A quick chance before I collapse tonight to bring you this distance-related image of the week. Was considering sitting (about all I can do today) in a nice dark auditorium, so I checked the film schedule online. I was surprised to see how "long" the movies are:
(Look to the right hand side, you might need to enlarge it.)
For those curious, I conquered the Yamanote 29!!
In fact, we finished quicker than expected. At the sacrifice of our legs. Ow!
It'll take me a while to post up the results, as there are many photos.
It's lovely outside today, maybe a nice long walk....
One of my most favouritest things about Tokyo is the magical train system: cheap, reliable, useful, albeit daunting at times*. The Yamanote Line is the, in my opinion**, best line for its simplicity and coverage. It loops, in an oval shape, central Tokyo, much like the Circle Line of any other major network. However, being JR and not the Metro, it's above ground.
...is not the motto of this plastic surgery makeover show.
The woman, who children cried at and grown men ran from, was rather tragic. She was so out of shape and unhealthy that she was denied plastic surgery twice and dental treatment once. Finally, she was permitted to proceed. I'll put the result up tomorrow...
I found Shusse Jizo on the rooftop of a department in the Ginza shopping district. It is famous for providing success, so many students come here to wish for luck.
(taken in Ginza - 16th February, 2008)
Not sure the bird poo on top really sells the 'lucky' factor.
...is, of course, Lego. Just ask Albert.
Happy 50th Anniversary Lego!
No really, it is.
A famous book, teaching children about poo, was read on tv last night. I don't quite get the logic with reading a book on television but, hey, I'm not Japanese so what would I know?!
The 'informative' pictures and writing explain to children what shape, colour, smell a healthy poo should be. Let's all take a moment to celebrate this marvel. Perhaps not.
Look at all these happy people. Everyone does it. Even Santa.
And this was broadcast at the off-putting time of 8PM.
Fortunately, I'd finished eating so I enjoyed reading along.
Unfortunately for her, Keiko hadn't.
I stumbled upon this funky playground:
With dinosaurs. In an open-air public space.
If only I could come up with a clever and memorable name. I know...
Dinosaur Play Area.
Back to the drawing board.
The Tokyo Marathon is on February 17th. Sadly (or luckily, depending on which side of the bed I get out of*) I had to withdraw my application due to bad foresight. So I won't be joining the thirty-odd thousand runners.
However, I do have a nifty alternative planned and I think you might like it...
Pepsi have been doing a joint promotion for their new drink with Fox TV/Movies. Each bottle comes with a small plastic bear, suitable for attaching to mobile phones etc. Some of the film choices and the bear designs are impressive, while others are rubbish. Decide for yourselves which, if any.
Titanic, Devil Wears Prada, Omen, Planet of the Apes, Alien, Night at The Museum, Prison Break, Day After Tomorrow, 24, Predator, Die Hard, Fight Club.
Special mention to the excellent Planet of the Apes and Predator bears - they must have been popular as they're the only ones I never saw in the shops.
This guy was irresistible. Look at the detail, the dirt on his brow and the sweat on his shirt!
Introducing....
My favourite TV show in Japan is Ainori, which basically means "the love ride". It's as simple as it sounds; a group of young-ish Japanese ride the bus in different locations around the world, and try to pair off. They either leave the show loved up or heartbroken, only for new contestants to take their place. Some couples, a few marriages, one or two babies and some scandals ensued. Imagine a never-ending Blind Date - sounds like hell but the editing makes it hilarious, and the places they visit are always interesting.
This is the actual minibus they use!!
(taken in Odaiba - 24th December, 2007)
The theme tune is hideously annoying:
Nessie!
This was on the news a few days ago. A new movie "The Water Horse" is being released here. I have no plans on watching it as it looks a little on the rubbish side, but I could be swayed having seen this incredible advertising campaign.
In the water beside Odaiba (of course!), a light was projected onto a water fountain to create the Loch Ness Monster. Pretty cool:
Take that, Cloverfield - your guerilla marketing is nothing compared to this. Imagine if the NY monster had been projected by the Statue of Liberty - that would've been something. By the way, Cloverfield is called Hakaisha (Destroyer) in Japan. It's out this week. Anyone seen it yet?
Setsubun went ahead. Just. We braved it through the ever-freezing blizzard and trudged through the sludge to Housenji Temple.
Worrying images of about 50,000 or so temple-goers (the usual annual turn-out) were soon put to rest this year as a whole 10 or so other people made it down there. In fairness, by the main event, about 2/300 turned up. The Pirate parade didn't happen - the Fire Department put a damper on things by deeming it too unsafe to march around in the thawing snow. They did, however, pose for pictures inside one of the prayer rooms.
My favourite festival of the year (I can't believe it's been that long already!) is today. So don't forget to throw some beans and shout "oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" ("monster's out, luck in").
It's customary for the person who was born in the current zodiac year to throw beans at the temple. As it's my year I thought it might be fun to go to one of the big areas in Tokyo to do this. One place today - Nakano-Sakaue - has a procession of 100 men born in the year of the rat, dressed up as pirates. That I want to see. Why wasn't I invited to join in?!
However, the snow fell quite hard last night and it's still going - we put clothes outside last night for drying and they froze. Maybe it'll be too bad to go down to the temple, but I'll stick pictures up if we do.
Happy bean-throwing!
One of the best days I had in Hong Kong wasn't technically in Hong Kong. On Thursday, I ventured over to the other of the two territories of China, Macau. Or Macao, both spellings seem to be accepted.
I wanted to get a whole day there, as there is a lot to see when you consider the old town (an ex-Portuguese colony in late 1880s) as well as the casino area, so I set off incredibly early to the China Ferry Terminal on Kowloon side. I was expecting a few boats and a small queue, but it was just like an airport on water, the security and number of passport controls were overwhelming.
I boarded the 8:30 boat, the earlier ones had sold out, and sailed over. It took about an hour to get there. It was foggy, which was a good excuse to sleepy.
Macau is a fascinating place, a real hybrid of old and new, and a mix of nationalities. The place was filled with tourists (mostly Japanese) but there were some residents, their preferred method of transport was scooters.
The main square was my idea of Portugal, not that I've been there. The ceramic tiling on the ground at Largo de Senado looked impressive, as did the style of houses.
The main tourist site was St Paul's Ruins, originally built in 1602, the front facade was the only side still standing. It was quite spectacular from up high on the fortress next to it.
