A week in Tokyo 4
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60)
Tue 2007/12/18 01:37
Another busy week in Tokyo.
First off is the train. Usually dead quiet from the early hours until about 6PM where people start to be more talkative. By 10PM, many are babbling on about something or other and the carriages smell of alcohol and nicotine - usually from drunk salary men.
Many salary men have to go out drinking with clients and is all part of the job.
Are trains in your region dead quiet or full of babble?
First off is the train. Usually dead quiet from the early hours until about 6PM where people start to be more talkative. By 10PM, many are babbling on about something or other and the carriages smell of alcohol and nicotine - usually from drunk salary men.
Many salary men have to go out drinking with clients and is all part of the job.
Are trains in your region dead quiet or full of babble?
Cabinet full of empty figure boxes waiting to be thrown away when we do the Nenmatsu Oo Souji.
Usually throw boxes away for everything unless I want to keep the box to store other bits n pieces in them.
Do you keep boxes for everything you buy?
Usually throw boxes away for everything unless I want to keep the box to store other bits n pieces in them.
Do you keep boxes for everything you buy?
Izumi Gardens entrance at Roppongi Ichome station. Many meetups are set at this location.
At the offices of Columbia Music. Columbia have launched a social networking music site called Otorevo aimed at musicians who have a chance to be scouted by Columbia.
In this picture, we are calling the winner of the last contest where a musician gets a contract with Columbia.
In this picture, we are calling the winner of the last contest where a musician gets a contract with Columbia.
Waiting for a train. Not all stations have these security doors.
When you throw out rubbish, you will often see a ton of manga waiting for collection too.
Off to lunch in Shibuya.
This place serves curry soup.
And this is what it looks like. The soup splashes everywhere no matter how careful you are so they give out bibs to wear.
Grabbing some Starbucks at Cerulean tower where Google and GMO is located.
Picking up some groceries at Tokyu store.
Japan is still on season one of Heroes. Does anybody know when season two part two is back on air?
Some restaurants require shoes to be taken off. Lockers like these are provided - pick a locker and pull out the piece of wood which becomes your key.
Dinner - deep fried beef cutlet with egg in soup.
This weeks room.
Working on the Vader shin guards. Got this machine a year ago and have been meaning to start a line of wearable accessories (bags and shoes) - looks like the web stuff takes priority for now.
BTW, this sewing machine is called a postbed machine and is used to make shoes but can be used for handbags too.
BTW, this sewing machine is called a postbed machine and is used to make shoes but can be used for handbags too.
On the road going to Yokohama.
At a friends house for dinner. A little short to be a Vader.
Being attacked by a phantom-of-the-opera elf.
My friend recorded a show called Blog TV that I was on last year and insisted that I watch it on their High Definition plasma. Was the first time that I really sat down and watched something in HD - the quality is staggering.
If you are interested in watching the show, it has been uploaded to YouTube and you can see it in this article.
If you are interested in watching the show, it has been uploaded to YouTube and you can see it in this article.
On the Wii after dinner.
A couple walk their dog on a sunny cold n crisp morning in Tokyo.
Grabbing some Mc D's breakfast also known as "Asa Mac" [朝マック] or "Morning Mac."
Most shops open at about 10 or 11.
More electronic goods left in the road awaiting collection.
My friends unfortunate MacBook - screen cracked. Well at least he has an Eva to make him feel better ^^;
This weeks installment of A week in Tokyo. ...(more)
Tue 12/11 01:23 comments (49)
Yey!! Thanks for another great review of Tokyo! Can't wait for # 5 to come out!!! I only sometimes keep the boxes of what ever it is that I buy. Some just go to the basement, and others just go to the recycling bin. Oh! By the way: Do Japanese homes have basements in them?!
(ID #67236) Posted on 2007/12/18 01:38
anime/cosplay events organizer
i'm a pack rat and i usually keep some boxes and maybe i could recycle them like using it as a storage for other stuff ^^ btw speaking of Wii, can we exchange Wii Friend Codes Danny? ^___^
(ID #67237) Posted on 2007/12/18 01:41
We usually keep boxes that come with anything electronic. Just in case we need to move someday. As with Maya our basement if full of big boxes. Shows are suppose to start up again in mid-Jan. However, the writer strike is still in effect in the US, and may shorten or cancel the season. Not sure how much it will effect Heroes yet.
