Day 57/58 - Apr 17/18 2010 - Trip to Kinugawa / Nikko
Half of the participants in our program decided to go on a tour of the world heritage site at Nikko and stay in Kinugawa Onsen (Hot Springs) for the Sat/Sun weekend.
Because we have foreign passports, we were eligible for discount tour packages that included tickets into the world heritage site and all the needed train and bus tickets/transfers. We stayed in a traditional Japanese hotel in Kinugawa where there are natural hot springs to relax in at the end of a long stressful week. The hotel appeared to be western style from the exterior, an architecture from the late 60s when Kinugawa onsen must have really had an economic explosion of building and expansion. The rooms were traditional Japanese tatami mats where during the day it was a normal living room with table and pillows and then transformed into traditional Japanese sleeping area while we were at dinner.
After our 7pm dinner we headed to the hotsprings on site and enjoyed the natural healing waters of Japan. We spent about 1 hour before going upstairs changing and headed down the road to a small drinking / karaoke evening spot. We drank and sang late into the night and then headed back to the hotel where we reviewed pictures of the day. We laughed and laughed at some of the pics we had taken, I'm sure some of the other guests could hear us.
The next day, before heading back to Nikko to finish seeing the sights, we explored around Kinugawa and enjoyed the nice spring weather. One of the best parts of this trip was simply enjoying the mountain air away from the big city.
smugmug gallery link
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Day 54 - Apr 14 2010 - Mothership has landed!
Day 54 - Apr 14 2010 - Mothership has landed!
Two tables away from where I sit, sits longtime employee and very musically talented Osamu Nagai. Nagai san and his band Mothership (http://www.myspace.com/osamunagai) play around Tokyo from time to time in intimate venues, playing selections of originals that have essence of Rhythm, Blues, Rock, mixed ever so delicately with Japanese stylings. A handful of us in the department were invited to see Nagai san play at the Crocodile in Shibuya about a week ago.
I, of course, forgot to bring my camera to the venue, because we scrambled to leave on time and I didn't grab it. I have two iPhone photos, but I encourage you to visit his website (http://www.nagai-osamu.com/) and the above myspace link where you can listen to his music.
We listened to both sets and were there from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Wonderful music, delicious Japanese beer, professional musicians with decades of experience, what more do you need? After the show, Nagai san and I chatted about the gig and he was very excited and happy he actually was able to perform for an American that enjoyed his music. He spent some time growing up in St. Louis and the influence of R&B and Jazz really could be heard. I've heard rumors of him jamming with Chuck Berry and other famous musicians in the US, but I have not confirmed them yet.
We've been invited to his retirement party in late May, which will include another performance. We are really looking forward to listening again. I promise to get some better pictures and possibly video.
Two tables away from where I sit, sits longtime employee and very musically talented Osamu Nagai. Nagai san and his band Mothership (http://www.myspace.com/osamunagai) play around Tokyo from time to time in intimate venues, playing selections of originals that have essence of Rhythm, Blues, Rock, mixed ever so delicately with Japanese stylings. A handful of us in the department were invited to see Nagai san play at the Crocodile in Shibuya about a week ago.
I, of course, forgot to bring my camera to the venue, because we scrambled to leave on time and I didn't grab it. I have two iPhone photos, but I encourage you to visit his website (http://www.nagai-osamu.com/) and the above myspace link where you can listen to his music.
We listened to both sets and were there from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Wonderful music, delicious Japanese beer, professional musicians with decades of experience, what more do you need? After the show, Nagai san and I chatted about the gig and he was very excited and happy he actually was able to perform for an American that enjoyed his music. He spent some time growing up in St. Louis and the influence of R&B and Jazz really could be heard. I've heard rumors of him jamming with Chuck Berry and other famous musicians in the US, but I have not confirmed them yet.
We've been invited to his retirement party in late May, which will include another performance. We are really looking forward to listening again. I promise to get some better pictures and possibly video.
