A Week in Tokyo 17
Its that time of the week again where we take a look at life in Tokyo.
First up is Keroro welcoming guests to this restaurant. Have not seen Keroro for ages but this reminds me that I should dig up the stashed away Keroro figures.
Some sections of the highway have these huge walls which curl inwards to reduce the amount of noise for the poor residents that live nearby. I remember a time when I used to live in Earls Court back in London - was right by the highway that leads to Heathrow airport - noisy as hell. Do you live near noisy roads too? Do you throw bags of poo at the cars in anger at the noise?
The latest anime licensed Pachinko games (Whats Pachinko?)
LuLu has been jealous that I always bring Haruhi to lunch with me.
Lemon Chicken spaghetti with some fries. 1,050 yen.
Before you enter a restaurant, you may see signs like this. Dont use your mobile, no pets, no salespeople, no 10,000 yen note exchange, no smoking for the under 20's and no admittance to the under 20's after 10PM. Folks under 20 are considered children here.
The traditional "girl with beer" ad.
At the Korean place again for lunch. 760 yen.
The Mc Dees ice cream increases in size ^^;
At the labs. Server all set up and ready to be slotted in the rack.
Hector at the controls.
Server in slot and a few more to go.
Dont always wear black (^^;) and prefer shorts n t-shirt when its hot. Tokyo has been having a bout of hot n cold weather on n off.
Passmo is a chargeable card that enables you to use the trains, buses and also pay for goods and services. This poster explains that when you go through the ticket barriers, the barriers will bleep at you. The number of bleeps means different things so for example 3 bleeps means that there is less than 1,000 yen left in your card.
Surprisingly enough, the Japan is still very much a cash oriented country which is why many establishments still don't accept credit cards. But more and more establishments are accepting payment by electronic card payment such as Pasmo and Suica. If you are visiting Japan, pick up a Pasmo or Suica from the train station and charge it with 5,000 yen or so. You could go for a Japan Rail Pass which is much cheaper if you are going to travel all over Japan but is a pain because you cant use the ticket barriers - you need to show your pass to the guy at the barriers first.
When I left the UK there was no such technology and I didnt notice any a few years back in Seattle. Is electronic card payment popular in your region? What types of payment are available?
Seafood Don - this prawn still had all the gooey brown stuff in its head - some people eat it but I just look and then stick it to one side.
Out and about discovering the Senzoku area.
At Senzoku park.
Japan was going to ban these kiddy seats on bikes due to them being dangerous but all the mothers lashed back complaining that it was impossible to go about life looking after kids without them.
Another example but this one has two kiddy seats. I personally wouldn't put my kid in one of these - but thats probably because I'm lousy at riding a bike. Do these exist where you are too? Would you put your kid in one of these?
Remember not to *smell* suspicious looking objects.
Anime ads on the train. I dropped Soul Eater due to lack of time. How is it progressing?
At Mr Donuts. Whenever I'm here I think of Aibu Saki who does the CM's for Mr Donuts. Which also reminds me that I'm very behind on my Zettai Kareshi.
PG Tips (tea), Mr Donuts and some light reading on a sunny afternoon.
At the Shotengai that i discovered last week. (Whats a Shotengai?)
The cloth you see hanging above the door is called a Noren. I remember buying one on a visit to Japan and hanging it in my kitchen back in the UK ^^;
The Mc Dees getting bigger.
If you want to discover this Shotengai too then get off at Togoshi Ginza.
Plenty to eat and shop but the shopping is more of the grocery variety.
Did notice many gaijin in the area though.
Renkon beef and Mikuru - 990 yen.
Mikuru and Maguro Don - 680 yen.
Haruhi and two salads - 990 yen.
Folks who visited Japan may have wondered about these things set outside an optician - its a device to clean your glasses using ultrasound or something - cant remember as I find that they don't work for me but seem to be popular with many.
Once upon a time I got fedup of wearing glasses and wanted to have Lasik lazer surgery but have heard so many horror stories from people I know. One chap had blurry vision, vision that looked like he was underwater etc etc. These stories then made me realize that I should be happy with what I have. Have you had or considered surgery to improve your vision?
Sour pork noodles with a frog on the side - 700 yen.
Its been 135 days since I used the Wii Fit ^^;
Anyone here who got one and gave up on it too?
My Mii that my wife made ^^;
Driving on a sunny evening listening to some lounge music. If you are after some smooth lounge music while you work then try SmoothLounge.com.
At Ikea looking for some bits n pieces.
Detlof - I know many figure collectors own this but am interested in how much they cost in your region - here its 6,990 yen.
The new Ikea lights in the office.
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
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Castoffable figurines fan
Hmm, Detolf in Malaysia cost about 6567yen (MYR 99)
Gamer, Lecturer, Graphic Designer
http://striket.blogspot.com/
It costs 99SGD here so roughly 7,761 yen :|
大学生徒
http://ichinichijuu.blogspot.com/
In the us it cost about $59 for the last one I bought, which was close to 6 months ago. So it's comparable I guess.
Fish Market
ughh!
ive been looking for one for my
gashapon/trading figures!!
where do i get on.
Aircrew Resource Analyst
urgh. if Ikea's website is to be trusted, Detolf costs AUSD 179 here in Australia.
dammit i cant believe its that cheap in M'sia >.<
website/graphic designer and karaoke amateur~
http://www.furudango.com
It was on special last year, even then it was more expensive at $99 >.<;;
Writer/Academic/Code Monkey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iheartassassinmaids/
Yeah should have got it on special, I walked out with 6 Detolfs that day, everyone was looking at me.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
6! I would have taken a photo of you.
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
I wouldn't be surprised to see that as many shops in my region do use Detolfs to display their products for sale. I 2 guys taking like 5 Detolfs with them when I went to Ikea today ^^.
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
Oops missed something out *I saw*
Student
http://najica.wordpress.com/
499SKR here (around 81USD / 8 840 yen)
and big server is big ^^;
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
It should be MYR 199 in Malaysia. Typo there? Cuz Malaysia's currency is not that strong.
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Yes.. seems like it.
http://www.google.com/search?q=99+myr+in+jpy&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
study
no people post comment haha
Freelance Digital Production Artist
http://www.flickr.com/photos/victor_lee/sets/
I used the Suica card when I was in Tokyo. Very convenient. Used it a couple of times at kombini near my hotel. Never got a chance to use it on vending machines because there weren't that many at the time.
uni student
http://reggie21.wordpress.com
want that wiifit... don't have the money to buy it. the price is indo is almost 2 times the original price. if i'm not mistaken the wiifit in japan is around 8.000 yen. in here it becomes 1.900.000 yen
and i still have my debt
Student Otaku (ITM Student) and ACG NA Staff
http://koiaichaku.com/
My god!!!!!!
HUGE SERVER...
I wonder how much that all that cost.
It seems that McD's seems to be cheap...adding an egg to their burgers and saying it's a new type of burger...
Once again...nice week in Tokyo...
student
http://animesugoi.animeblogger.net/
There's bacon in there too ^^;;;;.
3D artist
http://andyh.cgsociety.org
Ah, so thats what those wierd walls on the expressway are for! I used to get annoyed with them as they blocked my view coming into Tokyo when i was most excited!
That Mii that your wife made looks just like you!
Did you feel the quake today?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Sure did.
Photography Student
http://hugodeathy.deviantart.com/
As usual Danny is like a Otaku Gourmet. Loved the Saburi (Saber/Haruhi).
And about having laser surgery, I almost had it about 2 years back, but ended up not having it because just like you I heard some very bad stories. And I don't care much about me using glasses anyway.
電子工学者
i too have used the glasses cleaner outside glasses shops when i visited japan, very surprised the first time i saw them.
as for me, contacts or glasses...whatever i feel like.
browsing the nets
http://otakuposts.blogspot.com/
There are some charge cards available here for buses and trains. But the way its used is like a debit card - u still have to take a printout of a ticket from a vending machine with the card on a scanner. On buses the attendant records the transaction on some electronic device and gives the ticket.
No Ikea here. So no detolf.
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
Too many things to comment, head ASPLODE! :P
Nice pics Danny!
Shotengai makes me remember Abenobashi Mahou Shotengai... which was lots of fun.
Rechargeable credit cards are not very popular in Brazil, but regular Credit Cards are increasingly becoming popular.
Probably because of robberies. I mean, in Japan I'd have no problem carrying money around, but here in Brazil, my wallet only have like emergency money and my credit card.
Every Week Danny brings me stuff I should've seen on my trip to Japan but didn't... even though I don't regret any bit of my trip.
I only have to make more.. like 10 other trips or something.
Wish I had the money for that... so many sights, so many interesting stuff to see...
大学生徒
http://ichinichijuu.blogspot.com/
I guess maybe the "smell" signs are due to the '95 sarin thing? By the way, thanks for the netradio suggestion, SmoothLounge makes for happy time. And as usual I'm hungry after reading this feature. What are the things with the holes in them in that melange in the one photo?
http://blog.limkopi.org
I have only 1 question!
IS THAT KERORO REAL? OH MY GOD.
大学生
Yup, we have the Ez-link in Singapore which is the equivalent of your Suica. Mainly for bus / train usage for now. You can pay for your purchase at Macs using Ez-link.
Credit / Debit cards are also popular in Singapore. Reason being they usually have tons of discounts / promotions associated with the cards. Heard credit cards not very popular in Japan and people carry wads of cash instead?
