Jiyugaoka
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110)
Wed 2008/12/24 14:04
Recently spent a nice Sunday afternoon in the nearby neighborhood of Jiyugaoka [自由が丘].
Jiyugaoka is located in the Meguro ward and is well known for its abundance in restaurants and Zakka shops.
Zakka [雑貨] is used to refer to goods that improves ones home, life and outlook - more at Wikipedia.
Jiyugaoka is also full of young folks and seems to be popular with young (cute) ladies.
Here we see two ladies making some crepe for us. Why do girls in white shirts look awesome?
Jiyugaoka is located in the Meguro ward and is well known for its abundance in restaurants and Zakka shops.
Zakka [雑貨] is used to refer to goods that improves ones home, life and outlook - more at Wikipedia.
Jiyugaoka is also full of young folks and seems to be popular with young (cute) ladies.
Here we see two ladies making some crepe for us. Why do girls in white shirts look awesome?
This is a Shokken [食券] machine. One would choose what they want to eat, press the appropriate button and then get the ticket to give to the staff. This means that staff don't need to bother with handling money - time saved from taking money from the customer and giving them change.
I chose to have an apple n custard crepe.
I chose to have an apple n custard crepe.
And this is what it looks like. Yum
Crepe is popular with young folks and you can see queues of them lining up for one in places like Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku.
These pictures are not in order ^^;
We cycled to Jiyugaoka and filled up the tires with some yummy 0 yen air.
We cycled to Jiyugaoka and filled up the tires with some yummy 0 yen air.
Just over a year ago, I couldn't ride a bicycle at all and started to learn when my wife got a smaller bike. Being able to ride bike has changed the way we live and has also enabled us to go exploring easily around Tokyo.
Not sure what the prices of cars are like in your gaff but they are quite cheap in Japan. My car knowledge is minimal but this one is going for 730,000 yen.
I do know that I want a Nissan Fairlazy Z and that I will own one in 2009/10 when we make our new house - SAC? (Suddenly Acquired Car)
I do know that I want a Nissan Fairlazy Z and that I will own one in 2009/10 when we make our new house - SAC? (Suddenly Acquired Car)
The Japanese love to line up for stuff. Here they needed a guard (there are more people to his right) to manage folks lining up for some roll cake...
Its quite difficult to park ones bike as there are not many places to do so. Look for supermarkets where they have bike parking for customers ^^;
Jiyugaoka is regularly chosen as the "most want to live in" town. I've previously wanted to live here too. Back when I was at Amazon, when we were looking for an apartment, we found a lovely place here but were given the Gaijin treatment...
Am pretty happy with where we live now though - very different from the way I felt when living in Hackney London which was voted one of the worst places to live in the UK ^^;
Are you happy with the area that you live in now?
Am pretty happy with where we live now though - very different from the way I felt when living in Hackney London which was voted one of the worst places to live in the UK ^^;
Are you happy with the area that you live in now?
If you are spending the day at Shibuya, you may want to make a quick trip to Jiyugaoka - its only a few stops from Shibuya. Get off at Jiyugaoka Station on the Tokyu line.
Nice place to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Nice place to spend a Sunday afternoon.
You'll probably have to enlarge this one - nice girlie spotted in Counter Strike.
You will find Japanese, Spanish, Korean, Thai, Chinese and a whole load of gourmet from all over za warudo.
A quiet backstreet.
We decided to have some Doner kebab. Tasted good but not as good as the Kebabs in the UK. He took ages making it though. 800 yen for a portion.
Exploring Jiyugaoka.
I hear the beef bowl or Gyudon can be found in many places in the US. Seen some in China too. I'm guessing they don't serve it with raw egg in those regions?
I love the Fumikiri train crossings. Saw them often in J Dorama and anime a lot when living in the UK. I think I see less of them now that I live here though ^^;
No pets, no photography, no recording (?!), no taking notes (of prices and goods), no smoking and no farting.
You can many apparel stores like Zara, Gap and Next at Jiyugaoka.
More exploring.
Even the estate agents have their own mascot characters.
Saw a few fortune telling places.
Have a few comrades who live here - they got lovely huge houses.
Many gaijin can be seen in Jiyugaoka too. Speaking of gaijin, some foreigners think that gaijin is a racist term because its the short form of Gaikokujin [外国人].
There are many abbreviated words in Japanese like "Keitai" (short for "Keitai Denwa" [携帯電話] meaning mobile phone) or "Teiki" (short for Teiki Ken [定期券] meaning commuter pass) and so on.
Interesting to see how these foreigners get hung up about being called a "Gaijin" but then feel its fine when they are called "Gaijin-san" @.@
There are many abbreviated words in Japanese like "Keitai" (short for "Keitai Denwa" [携帯電話] meaning mobile phone) or "Teiki" (short for Teiki Ken [定期券] meaning commuter pass) and so on.
Interesting to see how these foreigners get hung up about being called a "Gaijin" but then feel its fine when they are called "Gaijin-san" @.@
For those who have wondered what these things stuck on lampposts are - they are usually real estate info on newly built properties nearby.
The Fugu fish contains a poison called Tetrodotoxin which if consumed paralyses ones body while the victim is fully conscious. 50% - 80% then die within 24 hours.
Fugu is expensive and apparently has a bland taste but the excitement at the chance of dying by eating Fugu has made it a popular dish. Apparently, 100 people die each year from eating fugu that has not been prepared properly. You'd think that humans would get the message that this is a dangerous fish from the spikes around its body.
Fugu is expensive and apparently has a bland taste but the excitement at the chance of dying by eating Fugu has made it a popular dish. Apparently, 100 people die each year from eating fugu that has not been prepared properly. You'd think that humans would get the message that this is a dangerous fish from the spikes around its body.
Trying on some new clothes at Next. Thought I'd choose black for a change.
Having a picnic in the middle of the train tracks.
Grabbing some coffee at the end of the afternoon at the Starbucks clone Excelsior Caffe. Notice their logo on that page - it used to be green and look exactly the same as the Starbucks logo until Starbucks came in with the lawsuit.
Where there is nourishment, there be queues of people.
Coffee n cake with Kagami.
Then its time for us to cycle back home.
A photo of the Jiyugaoka Eki Mae back many many many moons ago.
And this is what Eki Mae looks like today.
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I will be there soon! Gawd I love the white shirt girlies :D
(ID #423966) Posted on 2008/12/24 13:42
Looks like a really nice place to visit! ^^ The crepes look delicious. :3 I'm pretty happy with the house I live in but not really with the location of said house. Houses here are huge (90,000 square feet) but they're not by downtown, so it's a long drive to the more famous destinations from here.
(ID #423967) Posted on 2008/12/24 13:42
Maybe I meant 9,000 square feet? idk 8')
(ID #423968) Posted on 2008/12/24 13:43
amatuer bum
Jeeez, even at 9,000 square feet, huge seems like an understatement. thats 4-5 times larger than the average home (which is probably somewhere around 1500-2000 square feet) Just what kind of neighborhood are you living in ?
(ID #424052) Posted on 2008/12/24 15:54
Well it's a pretty nice neighborhood to tell you the truth. Everything is cheap here, so houses are no exception xD
(ID #424599) Posted on 2008/12/25 06:53
Future Pioneer and a Dreamer
It's really nice! My obaachan lives there. Though I remember that Doner kebab guy making egg tarts....looking at these pics is natsukashii
(ID #462233) Posted on 2009/01/26 05:16
security/3d graphic artist
been living here for 3 years now.. and been bustin my a#$ at school that whole time so i haven't been exploring that much.. it looks nice, but some of the people are totall nits.. kinda brings down the place... but its comfortable.. and they have an IMAX in town.. so everythings good!
(ID #423971) Posted on 2008/12/24 13:46
that shokken machine sure beats giving money then having change be given back. Always wanted to try a crepe like that, tried making my own and didn't turn out as good as i want was too fat to be considered a crepe, a pancake instead.