Day 51 - Apr 11 2010 - Watching the Cherry Blossoms fall at Tetsugakudou
Day 51 - Apr 11 2010 - Watching the Cherry Blossoms fall at Tetsugakudou
Kazu Teraoka, fellow coworker, friend and surfer, invited a bunch of us to the annual Hanami party in Tetsugakudou park, a small quiet park near Nakano station in NW Tokyo. We all had a great time relaxing under the trees as the blossoms lightly fell as their time was coming to an end. Sometimes to enjoy a new place you have to slow down, chat with friends, eat and drink outside and observe the beauty around you. While this was a dramatic difference to running around Tokyo sightseeing, it was much needed time rest relaxation and laughing, always laughing. We met people from Japan, France, Singapore and the United States. We ate mostly Japanese food and drink and stayed out at the park from 1pm - 5pm... We then walked over to one of Teaoka's friends apartment for a secondary party for about an hour or so. A successful day of visiting and meeting new friends. Simple Things...
smugmug gallery here
Kazu Teraoka, fellow coworker, friend and surfer, invited a bunch of us to the annual Hanami party in Tetsugakudou park, a small quiet park near Nakano station in NW Tokyo. We all had a great time relaxing under the trees as the blossoms lightly fell as their time was coming to an end. Sometimes to enjoy a new place you have to slow down, chat with friends, eat and drink outside and observe the beauty around you. While this was a dramatic difference to running around Tokyo sightseeing, it was much needed time rest relaxation and laughing, always laughing. We met people from Japan, France, Singapore and the United States. We ate mostly Japanese food and drink and stayed out at the park from 1pm - 5pm... We then walked over to one of Teaoka's friends apartment for a secondary party for about an hour or so. A successful day of visiting and meeting new friends. Simple Things...
smugmug gallery here
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Day 50 - Apr 10 2020 - Sakura pics in Ueno
Day 50 - Apr 10 2020 - Sakura pics in Ueno
Today I slept in until 11am, due to last night's drinking late with Bryan and Mark. I retrieved my dry cleaning, realized it was a warm day and jeans and a long sleeved shirt would be way too hot to be out and about outside all day. I swapped into some khakis and a short sleeved shirt and walked a few kms up the road to Ueno park. On the way I stopped at Akiba in Akihabara and purchased another battery for my camera, just in case. And then I continued up the road to Ueno to see the Sakura trees in the park. Loads of people enjoying Hanami parties under the trees...
Endless photo opportunities presented themselves simply with the cherry blossoms and people quietly enjoying the last moments of the season with them. I am really fortunate to have spent time in Japan during this season.
smugmug gallery here
Today I slept in until 11am, due to last night's drinking late with Bryan and Mark. I retrieved my dry cleaning, realized it was a warm day and jeans and a long sleeved shirt would be way too hot to be out and about outside all day. I swapped into some khakis and a short sleeved shirt and walked a few kms up the road to Ueno park. On the way I stopped at Akiba in Akihabara and purchased another battery for my camera, just in case. And then I continued up the road to Ueno to see the Sakura trees in the park. Loads of people enjoying Hanami parties under the trees...
Endless photo opportunities presented themselves simply with the cherry blossoms and people quietly enjoying the last moments of the season with them. I am really fortunate to have spent time in Japan during this season.
smugmug gallery here
Monday, April 12, 2010
Day 49 - Apr 9 2010 - Old friends from NTTA and I meet for dinner
Day 49 - Apr 9 2010 - Old friends from NTTA and I meet for dinner
My iPhone, dinged and I thought it was my nephew, Maxwell, as he likes to see what's going on during my day and his night or vice versa. But it wasn't Max, it was Bryan McCleery. Bryan McCleery from Cleveland, Ohio. And his message read, I'm in Japan. Cool beans... Actually Mark Hathaway, Bryan and Mark's wife, Beth were in Japan. Mark and Beth were going to stay longer and do some much needed vacationing, Bryan and Mark flew in for a quick round of meetings and Bryan was headed back Sunday morning.
They were staying at the hotel I stayed at when I first arrived, near Shimbashi station, so I headed out to see them for a 7:30pm dinner/drinks. They know Tokyo way better than I, when it comes to places to eat and drink, as they have traveled here over a dozen times over the last 5 years, many of those trips lasting weeks at a time. They wanted to show off a great Korean BBQ place but we needed to wait 45 min - 1 hour, so I gave the hostess my phone number and we headed down the street to a Budweiser bar. This place is decorated in nothing but Budweiser banners and logos and the waitresses wear skintight beer girl dresses and the theme is all about Americana beer. The Japanese salary men love it. I found it a bit overpriced for American beer, but then again it was imported. A few older salarymen sat down beside us and struck up a conversation with the 4 Americans in the Americana bar. Come to find out, this guy I'm talking to, Sakai san, in his early 50s, used to work for our company, and used to office out of the same place I'm working but 4 floors above me. Considering we're 5km from there, and he no longer works there, it confirms the world is small, once again.
