For many, summer in Japan means BBQs and do-it-yourself fireworks at the coast or along a river. So when I received an invitation to a BBQ on the banks of the Tamagawa, I didn’t want to miss out. This BBQ had an unexpected additional feature – a fairly large earthquake.
Category: Tokyo
Guerrilla downpours & a rainbow
I emerged from Meguro Station this evening on my way to my weekly language class, to find a wall of people standing on the corner pointing their mobile phone cameras in my direction. Not so vain to think that they were aiming their cameras at me, I thought that there might be something behind me… Continue reading Guerrilla downpours & a rainbow
Changing Shibuya skyline
It’s been just over year since I arrived in Shibuya, the district of Tokyo where I currently live, and I’ve already noticed changes to the skyline showing the city evolving and renewing itself.
Sobatsubu-san (Mt Buckwheat Grain)
Japanese mountains can have some unusual names. Apparently, Sobatsubu-san (蕎麦粒山 – literally translated as Mt Buckwheat Grain) may have been given its name based on its small isosceles triangular shape that resembles a grain of soba.
Good behaviour in the park and other signs
It’s the beginning of summer, so what better way to spend a nice balmy evening than the local park? We all want to let off some fireworks, eat some watermelon and have a BBQ. But not all parks are friendly towards these activities. There’s nothing like a good warning sign telling us what to do, and… Continue reading Good behaviour in the park and other signs
WorldWideBikeRider in Tokyo
For the last week or so, Tokyo (and more specifically, the couch in my living room for a few nights) has been host to a round-the-world cyclist, Matt Blake, who arrived from England overland after an epic 14 month ride.
Warning signs on the subway
Warning signs are rife in Tokyo, and I’ve taken on a curious fascination with them. They’re an indicator of how society (or at least authority) expects people to behave, and what behaviour is perceived to require addressing!
Ajisai, Hakusan-jinja & Rikugien
When the ajisai (hydrangea) are blooming, you know it’s the rainy season. First it’s ume (plum) blossoms in March, then sakura (cherry) blossoms in April, then tsutsuji (azaleas) in May, and now ajisai in June. Next it’s summer.
Suijo Bus to Asakusa
The Suijo Bus is a tourist ferry with a different few routes along the Sumida River and on Tokyo Bay, and is a great way to see Tokyo from another aspect that many people don’t see. It’s a good reminder that Tokyo is actually a waterfront city, which is easy to forget when in many… Continue reading Suijo Bus to Asakusa
Clash might lead to a crash?
Clash leads to crash! Actually, it’s not an “L” sound and “R” sound error – just a bad translation of “shototsu” (衝突), which means “collision” – or perhaps “clash”.