Halloween becoming major in Japan!

Although Halloween was not a major event in Japan, recently, there are Halloween displays and kids going out doing Trick-or-treat.

Maybe Halloween is getting well know because Disneyland has been putting up TV commercials of Halloween parade in Japan!

Here's a photo of Jack o' lantern I found when I was walking past a florist.

Made Jack o' lantern out of a pumpkin that was growing in our back yard.

Major animation in Japan

One of the major animation in Japan is Gundam, a story in the future where war is conducted by mobile suit (war machine).

The first series was aired in the 1970s, and since then, there has been a lot of story with lots of different style Gundam.

This photo here is some of the Gundams and there's much more not shown in this display.

Wonder how many version there are currently, but sure is a long running animation series!!

General Frankie from One Piece

One character I like from the animation One Piece is this robot, "General Frankie".

The unique part about it is that is uses coke as its energy to shoot laser.

Now the story is in a different chapter, but I hope to see it in action again soon.

Art Aquarium 2013 at Coredo Muromachi in Nihonbashi, Tokyo

Made a video from the pictures I took at Art Aquarium 2013 exhibit at Coredo Muromachi in Nihonbashi, Tokyo.

Because they do not allow video filming at the exhibit, I tried taking as many pictures as possible so that I can see the various changes of the exhibit.

The thing is, there's no way you can replicate the sound and the aroma at the exhibit...but anyways, still good!

Goldfish art screen

Here's an unique goldfish art exhibit from the Art Aquarium.

There's a long screen behind the aquarium and you can see the goldfish swimming in front of the four seasons in Japan.

The movie is about five minutes.

You should also notice the movie reflecting on the surface of the water on the aquarium in the front.

Live goldfish kimono design

At one of the exhibit at the Art Aquarium, you can enjoy a live goldfish kimono design.

They have a screen shaped in kimono with a goldfish aquarium in the front.

Along with the music, various design is projected on the screen.

Here is one part of the exhibit.  You can see the design of a blue ink spreading on the kimono, followed by different design.

Because the goldfish is alive and swimming constantly, there are no designs exactly alike!

Art Aquarium at Coredo Muromachi Part 2

Here's a set of other goldfish display at the Art Aquarium.

Different goldfish placed in a oval aquarium with water filled to the top.

Looks so beautiful, that it might be a good display to feel cool when it is hot.

You'll also be amazed to see all the different kinds of goldfish you can see here!

Art Aquarium at Coredo Muromachi

At Coredo Muromachi in Nihonbashi (right across from Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi) they are having an art exhibit called Art Aquarium until September 23rd.

Inside, there are various aquariums displayed with beautiful lighting and music.

If you are in the Tokyo area, its worth seeing it, but if you go there on the weekend, you'll have to line up for a long time!!

Various cutting knife in Japan

If you have been to a good Japanese restaurant, maybe you have noticed that the Japanese chef uses various kinds of cutting knife to cook.

Knife to cut meat, knife to cut sashimi etc. etc.

If you're interested in seeing such variation, there is a knife shop right next to the kibi dango store in Shin-Nakamise at Asakusa.

"Kibi dango" (millet dumpling)

If you have a chance to visit Asakusa, there's one thing you may want to try.

That is "Kibi dango" (millet dumpling).

It has become so famous that there is a line of people waiting to buy the kibi dango.

But because you cannot eat as you walk down Shin-Nakamise (the main street of Senso-ji Temple), you'll have to eat it inside the area right next to the shop.

(Below) Lady preparing kibi dango. (You can see that it is warm)

Samba Carnival in Asakusa, Tokyo

Every year, on the last Saturday of August, they have a Samba Carnival at Asakusa, Tokyo.

Samba dancers from all over Japan participate in it, dancing down the street in various costumes.

And like Japan, there was a dancing team wearing costume from an online game "Ragnarok Online".

There were also a team of dancers dressed in costume based on various countries, looking like "It's a small world".

There's one more video that somehow cannot be thumbnailed, but here's another one if you're interested.

Travel_Samba Carnival dancers dressed in "Kogal" style costume

You're lucky if you see one

This is a 50th anniversary version of the Yamanote-line, a train circling around Tokyo area.

There's only one going around Tokyo, so  you're lucky if you are to see one.

Other trains were the same such as Keihin-Tohoku line (all blue), Sobu-line (all yellow).

It was easy in a sense that the trains were color coded.

Carnivorous dinosaurs in Tokyo!

There's a dinosaur skeletal exhibition in Tokyo area right now.

The photos in this article are from the display at Marunouchi building in Tokyo.

They also have hervibore dino display at a different building called Oazo.

Although the displays are bone replicas, still, you can enjoy them!

Promotion of an animation called "Valbrave"

A promotion of a new robot animation called "Valbrave" inside JR Akihabara station terminal.

As you can see, the model is pretty tall...about 2.5 meters (8ft)?

Always wonder what happens to this model after promotion...

Love this! General Franky (Comic: One Piece) model

Had a chance to bump into a show case displaying character models from the famous comic One Piece.

One of the character I love is this robot called "General Franky".

Why do I love it?  It uses coke as its fuel!!

Awa Odori, a traditional dance in Tokushima prefecture is in season!!

If you are in the Shikoku region of Japan, you should visit Tokushima.

This week, they are having a festival where Tokushima citizens get dressed in Japanese traditional outfits and dancing through the street.

Even if you cannot make it to the festival, you can still enjoy this traditional dance called "Awa Odori" at "Awa Odori Kaikan" in the city of Tokushima.

You'll be able to enjoy various dancing style by different dancing teams every day!

Iron man in Akihabara

Happened to find Iron man standing in front of a hobby store in Akihabara.

Looked like it was standing there as a guard!