Don’t understand Japanese and want to know what they’re saying? You could always hire an interpreting agency.

Mio Matsumura Loves Kokeshi Dolls

Check out this site if you want to know more about what a Kokeshi Doll is. Here’s a quick summary though – There are two main styles of Kokeshi dolls. One is the traditional style, the other is the creative style where the artist can show more expression in his creation.

This one is huge in Japan!

The traditional Japanese kokeshi dolls are often linked to an onsen within the Tohoku region of Japan. They are given the following types of names which are spot on or closely related to the onsen name: Tsuchiyu, Yajiro, Togatta, Naruko, Sakunami, Zao Takayu, Hijiori, Kijiyama, Nambu, and Tsugaru.

Kokeshi Doll Collection

An animal and relations will become good.
Animals are alive with nature.
It is a friend wholly.

Add a “Booyah!” and you’ve got an awesome bag!

This bag can be yours for only 600 yen! Get it now at your local Daily Yamazaki!

Aoki Holdings Inc, a discount menswear chain, last year started selling ‘deodorant suits’ as well as anti-odour shirts and socks.

Read the article here and read more about the 2-Nonenal, the technical term, here.

Thank God I don’t smell now! If this is aging odor is real and comes knockin’ on my door, I’ll be taking 2 showers a day and I’ll keep using Right Guard (with the power strip!) and cologne.

The picture above is a QR Code. I see them everywhere here, even at McDonalds. They’re on buildings, billboards, magazine ads, product packages, etc. You take a picture with your cell phone and it brings up information or a website.

From Wikipedia: A QR Code is a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The “QR” is derived from “Quick Response”, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. QR Codes are common in Japan where they are currently the most popular type of two dimensional code.

The picture of the shochu bottles above were explained to me as a “bottle keep” and from my understanding these are unfinished bottles of alcohol. If a person comes in (probably with a group) and orders a bottle but they don’t finish it the restaurant will put the person’s name on it so that person can enjoy the tasty beverage which they’ve already paid for during their next visit. That’s awesome!

The picture above is a package of coffee creamer. I consider it a powdered coffee creamer refill since I fill up my jar from this package. What’s so different about it? Well it has a dotted line and you’re supposed to cut all the way across. When you cut it all the way across only this small portion is opened so you can conveniently pour the contents out. How awesome is that? In the U.S. if you do this you have an opening the full size of the package.

The picture above is a refill pack of shampoo. In the U.S. there are refills jugs or really huge bottles of shampoo so I think the Japan version is interesting and I think it’s more convenient.

The above picture is an umbrella holder. They are everywhere here. Most large stores don’t have an umbrella holder but instead they offer plastic bags you can use to cover your umbrella so you don’t get any of the products wet. I don’t come from a state that has much rainfall so seeing a lot of people carrying umbrellas was new to me. And a place to put your umbrella and trust that nobody will want a free “upgrade” from theirs (or from none) is different.

The above picture is a Lawson convenience store. Convenience stores are commonly called “Conbinis” in Japan (sounds like cone-beanie). There are conbinis everywhere in Japan. It’s insane. None sell gasoline like the American version and the staff is very nice (again, unlike the American version). Stores are really clean and they have a ton of items including ready to eat fried chicken and other random fried things that I’ve eaten but can’t tell what they are. They’re often used as landmarks too when you’re trying to navigate through town.

Ah yes, the picture above is a vending machine. Why is this so different? Well… they are everywhere. Within a 3 minute walk I will see at least 4. Some are sneaky and are hiding around the corner. Some have hot and cold drinks. I’ve even seen one that sells are regular size + large size for the same price. Some even make noises and it makes me feel that they’re taunting me. You can get coffee, tea, soda, juice, and I haven’t looked but I wouldn’t be surprised if you can get soup and milk.

Those are all the pictures I have right now. I hope you enjoyed them, and stay tuned for more!

Ready for some pictures? Click the picture to see the slide show of images at the New York Times showing the step-by-step process of how coffee is made using the siphon bar.

And an awesome quote from the article:

“The whirlpool, it messes with your mind,” said Mr. Freeman, who practiced stirring plain water for months to develop muscle memory before he brewed his first cup of siphon coffee. “There’s no way to rush it.”

Here’s another interesting quote:

“Siphon coffee is very delicate,” he said. “It’s sweeter and juicier, and the flavors change as the temperature changes. Sometimes it has a texture so light it’s almost moussey.”

Here’s an informational siphon coffee machine video I found on youtube which you might find interesting.

And finally a video I found showing a siphon coffee maker in action at some shop in Tokyo.

Now I’m craving coffee. But instead of taking the time to make some I’m off to the local Starbucks… which is across the street from a Starbucks… and about 3 blocks away from another Starbucks… (I am not making this up).