Tokyo’s (Off) Street Shrines
I’m definitely going to hunt out (and hopefully just stumble across) some of Tokyo’s Shinto shrines when I’m there. Little pieces of history hidden behind the everyday are just the sort of thing I always try to find.
Japan
How to eat lunch for less (in Tokyo)
The price of food is rising in Japan, so salary men and women are looking for ways to cut the cost of lunch.
A ¥500 gyudon sounds good to me.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/16/japan-salarymen-ultra-cheap-lunches-food-prices-rise
Blown Away
I’m planning a trip to Japan, as soon as I can afford it. I think I’m going to avoid Summer, though, as temperatures are reportedly extremely high. If that wasn’t enough, there are typhoons which throw giant wooden penises around (warning- link goes to a site with adult content).
Picture Story Show – Unboxing a Model of Old Japan
Another eccentric kit from Japan. This storyteller’s bike is a companion to the Goldfish seller, and has links to Golden Bat. At this rate, I’ll soon have a full fair.
I bought this model from Hobbylink Japan (affiliate link).
Halloween in Tokyo is cosplay turned up to eleventy!!
I will visit Japan one day, there’s so much stuff there that fascinates me (and, right now, distracts me from writing).
Missing WW2 mega-submarine found off Hawaii – Telegraph
Scientists have solved the longstanding mystery of a Japanese submarine missing since 1946 after stumbling across it in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii.
The Sen-Toku I-400 submarine – one of the largest pre-nuclear underwater vessels ever built – was discovered lying 2,300 feet beneath the surface of the ocean off the southwest coast of Oahu.
via Missing WW2 mega-submarine found off Hawaii – Telegraph.
The Japanese Model Museum
Based in San Francisco. The Japanese Model Museum only displays models which can be bought. The site is too wide fvor the screen on my laptop. Larger monitors needed.
Technorati tag: Scale Models
Don’t mess with ninja Obama
Poseable Barack Obama doll. They start out sensible enough, but just keep scrolling.
via William Gibson
Turning Japanese
You really have to wonder if this is a hoax? or is just another lost in translations.
Trailer time- oriental oddness edition
There haven’t been any trailers worth highlighting for a few weeks, but just today I’ve seen nearly a dozen. Rather than one big trailer time post on Sunday I think I’ll spread them over a few days.
A selection of movies from the orient first.
A Tale of Legendary Libido.
Tokyo Gore Police. By the people behind Machine Girl, who seem to be keeping Japan’s fake blood industry afloat all by themselves.
Wushu, starring Sammo Hung.
Shaolin Girl, a spin off from Shaolin Soccer.
Onechanbara. Bikini girls versus the undead.
Japanese kit nostalgia
Old Japanese models, depicting a variety of odd and fantastic subjects. Lots of Star Wars rip offs and transforming robots as well as stuff licenced from old school anime. For the automotive modeller I think 1:24th Sumo wrestlers or 1:25th lemonade stand would be great diorama additions.
(I tried translating teh page, but somehow that meant I lost the images, which are the main joy of it.)
via BoingBoing
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Japan
Miniature Himeji Castle Build In Mie Prefecture
After the huge Moscow diorama, now there is this 1:23rd scale reproduction of Himeji castle built by a retired Japanese man. The project has taken 19 years and involved inventive use of materials and surreptitious measuring of the original.
There are more pictures here.
via BoingBoing
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Japan, Castle
Mitsuoka Viewt
Mitsuoka Viewt
Originally uploaded by spinneyhead.
Japanese Kei cars
Kei cars are a class designed to get around Japanese tax and insurance legislation. They’re tiny, the light weight making them nippy around town despite their one or two cylinder engines.
Jalopnik drove a trio of kei cars belonging to an American fan, then took anexample of Mazda’s first ever four wheeled vehicle to a dealer so they could compare it to the manufacturer’s current models.
If you want to model these cute little things, then Arii’s Owner’s Club range has a number of them, and the three wheeled delivery trucks and other classic Japanese vehicles of the 60s and 70s that you keep seeing in Kung Fu movies.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Model Car, Japan
2007 Shizuoka Hobby Show
HobbyLink Japan has pictures from a big Japanese model and hobby show.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Japan
Bruce Lee
I’m hooked on the HobbyLink Japan RSS feeds, lusting after stuff I should never order. Today’s item of desire is the 1:6th scale Bruce Lee.
Only 16,800 Yen (about 70 quid), plus shipping. I could stand him next to the Bruce Lee 30th Anniversary Commemorative Box set.