Tokyo Times

Mar 06 2009 8 Comments

Dangerously designed dwelling?

With land in the Japanese capital both lacking and ludicrously priced, architects often have to conjure up designs to deal with such difficulties. Issues that on the whole do appear to get dealt with, just with decidedly varying degrees of success that’s all.

As, while living in a space that is confined or unconventional isn’t necessarily too uncomfortable, dealing with a front door that calls for climbing skills might be considerably less accommodating.

A problem probably only added to by the presumably perpetual whinging of postal workers.

Mar 05 2009 3 Comments

Tranquil time out #43

With temples decorously dotted all over Tokyo, there’s always the chance, should one want to seize it, of briefly breaking away from the hustle and bustle and settling down with some soothing sounds,

sights,

and, erm, sandals.

Of sorts.

Mar 04 2009 7 Comments

Japanese far-right failure?

Japanese regulations restricting exhaust emissions have obviously resulted in cleaner air in the capital, but it’s arguable that they have also helped rid the roads of at least some of the city’s right-wing nationalists, as many of their venom-spouting vans may not have met the new requirements.

However, as satisfying as it is to see these harbingers of hate lying silent and subdued, with one of their ill-informed ilk — albeit of the slightly watered down variety — ensconced as master of this major metropolis,

and a Prime Minister unapologetic at best about the past,

these rotting relics are seemingly set to be perpetually replaced by more modern models.

Utterly unlike their message,

which remains rooted in reverse.

Mar 03 2009 5 Comments

Japanese drinks #10: Super hero cider

Despite having super powers and suits that definitely don’t looked designed for daily discharges, super heroes still need some sustenance, and Ultraman it would seem has a soft spot for cider.

A drink so dear to his heart — should indeed he have one — that it is now available as Ultra Cider, complete with a can similar to his suit.

A garment that presumably comes in a plethora of patterns due to beverage behemoth DyDo designing six different cans to collect. All of which unfortunately contain the same contents. As, while ultra cheap at 100 yen a pop, one of Ultraman’s powers mustn’t be his palate, because it’s ultra bloody abominable.