Author Archives: tokyofox

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About tokyofox

A Leicester City fan teaching English in Japan

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

Posted on June 10, 2011 by tokyofox

Back in 2006 I gave this film a very short brief review 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 →

Posted in Films, Review: Films Set In Japan | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

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

Kansai Trip 2011 Pt III: Himeji

Posted on May 25, 2011 by tokyofox

The second full-day of my trip saw me go west to Himeji which is famous for its castle. At the moment its not too much to look at though and nor will it be for for the next five years … Continue reading →

Posted in Films, James Bond, Japan Filming Locations, Japan Travel, Movie Locations | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Kansai Trip 2011 Pt II: Kyoto

Posted on May 22, 2011 by tokyofox

I spent two of my days on this trip in Kyoto with the majority of the places having some movie relevance but there were a few other ones which didn’t feature in any Hollywood production. It is often said that while Tokyo is … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel | 9 Comments

Kyoto Filming Locations: Memoirs Of A Geisha (2005)

Posted on May 19, 2011 by tokyofox

The majority of ‘Memoirs of a Geisha‘ (2005) was made in the USA but director Rob Marshall did feel it necessary to bring the production to Japan to open up the movie and feel like they were in some very … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Filming Locations, Japan Travel, Movie Locations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Kansai Trip 2011 Pt I: Fushimi-Inari Taisha

Posted on May 16, 2011 by tokyofox

I’d never heard of this shrine until a few months ago and so this became my first port of call on my fourth trip to Kyoto. After a long sleepless night on the bus from Tokyo to Osaka, followed by … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Filming Locations, Japan Travel, Leicester City | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

A New Addition To The Family #3 – George

Posted on May 13, 2011 by tokyofox

Welcome to the family! I’m an uncle again as George Smedley was born at 5.45am on April the 30th. Congratulations to Stuart and my sister Lorna on their first child.    

Posted in Family | 2 Comments