I want to do Lasik. Specs are a little irritating when it keeps sliding down. Contacts make my eyes very tired. There's a new Lasik outlet in Singapore from Japan. Shinagawa Lasik Centre. Costs bout SGD 2000+ to get both eyes done. Think that's quite reasonable. Will do it when the technology is even better and safer.
Researcher
That server looks amazing....
And I love your poster of the Mayu and Reika (I know you posted about it a while ago but still, I like it a lot..).
I have considered the laser surgery but I'm still undecided. My main concern is that only one of my eyes has had problems for a long time. This has caused that all "far seeing" work is done by just one and even if I ever had the surgery the other eye will keep doing most of the work. I'll have to retrain my eyes and I don't know how well will this work. Oh well, I'll keep thinking about it.
Jaina Solo Fan-boy! umm...Frozen food mangaer
http://jediwannabe24.wordpress.com/
Excellent Week in Tokyo as always Danny. I myself and much too scared to get lasik eye surgery. Why, I just have this neurotic feeling when it comes to my eyes. I scared that the doctor will slip, and damage my vision. I'll just stick to glasses and contacts.
Typographer
http://www.vicfieger.com
What a handsome fellow!
Danny.... you still wear blackish gray (^^!) Try PINK he..he... (Actually, more and more men wear pink these days, at least in the city where I live... my girl even bought me one ^^ I rarely wear it though ^^) anyway, the servers surely take a lot of your space, don't they?
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
@Danny: I got the exact same halogen celling light that u'd bought in my living room ;-) (cost~equalvalent to 4500yen). The glass display shelf is (6000yen).
About the childseat on bicycle, I had a snap 1 with 4 seats on a particularly small bike......Will be posting up on Member News soon.
@Danny: Do you mind to create a new category for us to post Intersting Findings, or maybe title it as "Others" ^^?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Just stick it in "otaku" for now ^^
student
i heard that if you have a student id in japan, you can get like 60% discount when you charge your pasmo or suica..
is this true? that would save alot of money..
大がくせい
The detolf here in Canada is 69,00$ can, that something around 6900Y, so pretty much similar price.
Also, I'm not aware we really have those kind of card except for cell time but on the other hand, I alway or almost alway use by debit card to buy thing, they're accepted almost every where and such carry little to no cash on me. Do they accept debit card more commonly in Japan? ^^;
Student
http://web.mit.edu/espeed/www
Boston has a electronic card for their subway system now. It was installed over the last couple years.
Does Togoshi Ginza have any good arcades? I'll be living near there for the summer. A reason why you see many gaijin in the shotengai might be because there's a gaijin house in Togoshi.
Student/Part-timer
http://random-euphoria.blogspot.com/
Like the previous poster said Detolfs here in Canada are $69...so I guess roughly the same as Japan Ikea's price, couple bucks cheaper even (69cdn = 7200 yen)
I live about 1.5km from a freeway. Its not a busy one during non peak hours, but late night, theres a lot of street racing on it which even though Im over a kilo away, I can hear pretty clear from my house. Then of course the races attract the cops and every so often you get the helicopters hovering the area as well. And those rather loud >.>
Not the mention those rude truckers who use engine brakes/ratarders and wake up the entire city.
Student
http://www.tecurious.com
Where in Edmonton do you live, if you don't mind me asking? >_>
So are you by the Anthony Henday or Yellowhead Trail? I'm in the Blue Quill area and that helicopter is around here frequently. I wave at the thing and a lot of the time they'll come by for a second pass.
keroro platoon member
http://heathorn.wordpress.com
nice photos, danny!
want the big keroro, will put him on a chair and have breakfast together every morning.
Student
http://www.tecurious.com
I live maybe a slightly shorter distance from the freeway than euphoria, but I am with him on the street races/helicopters/trucks. On hot summer nights it means either leave the window open and not sleep 'cause of the noise, or leave the window closed and not sleep 'cause of the heat.
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
Man, that's a MickeyD's supersized week in Tokyo. So much to cover...
First, I'm sorry but if that Keroro isn't bolted down I'm stealing him. I'm a Keroro criminal.
Rechargeable cards are not popular here, but debit cards and credit cards are with the old magnetic strip. I miss the octopus card in HK. So damn convenient I wish it were here.
I am curious about that double big mac bacon egg burger w/cheese. Although the real thing probably doesn't look anything like that, I wanna try it. Surprised they have such a big burger in Japan.
I've thought about having Lasik if my eyesight degrades, but my eyesight ain't too bad as I don't have to wear glasses except at night. Couple of friends had Lasik, and it turned out okay. However, they say the effect doesn't last and you'll see your eyesight degrade again, but not to the original level (and terrible for night time).
Was initially gonna get Wiifit, but didn't bother. At least not till its got more game apps.
Doll Customiser, Web Designer, Shop Owner
http://pixelkitty.net
Detolf costs AUD$179.00 or around Y17900. What a rip off!
Doll Customiser, Web Designer, Shop Owner
http://pixelkitty.net
oh it's here: http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/10119206
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
Thanks for sharing your week with us again ^^
Good that you put the pricing up, I should try to do that next time ^^;
I also read about lasik horror stories before and I think I'll stick to glasses ^^; it's too risky since I depend on my eye sight to work and it is not permanent anyways ^^;
Cute Mii your wife made of you :D
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
and that Ikea case you were talking about was on sale the last time we saw it at ikea (sale might already be over by now) for 65CAD + taxes for a bit, before price if I did not remember wrong was either 75 or 79 CAD ^^;
Network Admin
Seems like with Lasik you have to get qualified to have the operation done. A lot of people who have horror stories usually get recommended not to have it done, but go ahead an get it done by someone else. Though I'm still a little bit afraid to have it done.
Full-time student へへ
http://www.kenleewrites.com
is there a t-shirt and shorts version of the trooper armour? i'm sure they wear something else during summer ^^
http://xanato.net
we use plastic money everyday, almost everywhere, in portugal.
we use debit cards on almost everyshop, restaurant, gas station, some taxis, newspaper stands, tolls at the highways, ...
some time ago we had a card that sounded like the ones you mention, where you charge them with a certain amount. they called it 'electronic walet', but seemed a bit silly, since everyone has the other kind.
again, thanks you for these 'week' posts, i have a blast learning all these things about japan.
and, final, what about those shorts ? brand, please... ?? they look super cool...
lover of games, artist
http://blueflamer90.deviantart.com/
For the kids and the bikes, here in America some bikes have the baby seat on the back of the bike or sometimes if the kid is a little older (toddler) they have a little carriage the kid can sit in that rides on the ground on the back of the bike.
Secretary
http://figured.wordpress.com/
Here is costs about $80 for that ikea thing..I am going to get 2 for my favorite figures when I move!
As for cash, it's too inconvenient to find a ATM for my bank I usually just avoid places that don't accept cards unless I had to go to the bank anyways then I get cash. To use ATMs that are not from your home bank can be rather costly (up to about $3).
Journalist
i love this week in tokyo
Dog of the Country
danny bullies Mikuru in the labs!!
Illustrator & Designer
http://www.knight-edge.com/
We have similar huge highway curvy walls here on our freeways in Melbourne. I used to live in HK, so I'm used to living near noisy roads. But have yet to live near a road here in Melb... in fact, it's so quiet at night I can hear the lights ticking sometimes...
I find it strange that Tokyo restaurants don't let people under 20s in after 10PM, are they all werewolves until they turn 20?!?
What spell did you cast on the server, Danny??
I love using the Octopus card in HK which is similar to Passmo and Suica there. Don't have any of that here in Melbourne, Australia yet. They keep saying they'd introduce something like that for our transport system but it keeps getting delayed.
Have worn glasses since I was 11 years old. Have thought about laser eye surgery once or twice but have only ever heard one horror story which was the person go yellowing of the eyeballs (like he had jondus) and blurry vision. Glasses don't bother me and I only get annoyed when I have to play sports which I wear soft contact lens. I prefer plastic glasses frames over metal ones.
I got Wii Fit maybe like 2 weeks ago and have been on it 2 or 3 times only. It's not that fun to "play" to be honest but if you go on it daily for about 30 mins, I reckon it can definitely give you a good workout. Danny Mii looks kinda evil... hehehe.
Ikea Detolf costs $179 AUD here. http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/10119206
I just got one myself. Nice. Looks like it's cheaper there though.
Student and full-time otaku
So much to see in just one week, nice ^^. That's some server setup you have there btw.
About pay cards; everyone uses bank cards here to book directly from your account; they're also experimenting with chargeable cards for trains and buses, but the security got hacked so they're starting all over...
IT Student
Anything electronic can be hacked to be honest.
Fortunately the consequences of some acts deter people enough to be honest and spend the money such as being caught with a fake travel pass or an expired car safety check.
Otherwise I think most people would be content living off "free" stuff =P
Editor
http://cavalock.blogspot.com/
i thought of buying the Ikea display cabinets but decided not to. Instead i got one with a mirror panel at the back so it'll look like you got a ton of figures.
hah. i blogged bout the ultrasound glass cleaners too while i was in Shinjuku. Would also walk through this tunnel on my way to the station and there's this glasses shop that has them outside.
Software Engineer
http://www.neilduckett.com
On the way to West Exit from the Century Hyatt i'm guessing .... i know it well ... i stayed in the Hyatt for 10 months when i first moved here. Lucky for me, work paid. ;>)
Editor
http://cavalock.blogspot.com/
hah, close enough. its kieo plaza. ^;^
Editor
http://cavalock.blogspot.com/
thats where i usually stay when in tokyo.
IT Student
Great photos again, Danny!
