Category Archives: Quirky Japan

A Big Buddha, A Capsule Hotel, A Strange Shop Name & The Sendai Hub Trilogy

Posted on August 9, 2018 by tokyofox

My first day up in northern Japan began with a slightly unfinished kannon statue in Soma and similarly the next day also started with a statue by way of a big buddha. Not only that but it was a similar … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Soma Hyakkushaku Kannon Is Still Waiting To Be Finished

Posted on August 3, 2018 by tokyofox

Here comes another big statue-type post! I really should come up with some kind of generic introduction to tack on to the beginning of these kinds of posts. As for this one, it’s up in Sōma which is a city located … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Interesting Japanese Playground Structures #14 – Ladybird Slide

Posted on July 31, 2018 by tokyofox

Many of the parks and children’s playgrounds in Japan, particularly in Tokyo, are quite poor compared to other countries in terms of space, surroundings and a lack of grass. However, a handful of them do tend to possess extremely creative structures … Continue reading →

Posted in Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

TF Guide To Toy Hunting In Tokyo

Posted on July 28, 2018 by tokyofox

Ever since my three year old nephew discovered last year that I have a cupboard full of boxes containing Star Wars toys (and a few other things), he has wanted to come round a bit more often to play with … Continue reading →

Posted in Quirky Japan, Star Wars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

On The Fox Trail……At A Tokyo Hedgehog Cafe!

Posted on July 25, 2018 by tokyofox

   When it comes to taking my wife out somewhere it’s usually a pretty easy choice and generally revolves around animals. I’m beginning to run out of places now having finally ticked hedgehog cafe off the list of places to … Continue reading →

Posted in Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Tokyo Daytripper: Hakone-yumoto

Posted on July 9, 2018 by tokyofox

Hakone in Kanagawa is arguably one of the most popular day trip destinations for Tokyoites wanting to get out of the city for a brief fix of nature and/or hot springs. I’ve been to Hakone three times though all of … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel, Quirky Japan, Star Wars, Tokyo Daytripper: | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tokyo Daytripper: Before And After Ome

Posted on July 3, 2018 by tokyofox

Tokyo may be one of the smallest prefectures in Japan yet it does have some far flung places. The Izu and Ogasawara Islands are obviously the most extreme ones as they extend as far as 1,850 kilometres south of central Tokyo. By contrast, … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel, Quirky Japan, Tokyo Daytripper: | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

On The Fox Trail……At Tokyo’s Most Hidden Shrine!

Posted on June 24, 2018 by tokyofox

About four years ago I was talking to an older student about strange and interesting shrines in and around Tokyo and he mentioned that there was a kind of secret shrine in Akihabara somewhere but I completely forgot about it … Continue reading →

Posted in Cycling, Leicester City, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Unstaffed Stations of Japan #2 – Funamachi

Posted on June 14, 2018 by tokyofox

Think of train stations in Japan and the mighty Shinjuku station is sure to come to mind for many people. That is the world’s busiest train station, and Japan monopolises the top 50 list with only five of them not … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

A Giant Maneki-Neko Watches Over This Japanese City

Posted on June 8, 2018 by tokyofox

The maneki-neko is a Japanese figurine often seen in or at the entrance of shops, restaurants, pachinko parlours, and other such businesses with the idea that it’s believed to bring good luck to the owner. They are often fairly small and usually made … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments