Planning Your Cycling Holiday in Japan
Japan is among the perfect destinations for a cycling holiday. Basing this purely from the fact that cycling is widely accepted in Japan as a mode of transport and a sport and as a sociable activity. Having a highly advanced transport system and this is basically attributed to the well-organized railway system which is efficient. This makes it easier for the people living in Japan to ride to the train station as opposed to using their cars. This reduces congestion and it is more attractive due to the flexibility of cycling. You can use any...
read moreSoon, coming near you! A robot that can run
Scientists at the University of Tokyo announced Sept. 1 that they have developed a bipedal robot that can run like a human. Led by Masatoshi Ishikawa, professor of systems informatics at the university’s Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, the team of engineers created the “Achilles” robot, which is capable of running at 4.2 kph, equivalent to the speed of a human jogging. However, Achilles’ legs measure only 14 centimeters long. If extended to 70 cm, the length of an average human leg, the...
read moreOnly in Japan! Boob groping for charity
According to the Japan Times: A group of Japanese porn actresses raised tens of thousands of dollars over the weekend by having their breasts squeezed by fans at a Boob Aid charity event held for AIDS prevention. The nine adult movie stars, sporting yellow T-shirts rolled up to reveal their breasts, flashed a big smile as the crowd approached them at the kickoff on Saturday. Having sprayed their hands with disinfectant, many were seen fondling the breasts quite discreetly. A man was seen issuing a Buddhist prayer before and after softly...
read moreThings to do this weekend in Tokyo Friday February 7th – Sunday February 11th
Abracadabra Fri Feb 7, 2014 Saloon Daikanyama’s Saloon welcomes Tokyo resident Englishman Max Essa for this intimate Friday-night bash, where he will be joined by house veteran Toshiyuki Goto. Details Open Fri Feb 7 Time doors 11pm Admission ¥1,500 (¥1,000 with flyer) Venue Saloon Address ZaHouse Bldg. B3F, 1-34-17 Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Transport Daikanyama Station (Tokyu Toyoko line); Nakameguro Station (Tokyu Toyoko line, Hibiya line); Ebisu Station Tokyo Grand Shopping Week Thu...
read moreThe next olympic sport? Synchronized walking, only in Japan
The video of a 47-year-old tradition at Japan’s Nippon Sports Science University went viral in November last year. ‘Shuudan koudou’, which means ‘Collective Action’, is a unique routine where a group of students put up an amazing display of synchronized walking. On November 14, 77 students performed before a crowd of 11,000 people at the university’s festivities. Their walking routine was similar to military movement exercises or synchronized marching band movements. But they were far more intricate and precise. Watch the video, and you’ll...
read moreGot hay fever? No fear, the new ‘Pollen Robo’ is here!
For several years, Weather forecaster Weathernews Inc. has deployed a special robot at this time of the year to help Japan’s hay fever sufferers better navigate the pollen season. The new Pollen Robo designed for this year will be capable of collecting data on not only pollen, but also on PM2.5 particulate matter and yellow sand that blows across the sea from China. The company is dispatching 1,000 units across the country. Hay fever sufferers will be able to access the information online in real time, allowing them to know where the levels...
read moreDog Castle – The Coolest Dog House in Japan
Japanese love their pets, but some take their love to a whole new level! Meet Nanami, a playful Japanese pooch can claim to be the only dog in the world to be living in a regular castle. Built as a small replica of Japan’s famous Matsumoto Castle, Nanami’s castle stands 2.5 meters tall and features three rooms. At the front is the main hall, where Nanami can just lay on his belly and watch out for the mailman, while at the back he has a sand-floor room, for cooling down during the hot summer days, and a rear room to hide in during...
read moreThings to do this week in Tokyo: Tuesday January 28th- Sunday February 2nd
of Montreal Tue Jan 28, 2014 Tsutaya O-West Funky indie rockers of Montreal (actually of Athens, Georgia) return to Japan after a five-year absence, during which time their style has gone through a number of mutations, most recently returning to a form of classic, straightforward rock with the 2013 ‘Lousy with Sylvianbriar’ album. Details Open Tue Jan 28 Time doors 6pm, show 7pm Admission Adv ¥5,000, same-day ¥5,500 URL shibuya-o.com/west/2014/01/20597 Venue Tsutaya O-West Address 2-3...
read moreWhere to stay: Check out the new “hotspot” for cheep accommodations in the newly renovated flophouse district
When Tokyoites think of Sanya, they traditionally think of poverty. The district in the eastern part of the Japanese capital, was long known for its clusters of cheap rooming houses for day laborers. These days, the area is attracting a different crowd: budget-conscious foreign tourists. Juyoh Hotel last summer set up a common room where guests can gaze at a Japanese-style garden. Located right in the heart of the city, Sanya makes a convenient jumping-off point for sightseeing. Hotels offering cheap yet modern accommodations are starting to...
read moreWhere to eat: Best yakitori in town
Where to get your tasty skewered chicken fix in Tokyo Best known as every Japanese oyaji’s favourite beer snack, the humble yakitori (grilled, skewered chicken) is most commonly consumed in noisy pubs, at simple roadside stalls, or at various open-air festivals taking place year-round all over the country. However, the gourmet value of this simple delicacy is also widely recognised, best evidenced by the existence of Michelin-starred yakitori restaurants in Tokyo. Below, we have selected 10 of the best places in the city for getting...
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