what do you see?

We went to Hakone on Monday, and stayed a night there. I'll write another log with lots of stuff about this, but I'm in a hurry now...look out for more soon and pics on the other site of course!

PS - also new pics in "Japanese English", "Japan Life" and "Phil and Christine" albums today

Sorry about the last entry - pretty pointless really! I have lots of pics of people from last night, although I don't want to put them all on-line without their knowledge.



We went to one of out favourite places in Tokyo again today - Koishikawa Kora Kuen which is a very old Japanese garden in the middle of the city (next to Tokyo dome). Plum blossom has just started so lots of opportunities for pics. A lot of people there today, especially small knots of retired-women marvelling at the blossoms. I'm adding a new album to the pics site...

Another "Happy 7" day at Haagen Dazs - 7 scoops for 500 yen (this happens every time the date has a seven in it!).

Just got back from bowling with people from work (teachers and staff)...I don't know what else to say...!

Forgot to mention this - we saw it advertised on a TV informercial recently, and then saw the product itself in Tokyu Hands (this quote is taken from the Japan Life section of www.jpop.com to save me writing it myself ;-) ):

Toy company Takara's stock is rocketing. This is all thanks to "Bowlingal",a collar with a micro-mike attached that will analyze a dog's six different emotions joy, sadness etc and translate them to the dog's owner. The price is 14,800 yen.

Happy Valentine's Day (for yesterday)!



So, another week's almost over - I'm sure time here goes quicker...

Today's trip was into Shibuya - one of the busiest parts of Tokyo which is packed with shops, coffee shops, shops, shops and shops. Had lunch at soup-ya (=soup shop) and then went to Tokyu Hands which is a kind of glorified hardware store, with about 7 floors (each split into A,B and C sub-floors) - a little confusing!

Later we went to Hub which is part of a chain of "British" pubs - it's close to back home, but...

(Please check the pictures site for more about today!)

Just got back from a successful trip out in the rain to retrieve one of those convex roadside�@mirrors �|we saw it on the ground earlier today, and went back under cover of darkness to get it...it's about 18 inches across - a useful addition to any kitchen....pic. to come...

Few new pics just put up - please don't get the wrong idea about Japan from our pics - it's not really as bleak as it seems...well not all of it. Suburbia is pretty anonymous though...

Our last week went as fast as usual, to quote the students: "nothing special". Then we spent most of today doing stuff at home (cleaning, music/art etc.) - OK, must admit we went to the yaki-niku place again....it's just too oishiiii....

Tomorrow is yet another public holiday here (there's usually at least one a month - there has to be otherwise the workers would literally never take a holiday) - Foundation Day I think. Everyone here is preparing for Valentine's Day on Friday - well, the women are at least. Traditionally the women make chocolates for the men, and the men do nothing - although there's White Day on 14th March when they have to return the gift (but with white chocolate)!



Does anyone have any good film/movie recommendations for us - things come out here a lot later - as we're stuck for ideas...?

We went to Tokyo on Monday and wandered around a lot. Failed to go to three different bars - the first one took a long time to find (not unusual in Tokyo) and then wasn't there anymore, the second was closed despite many signs outside saying the opposite, and the third was also closed on Mondays......we ended up going to "Brussels" which is a Belgian bar serving loads of different kinds of Belgian beer and food.

Monday was also a festival day when people go to shrines and throw soy-beans to bring in good luck and cast out bad luck. They also have to eat one soy-bean for every year of their age (could be a problem if you're 98).



On Tuesday we ate in a new yaki-niku (grilled meat) place, which has touch-screens at each table for ordering food (see PHOTOS site for some pics). Finaly something high-tech in Japan!

(Christine's review went fine)

It's our weekend again, so we're trying to tear ourselves off the internet and go into Tokyo...I'll let you know if we manage it!