And LMAO at the prowler pose! That's quite a spacious lab you got there for that tower of servers. Do you own it privately? It looks like you could do some photo shooting sessions in there!
Aibu Saki has a cheezy smile at the end of that clip. Very unnatural.
中学生
http://thezhukeeper.blogspot.com
Maybe Danny should have hang onto Soul Eater, is a good anime.
I see good food again ^^
Software Engineer
http://www.neilduckett.com
Cleans my specs no problem .... nice device to have for free.
Neet
http://moewing.wordpress.com/
Well in London there is this thing called Oyster card now.
What you do is you top say maybe 10 pounds and you scan it on buses, Tram, Trains, tube.
its alot cheaper than buying tickets
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/oysteronline/2732.aspx
When was the last time you went to London danny?
Advocado
eh...i've done lasik. seems that i'm one of the luckier ones then, it was really quite well done. after my vision stablised, i must say that the feeling i got has to be what one calls "freedom".
Advocado
i forgot to add, you can't use geass with glasses on... ^^
lasik was the only other option.
Full-Time Otaku!
http://otaku-gakuen.org
Here in my city, we have SitPass (weird name for english speakers XD)... with it, you can use to pay bus and restaurants.
Nice server that you guys have ^^
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
Japan looks like they really care for the people, even making barriers to reduce noise...
McDees ice-cream in Japan looks so nice, cheap too!
I've always wanted perfect vision... I hope Lasik laser surgeries improve in the future...
Your Mii that your wife made is really cute... Which reminds me, when is a post about Mrs Choo coming out? LOL just jk...
I like the Ikea lights in the office but I would have preferred something with more "Umph", maybe a disco ball or something... That would be cool... And weird...
USO Specialist
Here in Pindorama we use stones or seashells as money... just kidding, I use credit card most of the times. About Lasik lazer surgery, I did it years ago to get rid of my myopia. Actually it was the PRK procedure. It hurts like hell first two or three days after, but everything else was ok for me. I've heard that Lasik is less painful than PRK. By the way, very nice pics.
Jalop-er
"McDees getting bigger"
OMG, that's a Heart Attack on a Plate!
Dyslexic Social Studies student, struggling gundam modeler and gamer
Anime Ads on a train ^^ That's neat!
Spiral Warrior
http://www.perfectdesignsense.com/martinwandering
McDonald's food isn't the only thing getting bigger; quite a long post this week.
Here in Taibei there's an electronic payment pass called an Easycard which is used mainly for riding public transit. I've seen ads, though, for a credit card which also serves as your Easycard, and which you can use in the same way for gas as well as public transit.
Aside from that, though, cash remains the main form of economic exchange.
Hospital supply manager and Gundam pilot in training
Wow Danny!! Your Mii looks just like you!! lol I love those! It can be hilarious sometimes. When I was in Tokyo last week, I got a Suica card for 3,000Yen. It had an express train ticket too from Narita to Shinjuku, where my hotel was. I thought it was really cheap! And the card had 2,000 yen on it. I can't wait to go back!!
Student
"Poo in a bag". Haha. No but I know someone who took a pee in a bottle and threw it at another car. I wouldn't do either.
Design Student
http://wraith11.deviantart.com/
For some reason that freeway shot is making me want to watch The Matrix: Reloaded all over again...
They've just started phasing in electronic cards where I live. It's still not a popular system as they're having some pretty serious teething troubles. On the up side, those who bought one (like me) are getting lots of free bus rides when the system doesn't work.
Wannabe Web Developer
http://www.sakuafk.com
In Canada, detolf cost $69+tax -_- which is around 7500 yen. Cheaper in Japan I guess :D
A lot of server racks you have there O_O
~Undine~
http://bluebluewave.wordpress.com
We use debit and credit cards here a lot, cash is used mostly only for small purchases (although you can also use Proton for those, an in credit card chip for that that seems to operate a bit like Suica, you charge it up with a certain amout at bank terminals).
Horror stories about corrective eye surgery? Oh dear.
I'm currently considering having corrective eye surgery, I'm just so fed up with wearing lasses, plus my myopia is quite bad and the difference between both my eyes is very large, so it's very uncomfortable.
The people I know that have had it are very enthusiastic about it and quite happy with the results.
Manga-ka/Gunjin
http://www.production-ga.com
To answer your question Danny of how soul eater is doing. Its doing GREAT! I highly recommend that you watch it because its probably one of the good ones on TV right now.
Man oh man Danny, looking at those food pictures makes me really hungry now. I'll have to settle for smokey sausages . I wish cash is still king here. It bugs me when some places don't take cash at all their cash registers ie. Best Buy and Future Shop.
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
Damn thats tall ice cream. At the one I work at (wooo) they tell us to do 3 swirls and a tip. Thats ma-hu-sive.
And OMG at the size of that burger, its freakin' huge!! How big do the boxes have to be??!! We have no burger that tall in McDonalds in the UK. Not yet anyways. We're on the 4 american burgers month at the mo lol. They're lame.
Network Admin
We used Debit cards and Credit cards here for just about everything. I only carry cash if I'm going out drinking with friends. Splitting up a bill when everyone only has their card is a pain.
http://www.marvinryan.com
Hey Danny, I had Lasik surgery a few months ago. now my vision is 18/20. better than my original vision. although I did see halo around lights during the night in the first month, however it did go away. IMHO it was really worth it and would recommend it to you without a second thought. the doctor told me there have been a lot of updates to the process as well as upgraded hardware over the years, so you might want to check out.
btw always thought those sound barrier in Japan was really cool. btw speaking of throwing poo at noisy passing vehicles, in the Philippines I heard people riding trains would sometimes have folk living along the tracks throw pee and poo at them. ironic since the people living along the tracks are squatters and would illegally build their makeshift houses along the tracks.
another funny story related to this one, since I would see people living along the train tracks I didn't know that it was illegal to walk along one and got fined while was in Cambridge. ^^;
freelance
Nice danny seems like a busy day. Hmmm i forgot about Ikea should see if they sell those to place my figures in display case.
Nara
http://www.dearbreezestudio.com/route_1971/
ほんまいつも旨そうなものばっか食べてますよね。グルメだなぁ〜。
When do you eat only an appetizing thing? It is enviable! （ ＴДＴ）
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
毎日普通に食べていますよ^^;
Online Shop
http://wildarms.egloos.com
Lots of great pictures as always, nice stuffs~ That picture with Danny actually looks like he is gonna sabotage the servers ^^;
Flash/ Actionscript Developer
http://pimpinkris.com
hows the reading going???
I have those 2 books also, dont tell me how they end...im guessing the butler did it????
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
It was actually the naked maid.
Graphic Designer
http://ningin.com
Yep NY actually encourages people to do for green friendly reasons. If you buy 9 trips you get one free.
I miss Japanese food :(
medicine student & otaku
yeah i wanted to have my eyes lasered but i'm ok with glasses i mean i've never had a problem ONLY THE FACT THAT I CAN'T USE SHADES, SINCE MY EYES ARE SENSITIVE TO THE SUN, so i'm always wearing a cap
Student
Great pics as always, Danny!
And about Soul Eater, it's progressing quite nicely at the moment. Whilst it's not exactly ground-breaking, it's fast-paced and energetic and I really like the art style. The humour content isn't too bad either.
Also noticed an ad for Nabari no Ou (right next to the Soul Eater ad, actually). That show's pretty good too, although I find Soul Eater more entertaining.
Industrial Designer
http://neilvsgodzilla.blogspot.com/
As you know from your time in the UK debit can credit cards pretty much pay for everthing. Only carry cash for the bus, lunch, nights out drinking, and anything under £5.
I have heard New Zealand/Austrailia are very card orientated, like you can pay for taxis with a debit card which I have not seen before in the UK.
Student
http://gooddayforlemontea.blogspot.com/
I wear my glasses with pride. And not only because the girl i like says i look a lot more attractive when i wear them. Actually thats mostly why. (^_^);
As for chargeable cards, havent seen anything like it in use around here. Maybe because the transit system sucks in edmonton. Everybody rides their cars
IT-Architect, SysAdmin, WebDesign and Coding, Virtualization (VMware + NetApp)
http://www.milkdrop.de/
Orz, wrong pose Danny, you should have done the Mikuru Beam at the server! Do i spot hairy legs? XD
Nice article as always, can't get enough of Japan. :p
Gona keep it short today... just got home from Japan Day, deadly tired.
Oh and yea, TAMAYA!
Coder
don't like those rfid based cashing systems (like felica) at all. opens the floodgates to unwanted tracking, profiling and maybe even fraud.
it's very sad that so many gov'ts start to stuff those rfids into passports and force people to carry them around. with no serious protection against abuse. or at least severe penalties.
while i'm all for electronic payment systems, undetectable access to personal data, or even just the possibility of identification is something i'd rather avoid.
Otaku Security Guard
Well, laser surgery has become a lot less iffy, and it is no longer considered a experimental surgery. I kind of considered it when I thought I wanted to be a pilot but since I no longer want to be one, I'm too squeemish about my eyes to do anything like that. And here, most younger people barely carry around cash, just use the Interac system, where you can use your bank card to make all of your purchases from your account directly, and since most stores use it it is very convenient.
Animation
http://clockworkmachina.com
-OH MAN! I LOVE the megatamago from McDonald's!
-I got a Detolf for 59$USD, and it makes my nerdism more stopisticated.
-Those complimentary glass cleaners are awesome. I wish they had them here in the States....
Cook assistant
http://figuramania.blogspot.com/
Damnit! Urggg. SERVER. must-get-bucket.
