Food and Drink

Jan 02 2009 12 Comments

Japanese New Year fun and festivities

On or around January 1st, an absolutely huge number of Japanese go to either a local or large shrine to pray — a rough but nonetheless rigourous reckoning of mine putting the figure at approximately 87.34 percent of the population. However, due to Japan’s refreshingly relaxed approach to religion, the emphasis is much more on fun rather than fervour.

A large amount of said fun being focused around food,

as well as some fancy outfits.

Oh, and a fair bit more food.

Along with the longing for a bit of luck,

in some form or other.

And, quite possibly, the further addition of more traditional togs.

Plus, of course, a final bit of food to finish off the festivities.

(click images for super-sized sustenance)

Dec 31 2008 9 Comments

Dangerously delivered dinner

Sometimes, and especially at this time of year, whether it be due to too much booze, the bad weather, or basically not being able to be bothered, having a decent meal delivered is an equally decent idea.

And if one does, it may well arrive on one of these rather ramshackle,

but at the same time strangely beguiling bikes.

Contraptions whose ability to balance full to the brim bowls round busy streets is unfathomably fascinating, with their precious parcels often appearing precarious,

yet happily always horizontal.

(click images for bigger bowl-bearing bikes)

Dec 22 2008 1 Comment

Japanese booze and bladder-based bother

With bountiful winter bonuses and year-end bonenkai bashes aplenty, December is invariably a month of debilitating drunkenness in Japan, with even the addition of a decent dollop of debauchery for those daring enough.

But, while many establishments are keen to boast about what beverages they have available, some of them aren’t nearly so smitten with some of the side effects of said consumption — especially when one of their walls is positively begging to be besmirched by a boozer whose bladder is embarrassingly about to burst.

Yet somewhat surprisingly with a conifer there for camouflage, their fears remain unfounded.

For now.

Dec 02 2008 4 Comments

Japanese lubrication lenience?

There’s no denying that the societal pressure Japan puts on its people can be suffocating — some would say even insufferable. And that’s arguably nothing compared to the almost systematic overwork and wearing down of the workforce. Yet as far as getting lairy and lagered-up is concerned, the country can be almost lovingly lenient.

Meaning that whereas Britain for example is always banging on about binge-drinking and being disciplined, in Tokyo — or at least on its metro — manners are much more important. So, instead of trying to persuade people to make do with moderation,

they are merely petitioned to get plastered in private rather than in public.

Dec 01 2008 6 Comments

Japanese drinks #9: Lager lager lager lager

For those on a budget looking to get bevvied on a beer-like beverage, then the long-established but pleasant on the pocket (although not necessarily the palate) happoshu is an abundantly available brew. An option that varies in taste from the really not that bad, to the really rather awful.

However, if it’s purely to get routed rather than relax, then Kirin’s new-ish Strong Seven is undoubtedly the way to go.

A tonic that, presumably due to its much touted tendency to help one forget, isn’t a titan in the taste department. But, as a beer that’s not actually a beer, and definitely doesn’t taste like a decent beer, it does pack a big old beer-like punch which, after all, is its purpose.

A sensatoinal seven perxent pumch at that, Lukily tho I can. Take my drink whatevr some moght say. specially that bstat wha’s he called. You no, that talll fella from the booozr? .

But yeh, ots strong and np fukinf mistak, jist a good jpb I can take my drimk.

Likr i said,

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