MORE RANDOM PHOTOGRAPHS

Yes, I know, some of the photographs are "Photo-shopped". I do enjoy doing my own thing.

Gulls in Tennocho

Construction Crane in Shin-Yokohama 

Watchful eye

New construction at Tennocho Station

Variety with man hole covers

Whats down there?

Don't look it but a very fast moving train

Just a cool truck that caught my eye

They enjoy restored oldies here too 

Ambulance on the move

You looking at me?

Yokosuka bar icon

 Ceiling of Dai Shopping Mall

Yokosuka bar burger offering

HOUSING – THINGS TO CONSIDER

A big selling point for any home in Japan is "Walking Time to the nearest train station" which will always be posted with a home description.

When renting a house/apartment besides a security deposit, that matches one month of rent, it is very common to have an additional fee to the owner, a non-refundable "gift" matching the cost of a month of rent.

Apartments and houses do NOT come with a refrigerator or microwave and some don't even come with a stove (many home still have stoves that use propane from tanks) --- all must be provided by you. They do not use in-sink garbage disposals. There is no central heat. Many homes have permanently installed space heaters in the main rooms but if not you need to get free standing electric or kerosene heaters.

Wall mounted space heater

Electric Space Heater

Another common U.S. item not generally found in Japan is a large oven. They sell cook-tops with a couple of burners on top and a small, about one foot long by six inches high “oven” built in. Probably more properly called a broiler. They are not big enough to cook a full chicken. I am not sure if they are practical for baking but you would not be able to bake more than one layer/pan of a cake at a time.

No oven - just a small broiler

Some houses have no direct access to the nearest road and you have to walk up 50-100 steps to get to the door (no other way). Some are on VERY narrow streets where delivery vans or ambulances would not fit.

Often when you buy/rent a house you have to participate in the neighborhood "association" where people take turns patrolling the neighborhood, picking up trash, etc.

BATHING

Japanese homes to not have a hot water tank, they use a localized “heat on demand” system, usually only hooked up to the kitchen faucet and shower room. The system is adjusted by a single control box, often mounted in the kitchen with a default setting for warm temperatures for kitchen use. When one desires to take a shower, they must remember to go to the kitchen and manually raise the temperature. After a predetermined time, the temperature will reset itself to the default. The system works good; water heats up rapidly and you don’t run out of hot water. Once again, another electricity saving device.

Water heater control

Showers – Unlike American bathrooms, the bathing room is separate from the toilet. What the American thinks of as the Shower Door, in the Japanese home, the Shower Door encloses both a shower area (NOT in the tub) and the tub.

The shower head itself, is attached to a flexible hose (many American home already have adapted this), with a mount high, for the standing user, and a mount low for the seated user. It is common for females to shower while seated on a small plastic stool.

Shower/bathtub

Baths – Bathtubs are generally deeper and a bit shorter in length than Americans tubs. I find them much more comfortable. Because of the Japanese tradition of taking a bath as a form of relaxation, vs cleaning, in a family, you are expected to take a shower before getting into the bath, then after taking your bath, you do not drain the water. Rather, there are covers used that fit over the top of the tub that retain the heat for the next user. It is also common for a tub to have a “re-heater”. Just as the name implies, it is used to reheat the water that was saved from a previous bath.

MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOGRAPHS

Ferris wheel downtown Yokohama waterfront

One of many small shopping areas along Hodogaya Road

Hodogaya Road historic marker

Wonder what is on the menu here?

Below is an ad I noticed on a train. Look closely at what your seeing. YIKES, that don't look too comfortable to me. The ad loosely translates to "Painless nasal gargle".

What the....?

Another Yokohama street scene

Bone Setter office

He's back!

Yokohama waterfront night scene

What, me worry?

Betty, an oldie but goodie, found worldwide

Atop a Yokosuka hotel

Adult toy shop (I think)

KAMAKURA

Torii Gate at main entrance to shrine

Spent a Sunday in Kamakura. Kamakura is a town in the Kanagawa Prefecture, about 30 miles southwest of Tokyo. During medieval times it was the political center of Japan. Now-a-days, it is known for its many shrines and temples and is mostly a tourist destination.

On this visit, we skipped the most famous site of the, "Daibutsu" or "Great Buddha", a 37 foot high, 121 ton bronze statue of the Buddha, constructed in 1252.

I don't know what the banners are about

After leaving the train station you almost immediately find yourself enmeshed in a mass of people/tourist. Going with the flow (is there any other choice?) you end up on a long, narrow, straight street, lined with small shops that sell mostly cheap trinkets at high cost, or exotic items at very high cost.

Oh so many people!

Made a quick stop for at the Niku-man booth, Niku-man is a steamed Chinese style bun made from flour dough and filled with a variety of options from ground meats to candied red beans (called An-man). Very tasty!

Niku-man booth where we chose the An-man

There are plenty of restaurants offering everything from classic Japanese staples to all types of international standards, such as hamburgers, pasta, or French breads.

 Prized koi (or as we Americans say, "Carp"

 Classic Japanese Stone Lantern

 Another classic Japanese Stone Lantern

 Stone Lion

  Gold Lion

Stone Torii Gate

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS 

CITY OFFICE

Here in Japan, everyone, native or not, has to register at the City Office where they reside. If you move to another city you need to re-register there. Even though I’m only temporarily in Yokohama I had to go to the local City Office, with my visa (you don’t need a visa to simply visit Japan) and officialize my arrival here.

