Cute and unusual things
Here is the latest list of the Cute and Unusual in Japan:
bike parks. As a cyclist, I adore this country. And where else is there to park one`s penny farthing than in a sophisticated bike park? First, you lift you bike onto a special metal ramp and wheel it down as you simultaneously descend the steps. A man fastens a little tag to your wheel, and after paying 100 yen, your bike is safe and sound under the watchful eye of the staff. If it`s teeming with rain outside, the staff will even loan you an umbrella! The best bit is when you collect your bike, you must place it on a little conveyor belt which runs up the right-hand side of the staircase. As the conveyor belt screeches into motion, one can hear the beep-beep-beep of a little siren at the main door, warning pedestrians outside that - lo! someone is about to wheel their bicycle onto the road - watch out! And yes, when one reaches the top there is a big flashing yellow light and a hooting siren announcing your ascent into Hiroshima Above!
lockers.A recent visit to the Contemporary Art Museum made me discover the umbrella locker.Just pop your parasol or brolly in a slot, insert some coins and lock it with a key! Tis most handy and avoids the desperate ploys of low umbrella-theiving scum - you know the ones, who always leave their umbrella behind on the train so go off and nick someone else`s.
bonsai bikes. As with most forms of transport in Japan - esp the car and the van - the bike often comes in very small and adorable sizes. It is not uncommon to see a businessman zipping about on what appears to be a kiddie`s bike, his knees almost cramped up to his chest as he hurtles along, bent double over his prized tiny toy. Last night I saw a young woman riding the tiniest bike painted in bubblegum pink - the handlebars, pedals and spokes were resplendently ... pink ... with a hint of fairy-floss. Very cute!
bike acrobatics. As most Japanese shot out of the womb on a tricycle, they are masters of multi-skilling whilst riding one`s bicycle. I have witnessed a person cycling in the rain with an umbrella in one hand, a mobile phone in the other and a fag expertly held betwixt the lips. An attempt to imitate the umbrella-riding style on my part ended in a long, uncontrolled skid and nearby shrieks from a crowd of women. Most harrowing and not to be attempted again!
costume photo.If you`d rather not fork out the cash for a Lil Bo Peep dress, why not try one on in a costume photo shop and get a snap taken? This service also features nurses` uniforms and naval-style schoolgirl outfits.
love hotels. So far I have researched love hotels for the imminent arrival of Maid Marion and Sir Keith, and Sir Stuart, in order that they experience a novel place to stay. I have sneaked into Hotel Banana, I have diced with death in Hotel Tomato and I secreted myself in Hotel Parsley. All hotels are easy to spot from their absurd names and the plastic strips which hang from their carpark roofs (so that the cars parked within are screened from view of the general public and any marauding in-laws). Coy couples shuffled by me with their heads bent. I observed several of the photo menus: sadly the weirdest room was Disney-themed, with a Minnie Mouse Palace over the bed. A room in Hotel Banana had an ear-shaped chair and a hand-shaped sofa. The beds there are massive and have bright yellow duvets (continuing the banana theme). But alack! It seems that the more lavish, kookily themed rooms are found in Tokyo and Osaka only. There was not a dental surgery or schoolroom to be found in Hotel Parsley!
bike parks. As a cyclist, I adore this country. And where else is there to park one`s penny farthing than in a sophisticated bike park? First, you lift you bike onto a special metal ramp and wheel it down as you simultaneously descend the steps. A man fastens a little tag to your wheel, and after paying 100 yen, your bike is safe and sound under the watchful eye of the staff. If it`s teeming with rain outside, the staff will even loan you an umbrella! The best bit is when you collect your bike, you must place it on a little conveyor belt which runs up the right-hand side of the staircase. As the conveyor belt screeches into motion, one can hear the beep-beep-beep of a little siren at the main door, warning pedestrians outside that - lo! someone is about to wheel their bicycle onto the road - watch out! And yes, when one reaches the top there is a big flashing yellow light and a hooting siren announcing your ascent into Hiroshima Above!
lockers.A recent visit to the Contemporary Art Museum made me discover the umbrella locker.Just pop your parasol or brolly in a slot, insert some coins and lock it with a key! Tis most handy and avoids the desperate ploys of low umbrella-theiving scum - you know the ones, who always leave their umbrella behind on the train so go off and nick someone else`s.
bonsai bikes. As with most forms of transport in Japan - esp the car and the van - the bike often comes in very small and adorable sizes. It is not uncommon to see a businessman zipping about on what appears to be a kiddie`s bike, his knees almost cramped up to his chest as he hurtles along, bent double over his prized tiny toy. Last night I saw a young woman riding the tiniest bike painted in bubblegum pink - the handlebars, pedals and spokes were resplendently ... pink ... with a hint of fairy-floss. Very cute!
bike acrobatics. As most Japanese shot out of the womb on a tricycle, they are masters of multi-skilling whilst riding one`s bicycle. I have witnessed a person cycling in the rain with an umbrella in one hand, a mobile phone in the other and a fag expertly held betwixt the lips. An attempt to imitate the umbrella-riding style on my part ended in a long, uncontrolled skid and nearby shrieks from a crowd of women. Most harrowing and not to be attempted again!
costume photo.If you`d rather not fork out the cash for a Lil Bo Peep dress, why not try one on in a costume photo shop and get a snap taken? This service also features nurses` uniforms and naval-style schoolgirl outfits.
love hotels. So far I have researched love hotels for the imminent arrival of Maid Marion and Sir Keith, and Sir Stuart, in order that they experience a novel place to stay. I have sneaked into Hotel Banana, I have diced with death in Hotel Tomato and I secreted myself in Hotel Parsley. All hotels are easy to spot from their absurd names and the plastic strips which hang from their carpark roofs (so that the cars parked within are screened from view of the general public and any marauding in-laws). Coy couples shuffled by me with their heads bent. I observed several of the photo menus: sadly the weirdest room was Disney-themed, with a Minnie Mouse Palace over the bed. A room in Hotel Banana had an ear-shaped chair and a hand-shaped sofa. The beds there are massive and have bright yellow duvets (continuing the banana theme). But alack! It seems that the more lavish, kookily themed rooms are found in Tokyo and Osaka only. There was not a dental surgery or schoolroom to be found in Hotel Parsley!
posted by Miss Ember at 6:52 pm
1 Comments:
Miss Ember, I am longing for a review of your tofu adventures.
Post a Comment
<< Home