So I've got a cold today. The trainer at rugby took my temperature and sent me home (apparently having a fever is tantamount to bio terrorism in Japan) so I have my first Tuesday off in months. Obviously I went to work today with the fever that I didn't know I had, unsurprisingly it was very hot today.
Anyway, it's been slow lately what with the huge amount of practice, gym, rugby and work. In the meantime, here are a couple of videos I made for no particular reason!
The top one is a train journey with bad elevator music over the top (you really should just put your own music on and watch this while reading a book. It's particularly relaxing).
They're in the first division (under the top league) in Japan, so they're fairly strong in the scheme of things. Having said that, they only narrowly avoided relegation last year, so it'll be a struggle this year as well most likely.
We had a practice game against Yakult (of the yoghurt fame) this weekend, in which I played a measly 20 minutes. Infer from the 20 minutes what you will...
Anyway; I scored a try and made three or four runs for a total of probably 40 or 50 metres. I made one error in throwing a pass to no one after one such break, but my tackling was 100% (1 out of 1). It is debatable whether I should have gone inside to cover an attack that they ended up scoring from, but in the end it would have been 4 on 1 anyway so there's not much that could have been done.
They won by a try or two - one of theirs was a charge down and one was a kick with an incredibly wicked bounce (the aforementioned decision).
Anyway, if you are interested in watching, here it is.
The excitement of my life is lacking to the point of requiring a compilation of ideas in order to create a single entry into this diary.
I'm going to follow a television news style approach to proceedings, by retelling the terrifying news first, then then light-hearted feel-good story last.
A small car nearly piled into the back of us today; on icy roads. The lane we were travelling down had a closed intersection, due to another accident. The cross-roads had a lot of standing water, frozen over by the sub-zero temperatures. The guy behind was following rather close, and as we weighed anchors he went sailing past. His proximity to us meant he had no way of stopping, with or without ice.
We were the only two cars on the road for approximately ten minutes in any direction. His need to follow so closely derives purely from? Who knows. My guess is: He was afraid of the dark.
It wouldn't have been a life-threatening crash, nor even a bone threatening one; but it would have hurt. Thinking back to the times when I've drowned, ridden my bicycle into static objects (like the ground) and been valiantly dismounted by other motorists; I've pushed the boundaries of luck rather far.
Of course ultimately it doesn't matter in the slightest, because I'm never going to die, and come dangerous driving or severe lack of breathable atmosphere, nothing will change that.
In the lighter news category:
This is one of the things I love about keeping in touch with people you're not going to see for a long time. And keeping in touch with them properly.
I'm pretty sure this little guys' name is Ringo. Pronounced in Japanese that would approximate to 'lingo,' and I've no idea whether they're Beatles fans, before you ask. Was Ringo Star the Beatles? I've no idea. I've no care for pop-culture, and just because it's fifty year old pop-culture trivia doesn't give it an automatic pass into my brain.
Why is the liquid inside green? It might be the light; although I've a suspicion that it might be bathing in Ocha, which is green tea to you or I. Quick, hide this video from the RSPCA! (I doubt they have a Japan chapter, thankfully.)
I think the title of this post means, 'Let's go to Germany!' Germany, by the way, is: ドイツ。I think....
So I'm (hopefully) heading towards the land of litre-beer and sausages soon, in order to gain some insight into what makes the single largest portion of the EU economy tick.
Ok enough joking, I'm just going there to have a nose around, check out some museums, and eat some sausages. Hopefully I'll be able to take some good pictures too; but there's no real guarantee about that. Come to think of it, maybe that's what separates a good photographer from me - the knowledge that at any given moment a good picture will be taken, no matter the circumstances or situation.
What things are there to see in Berlin? It's only a short stay of a few days, so I guess we can't duck and dive through the undergrowth, hoping to come across something good, a planned approach is necessary.
Any ideas, internet?
And here, without further ado, is stalking cat 2: Hi-Def.
P.S This is the first hi-def youtube video that's actually worthy of the title of 'hi-def.' I'm reliably informed that this is due to reasons of a source nature, that is to say; while many cameras will shoot at a higher resolution, they sacrifice picture quality to do so. Being Japanese, the camera this guy is using is probably a few years from market here, so this is the future! Revel in its' glory.
