Tokyo Times

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Money changing masterpiece

With such a gargantuan number of gadgets now available to do everything we could ever need — along with countless others to cover those things we didn’t even know we needed doing — industrial design has become increasingly important as far as success goes; the looks rather than the longevity of a device often dictating whether it will sell or simply sink without trace.

A detail it would seem that has definitely not been lost on one particular manufacturer of money changing machines, with the Japanese company’s latest ‘Glory Model’ being especially easy on the eyes. Its calming colours and pointless but pretty little lights possibly garnering even the odd glance from those not in the least concerned with converting some cash.

Japanese money changer

However as carefully designed as the cabinet obviously is, whether it really does ‘represent pleasant feeling’ is debatable to say the least.

Japanese money changer

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Clothing shop clanger

Japanese shops sporting silly names aren’t exactly scarce, but now and again such sign-based silliness is taken to suitably surreal levels.

Like this ‘Wear House’ in Kanagawa, just outside Tokyo, for example. A name that, if nothing else, is deliciously undecipherable.

Japanese engrish

(click image for super-sized sexiness)

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Tokyo tipple?

It’s certainly possible that the owner of the Tokyo apartment building below has a soft spot for Scotland, the country’s Highlands and heritage perhaps having a lasting effect on his or her life.

Japanese apartment

But as the building is utterly bereft of beauty, its naming could well have more to do with a tryst with nation’s famous tipple than its topography.

Japanese apartment

(click images for higher-res Heights)

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Tokyo tedium

There’s no doubt that a listless day spent looking for a new lavatory brush is hardly living life to the full.

Japanese toilet brush

But that said, is there really any need for moulded plastic manufacturers to malevolently make it known just how mind numbing such aspects of day-to-day living can be?

Japanese engrish

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Queenly quarters

Whilst big Japanese cities like Tokyo and Osaka have their fare share of gay hangouts, and products such as boys’ love manga are growing in popularity, compared to many Western countries Japan still lags behind somewhat in its acceptance of homosexuality.

That said, things are slowly beginning to change, with some celebrities bravely making the decision to publicly come out of the closet. A noticeable shift in attitude that has possibly prompted one construction company to boldly build a mansion (apartment) complex in Tokyo aimed primarily at this new and potentially profitable market.

Tokyo apartment

Rumors abound that if the project proves successful a second complex named Lesbian Lofts will be built nearby, although this has yet to be confirmed.