(ID #423974) Posted on 2008/12/24 13:51
suneo (Registered on 2007/12/17 20:54)
always love seein where you take us next in japan! My coworker was telling me when he was living in China that he really liked that he could go walk out 'n about late night and always find something to do. Told him that was how my experience with my friend in Japan was like, and we both wished we could go back (his home is Beijing, and I just want to visit Japan again lol). Around here it's kinda scary if i walk outside after 9pm lol.
(ID #423978) Posted on 2008/12/24 13:55
SAC...now that'll be the day lol
(ID #423979) Posted on 2008/12/24 13:56
I'll never understand the appeal of eating Fugu. That Shokken looks cool, I hate handling money, something like that would be a great convenience if it were more popular worldwide. Overall the area looks good. I am not happy with the area I live in, I rather dislike it. The town itself isn't bad but this neighborhood leaves much to be desired, and it doesn't feel safe, but for now this is where I must stay. I wonder, what happens if you let out a big fart in that store? XD
(ID #423982) Posted on 2008/12/24 13:57
Pokemon master
I want to eat one of those crepes! I've never had one. ^^; I'm not going deny that my area is a good place to live. Heck, we were voted one of the top places to raise a family before. But after 17 years of being here, it gets kinda boring. :/ I get the feeling I'm missing out on something, but I'm not sure what...
(ID #423985) Posted on 2008/12/24 13:59
I want to go once and visit Japan, it seems there's always more and more to know about it, I hope I can make it before I turn 30 ^^U
(ID #423987) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:00
NYC is great but there are so many ghetto people around. Its really annoying at times.
(ID #423992) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:04
I love those crepe cone things o-o I had some in Kyoto and they were amazing. The stand also sold meal ones like Beef Teriyaki and Noodle Filled ones as well.
(ID #423995) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:06
What the... those posters don't look anything like the Counterstrike I know! XD
(ID #423997) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:09
Student Otaku (ITM Student) and ACG NA Staff
I'll add this to the visit list when I go to Japan in the summer... Danny, your moving...and getting a new car...I thought that getting a house is quite expensive in Japan...and most people in Japan live in the same house for most of their lives... Also I thought the short form of "Gaijin" which is "gaikokukarakitekureetaijin"...because it's a long word...
(ID #423999) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:10
JR. College Student
I'm happy with my area for the most part... but not the people. In fact I'd say it's going downhill very fast.
(ID #424003) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:15
Been here forever, love this neighbourhood. It's quite urban with 3 schools around here and a community centre with a pool and icve rink. We also have two small malls here too to get groceries or have lunch. We are also 15 mins bus ride from the second largest mall in canada.
(ID #424006) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:21
Fugu looks interesting.... Damn I'm hungry ^_^
(ID #424007) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:22
I have spent a lot of time in Jiyugaoka before, its really cool there. I also like using those Shokken machines it makes things easier especially since last time I went to Japan my Japanese was not so good.
(ID #424008) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:25
COMPENG/SWENG Student
I must say, I've never seen eye candy like that in Counter Strike... maybe I am playing the wrong version? I do not mind where I live, but I would rather have a change. The type of job I end up taking up will definitely influence my decision, I just hope it is nowher enear where I am going to school.
(ID #424009) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:26
Actor, Moviemaker and Blogger.
Unfortunately, I'm not happy with the area I live in... not even the country...
(ID #424010) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:26
Student & Authorized Chicken Slapper
730,000 Yen for a car wtf? Please tell me that is for used and not new cause god damn that would be too cheap if it was new.
(ID #424014) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:30
Jiyugaoka appears to be a rather pleasant neighborhood with a quaint and peaceful environment while featuring enough activities to provide residents and tourist with satisfactory entertainment. This is much different from where I currently live. While peaceful and tranquil, my community offers little in ways of entertainment for teenagers and young adults. This is not to say that I necessarily dislike my community, but some times one has to leave in order to truly appreciate what they had.
(ID #424021) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:35
Good thing I don't like seafood so I'm never going to be tempted to try fugu...I live in a quiet neighborhood although I live near a baseball stadium so the streets get a little traffic-y during the summer...a sports car like that for only that much? I would have to say someone is pulling my leg...I still have yet to learn to ride a bike properly due to lack of space...
