Discovering Some Local Delights During Tokyo’s “Soft” Lockdown

Posted on June 29, 2020 by tokyofox

Japan’s “soft” lockdown began in early April and was more commonly referred to as a State of Emergency. It continued till the end of May and I was off from work for most of that time. Although it may have been a break from my job it certainly wasn’t a proper holiday due to the restrictions on what we could do and where we could go. The highlights mentioned below were all brief and though they took my mind off things for a while, it was actually a fairly stressful time regarding the threat of coronavirus and my work situation.

Whilst I’d love to say I used the time wisely to read, study or learn new skills, the first couple of weeks was pretty much spent being a couch potato and watching TV series, films and YouTube whilst eating and drinking too much! As the weight soon piled on it became apparent that things needed to change and so daily walks in our neighbourhood became the way of life.

  

As a resident of Itabashi ward, there aren’t too many interesting places around so it was quite surprising to notice these Continue reading →

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Interesting Japanese Playground Structures #26 – Panda Toilet Block

Posted on June 26, 2020 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: Panda Toilet Block

Location: Continue reading →

Posted in Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Puppy Love: A Big Welcome To Our Little Addition To The Family!

Posted on June 23, 2020 by tokyofox

2020 has brought about big changes for so many people but even before Covid-19 reared it’s ugly head, our lives had altered due to the arrival of a new little puppy.

Our cream-coloured Chihuahua was born in mid-October last year and we got him in early Continue reading →

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Review: Films Set In Japan – Blood On The Sun (1945)

Posted on June 20, 2020 by tokyofox

No pre-conceptions, judgement on merit and a positive attitude are three traits for reviewing films and so I followed that philosophy as I sat down to watch this old black and white film about exposing the Japanese government’s plan for world domination. Well I’d like to say that was the case but it’s no lie that I wasn’t too excited about having to watch this as I find it difficult to get into such old movies.

 

This film may have been produced in 1945 but the story actually begins in 1929 with an alleged Japanese conspiracy against the U.S. in the pre-war period. It’s all based on a fictional history behind the Tanaka Memorial document; a Japanese plan to Continue reading →

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Foxed In The Head: Cycling To All Inari Shrines In Tokyo’s 23 Wards – #1 Itabashi

Posted on June 17, 2020 by tokyofox

#1. Itabashi

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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TF Flashback: When The Ireland Rugby Team Played In Tokyo For The First Time (2005)

Posted on June 14, 2020 by tokyofox

Last year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan saw the hosts become the first Asian team to qualify for the knock-out rounds. After an expected opening win against Russia they then produced the shock of Shizuoka as they stunned Ireland. Samoa were brushed aside and then it was the big decider against Scotland on a typhoon weekend when a few other games had already been cancelled. Japan ran riot to make it to the quarter finals with a blistering-paced 30 minute period as the tries rained down in Yokohama.

Both England and Wales were supposed to be coming to these shores for a couple of friendly games each this Summer but Covid-19 put paid to that idea. The Japanese RFU have managed to lure one of the home nations to Tokyo (plus one other Japanese city) each Summer for a number of years now and my first taste of it was back on 19th June 2005.

Ireland were the visitors who had already Continue reading →

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TF Top 10……Alternative Big Buddha Statues In Japan

Posted on June 11, 2020 by tokyofox

When it comes to buddha statues, the bigger the better in my opinion. This list isn’t completely size-obsessed though as many of them are also notable for their quirkiness. Everyone knows about the famous ones in Kamakura and Nara but this post includes a compilation of alternative and unique ones so join Tokyo Fox on a journey that starts in the north of Japan and heads south taking in some of the most interesting buddha statues I’ve visited so far.

  • Please note that the height for each one (if known) is given in metres and does not include pedestals

1. The Arty One (13.5 metres) – Once upon a time this buddha just sat in a field on its own but world-renowned architect Tadao Ando built a hill covered with lavender bushes around it. Only after passing through this tunnel can you finally look up to see the buddha statue in its full glory.

 

Hill of The Buddha, Minami-ku, Sapporo. More details here

2. The Roadside One (15 metres) – A cable Continue reading →

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3 Hour Return Journey On My New Bicycle To Find The Mystery Drink Dispensing Vending Machine!

Posted on June 8, 2020 by tokyofox

Meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time can be a memorable occasion and the journey there can be a nervy one for many. When it happened to me eight years ago though, my mind was perhaps over-consumed by the sight of a mystery drink called Mr. X which I had never seen before. There was a reason for that.

 

My girlfriend (now my wife) pointed out that it wasn’t actually the name of the drink but just meant that Continue reading →

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Tokyo Filming Locations #19 – Tokyo Pop (1988)

Posted on June 5, 2020 by tokyofox

When director Fran Rubel Kuzui made ‘Tokyo Pop’ (1988) it was very much the height of the bubble era for the economy in Japan. It is a delightfully fluffy kitsch piece of ’80s nostalgia with a certain simple charm. Production took place at multiple locations around the capital city naturally beginning (on screen!) at Narita Airport as Wendy (Carrie Hamilton) arrives in Japan from New York.

There is the obligatory scene from Yasukuni Dori in Shinjuku as Wendy tries to get a taxi back to the Mickey House Hostel in Kami-Itabashi which has long gone. Having met Hiro (Yutaka Tadokoro a.k.a. Diamond Yukai) and his bandmates at an outdoor ramen stall, they end up in a love hotel but don’t actually sleep together.

N.B. The time codes given are approximate. 

The following morning starts (27 minutes in) with Kappabashi’s landmark; the large statue of a moustached, chef hat-wearing man on top of the Niimi Western Tableware Shop (1-1-1 Matsugaya, Taito-ku) between Ueno and Asakusa.

 

The scenes in Yoyogi Park on the half hour mark really are of their time as there’s a flea market, punk dancers, cosplayers and live musicians. Sure, such things can still be seen today but Continue reading →

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Tokyo Daytripper: Top 10 Ibaraki Sights

Posted on June 2, 2020 by tokyofox

After the three surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama, the next closest one to Tokyo is Ibaraki and at just 45 minutes away by train from Tokyo, it’s main city Tsukuba is actually much closer than many people think. This list contains both famous and some alternative “sights” you may not have heard of. The prefecture possesses a few of Japan’s biggest things. Here, in no particular order, are the TF Top 10……Ibaraki sights.

1. Ushiku Daibutsu – The world’s third tallest statue has no religious or historical meaning but was simply built to be in the Guinness Book of Records. It’s an impressive sight at 120 metres tall (including its 10 metre base). More details here

2. Hitachi Seaside Park – Splendid hillside of Continue reading →

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