Pachinko parlors are ever-present in Japan’s urban and suburban landscapes. In Tokyo, there can be dozens in a several block radius, making Starbucks look like a rare feature by comparison. Understanding their appeal is extremely difficult for foreigners, apart from seeing them as a novelty, but this pachinko guide will give you the basics. Pachinko...
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Pachinko parlors are ever-present in Japan’s urban and suburban landscapes. In Tokyo, there can be dozens in a several block radius, making Starbucks look like a rare feature by comparison. Understanding their appeal is extremely difficult for foreigners, apart from seeing them as a novelty, but this pachinko guide will give you the basics. Pachinko...
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Nomihoudai Japan Nomihoudai (飲み放題) at restaurants and izakaya (Japanese style pub) means all-you-can-drink and it’s surprisingly common in Japan. Tabehoudai (食べ放題) means all-you-can-eat and many restaurants offer both. Each establishment has its own rules for their particular nomihoudai special, but most places do a flat fee for 90-120 minutes of unlimited alcoholic drinks; sometimes tabehoudai...
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Nomihoudai Japan Nomihoudai (飲み放題) at restaurants and izakaya (Japanese style pub) means all-you-can-drink and it’s surprisingly common in Japan. Tabehoudai (食べ放題) means all-you-can-eat and many restaurants offer both. Each establishment has its own rules for their particular nomihoudai special, but most places do a flat fee for 90-120 minutes of unlimited alcoholic drinks; sometimes tabehoudai...
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Taro Okamoto is a Japanese artist known for playful and odd creations. Famous throughout Japan for his cartoon approach, Taro Okamoto is unfortunately not recognized by Japan’s artistic establishment. As time passes and a new generation assumes the role of establishment, I am betting he will find recognition there eventually. Bizarre, sometimes bombastic, and always...
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Taro Okamoto is a Japanese artist known for playful and odd creations. Famous throughout Japan for his cartoon approach, Taro Okamoto is unfortunately not recognized by Japan’s artistic establishment. As time passes and a new generation assumes the role of establishment, I am betting he will find recognition there eventually. Bizarre, sometimes bombastic, and always...
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Kaiten-zushi (回転寿し) is the Japanese term for sushi restaurants that have a conveyer belt serving system. Ever popular in Japan and beyond, kaiten-zushi brings the cost of a sushi meal down considerably. Using plate counts as the method for charging, the restaurants either add up your stack or auto-count as you dispense them into a...
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Kaiten-zushi (回転寿し) is the Japanese term for sushi restaurants that have a conveyer belt serving system. Ever popular in Japan and beyond, kaiten-zushi brings the cost of a sushi meal down considerably. Using plate counts as the method for charging, the restaurants either add up your stack or auto-count as you dispense them into a...
Read more
Yunessun Hakone Kowakien Hakone (箱根町) is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture that is famous for hot spring (onsen) resorts. Naturally a resort/theme park devoted to hot springs exists there. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is a strangely wonderful concept, utilizing the area’s prominent hot spring culture and turning it into a unique amusement experience. One can enjoy...
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Yunessun Hakone Kowakien Hakone (箱根町) is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture that is famous for hot spring (onsen) resorts. Naturally a resort/theme park devoted to hot springs exists there. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is a strangely wonderful concept, utilizing the area’s prominent hot spring culture and turning it into a unique amusement experience. One can enjoy...
Read more