I got a phone call that our table was ready and we settled up the bill, 3 pitchers for $75 USD. It was great catching up with them over dinner. I felt like I had not seen them in years. Mark's wife was a trooper for letting us talk shop most of the night. We all left around 10pm for Mark and Beth had lots of sightseeing to do on Saturday. Bryan and I were just getting started. Bryan and I have worked together for 10 years and even though he's only a few years younger, he typically has always looked after me as though I'm his younger brother. So stop three was a Filipino conversation/karaoke bar. Well what does that mean? This is a bar underneath Shimbashi station that is an oldschool pub run and own by Filipino family that's been there for years and when you walk in they are all about service. They pour your drink, help you pick out your karaoke songs, converse in Japanese or English, basically cater to you as the customer. This concept of a bar is very popular with the Japanese businessman.
Bryan walks in and they all know him, he's been there over a dozen times and if you know Bryan you won't forget him. We each order a big beer and saddle up to the bar and heck, he even recognizes some of the old Japanese businessmen regulars. We each picked out a handful of songs while others in the bar sang. When it came time to sing, the microphone was passed to us, and we sang without even having to get up. There was only 20 people in the place, if that. 200 Yen per song to sing, about $2.20... He first sang a Ricky Nelson song as the older Japanese businessman he recognized likes Ricky Nelson. I chose an obscure song from Keane I could barely sing because my voice is too low and my voice isn't low by low standards. We followed that up with John Denver, Country boy which is a really fast song to sing, especially late in the night after many a beer. I chose a hard Queen song, Somebody to Love, and while difficult we made it through. Of course Bryan follows that up with Journey, Don't Stop Believin' and luckily it was a version that was keyed in a lower octave that we could somewhat approach and make it sound like the song. He claims he can sing that song without that adjustment, and I want to hear him do that one day, I call bs, but we'll see...
We cut out of there around 1am and, at that point, everyone started running for the last train out of Shimbashi. Really funny to see a bunch of people in nice suits scrambling to a train that late at night. It had the feeling like they all committed a prank, like they all TP'd the shimbashi oldschool train, late at night, and were now running away before authorities or parents woke up and realized this. Now Bryan's hotel is literally two blocks from where we were, and I need to make a choice, scramble myself up the stairs and make the last train or head over to the "Walk-In Bar" under the train tracks for some more beer and conversations. I wasn't in the mood to run and wasn't finished hanging out with Bryan. So this bar is a packed always crowded sliver of a thin place that I've actually been to before with other colleagues. We ordered up some Carlsberg (on tap) beer and stood outside on the front porch in the fresh cool air and drank and talked. Many Japanese people talked with us in their best English, which after beer or twelve is much easier than they realize.
I always know its late if I have a cigarette in my hand. I don't smoke. But I smoke cigars from time to time in Colorado, so smoking a cig barely feels like tobacco to me. My parents can't be around smoking. Growing up, I remember instances of them complaining to people smoking in the grocery store line. I always thought that was gutsy, but then again it's gutsy to smoke in a grocery store. I always think of my Nassar grandparents when I smell cigs, so I guess because it brings back memories, I don't mind it so much. Bryan smokes Kool, mentols, always has. One of my grandparents smoked Salem menthols. I know this because I loved to light them for them when I was a kid. I think I only had one and I was ambivalent about it.
Around 2am we called it a night and I believe I made Bryan believe I was catching a cab home. I knew I was only a few train stops from home and it really was a night of nights. Perfect 58F temp, dry, quiet, and what I was rushing home for? I love a good late night walk around a big city. And if there is one big city that's clean, quiet and comfortable to walk around in, it's Tokyo.
So I knew I could get home if I just followed the train tracks or kept them in sight. I had a 50% chance of starting off in the correct direction. I reasoned based on certain buildings relation to the train that I was in the right direction and I headed off. I figured I was in for a 35-45 minute walk based on distance. I guessed it was about 2-3km, it was actually 3.5km, which isn't that far and a 45 min walk after a night of drinking is sometimes a beautiful thing, a time to reflect, a time to let the alcohol spinning diffuse.
