Tokyo Daytripper: The “Other” Big Buddha In Kanagawa Prefecture

Posted on February 25, 2022 by tokyofox

When it comes to big buddha statues in Tokyo’s neighbouring prefecture Kanagawa, the majority of people will quite naturally think of the Great Buddha in Kamakura but there is actually another one about 14 kilometres east of that which is closer to the capital city.

When it comes to large and interesting buddhas I am usually prepared to travel fairly long distances for them but this was one much closer to home and believe it or not I had no idea of its existence until I saw a friend post something about it on Facebook a year or two ago. I immediately Continue reading →

Posted in Action & Adventure, Japan Travel, Tokyo Daytripper: | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Station With A Great Sea-View In Yamaguchi Prefecture

Posted on February 22, 2022 by tokyofox

There’s something alluring and slightly fairytale-like about a train travelling along a coastline next to the ocean and, as an island country, Japan has a fair few stations which are located beside the seaside. Many years ago I read an article about stations with sea-views in Japan and I remember Continue reading →

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

Foxed In The Head: Cycling To All Inari Shrines In Tokyo’s 23 Wards – #20 Minato

Posted on February 19, 2022 by tokyofox

#20. Minato

Cycling may be something that I love to do but I’m not really one who goes for a ride without some kind of aim whether it be to a restaurant, a sight or just my workplace. With that in mind, and desperate to get out on my new bike, I decided to cycle round ALL the Inari Shrines in Tokyo taking each of the 23 wards one at a time.

Inspired by recent interest in tiny shrines, this idea seemed like a good way of Continue reading →

Posted in Cycling | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Kansai Filming Locations: G.I. Joe: Snake Eyes (2021)

Posted on February 16, 2022 by tokyofox

If it hadn’t been for the latest G.I. Joe film being set in Japan, it’s fair to say that I probably wouldn’t have ever seen it. As it was, I ended up quite enjoying it as I went into the film without any preconceptions due to my non-existent knowledge of the character, his history and his background.

Anyone who read my ‘4 Castles in 4 Different Prefectures in 24 hours‘ post will be aware that I messed up as the day I went to Kishiwada Castle was a Monday, and in Japan this is the most common day for public places in the service industry to be closed. As the closest station was soon approaching when I discovered this, I had a quick decision to make so decided to Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Filming Locations, Movie Locations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

What Does This Japanese House Remind You Of?

Posted on February 13, 2022 by tokyofox

Many people are no doubt surprised that I make a fair bit of effort to visit private parts places in an era where one can see so much naked imagery so freely online but it’s not quite the same is it! These are unique sights which I can’t imagine too many other countries having in such plentiful supply.

Of course the majority of them are Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Alphabet Dating In Japan With My Wife Who Was Completely Unaware Of The Task At Hand! (S01E01: A-E)

Posted on February 10, 2022 by tokyofox

 

When I heard this idea on the radio a few years ago I thought it might be something that I could try as a way of motivating myself to go to some places with my wife that I’m usually not too interested in. I did think of suggesting it to her and then taking it in turns to come up with things to do for each letter but I thought she would dismiss it as a silly idea straight away so decided to keep it secret.

The rules are quite simple. Do something for each letter going in alphabetical order. It would be quite easy to do an A-Z of dining out experiences so I decided that should be limited to Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Food & Drink | Tagged , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Cycling Round The Yamanote Line In The Opposite Direction To 12 Years Ago!

Posted on February 7, 2022 by tokyofox

Within a year or two of completing our initial circuit of the Yamanote Line in 2009, my friend Michael mentioned doing the cycle ride again but in reverse! I immediately dismissed that idea and forgot about it for many, many years but when Takanawa Gateway opened in 2019 to become the 30th station on the line, I began to think about maybe doing it again. That idea was heightened by Continue reading →

Posted in Cycling | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

This Sex Museum North Of Tokyo Is Even Open To Elementary Children!

Posted on February 4, 2022 by tokyofox

 

At the end of my last post on Gunma in October last year I said there were some other places I wanted to see just north of Takasaki. Naturally, they were all b-grade sights and I went to check them out at the start of this year. Continue reading →

Posted in Hentai, Japan Travel, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

This Surely Has To Be Japan’s Cheapest Drinks Vending Machine!

Posted on February 1, 2022 by tokyofox

Japan is famed for it’s many, many vending machines. There are all manner of interesting ones but fact is that the vast majority of them are just drinks machines with prices generally ranging from 80-210 yen depending on which drink you purchase. I always thought the mystery Mr. X machines in Tokyo offered some of the country’s cheapest options but how wrong I was as there are some in another major city which sell them for a mere fraction of that price.

In a very unremarkable warehouse area of Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Drink, Japan Travel, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Interesting Japanese Playground Structures #37 – Demon Head Slide

Posted on January 28, 2022 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: Demon Head Slide

Location: Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Travel, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments