TF Top……Singles & Albums Of 2006

Posted on December 19, 2006 by tokyofox

Singles:

1. The Automatic – Monster:  Monster by name monster by reputation. Not just the song of the Summer.

2. Mary J Blige & U2 – One:  Not #1 but a fantastic cover of an all-time classic.

3. Kasabian – Empire:  Great fist-pumping stomper of a tune from Leicesters finest.

4. Embrace – Natures Law:  Best thing they’ve done for a long time.

5. The Strokes – Juicebox:  Return to form for their 1st single from their 3rd album

The rest: The Magic Numbers – Take A Chance, Muse – Starlight, Arctic Monkeys – When The Sun Goes Down, Primal Scream – Country Girl, My Chemical Romance – Welcome To The Black Parade, Gnarls Barkley – Crazy, Sergio Mendes/Black Eyed Peas – Mas Que Nada, Razorlight – In The Morning, The Kooks – Ooh La, The Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldier, The Fratellis – Chelsea Dagger, Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars, Shakira – Hips Don’t Lie, The Streets – Never Went To Church, Lostprophets – Rooftops, The Feeling – Never Be Lonely, Orson – Bright Idea, Jamelia – Something About You

Albums:

1. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium

3. Kasabian – Empire

4. Muse – Black Holes And Revelations

5. Keane – Under The Iron Sea

6. James Dean Bradfield – The Great Western

7. The Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldiers

8. The Strokes – First Impressions Of Earth

9. Razorlight – Razorlight

10. Lostprophets – Liberation Transmission

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

Christmas In Japan

Posted on December 16, 2006 by tokyofox

Time for my inevitable ‘Christmas in Japan’ blog entry. The idea of Christmas hadn’t even entered my head when I saw a plastic tree at work towards the end of November which I subsequently helped decorate. Far far too early to be doing such a thing in my opinion but as its for a business and not at home it was a little more acceptable given that most other places were already caked in Christmas decorations.

Next up was the company party last Saturday night which was two hours of free booze and food for us teachers at a British bar filled with over 100 students from a small handfull of local schools. Very cramped it was indeed but nevertheless enjoyable and also nice to see a few of my students and ex-students in a non-classroom situation.

P1020638 P1020639 P1000663 P1000673 P1000683 P1000678

Despite having only been to the very same place about six weeks ago I couldn’t find it for ages so I arrived 10 minutes late which is my possible lame excuse (needed to ‘make up’ those 10 mins as it was all-you-can-drink) for getting so drunk that I couldn’t even read the words in karaoke later. My resulting actions were to take the ‘I think I’ll just lie down here for a moment’ option. I finally woke up at about 6am and left with a couple of others once we’d paid the somewhat excessive bill. I could have stayed in a hotel for the night at the same price!!

As for Christmas in Japan, I still find the idea of it a little strange as the 25th is just a regular working day with no fuss and bother being made about anything by the majority of people. Maybe thats not so strange in itself but what is is the fact that the build up is hyped up to the full with the decorations and songs being wheeled out year after year. This will be my fourth Christmas away from home and the third in Asia though given the huge difference in climate between Vietnam/Cambodia and Japan I guess it will be like when I spent the ‘main’ day on the beach in the sun in Perth in Australia five years ago. That to me probably felt more different to me than the two in Japan as warm weather just does not feel like a true Christmas to me.

My Christmas message comes courtesy of Bart Simpson – “Aren’t we forgeting the true meaning of Christmas? You know, the birth of Santa.” 
Posted in Japan Life | 2 Comments

Tobacco & Salt Museum

Posted on December 11, 2006 by tokyofox

I don’t like smoking and I have never even tried it and I’m not just saying that because I know my parents will read this! Its a fact. I stopped adding salt to my food long ago so with that in mind it may be surprising that I paid a visit to the Tobacco & Salt Museum in Shibuya yesterday afternoon.

This is one of those quirky little museums found in Tokyo though it wasn’t quite on a par with the Parasite Museum in Meguro which I have visited twice for some reason. That museum had some of the most disgusting exhitbits such as elephantitis photos and a 30 foot long tapeworm. I kid you not!

In contrast, yesterdays visit was far more tame but I was curious about how such dull subject matter would be exhibited. The 100 yen (about 50 pence) entry provided me with an English pamphlet as the information was predominantly in Japanese which I didn’t really mind as I feel more obliged to read everything when it’s in English and then it usually fails to lodge in my brain anyway. Besides who really cares so much about the history and production of these two products! The collection of cigarette packets from around the world however was quite interesting as were some of the traditional ukiyo-e picture cards.

IMG_1863

Another thing that I hate is tequila as the first time I had it (thanks to the ‘Terrorvision‘ song ‘Tequila‘ which was out around New Years Eve 1998) I was sick in my sleep (nothing to do with the countless other drinks I had then of course!) so wasn’t I the lucky one to discover that there was an ‘extra’ temporary ‘Viva Tequila’ exhibition on a different floor!!

Posted in Japan Travel, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Elvis Lives On In Tokyo!

Posted on December 10, 2006 by tokyofox

I have shown photos before of the Elvis dancers who congregate in Yoyogi Park every Sunday but thats not the only Elvis-related thing in Tokyo as there is actually a museum dedicated to the icon. Hidden away on a side street from Harajuku’s Takeshita Dori (street) is the Rock & Roll Museum which I visited today.

 

This is basically one floor of Elvis memorabillia with the downstairs containing a load of merchandise including quite a bit of stuff from glam rockers Kiss. Apart from the odd song by these artists (namely Crazy nights, Suspicious Minds and Can’t help falling in love) I certainly wouldn’t say I am a fan but I was impressed by the look of the place from the outside which features an Elvis statue.

Posted in Music, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Japan Football Museum

Posted on December 8, 2006 by tokyofox

What are your memories of the 2002 World Cup Finals held jointly in Korea and Japan? Beckham’s penalty winner against the Argies? Ronaldinho lobbing Seaman from 40 yards? Senegal beating the holders France in the opening game? The Koreans riding their luck to reach the semis? Oliver Kahn almost single handedly taking a poor german side to the final or Rivaldos cheating antics?!

At the start of 2006 I visited the Seoul World Cup Stadium and its museum in Korea and last month I went to the Japan Football Museum in Ochanomizu where, I did what no Englishman has done since Bobby Moore in 1966. I lifted the World Cup….or at least I would have done had the fake trophy not been stuck to the trophy stand which Brazilian captain Cafu stood on when he lifted the trophy aloft in the 2002 final.

I was captivated by this World cup as I was just back from my world travels and jobless so could watch everything. This tournament further heightened my intent in coming to the land of the rising sun. Its just a shame that I took so long to get my ar*e into gear and get out here once I’d decided that I wanted to see Japan.

untitled

Anyway, this nice museum devotes most of its space to those 2002 finals and includes many exhibits and photos including Damien Duff’s Irish shirt and Inamoto’s Japan shirt. Obviously the museum caters predominantly to the Japanese displaying the history of football in the country and also featuring a reproduction of the national teams changing rooms in 2002. The highlight of this place though has to be the ‘Mega Vision’ TV which was like being at the game as you had a panoramic view across the the giant screen enabling you to see the whole pitch from one camera angle. A view that the directors never use with the television coverage.

Posted in Japan Life, Sport | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

“Everybody’s Going For Those Kinky Boots, Kinky Boots”

Posted on December 3, 2006 by tokyofox

I have recently talked a few times about the changing colours of maple leaves and the Japanese fascination with it. Not something I ever took any notice of back in England but I guess I took that kind of thing for granted whereas in this metropolis green spaces are very few and far between.

However, I believe the best thing about this season in Japan is not this change but the one concerning Japanese girls changing from summer sandals to boots. Come the 1st of September a few pairs appear and by the time we enter mid-October they are being worn by almost the entire female population. While the strappy summer sandal things worn can only really enhance the more cute and young girls these sexy calf-length specimens can make the more average girls more appealing.

untitled  

These creations come in a range of styles, colours and sizes and are widespread through nearly all ages of Japanese girls. Elsewhere, girls who wear these boots may occasionally be thought of, perhaps unfairly, by some people as being ‘easy’ or whatever but I don’t think people here are even aware of such negative connections as they just wear them to be cute, warm, fashionable and because everyone wears them. Whatever the reason it doesn’t really matter in my eyes just as long as the tradition continues!!

Posted in Hentai | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Dining Out: Catch Of The Day!

Posted on November 23, 2006 by tokyofox

Had a day off on Wednesday so my girlfriend and I went for a quick wander around Shinjuku Gyoen (garden) which features three garden types: England, France and Japan itself. However it was still a bit too early to see a big change in Autumn leave colours with only a small percentage being yellow and red and the remainder still red.

After that we went to a fish restaurant on the west side which is set out like a ship with the surrounding waters being full of fish. You can catch the various fish and have them cooked for you at a slightly cheaper price than those who can’t be bothered to go rod in hand and dip their tackle in to see what bites!

