Version 2.0 - Tokyo is coming soon. Please excuse the construction and let me know if you have any problems.

Earth Angel - Tokyo

Sunday, June 21, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Don't Let the Door Hit You On the Way Out

Friday, June 19, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (2)

Beyond Relaxing at Work - Tokyo, Japan

Friday, June 19, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (1)

Common Type of Menu in Japan

Friday, June 19, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)



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These places are nice with a group because they have something for almost everyone. For those wanting a liquid dinner they usually have a nice liquor selection. With pictures on an ad like this you are almost guaranteed to have a menu with pretty pictures too.

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Creative Pizzeria Ad - Tokyo

Friday, June 19, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

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A 1,050 Yen Lunch - Tokyo

Friday, June 19, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

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Tokyo - Peter Rabbit Flowers

Friday, June 19, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Visiting Japan III - See Two Movies

Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Japan is a wild mix of the traditional and the ultra new always at odds with each other. I recommend "The Last Samurai," http://twurl.nl/5bd3ha for the traditional view and "Lost in Translation," http://twurl.nl/2rumk4 for the modern view.

As they were both major blockbusters I won't summarize them here. The transformation Tom Cruise goes through in "Samurai," from an arrogant Westerner coming to understand Japan and its mindset is fascinating. "Samurai," was shot in Sho-sha-zan Engyo-ji Temple in Himeji-city, Chion-in temple in Kyoto, and the general Kyoto area.

Bill Murray is arrogant as well but befuddled by his life and culture shock. "Lost" catches the decadence and sadness of a wealthy foreigner trying to find his way. I like the scene where he is on set for a commercial and the Japanese director speaks for several minutes. Murray says, "What was all that?" The translator says something like, "More focus." Murray stayed at The Park Hyatt Tokyo http://twurl.nl/0jikh3 which has great views of Tokyo and beautiful rooms. I am saving up to buy a drink at this exquisite hotel bar.

Your Japanese Travel Guide,
-Zackary

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Liquor Shop Vending Machine - Tokyo

Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

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In case you are out for a walk and need a fix it is easy to get. Walking down the street with an open container of alcohol is legal.

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Capsule Hotel Near My Home in Tokyo

Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Tokyo Vending Machine

Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

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On the right hand side is corn soup in a container. I've never tried it but my friend Carl likes it. The next item is a cold latte by Boss which is a popular company here. For your trivia their current spokesperson is Tommy Lee Jones. Next is my good companion everywhere I have been in the world, Mr. Coca Cola. The last item is a type of sports drink which I find to be undrinkable. One recent estimate I read suggested there are 5.6 million vending machine in Japan.

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Chanel Display Window - Tokyo

Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (1)

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Walking out of Shinjuku Station I saw this display and wanted a good picture. The hard part was that several hundred people walked by and kept getting in the picture. Between a large pillar, the crowd and a women passing out fliers behind me I was happy to get a decent shot.

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Fasion Ad in Tokyo - Japanese English

Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)



Alta is the Mecca for every women who are in the forefront of fashion in dress. To be what I am, to enjoy my own style makes it happy everyday. Re-find yourself in this new season!

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Tokyo Subway - No Talking On Your Phone

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

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In Nagoya where I used to live the trains were sometimes so quiet in the morning you could almost hear a pin drop. In Tokyo the trains are more lively than that but most people don't talk on their cellphones.

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Visiting Japan II - Payment

Sunday, June 14, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

People in Japan often pay for things with good old fashioned cash. Places such as foreign hotels, tourist spots, and the airports take credit cards. If you visit Tokyo there are more places to use your cards. In smaller areas there may not be any places. My experience is that you can't use your debit card. I've never tried at the airport, it might be possible there.

Banks in Japan are a world unto themselves and a general mystery to Westerners. The only bank with ATMs you will recognize are from Citigroup. Using your foreign ATM card at any other banks ATM will not work. In fact if you have a Japanese debit card you can only use it at your own bank. In convenience stores you will find a variety of ATMs. Some of these may allow you to use your credit card. My recommendation is that you get the yen you need for your travels at the airport. Just don't carry all your money together in one place. Japan has a low crime rate but even here there are pickpockets.

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The Streets of Tokyo

Sunday, June 14, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

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A large crowd like this is common on the Streets of Tokyo. There are still some quiet streets like the one I live on. If you hate crowds Tokyo is not your best choice. I choose this title because of the TV show, "The Street of SF," which I used to watch. Thanks to my friend Ron for repeating this slogan so I never forget it.

