Gaijin Tokyo Underground

ART: Shizuko Kuwabara

2010-11-05T22:03:00.000+09:00

Recently I had the amazing pleasure of meeting a talented artist, Shizuko Kuwabara all by chance. I was heading to my ward office to update my address information when after i stopped by to look at the art. She came up to me and started speaking Japanese but then quickly used a mix of English and random Spanish words. I thought she was the cutest thing ever! We proceeded to chat about art for over the next hour. She said she started doing this art when she was introduced to it by her then children's teacher about 35 years ago and has been taking classes with him till this day.

I find her lines have so much energy and precisions, all just using a piece of cane wood and black ink. She uses a mix of Japanese rice paper (washi) and foreign water color paper. She says most of her pieces take about 2 days on the average and she works on them on the floor, not an easel.

She wants me to keep in touch, but she doesn't use a cell phone, nor does she know how to write an e-mail (even though her son is a computer programmer). A few days after our meeting i received a post card from her which made my heart melt. I haven't received a hand written anything in i dont know how long!

As I'm writing this I'm recovering from the past few days of food poisoning! YAY! I hope to call her this coming weekend to possibly meet again to chat.

MORE IMAGES AFTER THE JUMP

FOOD SPOT: Mister Donut Anniversary and Cafe Andonand

2010-10-27T12:43:00.000+09:00

Mister Donut Anniversary Chocolate collaboration

Mister Donut Japan is celebrating its 40th anniversary by brining back many of its popular special donuts from the past four decades. Morinaga & Company, Ltd. has been producing confectionaries since 1899 and is also promoting the 40th anniversary of its Koeda 小枝 chocolate stick. One of the Mister Donut’s retro flavors is the Golden Chocolate donut, which debuted in 1971. Together they are releasing a collaboration of its Golden Chocolate’s crunchy topping and mixing it with the Koeda chocolate stick as a double 40th anniversary limited edition. This product stands out from most of Mister Donut anniversary products because of its non-availability through its donut chain stores. This product is available in the general consumer mass market and is displayed at many POS and aisle end caps.

http://www.misterdonut.jp/

http://www.morinaga.co.jp/index.html

Mister Donut 40th Anniversary fans event.

For the 40th Anniversary of Mister Donut, the company held a special promotion for the public at Yurakucho in Tokyo. The event showcased its history in Japan with its line of Uniforms on display. Along side of them were cut outs of the vintage uniforms where you could pop your head in for a photo and little laugh. A give-a-way pavilion was also set up displaying many of its MisuDo point card gifts, from each of the last 4 decades.

After a photo opportunity with the Mister Donut mascot, Pon De Lion, video rolled for the Mister Donut commercials of the past few decades. The crowd gave a collected “Ahh” when the famous spokesman George Tokoro came on screen. Tokoro is famous for being a comedian, singer and actor, but is known for being the commercial spokesman for Mister Donut from 1986-2001. Tokoro has probably become synonymous with Mister Donut because of his long standing as the spokesman. Mister Donut has brought back Tokoro for its anniversary event, reprising his role as a Manager of a Mister Donut for the commercial campaign.

A highlight of the event was for the lucky first 2,000 show attendees of the day, to get a free German Chocolate donut. Lucky? Free items, without a previous purchase, are not as common as it is in the States. A free no strings attached item is a nice change in Japan.

What is Café Andonand?

While Mister Donut is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in Japan, Mister Donut and its parent company Duskin have made a slow quiet entrance with its high-end donut café, Café Andonand which opened its first location in 2007 and just opening its latest location in the Chuo Ward.

With just a handful of locations, 4 in Tokyo and 3 covering the rest of Japan, it is a surprise to know that it even exists. Given the vast amounts of Mister Donut locations, Café Andonand has crafted a balance of the sweet and tasteful. Offering higher quality and specialty flavors like “Blueberry Cheese” and “Chocolate Cranberry” at 180-430 yen a pop; it is something better worth the experience. Café Andonand’s donut styling seems to be up to par in direct competition with the NY Donut plant, but offering full sit down relaxing environments, rather than the train stations buy-n-go style.