(ID #424025) Posted on 2008/12/24 14:55
DCX001-Prototype
雑貨 = Daily commodities goods (shampoo, toothpaste, detergent, foods etc...) Nissan Fairlady 350Z is one of my dream sportscar~~~ The last train crossing scene in anime that I can recall is from Byosouku 5 Centimeter. I'm happy at where I live currently~~~ Been moving around 8 times for the past 7 years. I would play Counter-Strike again if the character skin are these nice girls. Fugu, I'll give it a try in the future. Choosing black color for a change ehh? LOL @ picnic in the middle of the train track ^^; (Did you jumped down on the track to took this photo???)
(ID #424029) Posted on 2008/12/24 15:00
i thought danny likes black?
(ID #424039) Posted on 2008/12/24 15:15
Nissan just release its 370Z not too long ago... And, yes, the Z is a good bang-for-buck car.
(ID #424136) Posted on 2008/12/24 17:59
Student
That crepe looks delicious. =3 Living here is quite fine considering other places are more dangerous, but I'd really like to move to some other country like Singapore where it is more clean and safer.
(ID #424033) Posted on 2008/12/24 15:09
1st you get SAFS then SAD(Dollfie), now SAC? I guess the next one would be SAA?(Suddenly Acquired Airplane)^^
(ID #424043) Posted on 2008/12/24 15:22
I only live here because my school is nearby. Otherwise I hate this town. Hate it hate it hate it.
(ID #424044) Posted on 2008/12/24 15:30
former Emperor of Britannia
I prefer to live in the business district area XD Danny + Fairlady Z = AWESOME!
(ID #424049) Posted on 2008/12/24 15:46
Student & Part time worker in a Day Care
been living in brooklyn for many years now and with the subway it's pretty convenient, except holidays and weekends since the tracks are being fixed or something which ruins the schedules.
(ID #424058) Posted on 2008/12/24 16:09
nu-REOS (Registered on 2008/07/14 16:48)
Hmmmnnnn.... By the time Danny gets a new car, the 370Z would have been out for a while.
(ID #424064) Posted on 2008/12/24 16:20
How did you take the picture in the middle of the track?! Or maybe there was a crossing.. Hmm.. We don't have hot ladies in Counter Strike. Just hairy terrorists. I lol @ za warudo xD
(ID #424075) Posted on 2008/12/24 16:28
CEO MIrai Inc
Picnic on train tracks is common.
(ID #424081) Posted on 2008/12/24 16:33
back where i live, getting down onto the tracks would mean only two things having a deathwish and having a desire to be thrown behind bars. ya didn't really do that i hope?
(ID #424197) Posted on 2008/12/24 19:31
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
seems like giyugaoka is the perfect place to spend your day offs~ ^^ i like them white shirt girlies too~
(ID #424078) Posted on 2008/12/24 16:30
Designer
WTF?!?! Since when Counter Strike become so otakuish? lol
(ID #424085) Posted on 2008/12/24 16:39
university film student
I like in my living in my neighbourhood - it was quite remote when I moved in eleven years ago, to tell the truth, and even now it's still a very quiet suburban neighbourhood. There's nothing around here to do - no malls, no restaurants. Just a few fast food places, a beer store, a small branch bank and a couple supermarkets. Because I live where I do, I also have to endure extremely long commutes, and I can't hang out with people often because it takes me so long to bus home. However, the people are very nice. I have some pretty awesome neighbours who look out for each other, and that makes up for it.
(ID #424098) Posted on 2008/12/24 16:52
Student
Looks like a nice quiet neighbourhood compared to the usual places you're showing us. I like the place I'm living in just now - spacious, plenty of greenery and peaceful. Only thing spoiling it is the neighbour right next door who mod their cars so we end up listening to revving engines day and night. Brrrrm, brrrrm...
(ID #424116) Posted on 2008/12/24 17:21
hee, you want nizzan fairlady 350Z? that's a good pick, don't want to try the new 370Z out by next year?