(ID #67239) Posted on 2007/12/18 01:51
I keep my figure boxes, which actually came in handy when I had to move and stored my figures back inside. Only one box got crushed, but the figure inside was safe. Interesting how they actually give out bibs for the curry soup, but its better that way. Still hard to believe that electronics and other things get thrown out when they are still usable, good to know just in case I stay in Japan for long periods of time.
(ID #67240) Posted on 2007/12/18 01:58
Working in a supermarket T0T
Personally i alwayd loose the boxes in a matter of time. the only box thats on my room is that of my nes,but thats to increase value
(ID #67241) Posted on 2007/12/18 02:06
i do keep my figure boxes because i can resale them on ebay but i recycle gundam kit boxes
(ID #67242) Posted on 2007/12/18 02:08
I keep the boxes of my figures, model cars and computer accesories. Back in those days I mostly kept the boxes of my Lego too. ^^" But for the rest I just throw the boxes aways. Ooh man, that is some seriously harmed MacBook. ^^
(ID #67243) Posted on 2007/12/18 02:20
Professional Student
I tend to keep my boxes until I get bored of them and/or don't need them anymore. For your friend's MacBook, here's a link on how to replace the screen. http://www.screentekinc.com/lcd-removal-instructions_en,macbook.shtml I recommend trying to replace it yourself rather than going to Apple since they want an arm, leg, and left kidney for screen repairs.
(ID #67244) Posted on 2007/12/18 02:21
WebDesign, Coding, Administration
I usualy keep boxes depending on what was in them, like my TFT screens. When i move which i did a lot recently it's always handy to have the propper box for such delicate stuff. ^o^ As for figures... i have a 1/4 scale Rei Ayanami in plug-suit, but since i didn't manage (since 7 years) to buy something that looks good and hold her up standing she is still in her box. lol *sinks head in shame* Horray for the EVA at the MacBook, my old co-worker had one of those (MB) too... though she had it stored deep down in a cabinet in our office, pitty the poor thing. Keep up the good reports, it's very interesting.
(ID #67246) Posted on 2007/12/18 02:52
about heroes season 2, it's already finished. only 11 episode
(ID #67247) Posted on 2007/12/18 03:33
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
I keep cellphone boxes, since it's important to keep them, like if I want to sell them, people will ask for the box and if there is no box, they usually don't want to buy it. And I also keep notebook boxes, for the same reason. Other than that, hmm... maybe Playstation boxes, this is only for storage purpose though, as I never sell my console.
(ID #67249) Posted on 2007/12/18 04:29
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/25 00:30)
Danny, who are those babes playing the Wii? btw Heroes won't be back until next season, they cut the series short because of the Hollywood writer's strike. apparently episode 11 was the alternate ending to wrap up the series. (T-T) lol on the Phantom vs Vader image. ^^
(ID #67250) Posted on 2007/12/18 04:47
3d/2d animator illustrator
I can understand in Japan space can be at a premium and boxes take up a lot of space over time. One thing I know is I've got it bad, I keep everything down to the plastic twist ties and the plastic covering the figure. I even use letter openers to open the boxes as not to create a crease on the box flap when opening. I guess I do this because I wasn't able to save the toys I had when I was a kid.
(ID #67251) Posted on 2007/12/18 04:55
The next part of Heros isn't coming for a while, there's a writers strike on here in the States. ( I'm getting so tired of re-runs )
(ID #67252) Posted on 2007/12/18 04:56
Secondary Student~
It depends on where the train is going and from. The time as well. Trains are mostly crowded and noisy in the morning and the hours when work ends. It's just totally random I say. I do keep boxes which are still in perfect state, w/o creases and torns or either I needed it to store back the things or I'm fond of it.
