Monthly Archives: October 2021

The Former Hospital Which Is Shaped Like A Monster

The vast majority of buildings in Japan are actually very dull and nondescript but that means that some of the more-intriguing, modern architectural structures really stand out. This place, located in a very quiet part of Shizuoka Prefecture, is one … Continue reading

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The Outdoor Hot Spring Baths In Izu With An Access Point More Like A Bond Villain’s Lair!

Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture is a famed hot-spot for onsen (hot spring baths) and every time I`ve been to the area I`ve been asked by students if I had a hot spring bath. More times than not the answer … Continue reading

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Sitting Amongst The S-Pulse Faithful In Shimizu But Quietly Supporting The Opposition!

  The J-League match day experience in the Covid_19 era just hasn’t been the same for me. Although fans were allowed back once football returned in July last year, there were a new set of measures and protocols such as … Continue reading

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Back To The Future Movie Costumes & Goods Galore At Tokyo’s Hottest Toy Shop

  October 21st is an important date for Back To The Future fans as it was the date that Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) travelled to the past and set in motion a whole host of other events across various … Continue reading

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Tokyo Daytripper: A Spiritual Cave, A Picturesque Garden, A Tall Goddess Statue, Botanical Gardens & A Tumbling Doll Temple

Gunma is the prefecture I have enjoyed exploring the most in recent years. I still haven`t been to it`s most famous sight (Kusatsu Onsen) but have enjoyed looking around lesser attractions in the area. Back in late July I headed up … Continue reading

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Foxed In The Head: Cycling To All Inari Shrines In Tokyo’s 23 Wards – #16 Suginami

#16. Suginami Cycling may be something that I love to do but I’m not really one who goes for a ride without some kind of aim whether it be to a restaurant, a sight or just my workplace. With that … Continue reading

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Tokyo Daytripper: Going Underground To See Tokyo Metropolitan`s Giant Drain

One of the most interesting sights I saw in Turkey in 2011 was the underground Basilica Cistern (below) which featured in the second James Bond film `From Russia With Love` (1963). I often forget about this place as my trip to … Continue reading

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The Worst August Holiday Ever!

In terms of weather, the mid-August Obon holiday this year was the worst one I`ve ever experienced. In a way it wasn`t so bad that I only had six days off this time as it rained on five of those … Continue reading

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Another Mystery Drink Dispensing Vending Machine But This Time It Was Much Closer To Home!

About a month after my previous three hour return cycle ride to the Mr. X vending machine in Ota Ward I discovered that there was a much, much closer mystery drink dispensing machine.    This one is only a few … Continue reading

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Free Pop-Up 007 Exhibition In Tokyo To Accompany The Release Of `No Time To Die`

After a few delays the 25th Eon-produced James Bond film finally hit cinemas in Japan on Friday 1st October which was something of a surprise as it was only a few days after the worldwide premiere in London. The Japanese … Continue reading

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