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! 

Caramel, Salt & Butter!

Finally! All three in one drink. Yes, really! The first thing everyone asks is "what does it taste like?" It tastes exactly like what it says. Very rich and creamy, almost too rich, all this and a very slimming 76kcals. Thanks Kirin! No really it is too much. You literally can only drink about half the serving. d

Seen in Tokyo 2

This sign, the front of a Pachinco Parlor, seen in Nippori, Tokyo's fabric center is a real rarity here in the city. I think typically people thing of Tokyo as a city with sweeping displays of undulating neon signage, glowing, popping, sizzling. However, typically signage in areas like Shibuya or Akihabara have switched from the more analog neon to the more digital video technology. The perfect imagery of flatscreen technology has changed the way the city looks, a smoother, colder, inaccessible city. Getting off the train in Nippori and seeing this older more analog type of signage really takes you back to what you thought Tokyo would look, and feel like. The neon hum and electrical smell of glowing glass tubes. d 

What I am eating.

OK, so I am almost at the 5 weeks mark and I really cannot bring myself to eat any more Japanese food. I know that many people, especially the Japanese will tell you that Japan is a foodie nation. But in my humble opinion, most of the food is bland with no real flavor, vaguely fishy and has a weird texture that makes it hard to eat. Yes the sushi is great! But now, 5 weeks later I find myself walking through some of the most beautiful food markets, not able to find anything I WANT to eat. So I am now down to eating breakfast here at the Bureau and then living off Choco-cro (see picture). Yes, each trip to Japan has its fascinations and this year it is Choco-cro. A croissant wrapped chocolate bar, baked and served warm. It really is great, especially when you cannot eat one more fishy, cold bowls of soba. 

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. 

I'd be stupid not to try it!

With that famous Bart Simpson line running through my mind, I knew I had to buy this toothpaste as soon as I noticed that it uses "Nano-Technology." Light mint flavor, low-foaming formula, very mild really. It must be the thousands of tiny robots in my mouth, brushing away at tarter that makes the real difference!

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.

Your new best friend...

It seems to me that the Japanese are always looking for more, a deeper meaning, another use. Just in time comes PRETZ! Everything here is in flux, changing and transforming so why shouldn't that box of pretzels you just bought also become a new friend, pet, stowaway? Yes, the picture tells the whole story, once you buy Pretz, he becomes your new companion, just hook him on and go! At least until you eat all the pretzels and throw him away. In reality, it doesn't work as well as it should and you end up getting annoyed and just throwing the box away. Im sure in the US there would be some kind of group trying to get people to adopt homeless PRETZs. UPDATE: Here is a link to a Pretz commercial on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liCKLkLUfUk