After about 15 min, I walk up on Yurakucho (your-rock cho) station and I couldn't remember if that was between Shimbashi and Tokyo station. But I figured it probably was, worse case I need about $20 for a taxi. So I keep on and realize now I'm headed in the right direction. Every now and again I see a Japanese salaryman sleeping on the stairs or on a bench, waiting to sober up. Other than that, the only people out at 2:30 am are the construction guys fixing the city, the occasional policeman on a bicycle or taxi drivers waiting for fares. I could almost sense the taxi drivers were circling me like Sharks hoping I'd hop in and they'd make a big fare. At one point near Tokyo station, I'm about to cross a street with no traffic, but it is Hibiya Dori, a really large avenue in central Tokyo and a guy with a lighted baton, is holding me up because construction is going on and I could be in danger. I just needed to cross the street, there was no cars around, but he made me wait for the light, out of harms way, and then I was allowed to proceed. This isn't necessary at noon on a Friday with big lunch crowd, let alone almost 3am with no one driving or anyone else around. It was surreal and it would have been great to have this on video, or at least a picture. I laughed all the way across the street. I was so excited to share this, I couldn't wait to type and tell you all about such a thing.
On my way home I thought about all the times in Colorado when Jen, Cameron and I would go out and we'd be a mile or two from home and Jen and I would take a cab home and Cameron would walk, no matter the weather, sometimes in blizzards. I remember Jen asking me about that the first time, I replied he always gets home and always comes home with a great story. It's an adventure, he'll be alright. I knew he'd be proud of me, Jen would have curled up next to one of the warm salarymen on the stairs of the train station, she gets tired and she is done.
So long story short, I got in just before 3am, but not before stopping at the AM/PM convenience store at the base of our residence. I knew I needed some breakfast for the morning and laying in bed and reaching clear cross the apartment for some juice, a waffle and some cold coffee would be way more enticing that having to go downstairs. It really was a perfect night and I had a thought to walk over to the tiny park a half block away and sleep on a bench and enjoy the night air. I am really trying to soak up as much springtime air before the summer heat sets in. But I didn't want to tempt fate, I just went upstairs, opened the window, turned off the heat and crashed knowing tomorrow would be full of more walking and exploring.
I forgot to change my battery in the camera so even though I had it with me, I had no power to take a pic. I think Bryan and Mark took some so if they share, I'll edit this post with a pic later.
I'll walk over to Akihabara tomorrow and get a secondary battery.
My iPhone, dinged and I thought it was my nephew, Maxwell, as he likes to see what's going on during my day and his night or vice versa. But it wasn't Max, it was Bryan McCleery. Bryan McCleery from Cleveland, Ohio. And his message read, I'm in Japan. Cool beans... Actually Mark Hathaway, Bryan and Mark's wife, Beth were in Japan. Mark and Beth were going to stay longer and do some much needed vacationing, Bryan and Mark flew in for a quick round of meetings and Bryan was headed back Sunday morning.
They were staying at the hotel I stayed at when I first arrived, near Shimbashi station, so I headed out to see them for a 7:30pm dinner/drinks. They know Tokyo way better than I, when it comes to places to eat and drink, as they have traveled here over a dozen times over the last 5 years, many of those trips lasting weeks at a time. They wanted to show off a great Korean BBQ place but we needed to wait 45 min - 1 hour, so I gave the hostess my phone number and we headed down the street to a Budweiser bar. This place is decorated in nothing but Budweiser banners and logos and the waitresses wear skintight beer girl dresses and the theme is all about Americana beer. The Japanese salary men love it. I found it a bit overpriced for American beer, but then again it was imported. A few older salarymen sat down beside us and struck up a conversation with the 4 Americans in the Americana bar. Come to find out, this guy I'm talking to, Sakai san, in his early 50s, used to work for our company, and used to office out of the same place I'm working but 4 floors above me. Considering we're 5km from there, and he no longer works there, it confirms the world is small, once again.
I got a phone call that our table was ready and we settled up the bill, 3 pitchers for $75 USD. It was great catching up with them over dinner. I felt like I had not seen them in years. Mark's wife was a trooper for letting us talk shop most of the night. We all left around 10pm for Mark and Beth had lots of sightseeing to do on Saturday. Bryan and I were just getting started. Bryan and I have worked together for 10 years and even though he's only a few years younger, he typically has always looked after me as though I'm his younger brother. So stop three was a Filipino conversation/karaoke bar. Well what does that mean? This is a bar underneath Shimbashi station that is an oldschool pub run and own by Filipino family that's been there for years and when you walk in they are all about service. They pour your drink, help you pick out your karaoke songs, converse in Japanese or English, basically cater to you as the customer. This concept of a bar is very popular with the Japanese businessman.