(ID #424117) Posted on 2008/12/24 17:22
damn, why did i typed nizzan instead of nissan??? -_-
(ID #424119) Posted on 2008/12/24 17:23
I remember there was this one guy who ate multiple poisonous blowfish in on sitting because he believed he couldn't die. Needless to say, he died, but you have to give him props for risking his life for what he believed in. I'm also happy with where I live because there's a lot of Chinese food. This is probably the only place in America where people who only understand only Chinese can live relatively easily.
(ID #424121) Posted on 2008/12/24 17:24
i'm guessing he crossed the fine line between being brave and being stupid.
(ID #424250) Posted on 2008/12/24 20:25
I personally really like the Meguro ward as well. It's a pretty cool area, although I only visited Naka-Meguro. As for girls in white shirts/blouses, I first discovered their greatness in high school. Too bad we don't see many.
(ID #424134) Posted on 2008/12/24 17:57
I like how you managed to sneak in a JoJo reference LOL
(ID #424139) Posted on 2008/12/24 18:05
Danny, the 350Z has just got a younger sibling - the 370Z. http://jalopnik.com/5089010/2009-nissan-370z-unveiled-live-at-secret-la-event Are you still stilling with the former model? That orange car... is it a Fiat? And I'd never get that kind of price (for a car) in my country!
(ID #424146) Posted on 2008/12/24 18:15
Student
I got a good feeling that I should have a vacation the same as yours.
(ID #424158) Posted on 2008/12/24 18:45
Kawaii Pink Stuffs FanGirl, Cat Lover, Otaku, MP3 Hunter, Matcha & Afternoon Milk Tea Addict.
Wow, great article Danny-san! ^^ never heard of this district before though, but maybe I should give it a visit when we go Tokyo again. In Singapore, they dont serve raw egg in Yoshinoya or free drinks/water like they do in Japan though. Quite happy with the area me & hubby are living now, very near to MRT Stations, supermarket, 24 hr eating places & shopping malls (only 2-5 mins walk too).
(ID #424160) Posted on 2008/12/24 18:51
IT-Architect, SysAdmin, WebDesign and Coding, Virtualization (VMware + NetApp)
Black for a change? Keep your CI up and dress propperly in the colours Orange, Blue, Green and maybe some White? :P I love Crepés... and Starbucks... and Kagami. ^^v About cars.... Mini Cooper S with the Cooper Works Kit for me, thanks. :D
(ID #424162) Posted on 2008/12/24 18:55
i want to leave my life here in calgary, 2008 hasn't been a stellar year for me so the sooner i leave this place the better. i'm thinkin' Tokyo lol
(ID #424187) Posted on 2008/12/24 19:23
Student, part-time Haruhi wannabe (that bit about godhood etc)
I'll never understand why they forbid photography in supermarkets...
(ID #424226) Posted on 2008/12/24 20:00
I pass through Jiyuugaoka on commute to school. Never caught my attention, so will definitely check out when I'm back from the Holidays
(ID #424241) Posted on 2008/12/24 20:11
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
yummm crepes ^^;;;;;
(ID #424242) Posted on 2008/12/24 20:11
Legionnarion_Conquistadorz (Registered on 2008/12/18 20:49)
Student
indeed ^_^
(ID #424256) Posted on 2008/12/24 20:36
crepes. we dont get that here, so haven't tasted one yet. girls in white shirts FTW. first saw them in school :D Most girls bodies get a really good shape in those. heh heh. Does the Shokken machine give back change or do you insert a cc into it? I like the neighborhood i'm living in but hate two things about it the most - a forced electricity downtime of 6-8 hours at a regular time everyday. and lack of water. water is quite costly here. also cars here are around the price you mentioned but for small cars like Hyundai Santro, etc. the bigger ones and 4 wheel drives are costly. imported ones cost as much as a new flat. i like the mini cooper (not available here though) after seeing it in action in a movie. nect would be a BMW (o^O) will stay away from fugu if i ever reach japan in future. roflcopter at "Black for a change" also last bit - people always take a walk on the tracks here. its habitual i guess since bridges get crowded quite fast when two trains arrive.
(ID #424261) Posted on 2008/12/24 20:40
Next year. Me and my friend swear to go there to japan before she has to take her residency.
