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Japan Unwrapped

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Japan Unwrapped #6: Landmark love

Dear Tokyo Times

Having recently visited Tokyo and realised that city planning is somehow seen as unnecessary, I was wondering how people find wherever it is they are supposed to be going? Ok, so admittedly a lot of cars now have navigation systems, but if you don’t have one, or happen to be on foot, what on earth do you do?

Thanks!

John, Illinois

Struggle most of the time John, although with the vast majority of restaurants and shops now having websites, detailed directions are often easily obtainable.

On the other hand, finding a friend’s house or apartment for the first time can be a fiendishly frustrating task, with a multitude of “Where are you now?” text messages and ever more manic calls a predictably familiar ritual.

That said, if you do manage to get in the vicinity of your destination, neighbourhood maps are fairly abundant. But as this one amply proves, they aren’t exactly user friendly.

Tokyo map

So invariably it comes down to landmarks, such as nearby shops and convenience stores. Like this fairly nondescript apartment building to the right for example, as those living there can help would-be visitors by saying it’s next to the petrol station.

Tokyo apartment

Or alternatively, above the opticians.

Tokyo apartment

However there are no shortage of such places in Tokyo, which makes the task easier but not exactly trouble free. So in what will hopefully become a new trend, the owners have rather thoughtfully opted to position an oversized ornament on top of the building, allowing them to also add that it’s just below the giant gorilla.

Tokyo apartment

A decidedly drastic approach it has to be said, but one that does its job and at the same time helps take attention away from drying laundry.

Tokyo apartment

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Japan Unwrapped #5: Ultra unbelievable

Dear Tokyo Times

I’m pretty sure Godzilla doesn’t exist cos my friend Bobby says so. And Tokyo is still there so he can’t have destroyed it like I’ve seen him do in a film. At least that’s what my teacher Miss Jones said when I asked her. She even showed me some pictures in a book. It looked great.

But Bobby also says that Ultraman is real, and that’s why Japan is so safe. He reckons he even has a special phone too if there’s ever any trouble. I asked Miss Jones again but she has never heard of him, so she couldn’t help me.

Can you? Is it true?

Kevin (10), London.

Well Kevin, your friend Bobby is right. I’m not quite sure about the phone part, but yes, Ultraman is always on hand to help protect the people of Tokyo. In fact, only last week I witnessed the man himself fending off a few fiends who seemed intent on ruining a small outdoor concert.

Ultraman in Japan

How he found out I don’t know (so maybe Bobby is right about the phone), but before the monsters could cause any real mayhem,

Ultraman in Japan

Ultraman defiantly dealt with them.

Ultraman in Japan

His karate-like kicks were very impressive too.

Ultraman in Japan

In fact, everyone was so relieved, that the event organiser even overlooked the masked marvel taking a sneaky peek at one of the presenter’s legs as she thanked him for his actions.

Ultraman in Japan

You see Kevin, even super heroes like looking at girls sometimes.

(click images for ultra big Ultraman)

5 Comments

Japan Unwrapped #4: Naming nonsense

Dear Tokyo Times

I’ve heard that a lot of apartments in Tokyo have English rather than Japanese ‘names’, and that many of them are a little odd. Is it true?

Thanks!

Bob B, Seattle

It is true Bob, although it’s not just restricted to English, as there is a generous sprinkling of French and Spanish names out there too. That said, English monikers are very much in the majority.

Unfortunately — at least as far as truly nonsensical names are concerned — there’s no dearth of ‘dragons’.

Japanese apartment

And certainly no lack of ‘lions’ either.

Japanese apartment

Thankfully though some landlords do have a little more imagination. A love of colour — or indeed fruit — clearly influencing the naming of this brightly coloured abode.

Japanese apartment

Others however are clearly not so sure about what they want, and invariably just end up choosing something at random, regardless of how inappropriate it is.

Japanese apartment

Yet gauging the mindset of the building’s prospective rent payers appears to play a part in the process for many property owners, with this particular dwelling hoping to attract especially laid-back leaseholders.

Japanese apartment

Whilst others actively seek out those with a rather more transparent temperament.

Japanese apartment

An interesting approach that appears to have been taken to a whole new level in the country’s second city. The picture below, taken by the always amusing An Englishman in Osaka, proving that rather than matching the moniker with the inhabitants’ mindset, it can be used to actively try and mess with it.

Japanese apartment

3 Comments

Japan Unwrapped #3: Bikini bother

Dear Tokyo Times

As a regular reader of Japan related websites, I’d like to ask why so many seem to have more than their fair share of bikini models? But, if that must be the case, as a woman a few similar pictures of hunky men wouldn’t go amiss.

Thanks!

Debs

Well, I can’t vouch for the others Debs, but personally speaking it’s not necessarily planned, rather something that just sort of happens. In fact, before I’m even aware of it sometimes, a picture has inexplicably popped up.

reon kadena

Then the appearance of one inevitably leads to another.

yoko mitsuya

And then another.

morishita chisato

Creating a situation that is almost out of hand (so to speak) and very difficult to stop, invariably working its way up to a crescendo of sorts.

eriko sato and koike eiko

And it’s not even a desperate attempt to attract truckloads of traffic either, as it’s mechanical masturbating machines that do that. But, just for a change, things will be different today, so to abruptly nip this one in the bud, here’s a rare picture of a handsome hunk to redress the balance somewhat.

Japanese hunk

(As ever, questions can be submitted to Japan Unwrapped by using the contact form or leaving a comment below.)

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Japan Unwrapped #2: Cosplay crotch

Dear Tokyo Times,

What’s the most unpleasant thing you’ve ever seen in Japan, scary, sickening or otherwise?

Paul, Bury.

During my time in Japan, Paul, there have been many things that have stuck in the mind, both good and bad, but perhaps none with the same burned into the back of the brain whether you like it or not intensity as this lycra-covered lump.

cosplay crotch

An image that messes with the mind even more when looked at in all its lime green leotard-clad lustre.

cosplay cutie

A ‘young lady’, who despite her pleasant persona, continues to haunt my dreams, frequently joining forces with her companions who are almost as questionable as her crotch.

cosplay cuties

Apologies to those who have seen the pictures before, but my therapist insists that I confront my memories head on, rather than cowardly trying to conceal them.

On a lighter note, further questions for Japan Unwrapped — although preferably not groinal region related — can be submitted here, or alternatively left in the comments section below.