*drools uncontrollably*
Nice news as usuall. I think my detolf was around 80€.
Bumped into Hectors book of a geek in japan, looked interesting, i'll check it out when i have more time. xD
Graphic Designer
I recently bought a Detolf at Ikea. Once I finished and put the figures in (I also bought the halogen light that goes above), I was amazed at how much more "sophisticated" the collection looks now (I put alot of my figures away, but I kept out the series sets I really like). It was about 59.99 I think here in Florida.
I was going to post a pic in the figure section, but even though I had a good amount of posts at figurefm, here I cant. I sent the email that you asked as well, danny :-(.
And man...that Egg Mc-burger looks freaking good...hey I'm hungry.
Manager
NeoEdo...are you the NeoEdo that I used to know?
Admin
I like the Ikea Detolf cabinets (71.65 USD or 7,762 Yen each) so much I went and bought 2 more over the weekend.
This time, I learnt my lessons:
(a) Got Ikea to deliver the 2 Detolfs. I had alot of trouble lugging my first Detolf home by myself, which weighs a hefty 45kg or 99lbs. I even sprained my wrist.
(b) Got the delivery guy to assemble the Detolfs, which costs me 7.25 USD or 784 Yen. The lesson is paying the experts to do their job, rather than rely on my newbie DIY skills.
(c) Got the delivery guy to also install a pair of Ikea Lack LED spotlights on each Detolf (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80124290). Lots of people go with the Non halogen lights (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30027404), but I went with the Lack lights because LED lights emit much less heat compared to halogen lights and it is flat and less bulky.
Gamer, the hardcore kind
http://even248.wordpress.com
That's funny. Just yesterday I was looking at a Detolf in the Ikea catalog. I think I'm gonna buy one the coming week, with lights. Will be a great way to display my precious Japanese idol photobooks ^^
Gamer, the hardcore kind
http://even248.wordpress.com
Oh, and one costs about 9,200 JPN here. It's not fair. We're so close to Sweden ;_;
hello
wow just looking at all that make's me what to go to tokyo evein more O(>.<)O maybe one day ill get to go i hope O(;=;)O but i did love all that i seen O(^.^)O
Mahasiswa yang terdampar di Singapura.
http://lolipedofin.wordpress.com/
Uguu... wanna go back to Tokyo again...
I see that they still employ unreasonable prices on their food... But that shelf (what is it again? detolf?) was cheap for something sold at Japan...
Student
Haven't had eye surgery "yet" but planning on having one when I get the extra money. I started using glasses when I was 20 years old and didn't get used to it so most of the time I use contacts. When I'm home I usually use glasses but when I go out I wear contacts. I really am not afraid of all the stories youre bound to hear about eye surgery because like with every other "news" you hear more often the bad ones than good ones so would guess the success rate of the surgery would be quite high, at least to the extent that your vision won't get worse.
Writer
http://www.studio-carpediem.weebly.com
When you said 'with frog on the side', before I looked at the pic, I almost thought you meant an actually frog.
The alternative is much cuter [:
Professionally Unemployed
Wait, what? You're married?
aerospace engineering student
My brother had laser surgery on his eyes a couple of years ago. The results were very good. :)
architect
most popular payment system is the credit card in France (call it carte bleue) probably because it's a french guy who invent the protection chip and the algorythm. start in the early 90's and now u can pay with it everywhere or drawn cash on automatic machine night and day. Banks try in 2000 a system like suica but never work (why using a card charged with 20 or 30€ when u have access to all the money in ur count with credit card)
super duper cool high school student
lolwut? What Saber head is that Danny? Is it from revoltech?
Aw Jeez, on a side note, I'm going to japan for the first time in less than a week! yay!
student, vexillologist
http://twitter.com/zscout370
When I am with my friends or work at my pizza shop, there are people who pay for an item less than 2 dollars with a credit card, even after pay day. Me and my shift manager friend, we always shake our head at those folks. I just use the card for emergencies and electronic shopping (e.g. eBay, Amazon, etc.).
Student
I seriously need to read/watch that Sgt. Frog manga/anime.
Those noise blockers look immense in size, we don't have such things over here where I live. Where I live, I mostly hear passing cars but I got used to the sound, but only in the day-time is when roads are busy.
You're 'Week in Tokyo' always makes my tummy humble... Such delicious foods you post!
Passmo sounds great and effective! I've never heard of it, sounds usefull.
I wouldn't put my baby in one of those bikes, seems a little dangerous, and plus I can be clumsy.
OH NOEZ! I still need to watch Soul Eater, heard its great! Aibu Saki is soo kawaii... and decent donuts I see.
Be careful with those Ikea lights, Danny- They might break in less than a week...
MS pilot
thx for the great updates!
