongi is one of the noteworthy pubs in the area. Shamrock by Abbot’s Choice is known for carrying numerous draught beers, hundreds of varieties of whisky and bottled beer. Best place to find during your stroll to or from Read More …
The One about Buying a Pachinko Machine
Pachinko machines have been part of Japanese entertainment since it was first built in the 1920’s. With the first parlor built in Nagoya back in 1948, by the 1980’s, mechanical pachinko machines became popular as the technology improved by showcasing flashing lights, levers and more. Read More …
The One about Ultraman World M78
In Japan, tokusatsu shows (any Japanese live-action film or TV drama which features special effects) and merchandise are popular. And for Ultraman fans, the Ultraman World M78 stores attract fans from all over the world. I went to the Ultraman World M78 store at Tokyo Read More …
The One about Nippori Station
A station that many people use to transfer from one station to another is Nippori Station in Arakawa Ward. The station opened back on April 1, 1905 and the Keisei Station portion was opened in December 1931. Nippori Station is right next to Yanaka, an Read More …
The One about the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum at Ueno Park
In 1926, the first public music in Japan opened. Known as the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and it is the go to museum for masterpieces from abroad and contemporary art are introduced. It’s current location is not the original museum, as the Tokyo Prefectural Museum Read More …
The One about Zojoji Temple in Minato, Part 2
I wrote about my experience at Zojoji Temple in the Shiba neighborhood of Minato Ward back in 2015. The San’en-zan Zozo-ji Buddhist Temple is a great temple of the Chinzei branch of Jodo-shu Buddhism and founded by Yuyu Shoso. While I’m not going to dwell Read More …
The One about the Saigo Takamori and his dog bronze statue in Ueno Park
If one went to Ueno Station, one statue that you will find is of Saigo Takamori (Takanaga) and his dog. Born as Saigo Kokichi (January 23, 1828-September 24, 1877), not only is Takamori one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history but he is Read More …
The One about Ikinari Steak Part 2
I don’t really eat red meat, let alone steak all that much. When I travel, often I’ll partake in steak. And I wanted to try the Kobe Steak at Hakushu in Shibuya and the Japanese Rib-Eye Steak at Ikinari Steak (which there are many restaurants Read More …
The One about Yanaka Cemetery
Located in Yanaka and a minute away from Nippori Station is the large cemetery known as Yanaka Reien (Yanaka Cemetery). Originally known as Yanaka Bochi (Yanaka Graveyard), the location is home for 7,000 graves and is a cemetery that has ts own police station and Read More …