Bryan walks in and they all know him, he's been there over a dozen times and if you know Bryan you won't forget him. We each order a big beer and saddle up to the bar and heck, he even recognizes some of the old Japanese businessmen regulars. We each picked out a handful of songs while others in the bar sang. When it came time to sing, the microphone was passed to us, and we sang without even having to get up. There was only 20 people in the place, if that. 200 Yen per song to sing, about $2.20... He first sang a Ricky Nelson song as the older Japanese businessman he recognized likes Ricky Nelson. I chose an obscure song from Keane I could barely sing because my voice is too low and my voice isn't low by low standards. We followed that up with John Denver, Country boy which is a really fast song to sing, especially late in the night after many a beer. I chose a hard Queen song, Somebody to Love, and while difficult we made it through. Of course Bryan follows that up with Journey, Don't Stop Believin' and luckily it was a version that was keyed in a lower octave that we could somewhat approach and make it sound like the song. He claims he can sing that song without that adjustment, and I want to hear him do that one day, I call bs, but we'll see...
We cut out of there around 1am and, at that point, everyone started running for the last train out of Shimbashi. Really funny to see a bunch of people in nice suits scrambling to a train that late at night. It had the feeling like they all committed a prank, like they all TP'd the shimbashi oldschool train, late at night, and were now running away before authorities or parents woke up and realized this. Now Bryan's hotel is literally two blocks from where we were, and I need to make a choice, scramble myself up the stairs and make the last train or head over to the "Walk-In Bar" under the train tracks for some more beer and conversations. I wasn't in the mood to run and wasn't finished hanging out with Bryan. So this bar is a packed always crowded sliver of a thin place that I've actually been to before with other colleagues. We ordered up some Carlsberg (on tap) beer and stood outside on the front porch in the fresh cool air and drank and talked. Many Japanese people talked with us in their best English, which after beer or twelve is much easier than they realize.
I always know its late if I have a cigarette in my hand. I don't smoke. But I smoke cigars from time to time in Colorado, so smoking a cig barely feels like tobacco to me. My parents can't be around smoking. Growing up, I remember instances of them complaining to people smoking in the grocery store line. I always thought that was gutsy, but then again it's gutsy to smoke in a grocery store. I always think of my Nassar grandparents when I smell cigs, so I guess because it brings back memories, I don't mind it so much. Bryan smokes Kool, mentols, always has. One of my grandparents smoked Salem menthols. I know this because I loved to light them for them when I was a kid. I think I only had one and I was ambivalent about it.
Around 2am we called it a night and I believe I made Bryan believe I was catching a cab home. I knew I was only a few train stops from home and it really was a night of nights. Perfect 58F temp, dry, quiet, and what I was rushing home for? I love a good late night walk around a big city. And if there is one big city that's clean, quiet and comfortable to walk around in, it's Tokyo.
So I knew I could get home if I just followed the train tracks or kept them in sight. I had a 50% chance of starting off in the correct direction. I reasoned based on certain buildings relation to the train that I was in the right direction and I headed off. I figured I was in for a 35-45 minute walk based on distance. I guessed it was about 2-3km, it was actually 3.5km, which isn't that far and a 45 min walk after a night of drinking is sometimes a beautiful thing, a time to reflect, a time to let the alcohol spinning diffuse.
After about 15 min, I walk up on Yurakucho (your-rock cho) station and I couldn't remember if that was between Shimbashi and Tokyo station. But I figured it probably was, worse case I need about $20 for a taxi. So I keep on and realize now I'm headed in the right direction. Every now and again I see a Japanese salaryman sleeping on the stairs or on a bench, waiting to sober up. Other than that, the only people out at 2:30 am are the construction guys fixing the city, the occasional policeman on a bicycle or taxi drivers waiting for fares. I could almost sense the taxi drivers were circling me like Sharks hoping I'd hop in and they'd make a big fare. At one point near Tokyo station, I'm about to cross a street with no traffic, but it is Hibiya Dori, a really large avenue in central Tokyo and a guy with a lighted baton, is holding me up because construction is going on and I could be in danger. I just needed to cross the street, there was no cars around, but he made me wait for the light, out of harms way, and then I was allowed to proceed. This isn't necessary at noon on a Friday with big lunch crowd, let alone almost 3am with no one driving or anyone else around. It was surreal and it would have been great to have this on video, or at least a picture. I laughed all the way across the street. I was so excited to share this, I couldn't wait to type and tell you all about such a thing.