(ID #424272) Posted on 2008/12/24 20:53
Mechanical Engineering student
Don't worry Mr Danny, I find girls in white shirts awesome too! XD I see Counter Strike is popular in Japan as well. I thought Japanese gamers prefer RPGs or is CS an exception? Here in the Philippines the two most popular games are DotA and Counter Strike. EVERY internet cafe has these two games. I've seen a documentary about those Fugu fish before. I guess people like being in the edge of their life when eating the fish. I'm not stupid enough to eat one though XD Try wearing black for a change? Hell, I wear black all the time! LOL XD
(ID #424301) Posted on 2008/12/24 21:18
Don't waste your money on a fancy looking car. Its just a status symbol ya know....but being in business you have to "put on the mask" along with everyone else and try to impress people so whatever.. Just buy a vehicle that is efficient and use the all remiaining money to improve your life in some way, not get a sporty lookin car..that seems pretty shallow for someone as intelligent as yourself.'
(ID #424332) Posted on 2008/12/24 21:46
AdvDip Network Security - CCNA - Ironport - Security+
NO FARTING?!?! THATS ABSURD! no one can ever tell when i fart - I like to call it: "The Silent Death" Casually move in - fire - move stealthly out of area You can get an A-Bike. Highly portable and i'd say a 'decent' ride. So as long as you don't ride up too many hills
(ID #424345) Posted on 2008/12/24 22:07
LOL The Silent Death
(ID #424387) Posted on 2008/12/24 23:19
anime/cosplay events organizer
girls in long polo shirt are indeed awesome!!! XDD jiyugaoka looks like a very nice place to visit ^^ yep. i'm pretty much happy the area where i live...pretty much safe and a lot of good people ^^
(ID #424349) Posted on 2008/12/24 22:12
Web monkey, coffee addicted cerberus, Chef Vader
A few years back, my area was slowly turning into decrepit place to live in until one of the premier real estate developers decided to put up a posh commercial/residential complex. Now our land tax has sky rocketed but along with it, I'd say at least, a good change as I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
(ID #424354) Posted on 2008/12/24 22:23
interesting article. The weather looks pretty bad in the pix, as in cloudy i mean. Miss those bright sunshine shots of yours. Also miss Excelsior cafe! used to drop by the one in Shinjuku next to my hotel. my fav is maple latte n royal milk tea.
(ID #424356) Posted on 2008/12/24 22:24
interesting article. The weather looks pretty bad in the pix, as in cloudy i mean. Miss those bright sunshine shots of yours. Also miss Excelsior cafe! used to drop by the one in Shinjuku next to my hotel. my fav r maple latte n royal milk tea.
(ID #424357) Posted on 2008/12/24 22:25
OMG those are not crepes !!! i'm going to immigrate to Japan and make real crepes !!!! anyone willing to sponsor me as a business partner ??? our new place would be most famous place in Tokyo for crepes !!!!
(ID #424359) Posted on 2008/12/24 22:26
Yes, they are. The Japanese make it like that. It's cute. =P The Vietnamese don't do it like that though. Some box them. If I recall, the crepe itself covers the ingredients. Uh, the Vietnamese should know how to make the crepe the way it should be made, right? ^^'
(ID #425675) Posted on 2008/12/26 11:46
Never mind. Why did I bring up that question? Guess I had my doubts.
(ID #426701) Posted on 2008/12/27 16:32
lol @ "black for a change"
(ID #424360) Posted on 2008/12/24 22:27
Whether I'm happy with the area I live in or not is a bit of a relevent question. Anyway I think I do... sort of.
(ID #424368) Posted on 2008/12/24 22:45
五〇一軍团 TK8316 Singapore Garrison Public Relations Officer
do u wear black inside as well?
(ID #424369) Posted on 2008/12/24 22:49
Hotdog Repairman
are you inquiring about the color of his fruit of the looms?
(ID #424858) Posted on 2008/12/25 14:10
Navy Recruit
I live in a nice area but i am just not happy here anymore
(ID #424394) Posted on 2008/12/24 23:31
Nissan Fairlazy lol.
(ID #424401) Posted on 2008/12/25 00:09
Student during the day, otaku at night, and amateur musician ^_^
It's towns like this that makes me fall in love with Japan.. The place I live in is nice and all, but there's not much here.. I want to explore more.