So far I've resisted the temptation to draw up a top 'X' list of what's passed; but now have succumbed due to the brainwashing power of television. I watched a 'top 100' list of youtube videos on the gogglebox.
They got it all wrong of course, showing a few of the good videos, but misplacing importance and, therefore, numerical rankings.
So, here is my Top 'X' (the final number is subject to change.)
Although no numbers will be assigned, the last video will be the absolute, no questions asked, best youtube video of the moment.
Due to the transient nature of the youtube 'scene,' it will only be the best at the time of publishing, not a second after. Get used to it, the internet changes quickly!
First up, we have:
Jeremy Clarkson beatbox. 'Swedemason,' secretary of the Swedish chapter of our very own freemasons, presumably, has taken a vast number of clips and soundbytes, and spliced them together with an attention to detail that screams: 'Obsessive compulsive disorder.' However - to create something that can even be considered music, and I do consider it so, from the inane ramblings of Mr. Clarkson, is a feat of patience and genius. Good job.
Considering this is a family-friendly top 'X' I am sticking with the cutesy videos. In that vein, there is this:
It was a close call between the video above, and this: Link. I chose the one above because it's a genuine youtube, and therefore internet, breakthrough; whereas I suspect the linked clip to be taken from a 'you've been framed' style show.
Another cat that does deserve a mention however is this Japanese one. From the land of ninjas I present to you:
I think this cats' name is Daruma. A daruma is this. You paint one eye before the new year, and then the other on new year for good luck... Or something like that anyway. I can't remember the dates and whatnot.
Anyway; ninja cat. Awesome. Enough with cats now!
This next clip isn't; it's a genre. The genre in question is the overexploited category of 'crazy Japanese gameshows.' Producers and writers in the West are notorious for their chronic cranial malady, and this produces a lack of creativity, inspiration, energy, drama and so on. This leads to the pathetic televisual experience we now have.
The very few things that are worth watching, however, can be traced directly from the above genre. And now the videos. In order to demonstrate the genre to its' best, a few different videos are required. Remember, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. (I realise these clips may or may not be thought up in the land of the rising (I've genuinely no idea whether they were) but I have an affinity for that area, so let's pretend they were. Plus the Japanese have a reputation for this kind of thing, and one must earn any reputation.)
The precursor to our own 'hole in the wall.' No adlib dubbing from Craig Charles is necessary.
For the next clip, they're wearing binoculars...
This. Is. Genius. This is, literally, wet your pants funny. And I think everyone will agree. It's not often you get to watch something this funny, and the whole family can watch, appreciate, and enjoy the humour in it.
In this next clip let me forewarn you: They all run like uncoordinated fools. And that is how the average Japanese person actually runs, I've witnessed 'the platform run,' several times!
Ok, so this next one doesn't really need introducing, but I will anyway. Japanese gameshows have their own subgenres, such is the volume, they need subdividing and classifying.
This falls into the ever popular - 'laugh and get a forfeit, don't laugh and get cake,' sub-genre. The forfeit is usually extremely painful, and, depending on the time the show is aired, may or may not result in groin based pain.
This next video. Still on the Japanese gameshow theme. Think a light-hearted version of the Johnny Knoxville classic. Chicken or the egg?
This next clip. Yeah... It's brilliant, but I'm not going to introduce it; self-titling removes the need for any introduction.
It's when he arm swings straight through and only clips them. That's got to hurt. That's got to hurt like nothing else in the world.
The next clip demonstrates why Japan so desperately needs English teachers.
Why didn't they hit the guy who screwed up? Oh that's right, it's ok to screw up, but don't laugh at him!
One of the many similarities between our countries: Men dress up as women a lot on television, yet no one asks why.
Ok. Moving further down (or up, depending on whether you live in the southern hemisphere) the list; the two chinese students, who, bored one day; mimed the backstreet boys. They gained infamy in china, and commercial success, with adverts and sponsorship. Considering the extremely tight communist control in that country it's amazing. Chinese people can't even watch youtube! It's restricted from within the mainland! How did these guys get so famous? Probably a youtube style ripoff hosted within the borders. Anyway; the guy in the background is playing counterstrike, (version 1.6 (oldschool)) and was implemented to create a 'living background,' instead of just a static background. In the outtakes, in case you can't read chinese, someone knocks on the door asking for a towel or something, one of them misses his cues, and something else happens. I forgot what though.
They do a rendition of a popular chinese song, where the leading lady is dying from a terminal illness. In the original video she has a nosebleed that is faithfully recreated using ketchup. The out-takes are something else entirely for that video.
I was going to finish this today, but it's late and I want to head to bed, so I'll upload the absolute, unquestionable number one at a later date.
Anyway, seeing as nothing interesting is happening here, I'll put up some photographs and videos of my last day in Japan.
I can't remember what Fumie was trying to explain here, but it's an interesing picture. Well done for ignoring all the flashes, Fumie!
Nice jumper too...
I don't remember what was happening here. I think it's something to do with one of the Japanese classic TV series. It was the progenitor of american shows like Power Rangers and things of that ilk. Uramon, I think.
Looking good...
The next Calvin Klein models.
It took a few attempts to get this photo. Japanese people can pose like no others, I take a few attempts though... Sorry about that.
Also, Mado-chan is wearing full kimono, and it looks fantastic.
What you can't see in these photographs though, is the underwear worn with kimono is another full size kimono, and the example she was wearing was even prettier than the outer kimono!
A lot of effort goes into wearing these things.
In this photo, slap bang in the middle, is a real life geiko. In order to become a geisha, (of which there are only a thousand or so in Japan now), a girl must start as a trainee of sorts, then become a maiko, then a geiko, then a geisha. She's going to be a geisha someday, and it's an incredible privilege to spend time with her, in an incredibly informal and fun situation.
Tourists spend weeks looking for a geisha, to no avail. Meeting one in this situation, how lucky am I?!? And spending time with a Buddhist monk. What an amazing place Kyoto is...
A nice picture, with everyone in...
Except mado-chan, who is taking the picture.
Looking good; guys. This is how an upalupa looks, in case you were wondering what's going on.
Upalupa is especially vigorous in her depiction of her namesake.
Again, looking good guys :)
Look at the flowers behind Takako's head. This was unplanned, but looking at the video of her singing, is entirely appropriate.
(Check out the video at the end of this post.)
It's worth noting that geisha even look elegant when drinking.
It was a couple of days after halloween, so there were a few trinkets in the house. These devil horns made a few interesting pictures...
Cute.
The hat never comes off though, I think it's glued to her head.
This is one of my favourite pictures.
The pumpkin hat did the rounds, just like the horns.
This is also the default face of Takako, if she isn't smiling then something is seriously wrong.
I don't know what that hand is doing...
And where is that hand coming from as well?
I'm pretty sure it's not mine.
And then it all comes a cropper.
Nice hat there, Mado.
There are lots of photographs, so there's a lot to get through...
Fumie is looking miffed, or drunk or something... Cheer up!
We had an excellent guitar accompinament for the whole night, thanks to the extra housemate Oishibashi picked up while I was away.
Obviously, the entire night was fantastic fun. Thanks everyone!
So the layers when wearing kimono are:
underwear
under-kimono (I've forgotten the name)
kimono
Obi (this is the orange belt, and has several more layers of its own, including a hard board to keep the shape)
haori
This is why it takes an hour to put everything on.
The girls by candlelight.
Nice picture.
Hello there, upalupa-chan.
Looking good there, for a Japanese lizard thing!
OH MY GOD!
AVERT YOUR EYES!!!!!!
It's a monster from the deep!
Ok so now onto the videos:
This is a game I taught everyone; originally it was a rugby drinking game, but I adapted it for the housemates.
Unfortunately, they were all a lot better at the game than I was. This is basically the reason for me taking this video, because I was immediately eliminated.
As you can see from everyones reactions, it is a lot of fun.
The second video requires something of an introduction. Mado told me that Takako was a terrific singer, so I asked her to show everyone. We all thought she was going to do some karaoke style pop singing. Click on the video now please.
It's only thirty seconds, and the sound quality is abysmal; but jesus. She is absolutely fantastic. Amazing. Superlatives run out...
I organised to help a monk, with a couple of others, dig over some land in his garden, in order for him to create a vegetable plot. In exchange, we'd be treated to an awesome food fest in an extremely traditional Japanese style.
