Living In Japan

Houses may be small in Japan - and most people only lived in cubicle houses or apartments - but the Japanese living is by far the most innovative - because they have all sorts of gadgets to make living easier and so much more pleasant.  One would think you cannot entertain in such a small place - but it’s far from the truth - because the Japanese uses the electric grill to BBQ and entertain so much - just like us in the west.   They also have this tako machine that I wished I had bought one back from japan - and they make this yummy tako and have tako parties.  The Japanese loved grilling everything and anything they can lay their hands on - and entertaining whether family or friends is second nature to them.

Shakey’s Pizza In Japan

When you have a pizza in Japan - be prepared to be surprised - don’t expect to find the regular pepperoni and cheese pizza or even bacon bits - but yes - they do have it - but just not very common in Japan. Pizzas are shakey’s are more like a dessert - with chocolate and marshmallows or bananas.

There were eggs for pizza toppings - too funny right?

Gadget Shopping

So the girlfriend from her migrated to Japan in the name of love - and had emailed me to get her a list  laptop computers because hers has broken down and was getting too old and needs to retire.  Being in Japan - you would think she could get one there - with  no trouble right?  but apparently, everything was in Japanese - as you can see above and it’s really expensive to get someone to put in the English version of anything in Japan.  So yes I’m out hunting for a  laptop computers list to compile for her - and let her make some comparison - when it comes to what is inside the laptop.  We are definitely more fortunate here when it comes to shopping for a new laptop or computer - everything is written out and they tell you what the operating system is - and how much hard drive and what kind of video card  - and for someone in Japan who don’t know too much Japanese - to shop for a computer - I can understand why she prefers to shop from here in Canada.  Mailing might be a bit costly - but she said it was worth it.

Dotonbori Osaka

Whenever I am in Osaka - or if anyone talk about Osaka - I remember this Crab restaurant also known as Kani Doraku ( Kani I think means Crab).  This is a well known landmark for Osaka and Dotonbori Osaka. Steamboat and crabs of course !  not too expensive in my humble opinion - so don’t forget to check it out when you are in Osaka.

The Glico man is another landmark in Dotonbori, Osaka

Avid Gardeners In Japan

My girlfriend from Canada - who moved to Japan permanently became an avid gardener after seeing what her neighbor did with hers.  In Japan - space and a garden is rare - but those who own their own house definitely took the time to beautify their home and garden themselves and we all know that the Japanese are meticulous and they are quite artsy.  I loved their garden for they are so zen like - so calming - and of course they are into the recycle thingie and compost bin is a big thing for them in Japan.  I never knew much about compost bins till I came to Canada - and now everything needs to be separated.  But with the right compost bin - you can even save on the fertilizer for your garden.  Pretty awesome right !  no wonder the Japanese loved the compost bin so much and of course gardening has never been easier.

Avid Japanese Golf Players

For those of you who are not aware of this - the Japanese are avid golf players - but there are not many golf course in Japan and it is very expensive - to play golf - therefore when Japanese friends comes to Canada to visit me in Canada - they ask to play golf all the time and some even go to golf resort around Canada.  Here in Nova Scotia - we have many golf resort - and most of them supply the garmin gps for golf - and that’s what the Japanese golf players loved.   A dear friend of mine - who is coming home from Japan asked me to look for a golf resort for his family - that provide this garmin gps for golf - and I’ve found a few that have this gps for golf.   You can sell just about anything to a Japanese golf player - when they are in town - I know that this Japanese friend of mine - will even buy a whole range of golf clubs to bring home to Japan - the yen is so strong - they shop like lords here.  So if you are playing golf with a Japanese - don’t under-estimate them.

Japanese Popsicle

The next time you are in Japan - I urge you to try the Japanese Popsicle - they are really unique and quite colorful and they don’t taste bad either.

They make the ice cream the way the Japanese liked them of course - from red beans to milky white milk outside from Meiji.

Or the watermelon shaped Popsicle are refreshing too - kids loved this one.

The blue one tasted like mountain dew.

And of course the creamy type of soft ice cream is to die for when you are in Japan - from Lavender to roasted coffee and green tea - are the few common ones.  But i loved the strawberry ones - and the yam ones too.  They do have some really exquisite food in Japan - even the ice cream and popsicle.

Outdoors In Japan

If you think that Japan is all about sushi and shopping - boy ! are you wrong.  My girlfriend who is in Japan permanently is doing more outdoor stuff than when she was in the West - and she had photos of her going for white water rafting, atv rides, snowshoeing and hiking and camping outdoors as well.  Just the other day - she wrote to me asking me to look for atv winches for her - as well as hiking stuff.  So if you are heading to Japan - you may want to try doing one of these sports if you haven’t - they are quite fun.   As for myself - I haven’t done any of it in Japan - like most people we go shopping and eating in Japan - and enjoying the scenery - but I would love to go for an atv ride - or white water rafting sometime.

Tokyo’s National Art Center

The National Art Center in Tokyo is definitely a piece of art by itself - the wow factor was many.  Opened in 2007 - January I think - there were exhibits all year round and workshop as well.  The inside was definitely beautiful - very modern and high tech.

Check out the cafes at Level one and two - almost look like you are eating on a spaceship doesn’t it.  I think there is a french brasserie there but don’t quote me though.  For those who must get a souvenir from the museum - head down to the basement - they have a gift store there.  And of course there is an art library in there - everything look so clean and organized - I didn’t even dare sneezed - haha!

Ice Bar In Tokyo

I’ve not been to the Ice Bar in Tokyo - but there is one - so if you are in Tokyo - don’t forget to give it a try - it’s an experience alright - if it is anything like the one in UK and Stockholm - a 45 mins visit - should keep you really cold and a nice drink after you pay up 3500 yen.  I loved the colorful drinks that they served and if I am not wrong it was - 0 degree down there.  For those who love the novelty - why not eh.