|
The national ion-supply
drink of choice, Pocari Sweat. The word 'pocari' actually translates to
"orphan child", and there are factories dotted around Tokyo's outer suburbs
where the little pocari are herded and forced to use exercise bikes, while
their sweat is collected and bottled for our eventual consumption. Much
like that scene in The Dark Crystal with the gelflings and the Silverchair
video for Freak. |
|
While my Nude
Beer idea didn't take off in Australia, it IS thriving in the land of
the rising sun. I knew it was a winner! I'm pictured here with the sexy
limited edition 'Samantha' and 'Betty' labels. Nude Beer: Distasteful Never Tasted So Good. |
|
Look closely at
the ingredients on these crepes. They rule! I got one with banana and
choc-chip icecream, strawberries and whipped fake cream. My heart just
about jumped from my chest like that scene in Alien to get away. |
|
A sign advertising
the good times to be had washing yourself on a small plastic stool inside
this bath house. I was pretty tempted but we had some heavy drinkng to
do, and i vowed to come back later but never made it. People in japan
seem obsessed with three things: food, cute baby animals, and washing themselves. |
|
It's really hard
to forget you are in Tokyo most of the time because its just so amazing
and full-on, then you see something like this and your brain does a 360
kickflip inside your skull while you wonder if maybe you should lay off
the Pocari Sweat. Its ok, don't try to work it out. |
|
The Japanese are
so hip to what the kids will be doing next that i have no doubt we'll
be seeing a bunch of these kind of dudes fangin' their little cars around
Melbourne within 6 months. Mine arrives (without the giraffe which is
an optional extra) just in time for Christmas. |
|
When crossing
the road on a bike, you must pop a mono and raise your hand in the air
to wave at your fellow man. |
|
Conflicting messages
are common in Japan. The elephant and frog invite me to buy drugs and
then the pretty girl says no! Who am I to believe?! |
|
You don't see
too many cars in the middle of Shinjuku, probably because people ate scared
a large aeroplane will swoop from the sky and carry them away. |
|
After I took this
photo the driver waved crazily at me and I just shook my head. Some things
just aren't funny. |
|
They are miles
ahead of us with fashion in Japan as well, and i have no doubt that evey
second shop in Chapel Street will soon be stocking this 'Urban Commando'
look complete with autmotic rifle and goggles. I was tempted to buy the
entire ensemble to wear home on the plane. |
|
On my last day Sunday in
Japan we went into Harajuku to Yoyogi park and near the station heaps
of kids (i think called 'Cos-play-Zoku') get dressed up and just hang out. A lot of
dodgy dudes and tourists come down to take their photo, but there weren't
that many kids on this day because it was so hot.
Most of the kids dress as
scary goths and eat chilled monkey brains to help maintain their 'deathly white' complexion.
spooky.
|