Unlike the states, everything went quite smoothly. The government bureaucrats I dealt with were all very friendly, helpful, patient, and efficient. I had to wait in two different lines to complete the process and as I waited I watched…
The officials behind the desks took turns rotating out into the customer area where they actively looked for people that acted the least confused. Seeing such a person they approached them and provided whatever assistance that was required. They found forms, helped fill those forms out, and constantly stayed alert to those that might need help. When they were not helping a customer, I saw them doing such things as neatening up the forms area, even straightening up pens, or realigning aisle markers. No one appeared to resent what they were doing and all stayed polite and even rather cheerful.

FIREMEN

Red and ready!

There is this one particular fire station that I regularly walk past and every time that I do, whether it be early morning or evening, the firemen are either exercising or training as a group. They have a metal pole lattice structure that they use for scaling and rappelling, very cool to watch. Very easy to put your trust in these guys to do whatever might need to be done.

POLICE

Local kōban

Can’t say I’ve had much experience with the police, good, bad, or indifferent. All over the city there are small, one desk, community police stations called a kōban. I’m told that if you have the least problem, say for example, you need directions, look for the kōban. Since I’ve been doing a lot of walking around the city, I’ve been noticing that many of the kōbans are unoccupied of late. There will be a motorcycle or car parked outside but nobody inside. Can’t help but think it must be a financial thing.

Kōban logo & sign

Economical, if nothing else

An oddity(?) I’ve seen three times now, while walking, is seeing a police car, all lights flashing, waiting behind a line of cars at a traffic signal. Then, when the signal changes, none of the cars in front move aside, they simply continue forward with the police car maintaining its place in line, lights still flashing. Odd.

[Update] Since writing the above, I've learned that driving with their lights flashing is standard procedure. I've heard a few reasons for this but none seem really logical. Go figure.

Just going with the flow - lights a flashing!

EATING OUT

Knowing I’ve always been a ‘picky eater’ my brother recently asked about the food in Japan. My response was:

There is ALWAYS something to fall back on

The food in Japan! Actually, a good topic. First I don't eat or like sushi or fish eggs; that said, sushi and fish eggs are common here but nowhere near considered "everyday food". Some of the most common/favorites foods are fried pork/chicken or noodles (ramen/yakisoba/soba/somen), And then Korean style barbecue places are big. Man, they have got some absolutely great food here. The biggest problem I have with food is the same with the food in the states... I have to watch my carbs!

To expand on the above, American, French, Italian, Mexican, you name it, you can find it here in Japan.

Name it, you got it

The Japanese, in general, take great pride in whatever it is they are doing, at work and at play, so it follows that they put a lot of effort into the foods they serve and that makes for some fantastic ethnic foods.

Oh, they also have Japanese food!

Speaking of carbs, they have some of the most amazing pastries, breads, and other baked goods (French breads made in Japan are as good, or better, than those I've had in France).

One of my favorites, found at most restaurants, but I prefer to go to places that specialize in it, is Tonkatsu (breaded and fried pork cutlet), served with chopped cabbage, pickled daikon on the side, and miso soup. One my ex-favorites (ex because of the high carbs I pretty much eliminated it from my diet (expect special occasions)) is Ramen from one of the specialty shops.

Movie goodies are a rip-off just like the states

Generally, upon entering a Japanese restaurant, you are seated by a hostess. The menus usually remain at the table, unlike in the states where they hand you one on seating and then take it back after you make your order. If you don’t see the menu in the open, check under the bottom of the table where they may have a small cubby. Once you’re ready to order, look for a remote control electronic button and press it. A bell will ring and the waitress will promptly show up. At the occasional place that does not use the electronic button, simply say, “sumimasen” out loud.

Waitress call button

Once you have finished your meal, or need the waitress for whatever else, use the same methods, either the electronic button or stating “sumimasen”. When ready for the check, you can also cross your index fingers when stating “sumimasen” to indicate you’re ready to pay.

Recently, we went out late for a beer and snack and ended up at a nearby Yakitori bar/restaurant. After taking a seat and ordering, we were looking around at a mass of nic-knacks, wall hanging, and assorted stuff... and realized that the majority of the items were related to Eric Clapton. Clapton CDs were everywhere, there were numerous autographed (originals?) photographs. Clapton tunes played continuously in the background. Can't help but wonder if there is a legitimate connection.

 Do you get the theme here?

Even the hashi (chopsticks) cover had his name

TIPS

There is NO TIPPING in Japan. Sometimes they add a Service Charge on your bill but mostly any cost is worked into the overall fee/cost of doing business. In the states, tips, which started off as being a ‘bonus’ for service beyond expectation has become a ‘expected requirement’ having nothing to do with the level/quality of service rendered. In the states, it is not at all unusual to receive poor or even rude service, and then have that individual self-righteously expect a tip. In Japan, where there is no tipping, poor service is extremely rare and rude service is unheard of.

Along those lines, business such as Starbucks really have me stumped. I go to McDonald's, Burger King, or any other fast food restaurant, you pay your bill straight up. At Starbucks, they have their tip jars (even at the drive-thru) and fully expect to be tipped. What is different about what they are doing from what Micky D employees are doing? Maybe they are ‘caring’ more or having more profound thoughts as they prepare my order? Perhaps because they get better benefits they should be tipped? Beats me, heck I like Micky D’s coffee as much as Starbucks. It’s cheaper (by far if you count the tip) and tastes as good; just different.