Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

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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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Jumbo Japanese

Whether it really matters or not is obviously open to question, but the issue of size — and a supposed lack of it — sometimes rears its head in relation to the Japanese, with the country’s rather inadequately proportioned apartments and pioneering products such as the Walkman only adding to the argument.

Yet not everything one hears is true — far from it in fact.

The length and breadth of Japan’s numerous shopping malls for example can in no way be contested, plus relatively recently, Tokyo has seen the construction of several sizeable erections, the latest standing proud as the capital’s largest. And in regards to more personal matters it’s a similarly successful story, as the young fella featured below is happy to flaunt his unfeasibly large chopper.

Japanese chopper

(click image for meatier-sized motoring club member)

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Tokyo tickle

With Tokyo literally teeming with a multitude of maid cafes, all the way from fairly regular cosplay-themed retreats to convent-like coffee shops, it was arguably only a matter of time before a more mature take on the trend was introduced — the cleverly named haunt Hand Maid being decidedly more interested in draining its customers vessels than keeping them topped up.

Japanese hand maid cafe

In fact, dispensing with beverages altogether, the establishment — which has a branch in both Tokyo and Osaka — offers a much more hands-on approach, with its maid uniform-clad staff members offering those who have been palmed off by their partners, or are reluctant to try out some rough and ready robotic relief, a little more of the human touch.

Details of the various specialities on offer can be seen at the official site here, which perhaps predictably also includes a schoolgirl outfit option; however despite the lack of nudity and mostly manga depicted deeds, it’s perhaps not exactly best suited for browsing at work or when grandma is about.

Japanese hand maid cafe

All in all, a place where a myriad of variations are available, provided of course the customer doesn’t decide to rub the staff up the wrong way. Plus, in true maid style, the personal service is second to none, and with bookings also available, the staff are more than happy to wait patiently for each customer to come.

Japanese maid

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Tokyo technology

As Japan has just been named the world’s most innovative nation, those at the cutting edge of science and technology could well be forgiven for kicking back a bit and revelling in the warm glow of recognition.

But as one presumably doesn’t get to the top by taking time off, technicians in Tokyo are already working on a new and quite possibly earth shattering enterprise — audaciously attempting to eliminate once and for all the threat of water shortage brought about by global warming and drought.

An effort that judging by the picture below would appear to be well on the way to fruition.

Japanese sign

(click image for increased innovation)

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Tokyo transport transvestisism

With women-only carriages now commonplace in Tokyo, and females far more forthright in regards to revealing offenders, the days of free-for-all furtive fiddling appear to be almost over for Tokyo’s transport transgressors.

That said, where there’s a will there’s always a way, and Tokyoite Yoshihiro Tanabe took to wearing women’s clothing in a desperate bid to cop a clandestine feel; however despite his elaborate efforts, he chose the wrong female to fondle, as Tanabe’s 25-year-old victim overpowered him as the train stopped at a station and promptly handed him over to the police.

During questioning the 51-year-old culprit candidly confessed that his disguise was designed to avoid getting caught, stating, “I thought I wouldn’t be arrested because I was cross-dressed.”

Sadly no photograph has been released, but the middle-aged miscreant is said to have been sporting long hair, which means he may — or indeed may not — have looked something like this.

Japanese transvestite