On my way home I thought about all the times in Colorado when Jen, Cameron and I would go out and we'd be a mile or two from home and Jen and I would take a cab home and Cameron would walk, no matter the weather, sometimes in blizzards. I remember Jen asking me about that the first time, I replied he always gets home and always comes home with a great story. It's an adventure, he'll be alright. I knew he'd be proud of me, Jen would have curled up next to one of the warm salarymen on the stairs of the train station, she gets tired and she is done.
So long story short, I got in just before 3am, but not before stopping at the AM/PM convenience store at the base of our residence. I knew I needed some breakfast for the morning and laying in bed and reaching clear cross the apartment for some juice, a waffle and some cold coffee would be way more enticing that having to go downstairs. It really was a perfect night and I had a thought to walk over to the tiny park a half block away and sleep on a bench and enjoy the night air. I am really trying to soak up as much springtime air before the summer heat sets in. But I didn't want to tempt fate, I just went upstairs, opened the window, turned off the heat and crashed knowing tomorrow would be full of more walking and exploring.
I forgot to change my battery in the camera so even though I had it with me, I had no power to take a pic. I think Bryan and Mark took some so if they share, I'll edit this post with a pic later.
I'll walk over to Akihabara tomorrow and get a secondary battery.
Day 47 - Apr 7 2010 - Time to get a haircut...
Day 47 - Apr 7 2010 - Time to get a haircut...
I remarked to Greg while chatting that I was heading out to get a haircut and he replied, "Wow, you've been there so long you need a haircut!" I hadn't looked at it that way, but yes, I actually had been here for 6 weeks and counting. Yann also needed a trim and inquired with the front desk of our corporate apartment and they suggested a men only barber just northwest of Kanda station.
We shared the news with our coworkers that we were headed to a barber and they quickly scribed some Japanese sayings to make sure we could get a presentable business haircut in case they didn't speak French or English. These types of simple interactions with the Japanese are fun. Our coworkers also become fascinated with how we have to deal with the simple things they take for granted in Japan. I am sure this is everywhere, but its more so for us because we don't speak the language. They wouldn't think of sending someone abroad that at least didn't know English. I think they enjoy seeing us laugh and have fun with these challenges.
We showed up at "Men's Taro" (so says the card) around 6pm and they said we should return at 7:30pm and we could both get haircuts. We walked across the street and met Chris Koo for some excellent Japanese/Chinese food at a place we went to once before the third day we arrived. What was weird was that Leona was randomly walking by 20 minutes later and saw us and came in for dinner as well. Now Chris, Leona, Ming, Carole and Annie all ate here the third day we were here and none of us had returned and three of us were in this place somewhat randomly. This place is about 4 blocks from the train station on the opposite route from where we live. As big as this place is, you can run into people that you know. We ran into Dan Xu at a toy store in Ginza on a Sunday morning about a month ago, totally randomly. Back to the restaurant, this places makes a great garlic fried rice dish that is to die for. I can't wait to take Jen there when she arrives in June. She love garlic but also eats too much and then wishes she didn't.
Yann and I finished our dinner and headed back to the barber. Japanese men's hairdos can be very fancy when compared to Western hair dos for men. We like our hair short, somewhat messy looking, without looking like we spent anytime on it. Japanese men in their 20s and 30s wear their hair much longer and care very much about styling it and looking presentable. I think it may have to do with Asian hair traditionally being much coarser and thicker than Anglo western hair and if its styled/cut too short it just sticks up and looks too military. I mention this because there are loads of styling books you can look through to find the DO for YOU.
Both of our hair styles were just too short to make any of those really work, so they just trimmed us up the best they knew how and pretty much kept the same look for each of us. Great haircut, I'll go back in another 6 weeks for another go round. This shop was friendly, helpful and put up with us snapping photos, videos and running a muck about their place of business.
Sometimes its the simple things...
smugmug gallery here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yWVXsVvoI4
I remarked to Greg while chatting that I was heading out to get a haircut and he replied, "Wow, you've been there so long you need a haircut!" I hadn't looked at it that way, but yes, I actually had been here for 6 weeks and counting. Yann also needed a trim and inquired with the front desk of our corporate apartment and they suggested a men only barber just northwest of Kanda station.
We shared the news with our coworkers that we were headed to a barber and they quickly scribed some Japanese sayings to make sure we could get a presentable business haircut in case they didn't speak French or English. These types of simple interactions with the Japanese are fun. Our coworkers also become fascinated with how we have to deal with the simple things they take for granted in Japan. I am sure this is everywhere, but its more so for us because we don't speak the language. They wouldn't think of sending someone abroad that at least didn't know English. I think they enjoy seeing us laugh and have fun with these challenges.
