"Coin lockers" are widespread in Japan, and are a great convenience for travellers, providing a secure place to keep your stuff. They can be found at airports, all main rail stations, but a…

posted by  Yubi | 9 years, 3 months ago | 2 comments

All photos by Takumi Ota | click to enlarge

The Maruhiro Flagship Store in Saga Prefecture recently underwent a dramatic remodeling. When the new doors – or should I say, floors – opened in April…

posted by  RamenRyan | 9 years, 3 months ago | 0 comments

Shou-sugi-ban (???) is a traditional Japanese method of treating wood used for the exterior of homes and temples. Sometimes also called yaki-sugi-ita, the process involves charring the wood to a ch…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 9 years, 3 months ago | 1 comment

The enjoyment of cooking and eating together around the grill cannot be denied by food-lovers all over the world. Even in Japan grilled meat is an important part of many restaurants menus. However, B…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 9 years, 3 months ago | 0 comments

In Tokyo, there is a rapidly growing number of areas that provide internet access services utilizing public wireless LAN. Thus, it is possible to enjoy high-speed wireless internet connections at a w…

posted by  Yubi | 9 years, 3 months ago | 0 comments

In the US, feeding yourself while traveling is pretty much just a chore. Highway rest areas with the same fast food chains all over the country let your fuel yourself and your car at the same time, b…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 9 years, 3 months ago | 2 comments

At first glance, Tokyo appears like the clean, organized capital of any rich country. Yet I soon start noticing little differences — like the somewhat unhealthy fixation Japanese men have with marble…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 9 years, 3 months ago | 0 comments

Akihabara is not the only place for finding character goods. The "Character Street", located at the basement of the Tokyo Station Building, houses many character shops with goods from NHK, …

posted by  Yubi | 9 years, 3 months ago | 1 comment

Every year in August students from all over Japan and the world gather at Tokyo Big Sight for an event organized by Design Festa called GAKUTEN. This event is for elementary, middle, high school, col…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 9 years, 3 months ago | 0 comments

With over 300K fans, Tokyo Camera Club is Japan’s largest community of photographers. And despite what their name will have you believe, you don’t have to be Japanese, not take pictures of Japan, t…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 9 years, 3 months ago | 0 comments