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This is a photo of a gorilla statue on top of a pachinko parlour near my house.

off photo walking

Because sometimes you just need a Big Mac.

@Justin It’s OK I won’t tell anyone

I went to the danjiri festival in Otori where I took this video with my camera. It was very fun and odd. During a break where the danjiri were waiting to cross the train line we were entertained with magic tricks by a hapi-clad participant standing on a traffic light.

I like near the end of this video where the guys standing on the back of the danjiri are making the moves with their fans. They are genuinely happy to be on there and it really puts a smile on your face as you watch them go by.

Japanese expressions for receiving and giving depending on each other’s social status MUST DIE!

Eating at the excellent mr donuts

Having a SORE throat whilst teaching English is like being a swimmer with a broken arm

Here’s another picture from the Nakamozu Futon Daiku. Young boys with heavy make-up on ride in the floats carried by the faithful.

I’m reading an excellent book called Hitching Rides with Buddha by Will Ferguson. It’s about a Canadian who follows the Cherry Blossom Front in Japan by hitchhiking rides with Japanese.

In this way he gets a unique perspective on Japan from the conversations he has with his rides.

For example:

Japaneseman - Japan has 4 seasons

Will - Congratulations.

or

In Japan, people are often referred to not by their name but their role buy by the role they play. Mr Policeman. Mr Post Office. Mr Shop Owner. As a foreigner you play your role as the Resident Gaijin, like the town drunk or the Village Idiot.

It’s very funny and I highly recommend it.