Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

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Japanese justice?

Last week saw a married couple from Fukui Prefecture in western Japan detained for public indecency; their saucy website falling foul of the censors as it contained footage of 38-year-old Fumio Hisano and his 32-year-old wife Reiko indulging in rather rigorous marital relations.

Called Aya’s Room, the enterprise was certainly more than a mere hobby, as due to membership fees the pair had netted over 200 million yen (840,000 pound) since the site’s inception over 7 years ago. Yet in the land where practically every family focused video shop has a lot more to offer than Disney and Doraemon.

Japanese video shop

As well as vending machines that contain stuff a little stronger than cigarettes and 7 Up.

Japanese DVD vending machine

The Japanese censorship system could well be seen as somewhat sanctimonious.

And then some.

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Tokyo taboo

When advertising their resting places on roadside hoardings, Japanese love hotels can apparently only allude to the lewdness that takes place on their premises. A cheeky ‘Fornicate at La Festae’ or even ‘Get your leg over at La Festae’ seemingly a little on the saucy side.

A rigid set of restrictions that has perhaps pushed this hotel in western Tokyo into producing a sign that is arguably much more sinister than sexy.

Japanese love hotel

(click image for bigger billboard)

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Bottom burping beauty

As reported way back in 2005, Japanese brides simply fart for fun, readily reeling off raspers on a regular basis.

Japanese girl farting

Yet whilst this penchant for pumping is made perfectly clear by the pie chart above, some ladies appear to prefer more public performances to prove their point. Like this young woman for example.

Japanese girl farting

As despite the innocent smile and coy demeanour, she can peel them off like a pro — and then some.


(Via the FG Forums)

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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.

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Tokyo transportation

The mindbogglingly efficient nature of Tokyo’s train network is well known throughout the world, with millions of people moved from one place to another in a mesmerisingly monotonous manner. Its punctual nature perhaps only tarnished by the predominance of perverts who take advantage of commuter crammed carriages — a furtive feel here and there apparently fending of the boredom of a long journey. An issue that has been dealt with to a certain degree by women-only carriages, although incidents do still occur.

Even out of the city centre in Tokyo’s western suburbs, people are still whisked about like clockwork. And for those living a little too far from a train station, buses are generally a reasonable alternative — especially for the elderly — although their regularity can’t always be relied on. Like this bus to Hino station for example.

Tokyo bus

Leaving once a day at 3:21 p.m. (weekdays only), it doesn’t exactly offer the best of services, and pensioners hoping to pile on for a trip into town to play bingo and buy denture cream had better arrive early, as the route only offers a ‘little’ bus.

Tokyo bus

With equally little options…