When You Buy A Japanese Men's Fashion Magazine...

It comes bundled with a free A Bathing Ape watch.

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

The Cutest Commercial Actress...

Is Japanese, of coarse!

 

 

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つきじ

Tsukiji fish market will be moving to a new location next year. The world's largest fish market will get 40% larger. Hopefully it will have the same character as the current location.

Here's a few pics my sister took when we visited this past Spring.

 

 

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Charmed

Here are a couple of the charms I picked up in Tokyo. They came from machines, called "Gachapon". They're super popular, and almost everyone has one dangling from their phone.

My favorite J-Pop group, Perfume.

A character from the immensely popular manga, One-Piece, which I just started reading.

Some character from a recent Mario 3DS game.

Yup. That's my face 3D printed on Godzilla.

And a train charm. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to read it.

 

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Why Japan's Tech Industry Is Failing

For decades, Japan has been the global leader in consumer electronics. Want to know what the next hot gadget is? Just take a look at what the Japanese are throwing out.
Or at least that's how it used to be.
Today, the most important gadget is the smart phone. And while Japan has been on the bleeding edge of phone features for years, they are not ahead of the game here. Apple and Google, American companies, are leading the way. Sure, the components are made overseas, many of them designed by Japanese companies, but most of their contributions are internal. The logo on the back is of a bitten piece of fruit.
The reason Japan's tech companies are beginning to falter (and this is just speculation for speculation's sake) is because they lost their 'Cool'. Sony used to be a powerful name. It stood for quality, craftsmanship, and prestige. They were also cool as hell. The WalkMan was as much a fashion statement as it was a portable music device. But with the advent of cheaper knock-offs and price wars, Sony has lost a lot of it's caché.
While Japanese companies may lead the way in feature sets, oddly enough, that isn't always what consumers are looking for. People want devices that will impress their friends, or at least will blend in with them. In the phone space, this means iPhones and Androids. When an iPhone sells, it only bears Apple's name, and does nothing for Japanese tech companies' brands. While Android phones are adorned by names like Sony and Samsung, people still refer to them as 'Android phones'.
It's a question of branding, or lack of it.

I'll Need A Proper Viewing Angle...

For Ikebana!

I've looked up Ikebana clubs in Chicago, but I think they're all for Japanese housewives.

What about the sexy ladies?

Look What I Found!

It's the wrestling show I attended in Tokyo!
I can't believe I stumbled upon this.
Here's my favorite match.


04. Sasuke, Shinzaki & Kong vs Yapper Man #1, #2... by SenorLARIATO

Far East Snacks

One of the most exciting/scary things about visiting Japan was taking a chance on packaged snacks. Here's a couple of snacks I just picked up from Mitsuwa market. Let's have a taste test.

First up is "Toppo". Clear bitter? We're not off to a good start.

Nice gold packaging.

Opening instructions. YOU DON'T KNOW MY LIFE!

They look like thin cinnamon sticks.

Tastes like Pocky. Danbo approves. 

Next up is "Every Burger". Why do I do this to myself.

Not useful.

2 Packages.

What did I expect? 

Tastes like charred Pocky. Do not want.

Danbo can eat mine.

Shrimp Burger from Mitsuwa Market

 

A Visitor...

A package. Cool!

Wow! Sure has come a long way.

Wait a sec... is that...

It's Danbo!

And he brought me a bottle of Pocari Sweat. How did he know?

Looks a little jet-lagged. I know the feeling.

See ya later, Danbo!

My New Favorite Phone is 3 Years Old

The Panasonic P-07A.
Waterproof. 8 Megapixel Camera. Totally flippy.
Sadly, not available here.