However, we didn't do any digging, we just had an awesome feast. It was brilliant.
These monks live in an amazing house, single storey, that covers some prime real estate in the kyoto region. It's a really traditional Japanese style, and is absolutely unbelievable. I want to live there.
So this is upalupa-chan. I can't take a photograph of her without some kind of face being pulled. She has an incredible talent, as soon as a camera is turned on, her face becomes some kind of comedy image.
うーぱーるーぱーちゃん。
This is an upalupa. It's a salamander basically, and her nickname is upalupa-chan. Besides, I like saying the word upalupa. It's fantastic to say.
This is the monk. He's particularly fond of James Bond and therefore takes a number of James Bond inspired nicknames. Such as, 'James monk,' Double 'O' monk etcetera.
He's basically amazing. He's a really nice guy, and has more energy than anyone I've ever met before, so he's just really good fun to be around. I think this is only really true if you're five years old at heart, like me, so he could probably become a little tiring after a while.
So some people asked for more pictures of me, here they are.
We randomly came across these girls dressed in Kimono, and I stole a couple of photographs with them.
See below for the comedy version of this picture.
Yeah, the comedy version.
They instinctively knew the pose to strike, without any input from me; so I just played along with them.
It's genetic, all asians can do this pose with zero thought.
If you see this pose, it means someone is taking a photograph.
This is taken from a bridge over a 'creek' kind of thing, looking up at a bridge.
If you go to the correct areas in Kyoto, which I did through these Japanese J-hopper connections, the streets and town feel like something from the 18th century. It really is fantastic.
There are still parts of Japan that fit the postcard image!
A temple whose name I've already forgotten.
The compound contains the largest monks sitting place in Japan.
Essentially it's a hall, where up to four hundred monks congregate at any once time in order to practice their meditation. It's a solo study, so it's one of those scenarios where they could be in there for a month, or an hour, or forever.
This is a different bulding, and one that was used to stage a big budget concert in 2006. Interestingly they filmed the whole affair and put it on dvd, in 5 different languages!
The monk who lives in the house we visited opened a brand new dvd case to show us the video, so I don't think he has many foreign guests.
In case you were wondering. Yes he has a 30 inch HD LCD tv with a built in blu-ray player and a ps3 slim. He also has a motorbike, and another TV in his well equipped kitchen.
He is definitely a monk too.
This is the entrance to the monks' house, with うーぱーるーぱーちゃん showing us how an open door works.
Basically speaking, you walk through it. Although the bike proved to be something of a hindrance.
It's an amazing house, like I've said before.
This is the garden we should have been digging over, but were quickly ushered away from.
A part of me is vey thankful that we didn't have to attack this area, because the task, as you can see, is a daunting one.
However another part of me felt quite gulty that we were stealing this guys food without giving anything back. They're quite reliant on other people helping them.
So this is the interior sectio of the house, overlooking the back garden. The back is an entirely different kettle of fish...
The whole building is extremely traditional and wooden; and presumably rather cold in winter.
This is the zen buddhist garden of choice.
If I knew anything about the religion I'm sure there ar some idols or icons I could point out, that create the quintessentially buddhist garden; but I don't so I won't.
The grass is actually a kind of moss. I'm not sure how you would mow that...
This picture is to the left of the one above.
It's looking back at one of the wings of the house to the left when you enter. Basically the whole thing seems to be quite modular, and I don't know whether it was all built at the same time, or if parts were added at different times.
It's an exceptional building though, as I keep saying.
And this is the guy that lives there.
He's うーぱーるーぱーちゃん's and James Monks friend.
He doesn't speak any English, but with the help of the other two (their names are too long to keep retyping!) we were led through something of a zen biddhist meditation ritual.
It was all very interesting, and it was fantastic to gain a small insight into their world.
They showed me their impressive collection of bells, gongs and all noise making instruments as well.
Ever impressed by noisy, shiny or silly things I really liked these particular aspects of the ritual we later undertook.
Also, James monk (pictured) demontrated why he has the name he does. Watch the video I put at the bottom.
The thing he's holding would later be eaten, having just been picked from the forest/garden at the front.
It tastes awful.
I don't know what it's called either, but it looks horrible and tastes horrible, it's one of those fruits or vegetables that makes you wonder what its' purpose is. What does that thing contribute to the world?
I don't think we will ever know.
I like this picture, because the great big bowl behind hi is one of the instruments I talked abotu earlier. You hit it with some kind of small hammer, and it makes a noise, except it makes a noise for about a minute. It's an extremely interesting instrument for sure!
The monk also looks really monk-ish.
Yeah we had to eat that...
Ah I just thought of a purpose for its' existence!
To make people laugh...
So they cooked the meal, we cleaned the dishes.
I hope they re-cleaned them again after we did the dishes, because I'm not very good at it.
I'll probably never see the monk again though, so I'm safe from his wrath. Even though I don't think buddhists have wrath.
Everyone sits down for a pot of nabe. Nabe is just hotpot; and this one had a little bit of everything thrown into it.
It was delicious.
The beer helped too, of course.
And now we see why she is called salamander-chan...
Nice gills you've got there!
Two of the three girls I live with. The other turns out to be quiter camera shy, despite being a rockstar.
They're the same girls that performed nans birthday celebratory song.
So this is the band (nameless at the moment) about to perform their song.
The things the middle girl is holding were the exploding flowers full of confetti that I accidentally set-off.
And finally, when all others had gone to bed; mado showed me how to make onigiri (the thing on the right) and yakisoba (the thing on the left). I can't make them, but these examples were particularly delicious!
Thank you!
This is how he got his James Bond inspired moniker...
This is an instructional video designed to show how to make onigiri. The process seems quite easy, yet the actual mechanics elude me, despite having this video to help.
My camera only takes three minutes of footage, so I split it into two parts.
That was the day of zen buddhism and birthday celebrations.
So this is the (now) awfully late birthday surprise for nan. I taught the girls in my new house, (long story, to be covered at a later date) the happy birthday song. (OK, they already knew it, but I taught them the word 'nan') And they performed this!
On a side-note, they originally planned an epic production of hollywood proportions, involving streamers and exploding things and whatnot; except they forgot to tell me about it, so I picked up a flower and thought, 'hmmm I wonder what this button does,' pressed it, and the streamers went all over the floor, while not being filmed. Sorry about that nan.
Unfortunately this will have to do :(
(My apologies once again)
P.s No alcohol was consumed in the production of this video.
P.P.s The ugly wooden thing fumi is holding is called a daruma. You might want to wikipedia that or something.
P.P.P.s After watching the footage back, I noticed that it's shaking all over the place. This is because I could not stop laughing. Sorry again nan...
So I'm X number of days late with this but, (here come the sporting excuses) my camera flaked out on me, and I needed to find some more willing volunteers (see:victims) to help me out. So without any further ado.
Let's learn some Japanese!
(Name) たんじびおめでとうございます
(Name) Tanjobi omedito gozaimasu.
Ok, repeat after me class!
Ok well done. Now for a different way of saying it!
Ray san, o tanjobi, omedito. I think that's right anyway. Maybe, maybe not, just repeat after her please class!
Ok, well done class. Please look forward to the next lesson!
So this day was absolutely fantastic. It began with a long journey up through Tokyo to the Tokyo Aquarium. We took a quick walk around the area, taking in the sights and snapping a few on the way. We then saw an unbelievable family of wadaiko drummers. I don't really know what the difference between Taiko and Wadaiko is, but they're both incredibly awesome. I love both of them, the noise they make shakes your bones, it must be amazing to be able to play those instruments. I can vaguely see the appeal of learning something like the guitar, or violin, or something of that nature; but I can absolutely see the attraction of playing with Wadaiko, it's like playing with thunder. Fantastic.
We then went into the aquarium and had a nose around there. It was pretty good, but here we felt the sting of the Japanese population. It was packed. Absolutely full to the brim. We had to go on a weekend because of my schedule, so I should have expected the crowded nature of things.
Again I'm posed with something of a dichotomy of opinion about the packed nature of certain attractions during the day. Firstly, I can't speak Japanese, so all the shouting and general high level of noise is just that, noise. It holds no meaning to me and therefore cannot be annoying. Secondly, a few smaller attractions aside, I stand nearly a head taller than everyone; so seeing things is not a problem for me. I can see everything, even when there are thirty people in front of a single tank. Of course the downsides are the same no matter where you're from or you're visiting. Lots of people.
