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 in this country. However, at the other end of the scale are some tiny stations which are usually unstaffed and used by very few commuters.
Station: Mochida
Prefecture: Continue reading
The scores are level in the showpiece rugby final with just thirty seconds remaining. The scrum-half throws the ball back to the fly-half who drops for glory in dramatic late fashion. The ball sails between the posts and the fans of that player’s team celebrate wildly as victory is sealed. The full time whistle blows just moments later and one of the greatest moments in English rugby is born.
You’d be forgiven for thinking I was talking about Johnny Wilkinson slotting it for England against Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final but I am actually referring to the 2022 Premiership rugby final in England where Leicester Tigers defeated Saracens. The player behind that magical moment was the one and only Freddie Burns.
Before that defining moment in his career, he had played in Japan during Continue reading
The Great Buddha of Kamakura is no doubt the biggest, best and most famous statue in the Greater Tokyo area which incorporates the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa. Tokyo Daibutsu is a far less famous Buddha statue in the north of Tokyo but that hidden gem was included in a previous post about the best alternative big Buddha statues in Japan back in June 2020. This compilation post focuses on any sizable statue of note in Tokyo metropolis such as Buddha, Kannon and Jizo. They are listed in no particular order and are all worth seeing if you’re into such a thing.
1. Yatsu Continue reading
Back in the late noughties I was a regular attendee at the various festivals taking place in Yoyogi Park and can remember going to ones relating to the likes of Vietnam, India, Jamaica, Thailand, Brazil and Gay Pride. However, it’s been well over a decade since I went to one. That changed on St. Patrick’s Day last weekend though when we went to Continue reading
For over a decade Tokyo Fox has focused on the modern architecture of Tokyo with a long-running ten part series featuring over 100 interesting-looking buildings. During that time I have also taken photos of some unique structures outside of the capital city but had no place to showcase them until now. This is Volume 5 which includes some weird and wonderful buildings in the Shizuoka region. Continue reading
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: Octopus Park
Location: Tako Continue reading
Regular readers of Tokyo Fox will be aware that I love football, Star Wars, and unique toilets and restaurants so imagine how excited I was when I discovered a place catering for all of those things. Not only that but it was located right under my nose!
Despite countless trips to go and watch Kashiwa Reysol over the years I have never been to this restaurant located within a stones throw of the stadium. To be fair, it is a very Continue reading
After our short but eventful time in Myanmar we moved on to Bangkok in Thailand where things couldn’t have got off to a more un-cultured start! We met up with my friend Mostyn mid-afternoon and, after a spot of late-lunch, the plan was for Mostyn and I to go and see a famous tourist attraction but in the end we plumped for the Continue reading
There’s been a lot of hype in Japan recently about the 2023 film release which has been nominated for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards which take place on March 10th in Hollywood.
Starring Koji Yakusho and directed by Wim Wenders, the film is called ‘Perfect Days‘ and is admittedly one that I had never heard of until it was reviewed on the ‘Kermode & Mayo’s Take‘ podcast last week. I immediately looked up where I could watch it and was surprised to discover that it was already at my disposal so my wife and I Continue reading
The New Year was just around the corner by the time we finally went to Izu for our winter holiday. That was due to having a number of guests in Tokyo over the Christmas holiday as well as work, sickness and the need for some rest on my wife’s part. The trip didn’t get off to the best start though as when we arrived the electric wasn’t working at all. Luckily, a few calls later and the use of some candles helped us through those first few hours. In this day and age of modern technology everywhere it was a gentle reminder of Continue reading
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