BBC Four Japan Season  BBC Four Japan Season  BBC Four Japan Season          

The only time I have ever been fishing was in Nelson in New Zealand where I caught one straight away and then instantly quit while I was ahead. This time was a little different though and not just because I wasn’t actually at sea. It won’t surprise some of you to know that I was trying to catch the cheapest of fish but inevitably and inadvertently ended up attracting the most expensive one available. We had part of it fried and the rest given in sashimi style and very nice it was too.

Posted in Food & Drink | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Three Year Japanniversary

Posted on November 20, 2006 by tokyofox

* Wed 19th Nov 2003 – Left England

* Thurs 20th Nov 2003 – Arrived in Japan

* Sat 22nd Nov 2003 – England beat the Aussies to win the Rugby World Cup

Can it really be three years since the above events happened? Its not so long but it sure seems like it! When I met up with some other N*va recruits at Heathrow I had no real idea what lay ahead as I had never taught anything and didn’t know too much about Japan either. Arriving late at night I was driven to my new home in Matsudo (which was in the middle of nowhere as far as i was concerned back then) in the pouring rain and must have wondered what I was letting myself in for. The following day was just about settling in and trying to navigate my way around the area and working out the train system to go a few stops away to apply for the ‘alien’ card which all foreigners have to carry in Japan. The kind of thing I take for granted now but at the time it wasn’t so simple.

The day after that was the ‘must-see’ Rugby World Cup Final for England against our sporting rivals from Australia. I saw a magazine advert for the game being screened at an Irish bar so I made my way down to Roppongi to ‘Paddy Foleys’ where I witnessed one of the great moments in English sporting history when Jonny Wilkinson slotted the winner in the dying seconds of extra-time.

How things have changed since then!! England’s rugby team has been on the slide ever since and it feels like I have been here for ages but there are certainly enough times when it is not such plain sailing which keeps me on my toes and still makes it an interesting experience to live in Tokyo.

Posted in Japan Life, Sport | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

A Shrine Time At Meiji Jingu

Posted on November 19, 2006 by tokyofox

As I was in the vicinity and at a bit of a loose end I decided to go to the Meiji-jingu Shrine last week which was one of the first touristy spots that I visited when I first arrived in Japan at the end of 2003.

Tokyo’s biggest and most sacred shrine is a nice, quiet and peaceful place just a stones throw away from lively Harajuku. To say I’m not too strong on religious things like temples and shrines is probably an understatement but this shrine is interesting for the grounds that surround it. The cypress tree-lined path from the main entrance provided a pleasant leisurely stroll to the shrine itself.

Meiji Shrine 017 Meiji Shrine 020 Meiji Shrine 011 Meiji Shrine 007

There were a few young girls wearing special ceremonial kimono being taken there by their parents for their Shichi-go-san (literally translates as “seven, five, three”). I’m not sure if this is why they were there but i’ve heard these three ages are very important in a child’s life and that a shrine visit around this time of year marks the growth of their children…or something like that!

Meiji Shrine 027 Meiji Shrine 002 Meiji Shrine 022 Meiji Shrine 016
Posted in Japan Life | Tagged | 8 Comments

Dining Out: Yokohama Ramen Museum

Posted on November 14, 2006 by tokyofox

Some of you may have noticed a lot of food related entries here lately with most of them involving ramen which is kind of the unofficial national dish here living in the shadows of sushi. For those who still don’t know, ramen originally came from China and is noodle soup consisting of noodles, sauce, broth and toppings which have created endless variations. I can’t really tell the difference but food is an important part of Japanese culture and they can supposedly taste such minimal differences.

With my latest interest in this dish we stopped off in Yokohama on the way back from the previously blogged Kamakura trip. This city on the outskirts of Tokyo played host to the 2002 World Cup final but on the menu for us on Sunday night was a trip to the Ramen museum which isn’t so much a museum as we know it but a food court set in a 1950s style Tokyo serving ramen dishes from different places around Japan.

An entry charge of 300 yen (about £1.50) took us inside where we could see the history of ramen noodles in Japan and some rather dull displays on the noodles, soups, toppings and bowls used as well as how the noodles are made.

Once downstairs from there we started with a very tasty Kyushu ramen dish sampler called Komurasaki and followed it up with Hachiya from Hokkaido before my stomach started doing cartwheels! That however didn’t stop me from picking up some chocolate ramen from the gift shop on the way out which i have just tried. Not as disgusting as it may sound but nothing too special either.

Posted in Food & Drink | Tagged | 5 Comments