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I will be there soon!
Gawd I love the white shirt girlies :D

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.

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!

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.

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.

SAC...now that'll be the day lol

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

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...

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

NYC is great but there are so many ghetto people around. Its really annoying at times.

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.

What the... those posters don't look anything like the Counterstrike I know! XD

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...

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.

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.

Fugu looks interesting.... Damn I'm hungry ^_^

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.

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.

Unfortunately, I'm not happy with the area I live in... not even the country...

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.

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.

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...

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???)

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.

1st you get SAFS then SAD(Dollfie), now SAC? I guess the next one would be SAA?(Suddenly Acquired Airplane)^^

I only live here because my school is nearby. Otherwise I hate this town. Hate it hate it hate it.

I prefer to live in the business district area XD
Danny + Fairlady Z = AWESOME!

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.

Hmmmnnnn.... By the time Danny gets a new car, the 370Z would have been out for a while.

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

seems like giyugaoka is the perfect place to spend your day offs~

^^ i like them white shirt girlies too~

WTF?!?! Since when Counter Strike become so otakuish? lol

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.

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...

hee, you want nizzan fairlady 350Z? that's a good pick, don't want to try the new 370Z out by next year?

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.

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.

I like how you managed to sneak in a JoJo reference LOL

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!

I got a good feeling that I should have a vacation the same as yours.

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).

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

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

I'll never understand why they forbid photography in supermarkets...

I pass through Jiyuugaoka on commute to school. Never caught my attention, so will definitely check out when I'm back from the Holidays

yummm crepes ^^;;;;;

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.

Next year. Me and my friend swear to go there to japan before she has to take her residency.

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

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.'

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

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 ^^

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.

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.

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.

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 !!!!

lol @ "black for a change"

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.

do u wear black inside as well?

I live in a nice area but i am just not happy here anymore

Nissan Fairlazy lol.

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.

Been stuck in a land locked town all my life, it'd be nice to get out of here into a bigger city

looks like a pleasant place to hang around..anyway, Merry Christmas ! :D

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.

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.

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!

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.

How do you take those middle of the train track shots??
I've always wondered.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

I want to taste the crepes Yum<I think>

im living in shinagawa but i think that the best to live is hiroo. nothing more to say.

Looks like a nice place to spend a day.

woooo yummy crepe! but I never eat one before ;_;

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.

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.

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.

I think girls in white shirt hold appeal because of the possibility of rain.

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.

Woot! I can add these into my itinerary since I'm here XD

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.

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?

That looks like I nice place. I would not mind living there.

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.

A! the touyoko sen that bridges yokohama and shibuya! two of my favorites! maji natsukashii! I must go to Japan this summer!

loled at za warudo