(ID #67254) Posted on 2007/12/18 05:14
Danny, I dont know when Heroes comes out in Japan, but If anyone wants to watch the second season in better resolution: http://www.openhulu.com/ You have to put up with lots of ads on the site, but you can watch the episodes with great sound and clarity (its just like hulu.com beta... actually it IS hulu.com beta basically). I keep lots of boxes, but eventually have to do housecleaning because the stuff I had them for are gone. I have to get rid of old Harley Davidson parts now from my old bike.. need to get someone with an ebay account or something..
(ID #67255) Posted on 2007/12/18 05:23
About Heroes: If you've seen 11 episodes of Season 2, due to the Writer's Strike over here in the states, that was it. From what I understand, once they start filming again, we're going to be heading into the 3rd season/volume. As for the boxes, I'll usually keep them. I'm usually tossing out the carded packagings since they can't be resealed. I recently did clear out just about all of the movie Transformer boxes, though. T
(ID #67259) Posted on 2007/12/18 06:17
Student
Hmmm... Just wondering, but how much is Starbucks in Japan? The prices of coffee these days are just not what they used to be...
(ID #67260) Posted on 2007/12/18 06:25
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
I folded some of my doll related boxes down FINALLY after so long, cos we have to move XP Cute ladies playing the Wii BTW ;)
(ID #67262) Posted on 2007/12/18 06:41
Shops open at 10 or 11? What happened to the 9 to 5 business day, or is it different in Japan?
(ID #67263) Posted on 2007/12/18 06:51
shops open at 11 to 12 here in indo^^ but most food market(traditional market) open nearly 24 hour
(ID #67264) Posted on 2007/12/18 08:04
Small businesses in my region open up around 10-11AM...maybe later... Well for now I keep my figures in their boxes since 1)It keeps the shape of the figure 2)Keeps out the dust 3)Limited on space...^_^U Lol on the Vader ambush + reaction...
(ID #67266) Posted on 2007/12/18 08:20
Illustrator & Designer
Our trains here in Melb, especially during peak hours, are getting quite crowded and bad since we don't have enough trains. Plus they hardly ever run on time. I keep most of my boxes. Figures and toys, I keep the box for memories and also to store their respective accessories and bits. I keep all my video game console boxes. I keep shoes boxes mainly to keep all my financial records (does that sound strange?). According to Wiki, Heroes, season 2 part 2 - Villains, started in the U.S. and Ireland on 10th December. The shoe boxes with the wooden keys are awesome! Ha, you're another person I know that has 2 hash brownies from Mc D's breaky! :) Does 10 or 11am shops opening mean that shops generally close later in the evening (like 9 or 10pm) there in Japan like in Hong Kong? Wish the shops did that here in Australia. Makes going shopping after work easier.
(ID #67267) Posted on 2007/12/18 08:49
I tend to keep the boxes, something I am seriously going to have to rethink as I am running out of space. Some Collectors items never leave the box. As for Heroes, your best bet is the midseason show heroes Origins which should air next summer....doesn't look like it will be back Dec. 3 was the season Finale. Even if the strike end it will take 8 weeks for things to start up again which would almost be the end of the winter season.
(ID #67268) Posted on 2007/12/18 08:59
I like these posts - nice to see day to day life. Also nice to see youre getting crisp, cold, sunny mornings there - last year was one of the warmest winters ever, which was a dissapointment! As for boxes? I keep everything. I dont have a lot of room for all my figures, and as i buy so many, i tend to put my older, less favourite ones into storage, or ebay them. I made hundreds of £ selling loads of my older and less favourable figures a few months ago. They would be worth much less if they were unboxed.
