Notes from a small group of Japanese islands

Tokyo’s apparent disregard for the presumably trifling matter of town planning can make finding someone’s home a frustrating, and often time consuming, task. Plus, while maps can be a major help, the metropolis’ maze-like streets often make even the most detailed diagram difficult to decipher.

With this in mind then, landmarks are a much more reliable resource, making helpful hints along the lines of, “I live below the giant Gorilla”,

or, “My gaff is next to Godzilla”,

far more efficient.

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It is often said that two heads are better than one, but as far as cycling is concerned, for some at least, one wheel is way more entertaining than two.

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Presumably due to the high cost of land in the Japanese capital, and the lack of lots left available, Tokyo’s playgrounds can be sorry sights to say the least; a trait that also seems to be socially acceptable in Japan’s second city, Osaka.

Still, a pitiful place is arguably better than no place at all, and here at least the area’s youngsters have something to climb on, as well as somewhere to sit after a fun five minutes or so.

There’s even a sandpit too, although one’s bucket and spade is probably best left for the beach.

And, should it rain, the area is also conveniently covered, with the trundle of traffic from above a mere trifling trouble.

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With Japan being home to the most pre-eminent automobile makers on the planet, it’s perhaps not surprising that the nation’s motorists have a copious collection of cars to pick from, all the way from the comical, to the economical.

However, when it comes to choosing a colour, the sizeable selection is obviously too much for most, with a staggeringly large number of new owners simply settling on silver.

Or, for those looking to be a bit more fun, but at the same time still fit in, white would appear to be the way to go.

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When it comes to lemon-based beverages, Japanese vending machines have a veritable glut of such goods, with even Pepsi recently succumbing to a splash of citrus with its slightly sickly summer special.

But for the leader in all things lemon, it has to be Lemon’s Lemon. A drink that supposedly contains a staggering 50 of the oval offerings, which is a considerable amount for such a tiny container.

This concentration apparently making it good for all manner of maladies,

with a quick slurp,

quickly sorting one out.

Oh, and as far as taste goes, it’s not too bad, although it is somewhat citrusy.

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A recent survey by Monocle magazine claims that the Japanese capital is the third-most liveable city in the world, which, in many ways, may not be too far from the truth.

However, with its technology and terrific rates of transformation, for the elderly at least, Tokyo it seems can be terribly tiring.

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In part 1 (go here for a gander), the lower floors of Keishin Hospital’s abandoned shell offered little apart from dereliction and destruction, but higher up, the building’s wall-cum-canvases are a genuine goldmine of graffiti,

with a varied collection of characters peering out from the plaster,

and at the same time presenting little in the way of privacy.

However, this focus on the human form,

soon turns to more faithful reproductions, with faces,

and especially foreign ones,

being most favoured.

Plus, the female figure in particular,

is a firm favourite.

Although despite seeing a different drawing at each turn, the biggest surprise of the whole hospital haikyo was the appearance of some rather more real faces.

(click images for grander-sized graffiti)

*Huge thanks to Mike in Japan for kindly supplying a map to the hospital, and, needless to say, his own hike round the ruin is well worth a look.

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