These aspects are entirely selfish of course, because my companion was a little over five feet, and couldn't see a thing. I offered to lift her for a better view, but she declined...
So after the aquarium I readied myself for dinner. I have wanted to try yakiniku since I've been here, but it's really expensive; so today I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. If you don't know what yakiniku is, wait for the pictures.
Unfortunately this meal, coupled with the shinkansen ride the following day has pretty much wiped a few zero's off my budget, which is unfortunate...
So now we move onto the pictures, and today we have an awful lot.
So I saw these guys driving around the street, right outside my hostel at the beginning of the day. They're pushing a crazy gear that basically means their feet go round a hundred times, and the wheels go round once.
It pretty much set my day up with a smile to see these guys driving around in their stupid vehicles, bought a smile to my face from the very beginning.
This is the view from the aquarium complex. There's a great big park with all kinds of amusements, and one of the attractions is this beach/seafront area. Lots of kites and frollicking happens here, by the looks of things.
It was a pretty hot day too; I've no idea how many celsius, but I would imagine a fair number more than in England.
So the glassdome/planetarium kind of structure is actually the aquarium. Nothing is housed in that dome, literally nothing, it's just an empty shell.
I suppose it looks quite nice, but all that just to house a few escalators? Overkill methinks.
This is from the top of a small (glass again) structure overlooking the entire area. All things considered, it's a very nice place.
So this is the big ol' drum. I think the big one is wadaiko, and the smaller ones are taiko, but I'm not sure about that.
It makes an absolutely fantastic sound. It really is thunderous, and sounds amazing to say the least.
I want to learn how to play taiko and wadaiko, but I also like the flute, (you can hear it in almost all of my taiko videos) in the earlier matsuri the players were all able to play everything, again, a fantastic breadth of skill involved there!
Maybe I can study somewhere back home? I wonder... Anyone reading this who lives near the Letchworth/Stevenage/Hitchin area and can teach Taiko? No, I didn't think so... Oh well, I'll have to wait until I come back here I guess.
The stand seen here didn't look particularly solid when I was watching it, but they all pounded the absolute hell out of that thing, and it didn't even wobble, so they obviously know what they're doing.
I badly wanted to hit this drum when they weren't looking. It's just begging to have the hell beaten out of it.
I'll say again, it sounds like rolling thunder. The kind of sound a hyper car makes in a tunnel, the guttural sensation that makes the hairs all over your body stand on end.
Ok so these are some more shots of the traditional dress. I've not shown you many; the view of the traditional Japanese wedding was an extremely lucky and privileged one and I've just left it at that really. So here's another close-up, even if it's from a rather obscure angle.
The trio, man, woman and girl, are actually a family. From what I understand they travel around performing their amazing act, provide tuition and generally provide taiko based products for Japan.
They're cool!
So here's a stills shot of the same performance as one of my videos. As I may (or may not) have said before, my camera had a fit and lost a lot of information; namely a number of videos I made, and a few pictures. This really is a crying shame, but it gives me a greater incentive to find some more performances around the place.
So here's the patriarch. He really looks the part doesn't he? That's a rhetorical question by the way, I'm telling you he does.
What you can't see in this picture is the vocal accompaniment he gives while drumming, namely shouts and jeers; (presumably in time with the music) if you've ever seen the shaolin monks live or on the tele, you'll hear them make similar kinds of noises to psyche themselves up. It's all very macho and masculine, and frankly very cool.
So this is macho mans' wife. I put the ownership over 'mans', even though I'm sure a few feminists would object.
So his wife is also fantastic.
They move so quickly between drums, and they move over the face of the drum to create different sounds so easily; practice makes perfect I guess.
The fact it's a family troupe would also help in their timing and whatnot I suppose.
So another shot of the head honcho.
He's pulling quite an interesting face too!
Ok there are a lot more wadaiko photos because I like them so much, but I'll try and limit them!
Sorry!
The whole family unit.
Taking the plaudits for their great performance.
I want one of those drums...
You can see the traditional dress in this picture as well, amazing stuff.