(ID #67269) Posted on 2007/12/18 09:20
Student
The only boxes I keep are the boxes from figures and gunpla, I can't seem to throw them away because I just love the art in the boxes, especially the gunpla ones. The figure boxes might come in handy to store them if I need to move my figures to another place without endangering them. I love your Darth Vader shots, indeed you might be a bit to short for a Darth Vader ^^
(ID #67270) Posted on 2007/12/18 11:43
TK-8316 / 宅男 Otaku / 工程师 Engineer
i used to throw away all my figure boxes but nowadays i keep them on top of my desk. some pics below ^^; boxes of figures http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/gordon008/PC170340.jpg legeo AT-ST, masterpiece megatron. masterpiece starscream and optimus prime are behind the AT-ST http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/gordon008/PC170341.jpg gundam boxes http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/gordon008/PC170342.jpg
(ID #67271) Posted on 2007/12/18 12:21
Haha I usually keep all my figure boxes. I can't bring myself to throw them away. Ever. D: So I have quite a big amount of them in my garage boxed up in huge cardboard boxes. Haha. XD And wooow, the quality on that HD plasma is amazing. Want.
(ID #67272) Posted on 2007/12/18 13:33
radical anime fan in Singapore; starting to freeze up. Mmm, end-of-year weather. (Registered on 2007/01/25 22:08)
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
lol, did the Eva 02 slice the screen in half? cool to be living in Tokyo; I want to taste a bit of that beef and curry. trains in singapore are always quiet with the occasional noise, but the later it is the more people on the train; either going to the city area for a night o' fun or going home for a night o' rest. but the trains stop at midnight.
(ID #67273) Posted on 2007/12/18 14:18
I keep all my electronics boxes incase I want to sell them down the road. I usually update my Macs about every 8 months or so. The only figure boxes I keep are the more expensive ones, otherwise I'd run out of storage space in no time.
(ID #67275) Posted on 2007/12/18 15:11
Student
I just keep every box I have for my Gundams or my figures. Nowadays I just keep the boxes in the boxes while those boxes in the other boxes. Easier storage for me I guess.
(ID #67279) Posted on 2007/12/18 16:52
McMaster Engineering Student Fall 08
That is a good damn crime to throw out manga! I saw some One Piece, so you can't even argue that it's that old! Danny, you should make it your sworn duty to smite these evil doers!
(ID #67281) Posted on 2007/12/18 18:18
Student Engineer
Yes I tend to keep boxes to the things I need. Typically I will save the boxes to all of my model kits. When I run out of room though I begin to recycle those boxes in order to fit more boxes in.... typically I will take the instructions and throw anything unused away- unless I want the parts for a kit bash or something like that. Other than that I kept the box to my Wii and Laptop in order to have the contents should they ahem.. die *knocks on wood*. Both have been alright, but the laptop is misbehaving often. Other than important things and model kits- I never really keep boxes. Phoey with them. Some stuff such as collectibles (I have a box of Twilight Princess trading cards) I will never open nor dent.
(ID #67284) Posted on 2007/12/18 20:17
@picahuxa. ENOUGH WITH THE SPAM! Stop being a D!ck and ruining it for us.
(ID #67288) Posted on 2007/12/18 20:34
@Danny, can we get rid of this guy? ~~~>picahuxa
(ID #67289) Posted on 2007/12/18 20:35
Yeah, the boxes are part of the figure-game-statue, so I keep them all, but normally only box, not plastics inside or similar.
(ID #67291) Posted on 2007/12/18 21:00
DRAGUN, I guess the annoying one is gone to Expel. Let's par-tay!
(ID #67296) Posted on 2007/12/18 22:44
I too save figure boxes (for storage/transport purposes), though I keep the plastic inside as the transport here is rough and that's probably the best way to avoid damage.
(ID #67297) Posted on 2007/12/18 22:51
Yo Danny, are you sayin your plasma at home is a EDTV? Guess it might be since you've had it for awhile. Then for sure you gotta upgrade to an HDTV set, buddy. Even if you wanna stick with standard TV signal for now you'll be amazed how good your PS3 games, and blu ray movies will look connected thru HDMI cable. Plus you can hook up your Mac if you get a DVI to HDMI cable. Oh mighty big screen, let me bask in your glorious radiation.
(ID #67298) Posted on 2007/12/18 22:57
D_Blade, whoo hoo *does funky dance*.. I hate spammers. How are you doing D? I heard you arent feeling good. @FatBastard, I have a HDTV with the built in HDtuner, but it is one of the old ones with only 1 HDMI cable. I have to upgrade to a LCD or such, but everyone keeps coming out with new stuff. Makes me wonder if I should wait until the next gen comes out, like Carbon Nano Tube TV's, or OLED.