We showed up at "Men's Taro" (so says the card) around 6pm and they said we should return at 7:30pm and we could both get haircuts. We walked across the street and met Chris Koo for some excellent Japanese/Chinese food at a place we went to once before the third day we arrived. What was weird was that Leona was randomly walking by 20 minutes later and saw us and came in for dinner as well. Now Chris, Leona, Ming, Carole and Annie all ate here the third day we were here and none of us had returned and three of us were in this place somewhat randomly. This place is about 4 blocks from the train station on the opposite route from where we live. As big as this place is, you can run into people that you know. We ran into Dan Xu at a toy store in Ginza on a Sunday morning about a month ago, totally randomly. Back to the restaurant, this places makes a great garlic fried rice dish that is to die for. I can't wait to take Jen there when she arrives in June. She love garlic but also eats too much and then wishes she didn't.
Yann and I finished our dinner and headed back to the barber. Japanese men's hairdos can be very fancy when compared to Western hair dos for men. We like our hair short, somewhat messy looking, without looking like we spent anytime on it. Japanese men in their 20s and 30s wear their hair much longer and care very much about styling it and looking presentable. I think it may have to do with Asian hair traditionally being much coarser and thicker than Anglo western hair and if its styled/cut too short it just sticks up and looks too military. I mention this because there are loads of styling books you can look through to find the DO for YOU.
Both of our hair styles were just too short to make any of those really work, so they just trimmed us up the best they knew how and pretty much kept the same look for each of us. Great haircut, I'll go back in another 6 weeks for another go round. This shop was friendly, helpful and put up with us snapping photos, videos and running a muck about their place of business.
Sometimes its the simple things...
smugmug gallery here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yWVXsVvoI4
Monday, April 05, 2010
Day 44 - Apr 4 2010 - Sakura Blooms in Shinjuku Gyoen
Day 44 - Apr 4 2010 - Sakura Blooms in Shinjuku Gyoen
Every year over a 3 week period the Japanese Sakura trees bloom all across Japan and more importantly Tokyo, as this is where this episode of adventure takes place. This Sunday several of us were invited by some friends here in Tokyo to join them in Shinjuku gyoen (Imperial Garden) for a hanami party. Hanami parties are local gatherings where friends and/or relatives get together, picnic style, to sit amongst the blooming sakura trees and eat and drink and be merry. Cherry Blossoms; some white white, some pink, some green/white, some pink/white. These flowering trees are contrasted by the darkest dark bark and the observing this beauty of nature just puts one at peace. Thousands of people in the park and for the most part, its serene. No one is screaming, just taking pics, talking amongst themselves, peacefully enjoying the day.
The weather was cloudy and colder than normal. It threatened to rain all day, but with no wind and enough wine, we were all just fine. Pot luck lunch, tarps to sit on the ground without your shoes, Japanese style. Such a great way to enjoy a Sunday, we are looking forward to enjoying another hanami party we are invited to next week. If you get a chance to visit Tokyo, this time of the year isn't too bad! :)
Enjoy the pics...
smugmug gallery here
Every year over a 3 week period the Japanese Sakura trees bloom all across Japan and more importantly Tokyo, as this is where this episode of adventure takes place. This Sunday several of us were invited by some friends here in Tokyo to join them in Shinjuku gyoen (Imperial Garden) for a hanami party. Hanami parties are local gatherings where friends and/or relatives get together, picnic style, to sit amongst the blooming sakura trees and eat and drink and be merry. Cherry Blossoms; some white white, some pink, some green/white, some pink/white. These flowering trees are contrasted by the darkest dark bark and the observing this beauty of nature just puts one at peace. Thousands of people in the park and for the most part, its serene. No one is screaming, just taking pics, talking amongst themselves, peacefully enjoying the day.
The weather was cloudy and colder than normal. It threatened to rain all day, but with no wind and enough wine, we were all just fine. Pot luck lunch, tarps to sit on the ground without your shoes, Japanese style. Such a great way to enjoy a Sunday, we are looking forward to enjoying another hanami party we are invited to next week. If you get a chance to visit Tokyo, this time of the year isn't too bad! :)
Enjoy the pics...
smugmug gallery here
Day 43 - Apr 3 2010 - Nostalgic Days in Yokohama!
Day 43 - Apr 3 2010 - Nostalgic Days in Yokohama!
