Street stalls are aplenty in Japan and the one that I really liked was at Gion Matsuri, plenty of different stalls and plenty of amusement here.  The apple store was fun to watch when they showed us how they made these sweet apples.  The second picture that I took of these street stalls in Japan also known as “yatai” in Japanese were great for use as greeting cards .  Pretty innovative if you asked me.

A closer look at the sweet apple made of hot and red thick syrup with very fresh apples.  For those who are not aware of it, the Japanese pride themselves in their quality of food, so you can expect the best apples here.  The syrup turns hard after a while and they are very sweet, not great for diabetics .. but it sure will keep the kids busy.  It’s not cheap either at about 300 yen for an apple.

Here is a noodle store, it was hot for sure..! the guy frying the noodles was very sweaty .. hope he didn’t give more ingredients than he should eh.

Japanese hotdogs anyone..?? pretty yummy.. but i can’t finished it.. the guys at the store was very friendly too.  I think all these pictures make good greeting cards if you asked me.  And I do try and send some really unique ones.. whenever i am on vacation.

As much as I love Japan as a tourist.. it is a different story when it comes to living there.  Generally, I find it ok.. but the fines are tough. .and there are no excuses .. even when it comes to driving a bit faster than usual.  They ticket you.. and make you pay for the fine .. irregardless.. and the fines are like a few hundred dollars.. it was just crazy.

The standard of living in Japan is way more than a lot of things in the West.  A girlfriend still shops at best buy and then carry it with her.. when she leaves for Japan for the next teaching assignment.  So while i would go back for a vacation.. i doubt i would go back and stay in Japan anymore.

Cute right..?? how to resist right..??  This Hello Kitty Geisha Plus come in red or pink kimonos and are only at $14 for the big ones.. and $7.50 for the small ones.  Find them at Japan LA blog.

Some chocolate sushi anyone..?? some said that the Japanese are weird.. and they come up with all sorts of funny things.  But i donch think they are wierd.. they are pretty innovative if you asked me.  But yes.. they do have these kind of chocolate for their male co-workers apparently for Valentine.  But if you are thinking they are real sushi.. then you are round. they are just shaped like a sushi .. but all chocolate inside. Wouldn’t you love getting them..?? i would.

Yes… ! these are apparently Japanese belly dancers from Japan in Turkey.  Horror against horror..!!   But i think they must be a pair of comedian .. imitating the belly dancers.. and just for a good laugh.  You don’t really see a lot of woman folks in Japan behaving this way.. so don’t get too worried about meeting them.. when you are in Japan.  But those two up there might need some  Blue Advantage else they really have to lose some weight eh.

Of course there is .. !! i was in Japan for 6 months.. and they are everywhere.  So whoever say that there is no imported cars in Japan must be joking.. hahahha!!   But having said that.. imported cars are expensive to bring into Japan.

Looks like Mcdonalds in Japan is into something new again.??  well not exactly new.. since it was opened last year.  A no brand marketing strategy .. i heard from my g/f . .in Japan.  A Quarter Pounder store in Tokyo.. with black and red packaging for fries.. and burger  .. and some 2 item menu with no frills.. nor the clown involved.  So what did my g/f think about the new burger store..  a brand name from Macdonalds..??  She said she needs the best diet pills now.. because the no frill brand is not only less expensive.. it seems like the trendiest office workers goes there as well for lunch and snack time.. or just to catch up.

As you can see .. there was quite a crowd.. when she went there. Have you been to the new Quarter Pounder store yet..??  Well.. actually it isn’t so new.. since it opened last year.  Just that i haven’t been to Japan recently .. so i haven’t seen this.

If you have been to Japan.. you would understand why i say .. Japan has the best ice cream.  I had some at Fuji Mountain .. on the 3rd station .. and I can never forget that wonderful taste.  Look at all those flavors that one can get .. and if you are wondering if they really looked like that.. they sure do.  The Japanese pride themselves for quality food.. and you would love their packaging .. even if they were for the most ordinary food.. you were buying.

Why..?? because unlike the popular izakaya in Japan that hangs out the red lantern, the Green lantern represents dishes cooked with local produce.  Alot of people in Japan would hang around in the izakaya after work.  The Izakaya is a casual and low price pub that serves a variety of small eats and drinks.  Unlike in Australia .. where gazebos are set up in the farmers market for picnics after a long day of work, the Izakaya  is an indoor place for meeting up with people and sharing a yakitori or chicken wings.

Some of the red paper lanterns that hang outside izakaya are old, torn, and dusty, but this is often a sign that the store has been popular enough to be around for many, many years. The dishes served may not be fancy like those at more expensive restaurants, meanwhile, but there is plenty to eat, and the price is right.  But if you see a Izakaya with a green lantern.. don’t fret.. and support it.

A Japanese camera maker has developed the world’s first compact digital camera featuring a three-dimensional image system that allows three-dimensional still and moving images to be viewed with the naked eye. The system comprises three elements: a 3-D digital camera which captures an image exactly as your eyes see it, a 3-D digital photo frame, and 3-D prints. It is planned for release in 2009, taking digital cameras into a new era.

The 3-D digital camera has two lenses. When we humans view an object with our two eyes, our right and left eyes view the object from somewhat different angles. This makes the right and left images slightly different, and the two images are synthesized in our brains so that we see the object three-dimensionally. Theoretically, therefore, a camera should also be able to reproduce three-dimensional images if it is equipped with two lenses, one each on the right and left.