Engineer
http://philabong.webs.com/
Hello everyone. Lately I've been visiting this site so ofter I though I might as well start an account. I'm planning on a trip to Japan in October (primarily to catch the Tokyo Game Show), and I noticed that Danny sure travels around a lot in the Tokyo area. My Japanese is pocket-book dictionary level. Will I be able to survive 1 and 1/2 weeks in Japan alone?
At least I won't get hungry, look at the size of that McDee's burger!
Fledgling repowriter
http://sn.im/sdr002
Electronic 'stored value' cards are not prevalent here in the U.S.A., but they are being used more frequently in mass transit systems.
They are not like PASMO because they are only valid on Chicago Transit Authority buses & trains, and suburban buses. These are 'flat-fare' authorities. Commuter trains (METRA), which are distance-based fares, do not participate.
I have a CTA Chicago Card (its name). The regular one: It requires that I pay cash to charge it. The Chicago Card Plus is tied to a credit card. It automatically adds to its value in an amount set by you once its value drops below a certain threshold set by you. For every $20.00 at one time you add to its value, you get a 10% bonus ($2.00). It is also the method by which you pay the least for your fare.
People are reticent to use stored-value cards here because of their fear that haxors will break into the computer which has their data.
I used to know John Paul DellaCamera, who still works on soccer telecasts. He had the laser procedure in 2002. He told me it helped him a lot.
I _have_ considered the procedure. I have a condition on my driver's license which mandates outside mirrors both left *and* right. The vision in my right eye is 20/100.
U.S. Navy
http://twitter.com/palm9x
I still love your your petite neoroids in the car - to cute.
Web Developer (i.e. Otaku)
http://www.brettb.com/TravelLog.Tokyo.asp
Most of London and SouthEast England is noisy because of planes going to/from Heathrow.
There is some talk of moving it to a man made island in the Thames estuary. I'm not sure it will ever happen though.
Lowly worker
http://metalsamamon.deviantart.com/
Good to see Keroro's still somewhat popular in Japan. I think that's awesome that they had him in front of that restaurant like that.
Web Surfer, 大学生 【だいがくせい】
http://aoiichiguin.blogspot.com/
what ever happen to the Cobra Anime??
Student
http://irregularbloggers.wordpress.com/
Thank your for the awesome site Danny!! I'm quickly becoming a fan of smoothlounge!
Don't worry, I too stay away from shrimp heads despite their nutritious values.
Civil Servant
http://kyokohunter.net/
If you have room for the Detolf, I'm jealous =P I'm just going to have to make do with glass shelves (as inspired by Danny). I'm also loving the Ninomiya-kun poster of Tsukimura-chan and Houjou-san in your office, and the magic server kung fu!
Enginner, Photographer
http://www.animetemuco.cl
Wow! The rack in Ur house???? Swwweet
Blogger
http://twitter.com/yonasu
Thanks for the link to SmoothLounge.com, I love lounge music but I didn't know of this site!
Your room looks so nice, I need the good lights you have. How often do you need to wipe your desk? Since it's glass it's bound to get dirty in a second.
teacher
http://www.21asianews.com
the food is very delicious looking,i like it ,there are many bikes in your city,great pic,i have more knowledge about japan now
Corporate IT management drone
A late response on the Wii Fit. I have one and I think it's been about one week since I last used it. I haven't given up on it, though. It's that I either haven't had the time or found the TV in use. I'm still hoping to use it much more regularly than I have been so far.
Jobless bum at the moment
http://www.drazenj.com
Depends what Ikea you go to
Delft/Pijnacker: 7,512 Yen
Amsterdam: 8,350 Yen
Student
Those kiddy seats look dangerous, i wouldn't put my kid/s on it
Student, I hate school. FML
my mom use to have double kid seats, like the one in picture when me and my sis was little in tokyo. I fall twin on front seats... rear are way the gooo.
Contract IT Technician
http://www.google.co.uk/
Yummy! Dell servers! Wish I had a few of those spare. :P
IT Expert / System, Network, Security Administrator
http://www.digitalanime.com.br
I can see clearly the HDD begin in up down direction. This is almost the worst position possible for a HDD. Building servers like that? Geez. Poor HDDs.
Hi Danny,
First of all just wanted to say I love the site, very informative and fun.
I used to live in Osaka so coming here for the photos and articles always takes me back to life in Japan.
In Canada electronic payment is very popular. Credit cards, direct payments with a bank card (it's called debit here) and even things like a pass card that you swipe at a terminal but don't have to sign any paperwork for (personally I would never get one of those). I even use a "speed pass" for buying gas from Esso.
Re: lazik - I had my eyes done almost 8 years ago and it was probably the best thing I ever did. You have to take care of your eyes for about two weeks with medicated drops and protective eyewear e.g. sunglasses (after the first week it's just using the drops) and you MIGHT have occurences of night glare or dry eyes. That being said I don't have any of those problems anymore and would recommend getting the procedure particularly the process where they create the flap using a laser, not the blade.