Ming and I heard about Nostalgic Days in Yokohama, for Japanese vintage cars and knew we should make the 1 hour train ride down there to take a gander. Knowing that my friend in the Navy, Alden, was stationed not too far from there, I contacted him via Facebook and planned the trip. The following 400+ pics really show a whole slew of cars the USA never got due to a variety of reasons. Some of the cars you might recognize like the Datsun 240z, called the Fairlady Z in Japan, and there were some European cars there as well you have seen before. This show was a big change from the prior weekend's Tokyo Motorcycle show with thousands of attendees. Nostalgic days was a quiet venue of vintage enthusiasts quietly looking at the detail of the 100 or so cars on display. Most of the displays were cars that were restored by local restorers that were showing off their skills trying to attract new customers. They got a big kick out of us from the USA, and that we would have interest in these cars.
Afterward, we headed to the observation deck of the Landmark Tower in Yokohama, currently the tallest vantage point to take pictures from in Japan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama_Landmark_Tower We were able to get some spectacular photos before the sunset and before heading to dinner.
smugmug gallery here
Ming and I heard about Nostalgic Days in Yokohama, for Japanese vintage cars and knew we should make the 1 hour train ride down there to take a gander. Knowing that my friend in the Navy, Alden, was stationed not too far from there, I contacted him via Facebook and planned the trip. The following 400+ pics really show a whole slew of cars the USA never got due to a variety of reasons. Some of the cars you might recognize like the Datsun 240z, called the Fairlady Z in Japan, and there were some European cars there as well you have seen before. This show was a big change from the prior weekend's Tokyo Motorcycle show with thousands of attendees. Nostalgic days was a quiet venue of vintage enthusiasts quietly looking at the detail of the 100 or so cars on display. Most of the displays were cars that were restored by local restorers that were showing off their skills trying to attract new customers. They got a big kick out of us from the USA, and that we would have interest in these cars.
Afterward, we headed to the observation deck of the Landmark Tower in Yokohama, currently the tallest vantage point to take pictures from in Japan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama_Landmark_Tower We were able to get some spectacular photos before the sunset and before heading to dinner.
smugmug gallery here
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Day 36/37 - Mar 27/28 2010 - Tokyo Anime Fair and Tokyo Motorcycle Show
Day 36 - Mar 27 2010 - Tokyo Anime Fair
Half our group was interested in attending the 2010 Tokyo International Anime Fair in Odaiba at the Tokyo Big Sight. The Tokyo Big Sight has to be the largest convention center I've ever seen in my life. Anime is defined by Wikipedia as:
Anime in English usually refers to a style of animation originating in Japan, heavily influenced by the manga (Japanese comics) style and typically featuring characters with large eyes, big hair and elongated limbs, exaggerated facial expressions, brush-stroked outlines, limited motion and other distinctive features.
I grew up watching Speed Racer and that was Japanese anime from the late 1960s based on the Japanese Manga (Comic Book/Graphic Novels), Mach Go Go Go! I wouldn't say I have kept up with the world of anime lately, but it is interesting to see Japanese pop culture, especially when its so vibrantly demonstrated in one place.
When we arrived, I saw that the Tokyo Motorcycle Show was also going on that weekend, so Ming and I returned on Sunday and spent half a day at the most impressive motorcycle show I've ever attended. Every manufacturer was represented, with all their motorcycle goodies.
Enjoy both sets of pics.
Anime smugmug gallery here
Motorcycle show smugmug gallery here
Half our group was interested in attending the 2010 Tokyo International Anime Fair in Odaiba at the Tokyo Big Sight. The Tokyo Big Sight has to be the largest convention center I've ever seen in my life. Anime is defined by Wikipedia as:
Anime in English usually refers to a style of animation originating in Japan, heavily influenced by the manga (Japanese comics) style and typically featuring characters with large eyes, big hair and elongated limbs, exaggerated facial expressions, brush-stroked outlines, limited motion and other distinctive features.
I grew up watching Speed Racer and that was Japanese anime from the late 1960s based on the Japanese Manga (Comic Book/Graphic Novels), Mach Go Go Go! I wouldn't say I have kept up with the world of anime lately, but it is interesting to see Japanese pop culture, especially when its so vibrantly demonstrated in one place.
When we arrived, I saw that the Tokyo Motorcycle Show was also going on that weekend, so Ming and I returned on Sunday and spent half a day at the most impressive motorcycle show I've ever attended. Every manufacturer was represented, with all their motorcycle goodies.
Enjoy both sets of pics.
Anime smugmug gallery here
Motorcycle show smugmug gallery here
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