For those who had the chance to visit the Mister Donut Anniversary event, may have only just heard of Café Andonand when on their way out of the venue. With a small booth selling a 4-pack sample set for 1,000 yen, it was a chance to taste the relatively unknown brand to the loyal customers of Mister Donut. For the anniversary event, this small booth was probably the single best marketing promotion that was done for the Duskin brands in expanding its high-end donut brand.

http://www.andonand.jp/index.html

General life update...

2010-10-13T11:44:00.002+09:00

Hello all who read this blog, ive been in the process of moving, so here is an update and why i havent been around...

UFO CATCHER GET! - Rilakkuma Cooking Pan

2010-10-01T02:41:00.000+09:00

You might have seen a previous post i have done about the Rilakkuma Halloween candy buckets. Going to the game center, I had to wait while another person failed at getting one, so my BF and I played another catcher. My BF tried winning this pan first. He moved it good in two moves, but then got stuck and wasted a lot of money on it, and still couldn't get it. I told him to step aside, I popped in 200yen and GET!

Rilakkuma is celebrating the 7th anniversary this year, and they keep cranking out so many prices for the Game centers. While I love Rilakkuma, i would like to see more new characters released into the UFO catchers.

While this pan is small, and isnt great for practical cooking, it is the perfect size for hotcakes! Rilakkuma LOVES hotcakes!!

FOOD SPOT: Meruhen Sandwhich House, Returns to Kichijoji

2010-10-01T02:08:00.000+09:00

In Kichijoji, the former LON LON shopping mall has now re-opened as the lavish Atré. Brick styled walls, and faux flickering candle like light bulbs, it is a very big step up from its previous incarnation. There were many new additions to the store lineups but I am happy to say my favorite sandwich shop has come back! Meruhen Sandwhich House [Mächen] has returned to the same spot, and for its re-opening they were offering a sweet lunch bag deal. Purchase the 3 sandwich set, which included a katsu sandwich, egg salad sandwich and a oranges & whip cream dessert sandwich. Also you get the bear bag for free. For the bag they had about 5 options between black/white, black/pink & tan/brown color combinations. I chose the more earth colored one. I love the branding of the bear on everything, with his content smile eating up that sandwich. The bear is even on the ice pack that they give every time you buy sandwiches.

ENGRISH OF THE DAY: Banana Cake of chocolate

2010-10-01T01:43:00.000+09:00

FOOD SPOT: Amazing half priced apples

2010-09-29T12:29:00.000+09:00

These apples are amazing! So juicy and delicious, but expensive as hell! Regular price for one of these is 358yen! But are they worth it, I say yes. If you notice, they are all individually wrapped and surrounded with a protective foam. What makes them even better is when they are on sale! They were Half price this day i took the picture, and they had only 4 left! So i picked them all up.

For living in japan on a budget, food is the #1 thing that will drain you of your money from every day life. If you are like me, and have a very limited Japanese vocabulary and even more limited view of Kanji recognition, then i suggest this one kanji you learn. Its the kanji for "Half" or "Han" "はん,　半. You will see these stickers on many food items, usually in the evening starting around 8pm. Discount stickers range from 3% and on up, using the roman numerals, but many use the "Han" half price kanji for the 50% marker.

So when visiting, or living in japan on a budget, look for these symbols, and be assured you will have more free money to play UFO catchers like I do!

ENGRISH OF THE DAY: ROX BOX

2010-09-29T12:07:00.000+09:00

Not only does it have an tight seal, its beautiful to look at! Yes this plastic box should be on display in your home for all to admire. Maybe some classy museum lighting to show off its beautiful edges, yes?