(ID #424412) Posted on 2008/12/25 00:36
Student of Computer Info. & Office Sys.
Been stuck in a land locked town all my life, it'd be nice to get out of here into a bigger city
(ID #424418) Posted on 2008/12/25 00:41
looks like a pleasant place to hang around..anyway, Merry Christmas ! :D
(ID #424430) Posted on 2008/12/25 00:59
Aeronautical Engineer
Live in Newham... the third worst in the UK if my memory suffice. I like it, but it also means that anywhere else is so much nicer. Moved to Loughborough for University for most of the year, and it is absolutely awesome (more so because of where I used to live). I can only imagine how great travelling abroad would be. Japan is first on my list.
(ID #424435) Posted on 2008/12/25 01:11
Used to live next to Jiyugaoka and spent a lot of time there on Sundays before moving up here to Shimokita. That Excelsior Caffe you visited was a favorite hangout.
(ID #424436) Posted on 2008/12/25 01:12
University student and part-time Super Sentai.
Jiyugaoka looks like a nice peaceful place to visit. Thanks for the mini travel documentary! You should do more of this type of articles. Its really very interesting. BTW Merry Christmas to all!
(ID #424449) Posted on 2008/12/25 01:24
I've been to Jiyugaoka about 3 years ago. Went there with my girlfriend and we had Crepes there too. I remember the shops at Jiyugaoka were rather unique - not the usual chain franchises but small boutique type stores.
(ID #424505) Posted on 2008/12/25 02:42
How do you take those middle of the train track shots?? I've always wondered.
(ID #424538) Posted on 2008/12/25 03:54
Very very carefully and only after looking in both directions. :-) Actually, the Jiyugaoka station has a crossing right by it so unless the train is entering the station at that time, you can stop there for a bit, take the photo before moving on. Danny, this is a great description of the area that you did, and having been there on December 23rd (one day before you, it seems), a lot of the photos were really familiar. The "Counter Strike" game parlor was definitely one of them!
(ID #425559) Posted on 2008/12/26 08:32
But don't you have to go down to the train tracks?? Isn't that illegal or anything?
(ID #428390) Posted on 2008/12/29 18:48
I love Los Angeles...really I do, but when night falls, Los Angeles turns into something else. Something....crazy. And even then, the hectic city life is not for me, although I do enjoy the crowded bus routes, crosswalks, and locals who get drunk on the weekends and let out all their steam from work.
(ID #424544) Posted on 2008/12/25 04:07
Student, Goddess of the Blue Star
i live in mizzou. in the po dunk town of huck fin. i want to move so bad but me college credits arent transferrable! T_T
(ID #424568) Posted on 2008/12/25 05:02
Student artist
La is so so. I would like to move to a place where I get a good sight of the beach ( clean water though) hmmm as for http://www.dannychoo.com/adp/eng/1637/Jiyugaoka.html#image23827, I read that they have some kind of medicine that can get rid of the poison, not sure if it captive breeding though
(ID #424579) Posted on 2008/12/25 05:43
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
So it aint just the british that like to queue for things? lol Jiyugaoka looks like a nice place. And crepes are very yummy! Can't believe they have donnar kebabs lol. I've never tried one myself.
(ID #424589) Posted on 2008/12/25 06:02
Danny, there is a great donner kebab stall in akiba by the group of sofmap buildings. not really a stall as its operated from the back of a kei-worktruck but you get the point. 500 yen for the normal or 600 yen or the big boy size. tasted great.
(ID #424637) Posted on 2008/12/25 08:20
Man, I really hope I get to visit some of these places when I travel to Japan this summer. D: I really am happy with where I live. Colorado is such a laid back place, so nothing to exciting ever happens, but it's really peaceful. I live about an hour away from the mountains, so I look forward to ski/snowboarding season :D.
(ID #424644) Posted on 2008/12/25 08:45
I want to taste the crepes Yum<I think>
(ID #424759) Posted on 2008/12/25 11:58
Designer
im living in shinagawa but i think that the best to live is hiroo. nothing more to say.
