http://www.tokyo-explorer.com Tokyo Guide Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:00:47 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Trees wrapped up against bugs and the cold are nothing new, and I have noticed tham since first touching down – but never have I seen a tree as well wrapped as this monster in the grounds of a shrine! http://www.tokyo-explorer.com/2008/08/20_08626.php No photographic image of Japan’s iconic 19th century samurai – Saigo Takamori – exists. The statue in Ueno park is actually a likeness of his brother? http://www.tokyo-explorer.com/2008/08/19_08649.php This stuff kills? From top it reads – Cigar / Tobacco (means fags) / Pipe! Ironically this place is opposite a large hospital. http://www.tokyo-explorer.com/2008/08/18_08625.php The national bird of Japan is the pheasant – seen on the reverse of the 10,000 yen note? http://www.tokyo-explorer.com/2008/08/17_08648.php Summer is the season for ghost tales in Japan – apparently makes you feel cooler! Cool was certainly how I felt riding up this deserted escalator in Tokyo Station a while back – not a soul around and the air con on full! Scary! http://www.tokyo-explorer.com/2008/08/16_08629.php Around 20% of the population of Hawaii are Japanese or of Japanese descent? http://www.tokyo-explorer.com/2008/08/15_08647.php Naohiro Kurihara, owner of the renowned antiques shop, Fuji-Torii on Tokyo’s fashionable Omotesando is a man for whom the future of the past is a lifelong passion; a passion that he hopes will see him ensure today’s antiques remain appreciated for many generations to come. In managing the longest running shop ... http://www.tokyo-explorer.com/2008/08/14_10674.php I don’t image Iron Mike would take too kindly to this? Likely he would hammer anybody he caught defacing his posters here in Tokyo – if he isn’t still in prison of course! Ahem…?! http://www.tokyo-explorer.com/2008/08/14_08624.php The Japanese given name of sumo grand champ Asashoryu – Akinori – is just another reading of his high school in Shikoku – Meitoku? http://www.tokyo-explorer.com/2008/08/13_08646.php Look closely and you’ll see the missing number – floor wise. Know why? The simple answer is that the number 4 is a bit like 13 in the West. The sound, in Japanese, resembles the sound for death – and given that this is a hospital – not the best ... http://www.tokyo-explorer.com/2008/08/12_08614.php