
Earlier this year, the first annual Moehaku 萌え博 2010 show was held at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Tokyo. Moehaku is an exhibition of itasha decorated cars. Itasha is a Japanese term for an otaku fad of decorating cars with anime, manga, or video games characters.




At Moehaku the car decorations usually involved paint schemes and stickers and while decorated cars are called itasha, decorated motorcycles are called itansha while decorated bicycles are itachari.



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Posted on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Under: Anime and Otaku, Living in Japan | 1 Comment »

Thought its still very hot in Japan, it’s now the end of August which means summer will be ending soon. While you still have the chance, head off with some Japanese friends to the beach to enjoy the sun, surf and fun.








Posted on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
Under: Living in Japan | 3 Comments »

Living in Japan which has so many robots, a dancing robot is no longer a novelty. Check out some groovin robos from the the 6th ROBO-ONE GATE IN INTERNATIONAL ROBOT EXHIBITION which was held at the Tokyo Big Sight last November.
`LOVE & JOY, Yuhi Kimura` by Doka Harumi (Doka Project).

Thriller, Michael Jackson` by BLACK TIGER NEO (IKETOMU). The 2nd Place winner

Kingrass Hoppers` by Manoi GO (MANOI Planning & Dr. GIY),

`Nichibu Tokotoko Special` by Tokotokomaru (Team Tokotoko),

Posted on Monday, August 30th, 2010
Under: Anime and Otaku, Living in Japan, japan technology | 2 Comments »


A quiet stillness in some parts of Tokyo when the streets are empty after dark.
Posted on Saturday, August 28th, 2010
Under: Living in Japan | 2 Comments »

Learning Japanese? Know how to say parts of the body? Here are some basic vocabulary words.
1. Head あたま atama 2. Eye 目 me 3. Forehead ひたい hitai 4. Nose 鼻 hana 5. Chin あご ago 6. Eyebrow まゆげ mayuge 7. Ears 耳 mimi 8. Mouth 口 kuchi 9. Cheeks ほっぺ hoppe 10. Tongue 舌 shita 11. Hair 髪の毛 kami no ke – 12. Shoulder かた kata 13. Arm うで ude 14. Elbow ひじ hiji 15. Hand 手 te -16. Thumb 親指 oyayubi 17. Chest 胸 mune 18. Stomach おなか onaka 19. Foot あし ashi 20. Eyelash まつげ 21. Toe つまさき 22. Underarm わきの下 23. Back 背中 24. Neck 首 25. Finger 指 Read more...
Posted on Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Under: Learning Japanese, Living in Japan, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

What are these guys playing on their iphones? Could it be Japan Celebrity poker (or Japan Idol poker) ジャパンアイドルポーカー? That iphone app features photos and some video of some of Japan’s top JAV artists including Maria Ozawa 小澤 マリア, Mihiro みひろ, Honoka 穂花, Risa Coda 倖田梨紗 Ai Takeuchi 竹内あい and Tina Yuzuki (Rio) 柚木ティナ.
Which av idol do you want to playing 5 card draw with?
Posted on Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Under: Japanese Products, Living in Japan | 3 Comments »

Non Japanese people usually sign legal contracts or other important documents in ink, but Japanese traditionally prefer an engraved stamp called a hanko. One concern though, is that the stamped signature, usually the owner’s name, can be easily forged. Mitsubishi Pencil’s Security Enhanced Personalized Hanko stamp ダイヤルバンク印 alleviates the risk of fraud by adding a two-digit dial that creates a series of marks around the printed name, making it difficult for an unauthorized person to copy someone’s stamp. It also wards against theft by requiring a code to be entered before use.

Cost of the stamp is 21,000 Yen.
Posted on Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Under: Japanese Products, Living in Japan, japan technology | 1 Comment »

We all know Tokyo is really crowded but how can you get a clear path on a crowded train platform full of Japanese salarymen? Answer is be a cute Japanese girl wearing a short skirt
Posted on Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
Under: Living in Japan | 3 Comments »

Japanese sumo wrestlers enter the sacred basho.
Day 9 – 2010 March Haru Basho Grand Sumo Tournament
Posted on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
Under: Living in Japan | 3 Comments »

Rockabilly lives on in Japan. Check out this guy’s rockabilly hairstyle!
Posted on Sunday, August 15th, 2010
Under: Living in Japan | 2 Comments »