So when the main performance had finished they pulled the smaller taiko around and did a little pair drumming. These make a completely different sound to the big drum, and the smaller black ones.
Sorry for another taiko picture...
So the girl really laid into the drum with all she had, and the sound was really something else.
How many times can I say fantastic without it getting boring? How many has it been now?
Hammerhead sharks in a tank. Yummy! I've never seen hammer heads in a tank before, so it's pretty cool.
Coming to think of it I don't think I've seen these guys in the flesh before.
They sense electrical currents between the two eye protrusions, and feed on creatures hiding in the sand. All creatures give off a slight eletrical current, so it's a handy combination I think you'll agree.
Stingray.
Steve Irwin look away now.
They were all in the same tank, so they don't eat each other.
There were a couple of cool looking fish hanging around the bottom of the tank. かわいい！ (Cute) Well I think they are anyway...
Cute in an ugly kind of way, not in a rirakuma kind of way.
Taking pictures of seaweed is pretty bo... Wait a second, is it an animal?
Who knows.
Good camouflauge though.
So I also like this picture.
There's not a lot else to say really, without telling you what it is, but that would be no fun.
A random picture of Japanese people?
Yes.
This is basically to illustrate how full it was. This is overlooking a large tank full of tuna, so you're thinking right now, ah, tuna, there would obviously be a large number of hungry Japanese congregating at this part. This may be true, but there were a lot of people everywhere, not just here.
So these slimy critters are fish that survive in rock pools. Their enclosure periodically simluates this, by throwing a lot of water on them. They climb up the sides of the rocks inbetween the drenchings and nibble on the algae.
Strange things. I don't know how they breathe. With difficulty, or they hold their breath for a really long time. It's kind of weird to think they might hold their breath when out of the water...
Some red spiny lobster.
It reminded me of seeing the lobster when diving, and how scary they actually look in the deep dark ocean.
I think they look kind of delicious behind glass though...
Flying fish! I have to say, of all the creatures in this aquarium these looked the least impressed. Not being able to 'fly' must be quite depressing I suppose.
Even if you can only remember the last three seconds, they're three seconds of not gliding over the waves. I can see why that'd make any creature sad.
The last picture is a blurred shot of one of these guys. He changed colours and everything, but my video is also lost!
Damned camera.
They also move around extremely quickly which is why this picture is awful. Sorry about that...
Okk so now we move onto the expensive feast. Yakiniku just means barbecued meat, or something like that.
It does make you happy though...
Wait for the next few photos!
I had an unbelievable craving for some real meat, everything here is fish or wafer thin slices of some unindentifiable meat, that may have once been a cow...
So this was on the bottom of that title page; the menu is worth a thousand yen by itself! (The meal cost considerably more...)
Read this all the way through a couple of times for full impace. Amazing...
So you grill the food on this little barbecue in the middle of the table.
It's cool stuff, for sure.
And here's the platter we ordered!!!
Those are hot dog sausages in case you were wondering; interesting decision on that front...
But yeah the meal was amazing.
Once a month I will make it my mission to eat yakiniku if I get a job over here.
Here's then beginning.
Halfway through grilling the first batch, and hardly a dent made upon the foodstuffs.
And look at the mound of rice that cost 150円. Cool.
Everything about this setup is cool.
Halfway through, maybe two thirds of the way through.
It's all in a tare sauce, I've no idea what it is in English, kind of like a barbecue sauce I think.
It was tasty either way.
And that was pretty much my day. It was all really good, and I enjoyed it a lot.
Some videos now:
So this is the first of half a dozen videos I took of the family; however only two survived... Oh well. Turn the sound up for these; despite the terrible sound quality you can still get a feel for the noise these things make. Unfortunately my videos of the guy hitting the big drum have been lost; take my word for it. It's impressive.
So this is the other video of the family. This has them only playing drums; and you get more of a feel for the sound.
And here are some random jellyfish... I like watching them; they're like a living lava lamp.
I finally took some video of the drum game I like so much! They're all over the arcades in Tokyo, and there are none in Kyoto that I've seen. I'm going to miss these guys while I'm away from Tokyo.
Ok so that's all the video from my trip to the aquarium. Another strange place to visit, just like the zoo. I'm just a sucker for delicious looking animals I guess.
