Dead Drunk

Signs and English in Japan are generally amusing all the place. No matter where you go it's only a matter of time until you stumble upon something like this. I suppose if you were half-dead drunk things would be okay!

大阪

Here's a shot of downtown Osaka from the Umeda Sky Garden. This was my second trip to Osaka and this time around I didn't have a dead camera battery. While there really isn't much to do around here compared to Tokyo the food and shopping is still great.


Food like fresh manta ray and eels!


Okonomiyaki is always delicious-- I think it's a multi-purpose food suitable for all types of situations. Got a new job or promotion? Have some okonomiyaki. Celebrating a birthday with some friends? Okonomiyaki. Break up with that long time boyfriend/girlfriend? Feel better with some okonomiyaki.


The famous Namba takoyaki stand. This line-up goes on and on but the wait is always worth it. Perhaps it was a bit inflated though since it was Golden Week.


Yes, this is the same line from up above and it stretches further still. Perhaps my Japanorama blog should start including some panoramic shots. Too bad I'm utterly lazy and probably couldn't stitch a photo if my life depended on it.


Artificial plastic food placed in glass display cases is probably like the best idea ever. Not only does it help with decision making I can now effectively complain and bitch to myself and others when the meal that arrives to my table is different from the piece of plastic I pointed too. Efficiency at its best =].


Have yet to try fugu (pufferfish), but I will definitely do it before my days are numbered in Japan. However if not prepared properly my days in Japan will be numbered. Isn't it beauitful harmony? I still remember that old Simpsons episode when Homer ate a piece and presumably had 24 hours to live.

The More You Know...! (insert lightbulb)
Fugu contains lethal amounts of the poison tetrodotoxin in the organs, especially the liver and ovaries, and also the skin. The poison, a sodium channel blocker, paralyzes the muscles while the victim stays fully conscious, and eventually dies from asphyxiation. Currently, there is no known antidote, and the standard medical approach is to try to support the respiratory and circulatory system until the poison wears off.


After one year I'm still fascinated at the way some buildings are designed and plastered with menus and various other advertisements. Maybe because I don't understand half of it the puzzlement continues to prove interesting.


Hitachi Tower in the Tennoji area. Not really sure of its significance but I'm sure it has some meaning since someone obviously put the time and effort into making it all pointy with lights.

Place to Place

Fancy getup, artistic lights, mirrors on the walls (and ceiling!) and a vibrating-music playing bed. The glass bathroom was also quite transparent. From here...


...to here! Epic comfy capsule. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The futon and blanket were pretty comfortable. Each capsule has its own miniature television monitor, radio, alarm clock, and mirror.


This place had curtains closing each capsule. Kinda wish there was a latch/hatch thingy to seal myself in but the curtain worked sufficiently enough.


Complete with the whole communal bathing area. Thank god I checked to see first whether or not anybody was using the facility first. Would have been a tiny bit awkward trying to talk myself out of that one had I stumbled upon someone.

KO! Kyoto & Osaka!

While Sylvia was visiting we planned a 3 day trip to Kyoto and Osaka area since it is very touristy. Yuki was able to research and find a pretty affordable hotel right in the heart of the Gion area of downtown Kyoto.


Heian Jingu, apparently a famous place for wedding ceremonies in Kyoto was overrun by a concert/performance in the late afternoon. To me it seemed a little strange to hold that type of event at a temple, but whatever. Can you count the chairs? I'll give you a hint-- there are over 400.


Giant torii gate leading up towards Heian Jingu.


On our first night we ate at a fancy restaurant along the Kamo river. My meal came out to be a little over ¥6000 (~$60), but it was totally worth it. The night after we were able to spot a few geishas in the streets as well. They were escorting an elderly man who was likely their owner out of one of the Gion restaurants.

As for Osaka, I really wish I had been able to take pictures. Went up to Sky Garden and then spent time in the Namba and Shimsaibashi areas. Namba had incredible street food, mainly takoyaki (octopus balls) and some deliciously cheap okonomiyaki. Perhaps one day I'll make a trip back with a fully charged battery >_<.

Long Weekend

Well it's a long weekend here for me in Nihon so I'll be making a trip out to Kyoto & Osaka. Be back in a few days!

Round 2 Kyoto, bring it onnnnnnnnn!