Anime and Manga April 1, 2015 5:28 pm

Pachinko Guide: Beginners and Balls


Anime and Manga April 1, 2015 5:28 pm

Pachinko Guide: Beginners and Balls


Japan Dreaming

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...

Read more



Food and Drink March 19, 2015 11:58 am

Nomihoudai Japan: All-You-Can-Drink


Food and Drink March 19, 2015 11:58 am

Nomihoudai Japan: All-You-Can-Drink


Nomihoudai Japan: All-You-Can-Drink

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...

Read more



Contemporary Art March 16, 2015 10:23 am

Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum: Oddities


Contemporary Art March 16, 2015 10:23 am

Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum: Oddities


Top 5 Theme Parks In Japan

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...

Read more



Food and Drink March 6, 2015 1:08 pm

Kaiten-Zushi: Rotation Sushi of Love


Food and Drink March 6, 2015 1:08 pm

Kaiten-Zushi: Rotation Sushi of Love


Japan Loves Stripes: Hates Individuality

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



Hot Springs March 1, 2015 7:45 pm

Yunessun Hakone: Amusing Onsen


Hot Springs March 1, 2015 7:45 pm

Yunessun Hakone: Amusing Onsen


Top 5 Theme Parks In Japan

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



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