Lovely story by Project Me’s Kathryn about how she went from an Ozzie indie rock chick to a Japanese fan girl. I love how she hates when people call Arashi a “boy band.” They are IDOLS, she reminds us. Glad to know that super-vain Japanese boys are spreading happiness to the furthest corners of the Earth. And attracting new energy and life to Japan by inspiring immigrants!
Sui Sui!
Marui Nakano is re-opening in its new building tomorrow, January 28. I admit I am pretty excited for this burst of renewal on the south side of the JR Nakano station.
They are advertising a Tokyo Hands. I hope they’ll also have Le Petit Mec, their great French bakery, or the Italian gelato store (both at Marui’s Shinjuku San Chome store). Will there be a food court in the basement?
I took this photo a few weeks ago, and marveled at the pride of the construction workers who line up their super-clean equipment in front of Nakano’s only department store.
This sign at the JR Nakano station really had me wondering what has happened to my beloved ward. This station, far more than the Seibu Shinjuku or Marunouchi lines, is the heartbeat that animates our local lives.
Poor Bunny is at once crying and carrying a big stick, while this bicycle is stuck in her transparent womb.
If Bunny can be violated, what could happen to us mere mortals? Should I be concerned about my safety, too?
Have you heard about this Japanese TV program, called “Kitanachelin”?! It’s a program that showcases neighborhood restaurants that have great food and are dirty looking. The title combines the word “kitainai” or dirty with an abbreviated version of Michelin, as in the guide to fine dining.
We stumbled into this ramen shop in Sangenjaya using Tabelog. Only when we had ordered did I recognize the proud trophy on the counter. I wonder when they won the coveted prize: the food was OK but not great, and the place merely untidy rather than over-the-top filthy.
Another user-generated Doritos Superbowl ad entry. I am certain that chips, fear, and desire can lead to love!
Both unflattering (Wimpus Japonica) and kind of complete animated video explaining Japan’s “herbivores,” the young men (perhaps 30%?) who are eschewing sex for domesticity, fashion, and the company of other well dressed young men.
The 1 minute 30 second video covers post-Bubble austerity, a new rejection of hetero sexuality as consumption, Japan’s declining birth rate, and gender boundary crossing. (Via Mutant Frog Travelogue).
I don’t fully understand why, but these men are celebrating their beloved water source and its miraculous return by throwing water on each other in winter. And, as its a sacred ritual, they are wearing almost no clothing. It’s called Yu kake matsuri (湯かけ祭り), which basically means water splashing festival. Thanks to the hubb for forwarding this video.
I am becoming a Rihanna fan. This is from her just released S&M song, whose video will be out soon. The lyrics are part camp and part self-help.
“I may be bad but I’m perfectly good.
There’s sex in the air.
I don’t care, I love the smell of it
Sticks and stones may break my bones
but chains and whips excite me.”
I love the fan clip video of Johnny Weir’s Dirty Love. That boy knows how to dress and pose! It’s the #1 song in Japan on Amazon. (Via JoeMyGod).
Unbelievable audio of President Lyndon B Johnson on the phone with his tailor’s son, belching and talking about his nuts and bunghole. Apparently LBJ was concerned about his change and knife falling out of his pocket, and the crotch was cutting into his jewels like a wire fence.
My advice to the current President Obama: stop wearing those god-awful “Mom Jeans.” What’s with hetero men and their fear of showing their butts or crotches. Might as well wear a burka, no?!
(Thanks to EricTheFez for this item).
Tokyo Moe 