After the intentionally funny “smoking manners” poster I put up last week, I decided to go with an unintentionally funny—and deeply philosophical—one this week. I’ll post a few more of these in the future, but don’t worry, I won’t go through all 70 or so in the long-running ad campaign by Japan Tobacco.
Funny Japanese Smoking Manners Sign
This funny sign is part of a brilliant ad campaign by Japan Tobacco to encourage “smoking manners.” You’ll see these things all over the place in Japan.
Japanese Add Faucet to Toilet to Save Water
Most people are aware of Japan‘s high-tech toilets with their numerous (and let’s face it, mostly unnecessary) functions, but not everyone knows that most toilets in Japan come with a faucet and a little sink above the water tank. When you flush, the faucet starts running to refill the tank, giving you a chance to […]
Cow Piss Vending Machine in Tokyo
Alright, so they’re not actually selling cow piss, but that’s what it sounds like when someone offers you some Calpis. Since they’re also responsible for Pocari Sweat, I have to believe the Japanese are the undisputed champions of unfortunate drink names. This particular vending machine is located in the Bentencho area of Shinjuku in Tokyo, […]
What Does a $100 Dumpling Look Like?
It looks big. Very, very big. This “jumbo gyoza” (a Japanese dumpling known as pot sticker) sells for 9600 Yen, which is US $110 at today’s exchange rates. If you happen to find yourself in Tokyo with a large group of extremely hungry friends, make your way to the Iidabashi district. Take a right after […]
How to Waste a Good Typhoon
I’m sure we’ve all been there: you go out for a few drinks after work and end up having a few more, followed by a few more, followed by a bottle of tequila. Next thing you know, the alarm goes off and you drag yourself from under the covers like a zombie clawing its way […]
Japanese Gothic Lolita Dungeon Dining With a Christian Twist
I could do a whole series of posts on unusual restaurants and food traditions in Japan (many already have and there are even a few books on the subject), but for now, I’m just going to look at one: The Christon Café. Featuring a ridiculous amount of Christian imagery in a Gothic dungeon setting, this […]
Japanese Internet Café: Your Choice of Pain or Pleasure
Have you ever sat down to use a computer at an internet café and been frustrated by the complete lack of amenities? Were you forced to sit in a plastic chair? Did you have to wear your own uncomfortable shoes? No massage? No PlayStation to keep you busy during long loading times? Anyone who’s used […]
Ichiran Ramen — The Perfect Bowl of Noodle Soup
Japanese ramen is one of my favorite foods and Fukuoka is arguably Japan’s top ramen city. I lived there for two years and enjoyed countless bowls of the local tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen from many a local ramen place, but when most people around Japan think of Fukuoka ramen, they think of Ichiran. Famous as […]
Japanese Built Road Through Building
What do you do when you’re constructing a highway and there’s an office tower in the way? In Japan, you run the road through the building. This is the Gate Tower Building in Osaka as seen from the rooftop observation deck of the nearby Umeda Sky building, which is hard to miss as it looks […]