It’s 20 Years To The Day Since My Travel Days Began But Are They Now Over?

Posted on February 9, 2021 by tokyofox

It’s now been exactly two decades since a British guy set off with just a backpack to his name on a journey that would make and shape him for many years thereafter. Many countries were ticked off in the wake of that but it was this date 20 years ago when it all began.

That person was of course me and the picture above shows a young me at Heathrow Airport (my dad’s choice of background!) about to head off on an around-the-world travel adventure for over a year. Other than a couple of solo trips to Continue reading →

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Foxed In The Head: Cycling To All Inari Shrines In Tokyo’s 23 Wards – #9 Meguro

Posted on February 7, 2021 by tokyofox

#9. Meguro

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 →

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Dining Out: Japan’s Smelliest & Stickiest Ramen?

Posted on February 4, 2021 by tokyofox

When it comes to ramen, there are many tastes and regional variations whether it be shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce), tonkotsu (pork bone broth) in Kyushu or miso ramen which is served up in Hokkaido. On top of that come the crazy novelty ones which include things like cheese, coffee, ice-cream, tequila, kiwi, ham, pizza, sake, pineapple and so on. The kind of things that the true ramen masters would most definitely turn their nose up at!

Back in the UK, the phrase “…is a bit Marmite” is a metaphor often used for very divisive food items or people that are something of an acquired taste. The Japanese equivalent to the sticky, dark brown paste with a distinctive, salty, powerful flavour (in terms of polarising opinion) is probably Continue reading →

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TF Top 10……Songs About Japan From The 1990s

Posted on February 1, 2021 by tokyofox

  

For many decades now, international artists have often felt the need to put pen to paper and write some lyrics about their Japanese experience, particularly visiting Tokyo. Most of the songs are far from being their greatest work but for Japanophiles they can offer an interesting insight into a culture which used to be a mystery to many people in the western world. Without further ado, here is the Tokyo Fox top ten……songs about Japan from the 1990s…

10. Tokyo Eye – Sonic Youth (1994) – It may have Tokyo in the title but Osaka and Kansai actually get referenced more in this song which features towards the rear end of the 1994 album ‘Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star’. The vocals don’t really do it for me but the ferocious guitar sound around the half-way point is a highlight.
Continue reading →

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Recreating McDonalds China’s Spam Oreo Burger (+ Matcha Beer, Green Tea Sandwiches & Jelly Drinks Which Look Like Sick Bags!)

Posted on January 29, 2021 by tokyofox

There have been all kinds of burger creations over the years from the fast-food chains but this not many have created such a buzz as this one.

It was only available as a limited release in selected McDonalds locations in China for one day on 21st December 2020, and most of them had gone by lunchtime as they proved to be incredibly popular. Sad at missing out on such burger science many Continue reading →

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Interesting Japanese Playground Structures #31 – Mushroom Park

Posted on January 25, 2021 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: Mushroom Park 

Location: Kasumigasekihigashi Continue reading →

Posted in Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

No Staff. No Scanning. It’s The A.I. Convenience Store In Tokyo

Posted on January 22, 2021 by tokyofox

Japan has something of a reputation overseas as being a technologically advanced country. It’s generally not true though as it still uses fax machines, has limited ATM hours, a reliance on paperwork, hanko stamps (rather than signatures) and cash is still very much king! Coronavirus has actually helped shift things a bit as people try to eliminate risk by not touching cash. That is very apparent at this station shop.

Every now and then something comes along which seems quite advanced and that was true when Takanawa Gateway Station opened in March last year to become the first new Yamanote Line station in nearly 50 years. Within a week or two this A.I. convenience store opened.

I can’t say I was ever too bothered about Continue reading →

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Reignite Your Passion For The Olympics At This Tokyo Museum (Before The Games Are Probably Cancelled!)

Posted on January 19, 2021 by tokyofox

 

If you think I’m writing about this museum before the Olympics get cancelled (and people consequently lose all interest in this place!) then you’re absolutely right! I’ve wanted to visit this place, located across from the New National Stadium, for a long time but only got round to going last week. I felt a little bad about Continue reading →

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TF Top 10……Films Set In Japan From The 1980s & 1990s

Posted on January 16, 2021 by tokyofox

 

These two decades saw the production of a few of my sentimental favourites when it comes to films “set” (but not necessarily filmed!) in Japan. Sadly, there’s no room in the list for ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles‘ (1993) or ‘Bushido Blade‘ (1981) but maybe the latter can feel it’s unfair as I have included a Japanese movie due to the fact that it featured a fairly brief appearance from a Hollywood star!

Hopefully, I’ve been fairly extensive and have reviewed every film set in Japan from that era but no doubt one or two have slipped my attention! Let me know! The tension is probably killing you so lets get started as we count down to the all-important number one at the bottom of this post…

10. The Toxic Avenger Part Continue reading →

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2 Trips To Izu In 3 Days! Yuzu Fruit Picking, Mountains, Parks, Lakes & Dog Walking!

Posted on January 13, 2021 by tokyofox

 

There’s nothing like a nice three-day break with your family in the Japanese countryside. However, due to negligence on my part I forgot to request the time off work until it was too late! Subsequently, I had to return to Tokyo for the Saturday in the middle of those three days which meant a lot of travel on my part as I refused to use the Shinkansen (bullet train) when it only saves a small fraction of time compared to doing it all by local trains.

My wife had gone the day before and I followed early the next morning as I had had work the night before. It was an early start and on arrival at my in-law’s house mid-morning I had little idea that I’d actually be doing work of sorts. However, my mother-in-law wanted me to Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Food & Drink, Japan Life, Japan Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments