This senior bike outfit is both sexy and practical. None of that icky spandex. And the helmet suggests he values his brain. Be safe out there!
helmet
Pink soles on all black outfit, Nakano scooter style
Outfit, scooter, and even helmet are all black. The pink soles make the look in Nakano.
Utility box worker strikes a pose
Sometimes you’re just biking on your way somewhere, and suddenly an unexpected sight distracts you. This utility box worker has everything: great uniform, safety vest, helmet, towel, tools, orange hair, and one leg bent pose. I am glad that men like these are keeping Tokyo functioning.
Shinjuku omatsuri full of yankiis
In addition to endless thass, there was endless yankii fashion at the omatsuri. No doubt this festival was extra riche in eye candy because the shrine is almost equidistant from Kabukicho, Golden Gai, and Ni-chome. According to Donald Richie, this old shrine was famous in the post-war years for being a place where truckers met trannies.
The above photo captures the absolute best of yankii fashion. The boys with their teased, damaged, and plastered helmet hair, and boots-in. The girl with piled high hair, looking both 50s in her leather jacket, 60s and 80s in her curvaceous fishnets. The best part is that all are eating food on a stick: two are eating pickled cukes and one an ice-cream.
In the photo below, they seem to have realized they captured a new fan. And I love how the more traditional fellow does a double-take, perhaps more startled by the foreigner’s interest than the archetypical fashion participating in this thousands year old religion. You can also see the girl’s shoes and her amazing legs much better!
Trust me, there were more big-haired boys than I could possible capture with my simple camera. Here’s one more. I am looking forward to the start of summer.
Turtle riding a motorcycle
Somebody enjoys taking his pet for a ride. Does he need a helmet?
The innocence of sleep, protected by a helmet of hair
Ahhh, to be so relaxed in public.
First national health insurance card
Now that I have a one year visa for cultural activities (thank you, in-laws), the Japanese government has issued me an Alien Registration Card and enrolled me in the national health insurance program. Yipeee! For about $100 per year, I now have access to health care in Japan. My very first national health insurance. Thank you, Nihon!
It’s been a week of getting organized. I also got my bike re-assembled and registered, bought a bike helmet, and added a kick-stand. I am ready to roll.
Tokyo Moe 