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Japan is not Australia
Photos of some of the things we have found differentBefore I begin
Is japan a strange place? ....well actually no,it is pretty normal. Most things that happen are pretty boring just like anywhere else. But one of the best things about living anywhere, is finding what is different from home. So welcome to my page celebrating the little differences in life.
Black Vinegar - May 2008
At a restaurant in Kamakura. The 'Black Vinegar' is apple juice with some vinegar in it. A very odd label
Gas Bombes - May 2008
Beside the register at Daiso supermarket May 2008. Heater fluid, rather than bombs
Hello Kitty Lucky Charms - May 2008
Most temples sell lucky charms and do a good business. Hello Kitty products are also often in the temple gift shop. Pictures of the large Buhdda statue in Nara holding Kitty in his palm are a favorite, but this is a new level even for me. This photo is from a charm stand inside Kinkakuji in Kyoto. Not at the end in the gift shop but in with main part of the temple. Would you buy a Hello Kitty Safety amulet? and for 800yen. Takai desu ne!
A few links
There are many websites that special ise in weird Japan, so I do not really try and compete there, but lately there has been a range of odd things that are worth checking out.Convenience stores selling "Men's Desserts" (Asashi Shimbun)
Men's desserts are bigger and less sweet than the ones for the ladies. I had better go get a photo
Using ridges on the road to create music as you drive, as a tourist attraction
Watch the video and laugh at the awful sounds.
Crocs sandals cited in 40 escalator accidents
One of the big talking points in December at our house. There was talk crocs would have to be banned or special Japanese ones made. There are many stories of lost toes and reasons why.
>> By SARAH KARUSH, Associated Press Writer Mon Sep 17, 7:47 PM ET
>> WASHINGTON - At rail stations and shopping malls around the world,
>> reports are popping up of people, particularly young children,
>> getting their toes caught in escalators. The one common theme seems
>> to be the clunky soft-soled clogs known by the name of the most
>> popular brand, Crocs.
A new style of Maid cafe but catering to girls, themed as a boys boarding school
Cafe Edelstein in Harajuku, Tokyo, dressing up the boys in school uniforms.
Pet Rental
Yes you can rent a pet. Actually not a bad idea considering the cost of Pets.
Hoades of older ladies chase teenage boy celebrities
From the article "...And though some husbands may grumble at the prospect of working long hours while their wives travel around indulging their crush, some of them are just happy their spouse has a hobby. "
Police Car - apr 2008
The police were across the road for some reason and the car was parked off the road, so it was not blocking traffic at the time. But I had not seen the extended lights before.
Heart Starter - Dec 2007
Well we walked past this on the street in Toyota City.
"Happiest Passenger" Busline - Nov 2007 Kyoto
A shot of the back of a tour bus.
No Hats - Nov 2007 Kyoto
This just amused me
Pompman - July 2007 Osaka
I just liked the name. Pompman, for a bike pump. But being Japan a) it is working and not vandalised, and b) it is free and just sitting in the car park of small supermarket complex.
Public Toilets - May 2007
This is a public toilet at Atsuta Jingu.. As you can tell, public toilets can be... well.....public. Especially strange at this toilet is the wall protecting the urinals has windows in it! The reason for this public positioning is to reduce vandalism. Not all public toilets are this public, but you cannot be bashful.
Love Hotels - May 2007
Love hotels are a Japanese institution where couples can go to get some privacy. You can book by the hour. Hotel Love has a website on it's billboard http://www.hotel-love.co.jp/ . Check it out
Maid Cafe's - 13 May 2007
I thought that a maid cafe would be different, maybe a bit more open and a bit less creepy, maybe I am just getting old!. I have walked past these signs walking between Osu Kannon and Sakae a number of times and never paid attention.
Maid Style was the first cafe that I saw. The website gives you an idea of what to expect. See their interior decorating here.
Just opposite maid style was a second cafe, It looks a bit cheaper. [Actually Pam was the first to see this one - I walked right by it!]
Sign beside the stairs
Not just in Nagoya. Here is a maid club billboard in Akihabara Tokyo - May 2008
Gloomy Bear - May 2007
Gloomy bear is the hannibal lector of toy bears. I saw gloomy bear on Japanarama and was very excited in Tokyo to find a gloomy bear of my own. Gloomy is cuddly, but gloomy is a bear and eats humans. Check the official website for a strange bear experience.
Pet Prices in Japan - May 2007
Pet prices in Japan for cats and dogs are pretty amazing. The following photos are from a pet shop in i-mall, between Nagoya and Toyota City, but they are pretty indicative of what you normally pay in any pet shop.
Approx $1,780 AUD. A pure breed puppy in Australia may fetch $700-$1000, but not an average dog. Parker (our dog) was free from the lost dogs home.
Approx $1,980 (AUD is about 94Yen at the moment)
Clean Subways - April 2007
(Photo: Susan Ryles)
One thing I find amazing in Japan is the subway system.The photo above shows posters hanging from the ceiling of the train. This just would not happen in Australia, some idiots would destroy them within hours. In Japan, none are damaged, or vandalized. There is virtually no graffiti, the stations are clean .
Mr Children - May 2007
Poster in Ueno, Tokyo 2006. "Mr Children" is a popular Japanese rock band. The name is something that would work in Australia and sounds like something the newspapers would use to describe a criminal. The Home tour was too much for me to resist.
Another Mr Children shot. Their new album is called home - (July 2007 Osaka)
Sign Holding - April 2007
Kyoto April 2007. I am not sure whether it is because of a law or because of that personal touch, but one of the most boring jobs in Japan has to be that of sign holder. These guys stand out front of shops, car parks, or main roads with a wide variety of signs. Some yell and wave people in, but most people just sit there.
Kyoto April 2007.
Dress up your toothpaste - April 2007
Melinda and Heath found this when shopping in Sakae. A cover for your toothpaste tube. I don't think I ever would have thought of it.
No Bikes - April 2007
OK, I cheated on this one. The bike sign is directly in front of a mail box (which is not in shot) But I still think it is pretty funny - Sakae Apr 2007 (in front of Parco)
Clothes by weight - Apr 2007
This store in near Osu Kannon in Nagoya sells clothes by weight. Read is the cheapest and Black the most expensive.
Age Discrimination - March 2007
Asahi Shimbun English Edition - March 5 2007 - P25 - Age discrimination in hiring is obviously not illegal in Japan. I am not sure what other workplace laws exist though.
Flavored air ..... Grapefruit - January 2007
Well the latest thing for sale at the trusty 7-11 is flavored oxygen. You can get mint, grapefruit
I found a lovely quote about 02supli from the manufacturer "SevenEleven Holding and Hakugen are going to release 02Supli bottles in Japan. These bottles contain oxygen (95%) and the official goal of these is to boost the workers/employees, so whenever they feel a bit tired, you just use the o2Supli and you're ready to hit the Excel sheets again!" - www.akihabaranews.com.
THe cost is around 600 yen, ($7AUD) for one bottle. What will you be able to buy next?
Electric Carpets - January 2007
The cold of winter has brought out an amazing range of products that I have not seen in Australia. Heated tables and carpets are both new to me. The advert above is from a National.jp catalogue. Basically there is a heated under carpet and an overlay in various designs. The undercarpet has a thermostat and other various controls. BTW I appreciate the heated toilet seat in our house a lot more now it is winter.
Toiler Paper testing - at the supermarket - January 2007
Try before you buy, Pam testing the feel of the toilet paper before we make our decision. We have not seen this before, but a good idea.