Temporarily I updated and change to the 3.0 default theme.
However, some of the display would be strange.
I will try to fix them as much as I can.
Updated to WordPress 3.0
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I will update this blog sooner.
Sorry no update for a while as my business was not doing well there days.
I will be updating this blog to WordPress 3.0 – latest version.
At the time, I will also change the theme (overall design) of this blog for the better one.
I just updated this blog
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FM Stations
Compared to US FM radios, FM radio stations in Japan are not specific music stations, but mixture of talk, news, and music.
At least one station is located in each prefecture, and some local-specific small FM stations are allowed to broadcast their own local programs.
Also internet radio which directly broadcast the same program as Japan is not available.
But there are some selections for internet radios:
- Special version of J-WAVE but only for weekdays : Brandnew J – overseas ok
- If staying in Japan radico.jp is available in Tokyo or Osaka area
- Also in Japan iPhone/iPod touch can assess radico and TOKYO FM Continue reading
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Suica is too convenient
Simply speaking, Suica is a kind of smart cards to use as a gadget of electronic money.
Main usage of it is to pass the automated entranceway for trains and/or subways and most of the big cities and suburb of them support both Suicas and normal tickets.
If enough money is charged on the cell phone or the card, you can pass the gate to enter or exit, otherwise charge it from your bank account or credit card via the web menu of your cell phone, or ask the station staff. Continue reading
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Libraries and Golden Week
Now it’s the chained holiday season called “Golden Week” and very many of the people’s holiday started on April 29 and ends on May 9 in 2010.
Maybe in the heart of Tokyo including Roppongi will not be so crowded.
If you are staying or visiting in Tokyo, it will be a good chance to visit libraries to read books, magazines, or some Japanese books including the documents about Edo-era for free.
Tokyo Metropolitan Library is one of my favorite ones. Especially the central library is at the very nice location and not so far from Roppongi (15 minutes walk), Azabujūban (10 minutes), or Hiroo station. Continue reading
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English Map in Japan
As Google map is automatically changed to Japanese version of it, it is not so easy to search and find specific location in English.
English version of MapFan Web will be the best one for the people of English speaking world.
I will check some websites periodically and add more maps for your convenience.
(to be continued)
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Japanese Stationaries
Some American friends know that Japanese stationaries such as ball point pens, marker pens, erasers, … are very sophisticated design, quality, and easy to use.
Upper picture shows most popular marking pen with both side cap and markers : “PROPOS 2″, and award-winning ball point pens : “Jet Stream” with very smooth touch of fine lines. Continue reading
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April snow in Tokyo Area
Last Friday night (16th April), I have seen “out of the season” snowing in Sagamihara (相模原), in the suburb of Tokyo.
Tokyo (東京), Yokohama (横浜), and major cities in Kanto area have experienced this sudden snow.
Upper images : from my home, Sagamihara
Although a very thin volume, it was a kind of shock for the people living or working in this area (especially taxi drivers).
But fortunately at Saturday afternoon snow has gone (completely melted).
I’m not sure whether this is the abnormal weather or not.
Even after hanami (花見) season, it happened.
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Sakura Sakura
In April, Sakura (cherry blossoms, 桜) is the most popular flowers/trees.
Some of the places famous for sakura is crowded because of festival in daytime and hanami (cherry blossom viewing, 花見) : drinking party under cherry blossoms.
But in Japan you can easily watch cherry blossoms at a small park, schoolyard, or street.
Upper pictures are one of the most popular streets with Sakura (Sagamihara, Kanagawa). Continue reading
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100 Yen SHOP
Convenience stores are very popular and widely used all over Japan.
But the prices of the goods are not at the discount levels.
So one company called DAISO made 100 YEN shops (百円ショップ) which prices were basically 100 Yen (100 yen + 5 yen (5% tax) = 105 yen total). Continue reading
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