Akihabara (Tokyo Realtime Audio Tour)

Akihabara has long been a popular destination for visitors who come to Tokyo. A publishing company in Tokyo. White Rabbit Press released audio guided tours of Akihabara.

TOKYO REALTIME tours interweave narration and interviews within a soundscape of location ambience. The tours deliver a seamless mix of adventure and cultural insight while navigating real-world spaces. Simply transfer the audio program to any portable mp3 player, go to the starting point on the included map and press play

Akihabara
TOKYO’S ELECTRIC TOWN, Akihabara is Japan’s subculture hotspot for anime, manga, games and figures which attracts hardcore fans - and curious visitors - from all over the world. Internationally recognized experts on the area take you on an unforgettable, behind-the-scenes tour of the area. You’ll visit all the must-see shops, gain historical knowledge, cultural insights and learn insider jargon like otagei, moé, itasha and more.

I often go to Akihabara to buy electric household appliances and digital gadgets. But I hesitated to enter otaku shops. I try with this Audio Tour again.

TOKYO REALTIME - Audio Guided Walking Tours

snow day at Tokyo Univ Feb 2010

These days, It’s very cold in Tokyo. Snow covered Tokyo.

It’s first time on this winter season. I went to see snow at Tokyo univ’s ground.

University of Tokyo
Google Maps

Yuru chara by Jun Miura

“Yuru chara” means weaker characterized characters. Japanese illustration artist, Jun Miura named that concept “Yuru chara” firstly. Yuru Chara does not like Disney’s charactor and Japanese animation. Most of them are designed with amateurism.

Japanese loves characters. but sometimes they feel business mind inside of characters. So they prefer to amateurism. Jun miura gathered lots of Yuru chara at his exhibition.

His idea is very unique.

Jun miura (japanese)
Yuru chara (Wikipedia Japan)

Tokyo City View (in Roppongi Hills)

On new year day I observed panorama of Tokyo from Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills.

It is on 52th floor of Mori Tower. And the Sky Deck is open-air roof top which is located 270 meters above sea level.

It was cold but feeling good to gaze out the 360 vista of Tokyo.

Roppongi Hills
Tokyo City View (English site)

suica penguin illumination

Now here’s so many beautiful illuminations in Tokyo,Shinjuku southern area is also decorated.

Suica penguins are dressed up for holidays!

They work for East Japan Railway Company (JR East), the head office is at there.
Can you see their costumes are like station employee?

suica (japanese)
Suica-wikipedia

LaQua (Tokyo Dome City) Christmas illminations 2009 winter

LaQua is attraction, and shop & restaurant zone near Tokyo Dome. Beautiful Christmas illuminations are there for winter season.

There are 5 illminated art objects.

I took photos 3 of 5.

LaQua (English site)
Google Maps

Hara Roll

Our latest & maybe nearest sweet shop topics is “Hara Roll”!

These roll cakes are made with good tofu, rice powder and Japanese yummy things like kinako, bamboo charcoal, maroons, etc.

The shop is also really cute!

Hara Roll (japanese)
Hara Donuts - sister shops (japanese)
Google Maps

Omotesando Christmas illminations 2009 winter

Omotesando Christmas illminations started for this month. It has ended since 1999 for influence of trafific jam.

That’s beautiful!! (but overcrowded.)

This event wikk keep up until Jan.10.

Omotesando illminations
Google Maps