Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

Food and Drink

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Hello Kitty health

For fanatical fans of Japan’s most famous feline intent on fighting the flab but at the same time looking to do more than merely wobble their waistlines with a Kitty-themed contraption, this branded badminton set may well be ideal.

Hello Kitty badminton

Plus, after pounding the shuttlecock with their pussy emblazoned playthings, they can quickly check that all important body fat count with another cat-friendly contrivance.

Hello Kitty body fat

Along with the added option of downing a suitably sponsored energy drink to fend of any fatigue,

Hello Kitty drink

so long as it’s not feline focused.

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Aki Hoshino’s fleshy fruit

Promoting oranges is presumably not easy, as, even in the far from exciting world of fruit, the citrusy snack is not exactly special. Still, Sunkist’s plan of producing an Orange Day Princess was novel if nothing else, and Aki Hoshino proudly appeared as the publicity pin-up.

Aki Hoshino

Plus, despite her knockers, the 31-year-old model pulled off a passable job at posing with the product, as well as cleverly quipping, “I’d like to marry by 40, which is the age when I’d look good in a wedding dress. Like oranges, please ‘eat me’ before I go bad.”

Aki Hoshino

The only trouble is, with Hoshino more famous for her melons, the message may well get a bit muddled.

Aki Hoshino

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Kamen chameleon

The vast and varied number of vending machines in Japan are certainly convenient, although they can cause a considerable amount of clutter, meaning most come complete with a rather characterless little container to collect all the cans.

Like this tired-looking trio for example.

Japanese vending machine

But every now and again there is the odd nod to the unique, with this colossal Kamen Rider cleverly collecting cans in his calf.

Kamen Rider Japan

How they are fished out, on the other hand, is almost as unfathomable as the freedom fighter’s phenomenal fame.

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A foodstuff too far?

As Japan boasts an absolutely massive amount of vending machines, and the vast majority of them dispense drinks, it’s perhaps not surprising that manufacturers are keen to offer customers a bite to eat as well as a beverage.

But whereas bread in a can appears quite passable, and tinned udon looks terrible but is perhaps palatable at a very peckish push, pasta is patently a foodstuff too far.

pasta in a can

Although it does feature a folding fork, which is at least something.

pasta in a can

Sort of.

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Fugu form?

Building regulations in Tokyo appear relatively relaxed, with construction in a constant state of flux. And, in the seemingly unsystematic cityscape, considerable amounts of concrete come across as the only recognisable requirement.

Well, except for fugu (blowfish) restaurants that is, as it would seem that in the realm of dangerous delicacies, a certain form has to be followed — namely the flaunting of fantastically sized fish.

Tokyo fugu

Photographic evidence of two such restaurants in the whole of Tokyo surely attesting to this trend,

Tokyo fugu restaurant

with the more ferocious looking the fugu is the better.

Tokyo fugu restaurant