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Visiting Japan * I * Cell Phones (Keitai)

Sunday, June 14, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (1)

This is the first installment in my new series designed to make visiting Japan less confusing. If you have any questions please add a comment to this post or contact me at MindofZ@gmail.com

International cell phones work in much of Europe, the United States, England, etc. Most of these phones don't work on the Japanese network. You should call your cell provider to make sure of this. You can buy a temporary phone and purchase minutes if you want to. (I hear a jail broken i-Phone works great with a different SIM card but you didn't hear that from me.)

I would still recommend that you bring your cell phone. Camera phones are great for taking pictures of station stops so that you can find them later. Many phones allow you to take notes and that is great for writing down transit information and how to find places.

Your Japanese Guide
--Zackary

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Where I Live, Map Included

Sunday, June 14, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Welcome my Friends.

I lived for almost two years in Nagoya, Japan. Recently, I moved to Tokyo and live in Shinjuku. All of my contract information is the same except of course my physical address.


Peace,
--Zackary

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Tokyo Tower

Friday, June 12, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

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Tokyo Tower to my surprise was in a rather unattractive looking area. There were of course several dozen power lines and other obstructions. I was trilled to get a picture as clean as this one.

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An Umbrella in the Summer

Thursday, June 11, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

In parts of Japan summer is not hot as much as it is brutal. Temperatures reach into the nineties and the humidity can be 80% or more. Most (public) schools don't have air conditioning and are closed for parts of July and all of August.

Many stores sell smaller umbrellas like the woman above is using to block the sun. People also ride their bicycles holding an umbrella. Is this at all safe? It's not especially when people text on their phones too. Foreigners are just as apt to do this as the Japanese.
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Mitsukoshi Department Store, Nagoya Japan

Thursday, June 11, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)



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This store is absolutely huge and many people mention it as a place to meet. I enjoy looking around inside but never found anything that was affordable.


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Water Boot

Thursday, June 11, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Waves and Sky

Thursday, June 11, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

There is something magical about watching the waves and the sky together. For me I think it a sense that time stands still and yet it doesn't. (I used to say, "And time marches on without us." My poetry teacher in college forbid me to use that expression.)
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Fragment No. 5 (Tokyo, Japan)

Sunday, June 07, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)





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Red Slide (Tokyo, Japan)

Saturday, June 06, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

2nd Day in Tokyo

Saturday, June 06, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Hello my Friends. How are you?

I've been relaxed today as I set up stuff in my new pad here in Tokyo and listen to the rain. When I want to take pictures the rain makes me angry but relaxing at home it is wonderful. Tomorrow I will venture out again to find the grocery, a good 100 yen stores and other important things. Tonight I am going to enjoy some more writing and then watch the latest Bond film online again.

Peace & Love,
--Zackary

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Actually I Am Not Leaving Japan Afterall

Wednesday, June 03, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (5)

"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." -John Lennon

My life seems to change by the moment these days. As I was trying to drag myself to the travel agency without much luck I got a new job offer. This offer was too good to turn down so I said yes. Thus, I will be moving to Tokyo and working as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) again at one public junior high school. I am very excited about living in Tokyo again and being able to stay in Japan.

A big thank you goes out to my parents for being incredibly supportive during this process. I love them more than I can ever express. Thank you also to all of you that posted comments and wished me a good journey home.

Soon I must pack up the computer so this will be my last post from Nagoya.

Peace and Love,

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The Story of Chu-ken Hachiko (Tokyo, Japan)

Tuesday, June 02, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Hachiko the living dog was born in 1932 and belonged to a professor named Eisaburo Uyeno. They were great friends and Hachiko always followed him to the train in the morning and waited for him there at night.

In 1952 Professor Uyeno went to work with Hachiko as usual but got sick and died before he could return to his faithful friend. Hachiko continued to return to the station each and every day for the next ten years until he died. Many people noticed how he returned every day and he became a hero in Japan.

The popular Japanese artist Ando Teru created this sculpture in 1948. It was destroyed in the war and re-built after.

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Looking for Chu-ken Hachiko (The Faithful Dog, in Tokyo)

Monday, June 01, 2009 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

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A few months ago in Tokyo I was supposed to meet Doug (Bloglue), a new friend from Twitter in Shibuya by Hachiko the Dog. I got to the area early walked by the Dog and started taking pictures and videos. It may be hard to believe that I got lost during this process. Okay, maybe not so hard to believe! Anyway, I was in a silly mood and started asking people where the Dog was. People would look puzzled and would then say, "On the dog." Before long I ran into two friends laughing and having a good time. I repeated my question about the Dog and they pointed the way. Then one of them being silly walked that way pulling on my sleeve. I laughed with them and took a few pictures while being led along. If you have a good sense of humor Japan can be a wonderful place.

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