WiFi with that Set?

A couple interesting notes on fast food in Japan. At McDonalds you will always be greeted with "Good Morning," or "Good Afternoon." Never in the typical Japanese greeting. You will always be asked if the food is "To Go" at any fast food place, and a "Combo," sandwich, fries and drink are called a "set." It really lends a more retail experience to the whole fast food thing. I mean you buy a set of earrings, glasses, dishes. You don't typically think of buying a set of food. Is it just me? So the photo is a really cool McDonalds in Kyoto, you can slide into your own little cubby with electrical outlet and wifi. Free wifi is still the norm in Japan even though it has almost completely vanished from the US. Oh yeah and a big crossed arms for leaving a tip... never leave a tip! 

Westerners are Molesters

One thing I learned while spending 5 weeks in Tokyo is that the japanese are great at casting that critical eye upon others, but not upon themselves. The photo above is from a poster in the Kyoto train station and it very obvious shows that when Japanese men get out of control they cause shame by doing stupid stuff like holding their arms out. But you'll notice that the westerner, the cheesy guy with blonde/red hair wearing the gold chain cannot help but to molest Japanese women. Hey baby! heh heh! Its kinda funny, but I did notice that when Japanese people encounter you unexpectedly, there is a sense of surprise or shock? I'm sure they think that all westerners are crazy and violent and out of control and posters like this one help to further that fear.

Note: So guys, I am home and exhausted and fighting jetlag. I have a couple more posts I want to make about japan, but it is good to be home and have a few days before I start teaching in summer B. 

Seen in Tokyo 3

The image on the left was taken last year and I was thrilled to see that this year they had kept the tradition. Two hand-drawn signs in the window of a very small local bar 2 blocks from the Shinagawa Station. Last years image (left) beckons you into the bar with promises of bikini clad women begging you to take a beer! This years version is a little more more discrete? Maybe she is holding an ice cold beer for you. You'll just have to come in and find out. d 

Seen in Tokyo

This poster seen on the JR lines has the headline, "Wait until you get home." Apparently a plea to users of the Yamanote Line to wait until they get behind closed doors before freaking out on their cell phones? You really have to ride the trains here in Japan to understand just how unusual it is to really hear anyone talking. You never hear cell phones ringing and on the streets no car horns. Everything is fairly quiet for one of the largest cities in the world. On Saturdays and Sundays you do notice a faint rumble of excitement and of course after 10pm anything goes. But still it is amazing that there is a sense that people need to be told to keep quiet. d

Eye Chart Ad

About three people on the trip have purchased eye glasses while here in Tokyo. Apparently you can buy really nice frames, get an eye exam and have the lenses made quickly and cheaply. The poster above is for a department store called LaForet in Harajuku. It uses the Japanese eye exam chart. Apparently you tell the doctor which way the opening is pointing by pointing up, down, left or right with your finger. That way you don't have to speak Japanese to get a quick and concise eye exam. 

All information will be displayed in engrish!

A couple observations about Japan, trains and paying to ride. Last year I had a Suica card with about $3 left on it and I took the card home with me as a souvenir. This year I brought the card back, completely expecting to be told the card was invalid or at least knowing that the balance had expired. But.... noooo! In typical japanese fashion, the card still worked-the value still safely tucked away and ready to use. This year one of the other group members hipped me to the "My Suica" button that you see when you recharge the balance. He had a japanese friend help him personalize the card with his name in kanji. The next time I was near a Suica machine with a few minutes to kill I tried the "My Suica" option in ENGLISH, and yes I was able to personalize my card, even in english. You can also print out a receipt that documents ALL the fairs paid and the trips taken. I've noticed that you see a lot more Suica logos and locations this year, and that the other train card "PASMO" seems to be fading. Another big advantage, you can now use the Suica card on all trains, not just JR lines! Bye, bye Pasmo.

Palm Pilot

With the power of Google maps and a brand new iPod Touch I still had to resort to just writing down the main stops and transfer points on all the trips for easy navigation. Try wrangling 15 people through the maze that is Tokyo and you'll understand why using something like an iPod and google maps becomes problematic. The different trips are: 1. Tsukiji Fish Market, 2. Tokyo Tower, 3. Tokyo Mid-Town Towers (Art Directors Show), 4. Tokyo Big-Site (Design Festa Show).