Monthly Archives: June 2011

Review: Films Set In Japan – Kagemusha (1980)

Posted on June 30, 2011 by tokyofox

This ‘films set in Japan’ series is principally about international movies but I have made an exception for this purely because it was executive produced by George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola. In reality they did nothing other than persuade … Continue reading →

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Review: Films Set In Japan – Wasabi (2001)

Posted on June 26, 2011 by tokyofox

Jean Reno, of Mission Impossible fame, (the French guy with a beard) is a Cop who comes to Japan after he finds out his ex-Japanese girlfriend has died. The will is read out and what do you know but he … Continue reading →

Posted in Films, Food & Drink, Review: Films Set In Japan | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

Posted on June 22, 2011 by tokyofox

Back in December of last year I was at one of my schools Christmas party’s (stick with me here as it is relevant!) playing ‘pass the parcel’ when my friend James started up just the first few bars from the … Continue reading →

Posted in English Teaching, Music | Tagged | 2 Comments

Review: Films Set In Japan – Black Rain (1989)

Posted on June 18, 2011 by tokyofox

This was directed by Ridley Scott (of ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Gladiator’ fame) and filmed mostly on location in Osaka but due to the typical amount of red tape involved in doing things in this country he got disillusioned with it … Continue reading →

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Justin Lee Collins – Turning Japanese

Posted on June 14, 2011 by tokyofox

In February this year Channel 5 in the UK had a short three-part series under the overly-used ‘Turning Japanese’ name. Back in 2007 ITV2 had Kelly Osbourne Turning Japanese and this one featured comedian Justin Lee Collins throwing himself deep … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Life, Quirky Japan, TV Shows | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Review: Films Set In Japan – The Last Samurai (2003)

Posted on June 10, 2011 by tokyofox

I gave this film a very short brief review back in 2006 with brief being the word! I only said it was better than expected but too long for my liking which I say for any film over two hours. … Continue reading →

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Kansai Filming Locations: 3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994)

Posted on June 6, 2011 by tokyofox

  Hikone brings the curtain down on my Golden Week trip to Kansai. At just under two hours away from Osaka, it is situated on the shores of Lake Biwa which is Japan’s largest freshwater lake. Hikone’s most famous historical site … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Filming Locations, Japan Travel, Movie Locations | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Kansai Trip 2011 Pt V: Osaka

Posted on June 3, 2011 by tokyofox

Japan’s second city was my base for the duration of my Golden Week trip but I actually spent very little time there apart from showering and sleeping in my three-star Shin-Osaka hotel. May 5th was Childrens Day in Japan so … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel | Tagged | 6 Comments

Kansai Trip 2011 Pt IV: Kobe

Posted on June 2, 2011 by tokyofox

When I left Kobe behind (after a short stop-off) at the end of 2005 I had a very low opinion of the place and thought it to be really boring. I realised this time that my mistake then had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel | Tagged | 4 Comments

Kansai Filming Locations: The Last Samurai (2003)

Posted on June 1, 2011 by tokyofox

Most of this 2003 epic was shot in New Zealand but there were still a few interesting scenes filmed in the Kansai region of Japan. 12 minutes into the film sees the appearance of Chion-in Temple in Kyoto albeit with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Filming Locations, Movie Locations | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments