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 

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

Team Tokyo Bowling

Went bowling at the Shinagawa Prince hotel two nights ago to "unwind" from all the pressures of teaching. It is basically the same experience that you might have in the US, but you are shown on a large video screen above your alley while you "bowl" the ball so that everyone else can see your style, then your score is shown and finally the best score you can hope to receive in this game. So every time you get up to bowl, you are reminded that you cannot make a perfect 300. Everything is calculated and represent back to you. Just when you think that you can pay for your bowling and slink out, the cashier hands you a detailed print out of you score, pins hit, playtimes, etc. (see picture). You can see here just what a bad bowler I am! But the mapping person inside me loves getting this back as evidence. = 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. 

Yes...

...its true, even here in tokyo you cannot get away from the Shamwow guy. Japan is crazy about dieting and you can sit through hours of telemarketing/infomercials about the latest diet aid. A Design Festa staff member was telling us how all the guys in Harajuku are on these crazy diets because they all want to be able to wear the tightest jeans. Other products featured, a seaweed facial, and hair tonic. Also, I love the crazy commercial where a japanese guy is chased through the city by a giant toenail fungus. On a lighter note, I haven't seen Billy Mayes yet. 

Design Festa Opening

The UF in Tokyo, Design Festa opening was last night from 5-8pm! We had a fantastci turn out, the work looked great and everyone had a wonderful time. The work looks really good in the gallery space and I think that everyone had an interesting new view of Tokyo and Japan. And of course, for the group photo the obligatory "heart" and "peace" signs were given by all! -d