UFO CATCHER GET! - Chibi Hide X Japan

2010-09-29T12:01:00.000+09:00

I was surprised that there were these X Japan Hide figures now. I know X Japan is having a revival, a new album etc, but Hide has been dead since 1998! I actually didn't get one of these because i was on my way home and decided ill try for one next time.I'm sure fans will appreciate that they can get new Hide products, but is it fair to use him as the selling point of the new X Japan album?

OTAKU MOMENT: Arriety - Ghibli Anime movie

2010-09-24T18:38:00.001+09:00

At the end of last month I got to see the new Ghibli Studios film 借りぐらしのアリエッティ a.k.a The Borrower Arriety. Miyazaki always makes beautiful movies no matter what. This story though, the execution of it didn't fell well fleshed out, and didn't feel epic enough. It revolves around the world of tiny people who live in our world. There should be more magnificent trails they would have to go through making their way in our world, but they didn't explore that aspect too much. Overall i would still suggest to see the movie because it is beautiful, but dont expect to feel satisfied with the story.

From Anime News Network:

The Borrowers
借りぐらしのアリエッティ (Japanese)
Based on: "The Borrowers" (novel) by Mary Norton
Plot Summary: Sho moves into his great aunt's house and soon discovers the presence of tiny people, the Borrowers, living there. A 14-year-old Borrower named Arrietty strives to prove herself by helping her father gather materials that her family needs from Sho's new home. However, Arrietty and Sho meet, breaking the rule that humans must not know about the Borrowers' existence. As Sho and Arrietty's relationship develops, human interference endangers the Borrowers' lives. Arrietty and Sho work together to try and protect the Borrowers' way of life.

Below are images from the movie booklet that can be bought from the theater for 600yen each.

I also got to see the life size reproduction of the home at the modern art museum. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but i tried to sneek a couple of blurry pics. If you get a chance to see it before it closes i highly recommend it, its amazing the detail they put into the house. They used giant christmas lights for the homes lights, and old stamps for the artwork for the wall.

This free mini art book that was handed out at the entrance. The art book shows the concept work for this display.

OTAKU MOMENT: Katsuhiro Otomo @ Kichijoji

2010-09-23T18:40:00.000+09:00

The creator of the famous Anime and Manga known as Akira, Katsuhiro Otomo has created a highly deatiled illustration for the grand re-opening of the mall in Kichijoji station, Atré.

Theimage portrays a fashionable young gal wearing a hat covered in bits of Kichijoji culture. There are a few arches depicting Naka=mich, Sun Road and Penny Lane, all which are the main shopping streets in the area. Also the food and drinks because Kichijoji is known for a very large selesction of resturants and bars. Another cute reference point is the Swan Boat. This is from the Inokashira park where it has a famous urban legend about the pond in which couples can rent this boat. It is said that couples who ride these swan boats will shortly break up. And if you havent noticed, the random pieces of clutter on her hat make up the name "Kichijoji".

There are many of these posters, and even larger ones posted around the area. I would love to get my hands on one but they are well protected. Luckily there are hand outs at the Atré that have this image on the cover. Would you be interested in having one of these as a poster? I might be inclined to give some away if people are interested. Leave a comment below.

UFO CATCHER GET! - RILAKKUMA Halloween candy bucket

2010-09-23T17:53:00.000+09:00

Its the point in the year where the shops start setting up all the Halloween items. Ove the last few years, Halloween has become more and more popular in Japan. So has all the promotional items. Here is the new Rilakkuma halloween candy buckets promotions.

My hobby [addiction] playing UFO catchers puts me up for the challenge to always find the KEY POINT to hit the prize i want into the hole. This one can be super simple if you know the right way to hit it. Last friday I saw the lady setting up this display for the Halloween campain to start. I had to come back later that evening to try and play it then.

When I got back, there was a deranged looking lady playing that Rilakkuma game. I walked around and she was still playing. I watched from afar and saw her put in at least 1500yen, and yet she didnt get a single one. She dropped her head in defeat, grabbed her giant oversized, overstuffed purse and clompped off. She had knocked all the cans around, so i had to ask a worker to reset them for me.

