Day Trip To Numazu

Posted on December 11, 2017 by tokyofox

Numazu is at the northern end of the Izu Peninsula on the opposite side to Atami and a place that I went to back in November whilst staying with my parents in law for a couple of nights. My wife was otherwise Continue reading →

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Cosplaying at Tokyo ComicCon 2017

Posted on December 8, 2017 by tokyofox

 

This year was the first time I wasn’t sure what costume to wear and indeed I actually took a couple with me (Jawa and X-Wing pilot) but ended up sticking to just one as the whole process of getting Continue reading →

Posted in Quirky Japan, Star Wars | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Tokyo ComicCon 2017

Posted on December 5, 2017 by tokyofox

 

Now in its second proper year, this convention returned to Japan for an extended three full days this year with the promise of a bigger event featuring a lot more Continue reading →

Posted in Star Wars, TV Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A Temple Statue In Monzennakacho That Speaks To You!

Posted on December 3, 2017 by tokyofox

 

On the face of it, Hojo-in Temple seems like a fairly nondescript run-of-the-mill temple but there is an interesting feature lying within the place which is just a five minute walk from Monzen-Nakacho station on the Tozai Line or the Toei Oedo Line.

Inside one of the buildings sits a fearful (but slightly comical!) red-faced Enma Daio (a.k.a. King Yama) who is the Judge of the Underworld. He is supposedly the first Continue reading →

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On the Trail of John Rain (雨) Part XI – Tokyo

Posted on November 30, 2017 by tokyofox

In 2014 Barry Eisler penned a prequel book called ‘Graveyard Of Memories‘ which took us back to the Tokyo city of 1972 and the ninth John Rain novel ‘Zero Sum’ throws forward a decade to 1982. I’m not sure if Rain will return to modern day action again but for now there’s plenty of milage to be gained from dipping into his past.

 

The latest book was released at the end of June this year but I thought that it was Continue reading →

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Japan’s 3rd Largest Buddha Statue Is Actually In Tokyo!

Posted on November 27, 2017 by tokyofox

When it comes to buddha statues, the ones in Kamakura and Nara are the most likely to be at the forefront of most peoples minds (and rightly so!) but there is an impressive one tucked away far from a station in the northern suburbs of Tokyo.

 

Despite the accolade of being the third largest bronze buddha in Japan, the not-so-originally named Tokyo Daibutsu doesn’t seem to feature in any guide books and is very much off the beaten track. It can be found at Continue reading →

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Tokyo Modern Architecture #3

Posted on November 24, 2017 by tokyofox

For all its good points, Tokyo ain’t half one ugly looking city with buildings pretty much erected (and pulled down) willy nilly without any thought to the environment around it. However, amid all the chaos of such a concrete jungle there are a fair few examples of modern architecture which I am ever keen to photograph. Now, I am certainly no expert on such a topic but have enjoyed going around capturing the interesting and weird designs of some of these buildings.

Earlier this year I posted ‘Tokyo Modern Architecture #2‘ as a long-waited follow up to the original ‘Tokyo Modern Architecture‘ post in July 2012. There are 20 buildings featured in those two posts and here, in no particular order, is the next volume of interesting looking Japanese buildings including the addresses:

1. Rissho Kosei-kai Headquarters, 2-11-1 Wada, Suginami-ku.

2. Dai 2 Ridō Building, 3-15 Sumiyoshicho, Shinjuku-ku.  Continue reading →

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One Of The Most Dense Temples In Japan!

Posted on November 21, 2017 by tokyofox

 

The Japanese have many customs and traditions when it comes to visiting shrines or temples and this one in Gunma prefecture helps Continue reading →

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Interesting Japanese Playground Structures #8 – Red Boot Play Park

Posted on November 18, 2017 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 and they will be explored in this series.

Nickname: Red Boot (& White Horses) 

Location: Continue reading →

Posted in Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Dining Out: Jihanki Shokudo (Vending Machine Restaurant)

Posted on November 15, 2017 by tokyofox

No doubt Gunma prefecture possesses a wide range of great and tasty local delicacies but sadly all I wanted to do was go to this quirky place in the middle of nowhere. I say that last bit based purely on the fact that there is no train station anywhere near it. This is very much a drive-thru style place but one that is worth the effort.

 

The vending machine stand in Shimbashi had whetted my appetite for going to this place but I had to bide my time as the idea of visiting Gunma just to dine out here was ridiculous. Thankfully, this trip gave me the chance to combine a few things including the J2 football match at Thespakusatsu Gunma.

We took the train to Honjo station (still in Saitama) and then took a bus from Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Drink, Japan Travel, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments