Planet Tokyo News
- Cheap Digs
October 1, 2006
If you're looking for affordable, alternative places to stay overnight, don't overlook Japan's numerous internet cafes offering services such as overnight accommodations, showers, food and beverages in addition to the usual internet access, DVD rentals and manga comic books.
« read more » - The Best Holiday Ever
April 26, 2006
How does a holiday rise above the ranks of regular holidays to become the best? By existing just to give people a day off from work. Between Day is a holiday that doesn't celebrate a historical event, a religious moment, or patriotic principles. It is, plain and simple, just May 4. And a Japanese national holiday.
« read more » - Introducing Planet Tokyo Robot Theater
April 17, 2006
It's no secret that Planet Tokyo is obsessed with robots. While we've written extensively about how Japan leads the world in the field of robotics, we haven't offered much in the way of visual evidence. That's about to change as we introduce a new semi-regular feature: Planet Tokyo Robot Theater.
« read more » - Hanami Has Started
March 29, 2006
The harbinger of Spring in Japan is the cherry blossom. When the weather turns warm, the trees respond by bursting into flower -- thousands of blooms cover branches and fill the senses. When the flowers appear, people engage in an activity known as hanami -- flower viewing. Specifically, cherry blossom viewing.
« read more » - JBall: A Real Japanese Pennant Race
March 28, 2006
It was the middle of a heated pennant race, and there were only three games left in the season when we decided take in a Japanese baseball game. We boarded the train to the Tokyo Dome (aka The Big Egg) with no tickets and no plan.
« read more » - Burning Dolls in Ueno Park
March 20, 2006
I wandered into Ueno park with every intention of spending a quiet afternoon watching pandas and penguins at the zoo. I started the day with a visit to the statue of Takamori Saigo, the legendary Ronin then wandered among the various shrines and temples located in the park.
« read more » - Gin Margaritas in Roppongi
March 1, 2006
One of the joys of travel is to experience a favorite cuisine first-hand. Even the best ethnic restaurant seems to be missing something when compared to the same restaurants in a home country. But no matter how incredible the cuisine, you'll want something different every now and then.
« read more » - You Say Romanji
February 26, 2006
One of us has been worried about romanji (also spelled romaji) this week. To misparaphrase The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, romanji is similar to, but not quite like, English. If romanji were submitted to a duck test, it would look like a duck and walk like a duck...but not talk like a duck.
« read more » - Love, Japanese Style
February 12, 2006
Though Valentine's Day is not a national holiday in Japan, the tradition of celebrating with chocolates has grown. Only in Japan, it's the men who get the chocolates. Seems fair to us, especially since just one month later, "White Day" -- a manufactured holiday -- was established to allow men to assuage their guilt by giving gifts to women.
« read more » - Art In The Streets - Japanese Style
February 8, 2006
Chances are you have a image in your head when you hear the words "Japanese art". You probably imagine a Ukiyoe print of Mount Fuji or perhaps a Sumi painting. You almost certainly are not reminded of the covers over sewer holes. Yet, that's exactly where you'll find a unique form of Japanese arts.
« read more » - Goodbye Robot, Hello Robot
February 3, 2006
Planet Tokyo's love for robots knows no bounds, and it's with great sadness that we say goodbye to Sony's Aibo, that lovable little robotic dog known for its unique personality, stubborn streak (building a little defiance into a robot is pure genius), and scampering gait. As the tiny robot lopes off into the sunset, a giant robot, designed to help in avalanches, is making the scene.
« read more » - Early Morning, Tokyo Time
January 30, 2006
You will say, as you read this, that you're not really a fish market kind of person. It's not that you have anything against fish, but, well, you don't need to be that close to your food. It's enough that fresh fish is delivered to your restaurant of choice and prepared according to your needs. Then, around 4 or 5 a.m. on your first morning in Tokyo, you will rethink this stance. Suddenly, oddly, nothing seems like more fun than heading to the Tsukiji Fish Market.
« read more » - The Secret To Japan's Robot Dominance
January 24, 2006
If you are of a certain age you probably grew up believing that by the early 21st century we'd all live in a world of human-like robot servants. We were promised a veritable utopia of robotic cooking and cleaning that has yet to materialize. Instead, the best we have is a small disk that scoots around the house vacuuming up pet hair. Unless you live in Japan, robot capital of the world.
« read more » - Remembering The Trip, One Rubber Stamp At A Time
January 20, 2006
Somewhere in the Planet Tokyo archives is the evidence: I once underwent a week-long rubber stamp obsession. I think my first stamp came from the Tokyo Stock Exchange -- memories become hazy after time -- and continued, at least, through ten museums and various parks. The goal was simple: visit the venue and prove by placing a rubber stamp in my journal.
« read more » - Apples: The New Luxury Fruit
January 12, 2006
To an American, the prices of fresh fruits and vegetables in Tokyo are outrageously expensive. The first time you see a $100 watermelon, you think it's either a joke or, well, a really bad joke. A watermelon, even a square one, should fall within the realm of reasonably priced -- and $100 is rarely considered a reasonable price.
« read more »