(ID #424830) Posted on 2008/12/25 13:32
Designer
btw, the crepes looks delicius.
(ID #424833) Posted on 2008/12/25 13:34
uncreative (Registered on 2008/08/16 01:50)
Looks like a nice place to spend a day.
(ID #424877) Posted on 2008/12/25 14:28
woooo yummy crepe! but I never eat one before ;_;
(ID #424995) Posted on 2008/12/25 16:19
Well the only thing I like about my location is that my house is fairly sized colonial style (small and old compared to today's standards). I am able to have the space to collect and place anime figures and items in my room. However, I am really loving my family's condo in Happy Valley, Hong Kong. On the 14th floor (15th) I am loving my view of Highcliff, The Summit, and the horse racetrack. Plus I am close to everything!! Time Square is minutes away with a takiyaki stall, and a Maid Date cafe. 188 is fairly close as well as some smaller otaku stores in Causeway Bay. Unfortunately, the condo is small compared to USA standards, and I wouldn't be able to store my anime figures. OK, now I wish I could permanently live in HK, with a nice city, water and mountain view.
(ID #425310) Posted on 2008/12/26 00:28
Student, Bioresearch Assistant, WAVE VP Communications
I'm satisfied when I'm in Toronto, the place I live in isn't so noisy and it's close enough access to public transportation and high ways. When I'm away at school it's a whole different story though.
(ID #425383) Posted on 2008/12/26 02:29
Crepe! I love strawberry ones! Every April or May (depending on my work load), I get chocolate banana ones. Why do girls in white shirts look awesome? The white shirt, especially the one you see there, is a stylish shirt. That's why. San Jose has been named the safest city in America and it is constantly in the top 5 for safest city in America. Not only that, it is diverse and it carries vital places like Kinokuniya and various Filipino places. Unfortunately, it lacks a good game place. (It had an import game store, but it closed down because of the economy.) The karaoke box and best arcade place are around 20 minutes away, but personally, if I want to be at an arcade place, I'd go to the Los Angeles area instead.
(ID #425657) Posted on 2008/12/26 11:18
I think girls in white shirt hold appeal because of the possibility of rain.
(ID #425796) Posted on 2008/12/26 13:56
Brilliant! However, is this the answer Danny's looking for? I don't know. =P
(ID #425820) Posted on 2008/12/26 14:25
When I travel I like running through the back alleys where foreigners aren't really supposed to be. I've only recently got a worth while camera but most of those places have some real good photographic opportunities.
(ID #425808) Posted on 2008/12/26 14:07
Woot! I can add these into my itinerary since I'm here XD
(ID #426283) Posted on 2008/12/27 02:13
Fledgling repowriter
It costs only ¥150 to get there from Shibuya. Realize that it is not a JR line, but the Tokyu Toyoko (| Minato Mirai) line. The signs directing you from other lines still read "Toyoko Line". Even 'Limited Express' trains stop there at Jiyugaoka. (They're the fastest, and they cost no more than a local.) I'll add it to my list for next time. I kept going *through* it on the Minato Mirai line between Shibuya and Kikuna (where I changed to the JR Yokohama line) for when I covered the soccer matches.
(ID #429674) Posted on 2008/12/30 19:42
Part trooper, part -timer, 100% loser...
I see... So crepe is popular with young people huh? I guess you're one of them, Danny! Looking at the past and present pics, looks like thereisn't much different, yea?
(ID #433667) Posted on 2009/01/03 11:00
Grocery Store Clerk
That looks like I nice place. I would not mind living there.
(ID #438302) Posted on 2009/01/07 08:12
Really nice photostory, I like it. It looks like you could explore in every cornor a thing in Japan. I would live there, too. To the question. My city is a nice city in middle of Germany, Kassel. In this city you have all, but you cant call it a metropolis.
(ID #440712) Posted on 2009/01/09 04:12
Future Pioneer and a Dreamer
A! the touyoko sen that bridges yokohama and shibuya! two of my favorites! maji natsukashii! I must go to Japan this summer!
(ID #462236) Posted on 2009/01/26 05:23
student
loled at za warudo
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