(ID #67299) Posted on 2007/12/18 23:26
I usually convert all boxes to 2D form and keep the manuals.
(ID #67303) Posted on 2007/12/19 00:04
@Dragun, always depends on how deep your pockets are and how bad you want it for your own personal requirements. As you know, any new tech introduced into the market will cost an arm and a leg. While LCD and plasma price points are now @ mass market level.
(ID #67305) Posted on 2007/12/19 01:01
LOL @ the dark lord of the sith being attacked by a Christmas elf. tsk tsk tsk, why are they throwing all the Jump manga away? put it on ebay and sell it for cheap prices. As for figure boxes, I tend to keep all of mine because you never know when you'll need them for storage/transport purposes, and the boxart is cool too I suppose.
(ID #67306) Posted on 2007/12/19 01:09
Even though some part of our trains could engulf the remaining stench of sun-basked sweaty construction workers, our guards won't allow anyone reeking of alcohol. This sooo reminds me of the train scene in Densha Otoko. LOVE!
(ID #67307) Posted on 2007/12/19 01:24
TK-8316 / 宅男 Otaku / 工程师 Engineer
regarding the throwing of manga, from the photo danny took, those manga looks to be weekly shonen jump. i believe those are old volumes in which the owner most probably has already bought the individual standalone manga volume that's why he's throwing it away.
(ID #67316) Posted on 2007/12/19 02:01
Director/代表取締役
Maya, Some but not many. Henry, Will let you know as soon as the wifi on it is fixed - something wrong with it. I think my ps3 one is dannychoodotcom ^^; Tom, Thanks for the link - I passed it on. Marvin, My wife's friends daughters ^^; DRAGUN, Thanks for the link - does not play in Japan though ToT Kyle, About 500 yen for a large coffee. まっすぐGO, Offices are typically 9-6. Retail shops open later. Kaeze, Shops ten to close about 8PM Gordon, Great photos! FatB, I want!
(ID #67317) Posted on 2007/12/19 02:04
Thanks again Danny for a great insight into everyday working life in Tokyo - although I gotta admit you eat out alot, and always a different location, do you know many places or just give any place a try randomly?
(ID #67359) Posted on 2007/12/19 07:46
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
Nice... and all those TVs and refrigerator thrown away... ;_; I try to save the boxes... has proven useful. It's always nice to include the original packing when you are selling used stuff. I wonder if people even sell used stuff in Japan... seems not many people would be willing to buy them, as they could just get the stuff on a garbage can or something. Is there a japanese eBay or something? I think I'll just quit working with computers in Brazil and just go be a garbage man in Japan. :P I bet I could make more money exporting japanese garbage to Japan. :P
(ID #67378) Posted on 2007/12/19 12:37
naw i don't keep all of the boxes that i buy, only keep the ones that are really worth it (like Chobits, LoveHina,etc).
(ID #67392) Posted on 2007/12/19 18:17
Computer repairs
I keep all the boxes I can until the guarantee is over or the box is pretty useless. Figure Boxes are a must tho :3
(ID #67399) Posted on 2007/12/19 23:27
Director/代表取締役
Sarg, I do try to eat something different where possible. XSportSeeker, Theres Yahoo Auction Japan.
(ID #67515) Posted on 2007/12/21 10:11
I only keep gundam model boxes just in case when I move I can store them and if parts fall off I know what part goes to what. Though I still have my ps3 box from August lol
(ID #68235) Posted on 2007/12/30 19:41
you know i grew up in houstion where the only public transit is in downtown and zoning laws make it hard to live any where near the city. so if you don't own a car it almost impossable to hold job cuz not many people live near where they work the avarage person drives at least 30 miles to work one way. i actually drive about 75 miles to and from work.
(ID #203158) Posted on 2008/06/03 07:08
college student
there is alot of hobo on bart where i live....
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