Been in Japan on business and couldn't resist snapping a few pictures with the camera phone. They're pretty bad quality, but fun for what they are. If you haven't been to Japan, you just can't imagine what a different world it is. Here are some examples.
Japanese signs rock! I have no idea what this says (though I'm guessing it's something about turning off the lights when you're done), but the character drawings crack me up.
And here's another one from the Microsoft Japan offices. Someone added the whiskers, but I love the evil scowl she's giving you.
You can find these drink vending machines on every corner of every street... and each and every one of them has a garbage can for the empty drink container when you are done. You never see Japanese carrying drinks with them.
Cool figures at the Microsoft Japan offices again. They have the coolest toys!
Street corner in Shinjinku, right in the center of Toyko. Pretty fun place to wander at night, with neon lights everywhere and towering skyscrapers rising above.
Shinjuku subway station. Japan is incredibly crowded, and the subway stations are natural choke points that everyone goes through. Just imagine this scene continually streaming by endlessly.
This is one of the subway cars. There are too many people to see it, but the back of the car is 50 feet away.
Another endless stream of people. If you've ever seen Terry Gilliam's Brazil, and remember the scene with all the workers streaming by, you'll recognize this. Except it never ends.
The Shinkansen, or Bullet Train. An amazing train - they top out at 186 miles an hour, yet the ride is glass smooth. And it's tons of fun to look out at a freeway and realize you're whipping past cars... going your direction.
A Nintendo Wii ad on the Shinkansen. I love how it looks like the guy is holding the racket - I couldn't have timed this shot if I tried.
Whacky Japanese ads. I can't tell if she's throwing or receiving the tea.
Japanese English at its best. This was a sign immediately above the subway turnstile entrance at the Ometesando station. Reading this, I really tried to take a moment and and figure out what it was referring to, but I'm afraid I was stumped.
Ahhh, home. Not Zoka or Vivace, but it did just fine for breakfast.
