Tokyo Times

Dec 18 2008 9 Comments

Hotel haikyo #3: The slippery slide to insolvency

After featuring Sports World’s fast fading offices and facilities in Parts 1 and 2 respectively, it’s finally time to take a look at the now bankrupt business’s once well maintained, and especially well equipped, world of water.

Large, and in a leafy location, the sprawling complex certainly didn’t make any cuts when it came to equipment, but it is now difficult at times to differentiate between what was classed as inside, or out,

although the main outdoor pools once looked as amazingly lovely as this.

However, a mere decade after the doors were closed, it’s now a decidedly different sight,

with graffiti rather than good times the main attraction.

And, rather bizarrely, particularly considering the time period it was operating in, a fair few of the staff were foreign.

Yet somehow even their blue eyes and bleached blonde hair didn’t do the business, especially if one considers that the above picture was taken only three years after the complex opened. So, even if the place now looks very different, there’s at least one thing that the current state still has in common with its past — a considerable lack of customers.

Meaning that despite its size, there’s a distinct possibility that the slide seldom saw much use.

Although considering the once movable medical facilities,

that was maybe just as well.

But, regardless of how pathetic the place has become, it’s nice to see that politeness, however put on, is still paramount.

And that, at least as far as Sports World is concerned, is that. But, for those who missed them and wouldn’t mind a meander, parts 1 and 2 can be found here and here.

Dec 17 2008 3 Comments

Tokyo train(ing)

With a truly tremendous amount of transportation tracks criss-crossing the Japanese capital, waiting for a train, or indeed for one to pass, is a typical everyday task. A lull that fortunately only lasts for a little while, with most people either just loitering or leisurely looking at their phone.

Although for the odd old woman, it’s apparently a lucky chance to inexplicably lift her leg into a ludicrous and positively painful looking position.

Dec 16 2008 Leave a Comment

Santa and sadomasochism?

Despite already boasting a considerable number of traditional customs, Japan still has no problem at all in importing foreign festivities — especially financially profitable ones — and giving them an imaginative twist to make them more ~~money~~ meaningful.

So, Valentine’s Day now boasts obligatory gifts as well as White Day a month later, and Christmas too has been converted to make it more palatable, although the nation’s fondness for feasting on ‘festive’ fried chicken is frankly unfathomable.

As, it has to be said, is the blending of traditional Japanese bondage (link contains bare bodies) with the bearded and big-bellied bearer of Christmas gifts. An art-form that, while strangely becoming on a suitably attired siren,

somehow isn’t so sensuous on a suited,

and sadomasochistic Santa.

Dec 15 2008 8 Comments

A concrete education for kids?

As a child growing up in Britain, going to the playground with its greenery and good times was always something of a treat. In Tokyo, however, the nature aspect at least isn’t always so noticeable.

Although that said, once one has trekked there, fun is still fairly feasible.

As there’s not only sun, but some stuff to wile at least a short while away on.

Plus there’s an educational aspect to the entertainment too, as it conveniently conditions the kids to all the concrete they are eventually going to come into contact with.

Meaning that when they are old enough to go and roam around near the river,

the almost bamboozlingly realistic bamboo benches,

and carefully created logs they come across will — almost literally — simply seem like second nature.

Possibly even creating a temperament that doesn’t see the topography of tetrapods as unattractive, but instead as tantalising.

Or at the very least traditional.

Dec 14 2008 Leave a Comment

Tranquil time out #37

Despite fulfilling my duties as a foreigner with a website earlier in the year by posting obligatory pictures of blossoms, such a nature-themed nod it seems wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy some; as, according to Japan’s newly formed and fearsome, Seasonal Highlights on the Internet and Television Enforcer (or SHITE for short), I have noticeably neglected to feature any of the country’s famed fall foliage.

So, without further ado, here is this year’s semi-colourful selection. Although to be fair to the solemn soles of SHITE, the choice of a considerably clichÃ©d capture wasn’t compulsory, I just couldn’t come up with anything less commonplace.

« Previous Page

Footer