It took my two tries before i figured out how to win the prize. The Key point was to it the front corner of the can and it would knock it over. The handle is set up to make you think to grab the handle, but its only for show.

FOOD SPOT: Cream Watermelon

2010-09-23T17:07:00.000+09:00

Browsing the fruit section at the local Seiyu store, i came across this "Cream Watermelon" クリームすいか. For me this was the first time i had seen a yellow watermelon, especially one name CREAM. I wasnt able to buy it at that time because i was heading out, not home after. When I returned a few days later there were no more Cream watermelons available. Maybe next year i can see how they taste.

According to wikipidia, they are sweeter, more like honey... im intrigued!

Yellow Crimson Watermelon: variety of watermelon that has a yellow colored flesh. This particular type of watermelon has been described as "sweeter" and more "honey" flavored than the more popular red flesh watermelon

Have you ever heard or eaten this variety of watermelon before?

GAY MAG: G-men 176 This guy, REALLY?

2010-09-23T16:55:00.001+09:00

G-men is know for their beefy men, pretty much since the first issue. Many times they will put a non beefy man on the insides of the mag, but i haven't seen one on the cover, as least not in recent memory. The cover model seems more fit for Badi magazine rather than G-men. His looks is much smaller, baby face and glasses. Almost like a nerdy type but, if so, they should have played up the nerd part. He has a good chest, so so arms.... and that's about it for him.

Also the Manga story that is being promoted is much more fitting with Samson Magazine, since they are focused on the chubby and older demographics. Is G-men changing its format to capitalize on the other Genres all put into one magazine? If so will it dilute their content, drive away old readers, or will it grab the readers of the other focus style mags into G-men's?

http://www.g-men.co.jp/
http://www.badi.jp/
http://www.kaimeikan.co.jp/index2.html

UFO CATCHER GET! - JoJo's Bizarre Adventure - Jonathan Joestar

2010-09-22T01:58:00.000+09:00

From the Manga and Anime series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure which started in 1987 in the weekly Shonen Jump magazine has started a release of its figures in the UFO catchers. This one here is Jonothan Joestar which i was able to get in 4 tries from the game center Zest in Kichijoji.

When researching more info on the figure series, i found some images from a preview event of the figures, that depict a totally different clothing scupt than the one released in the UFO catcher now. I would have to wonder if this would be as an alternate realease later?

ENGRISH OF THE DAY: Crunky Ball Nude

2010-09-22T01:30:00.000+09:00

Seriously, do they choose these names just so that people can questions their meanings? Everyone has had a field day with teh Crunky brand before, now add on the word balls and nude to the mix, equals more raised eyebrows and questioning chuckles from Lotte, the produces of this lovely chocolate. Do you like crunky nude balls in your mouth, i sure do!

FOOD SPOT: Spicy Black Sesame Ramen

2010-09-22T01:21:00.000+09:00

One of my favorite students invited my BF and I out to dinner for my BF's birthday. We headed out to Tachikawa and ate in the Granduo restaurant floor at a Chinese spot. They suggested the Black sesame ramen which the husband always would get. We also ordered fried rice with beef which was a massive amount including dry rub spicy chicken wings and a few mugs of beer. I defiantly was about to pop!

After we headed on over to the game centers to win prizes for her son. I was happy to win him a GIANT snoopy plushy, he seemed to love it. Tachikawa is all the way on the west side of Tokyo, but it seems have a lot going for it, including some night life. If you get a chance i highly suggest taking the Chuo line on out west for a see.

GAY MANGA: Gengoroh Tagame "Works" sketch art

2010-09-20T01:30:00.000+09:00

Gengoroh Tagame is probably the most known and influential Gay Japanese manga artists for almost the past three decades. He recently had a gallery showing in Tokyo at the Vanilla Gallery in the Ginza area. For many people, they only part of the artwork that people get to see is the final image, but if you sign up to Tagame's sketch blog you get to see some behind the scenes process. I find this the most interesting part of creation is the raw image parts, the flaws and stray lines. I didn't get the chance to go to the gallery when he appeared there which i now regret. Hopefully when he has his next appearance in Tokyo i get to meet him.

http://www.vanilla-gallery.com/
http://www.tagame.org/

The video below is a photo collage of his show he had during tokyo Gay Pride weekend in Tokyo this past August.

Here is a video he did on the process to make a comic cover.

ONLY IN JAPAN: New comedy webseries "English Teachers"

2010-09-19T01:31:00.001+09:00

"English Teachers" a new webseries taking on what it is to be an English Teacher in an Eikaiwa in Japan. It has the weird quirky cast, and of course the awkward guy who seems will falls for the new hot girl. It feels rough around the edges and a bit cliché, but i think it has potential to be good. I havent come across anything like this, taking on a comedy actually set in Japan. The film quality and direction is high quality for it being a web series too. The Guild started off as a lower budgeted, and a little more rough than this series, so if they can grab an audience, as well as sponsor money to keep it going, im willing to stick around for more. Check out the videos below, do you think you will stick around for more?

Also, the "Be Yes" company name didn't click until the end of the episode, soft lulz.
http://englishteachersseries.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/englishseries

Meet the teachers:

The main character is also Jonathan Sherr who starred in My Darling Foreigner / Darling wa Gaikokujin with Mao Inoue famous for starring in Hana yori Dango.

OTAKU MOMENT: Project Diva

2010-09-17T18:42:00.000+09:00

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA is a Virtual Idol and has an arcade game that came out a couple months ago and always has a line. This game center in Tachikawa even made a waiting area for the game with 3 units available to play. I know in Ogikubo, there is always at least 3-4 people waiting to play this. I havent seen people wait to play a game like this since the popularity peak of Dance Dance Revolution.

UFO CATCHER GET! - RILAKKUMA HOT CAKES

2010-09-12T22:39:00.000+09:00

I LOVE RILAKKUMA, so of course I want to try and win new Rilakkuma prizes. The new series has him with Hotcakes! SO CUTE!!! There is another one with him lying down with the hot cakes i want to win. Maybe tomorrow ill try and get it.

BENTO OF THE DAY: Katsu & egg rice bowl

2010-09-10T03:13:00.000+09:00

This comes from the Super market LIFE located near my office. The food isnt bad, but ever since the LON LON closed down at the station, our fast bento food options are limited. We usually have to eat quickly with our schedules, sometimes we have as little as 20 minutes to eat. By the end of this month the LON LON will finally re-open as Atré Vie and we will have our bento options again!

AROUND TOKYO: Kichijoji random shots

2010-09-10T02:51:00.000+09:00

I work in Kichijoji which is located on the West side of Tokyo if you take the Chuo line or the Inokashira Line. I sometimes have long breaks between students if its a slow day, so that gives me plenty of time to wander around the area of Kichijoji. I love this area because there are some many options of things to do here, from eating, drinking, fun and shopping.

FOOD SPOT: More Mister Donut 40th anniversary

2010-09-10T02:40:00.000+09:00

I have become a big fan of Mister Donut this year, it probably explains my weight gain too! Here are a few more special return flavors for the 40th Anniversary event. One is a Bitter chocolate donut. The outside had bitter chocolate powder and the filling is with a chocolate custard. It was ver good. The 2nd donut was the Chocolate white ring. It was nothing special, but still good.

LOST AND FOUND: Marlboro GOLD?

2010-09-10T02:29:00.000+09:00

Now Marlboro Light are changed to Marlboro Gold, along with this change prices of cigarettes will go from about 320 yen to 430yen this coming month. That is a giant price jump, buti dont think it will slow down people from smoking cigarettes.