7-14-2012

Today we went to the Toronto Zoo, and this frog seriously had me thinking he was going to hunt me down in my sleep...so instead of just a photo, here's a meme.  It's unorthodox, but that's okay, you can ignore it if you like.

Just remember, he will hunt you down.

5-4-2011

The Japanese love playing on words. The area of Tokyo I live in is called Ikebukuro. There is a distinct owl theme to the area, mainly because owl in Japanese is fukurou. Of course, they couldn't pass up the chance to have "IkeFukurou" everywhere. I guess it's okay; it makes shopping for my owl-loving family easier.

2-18-2011

There are a lot of cats in Tokyo. More than simply a lot, really. Some are actually pets but most have gone feral and romp around the city begging whenever possible and screeching in the night hunting and fighting the rest of the time. Cat screams can sound like a wailing baby, so it's rather unnerving to listen to all night.

2-6-2011

This cat was very content rolling all over the sidewalk.  And look at that cute little tongue.

1-4-2011

Shisa are the dog/lion hybrids imported from China into the Ryukyu kingdom.  Traditionally in China (and in Okinawa), they are a little scary looking since they're supposed to be protectors.  Nowadays they're happy purveyors of Okinawan culture.  This rotating tower of happy gremlin-esque shisa are sitting underneath a Hanagasa.

Hanagasa are flower hats worn by female Okinawan dancers for a specific dance.  Now people wear them for other performances too.

See a more recent shisa photo here.

12-31-2010

The Churaumi Aquarium at Ocean Expo Park (the site of the 1975 World Expo) in Nago, Okinawa has a lot of local aquatic life.  The main attraction are a trio of whale sharks.  Japan currently has five whale sharks in captivity, while the rest of the world combined has eight.  The three in Okinawa are often the focus of animal rights groups because of their status as endangered species as well as the fact that they are ocean-dwelling creatures in a small tank.

The critter posing for me in this photo is the giant Okinawan Spiny Lobster.  I wanted to eat him, along with the Japanese people muttering "美味しそう。。。" ("Looks delicious...") behind me.

12-18-2010

In Kita-Senju station, there was a tree of stuffed animals.  I don't remember where the stuffed animals came from or why, but I suspect it had something to do with the fabric stand that was nearby, selling fabric swatches and make-your-own-stuffed-animal kits.

11-20-2010

While Japan is extremely safe, it isn't without crime.  The sign says "カメをかえしてください," which means "Please return my turtle," and is signed by Karen, a little girl.  The empty tank has been there for more than a month...

11-6-2010

Fox tails are a popular accessory right now.  Girls pay upwards of ￥3000 for these things sometimes, although these particular ones are a little cheaper.  Most clip them on the side, which looks a little weird, but I guess it helps keep them from getting in the way when sitting down...?

10-22-2010

I was taking photos of the brilliantly-colored morning glories, and this ant decided to come out of the base of the flower and pose for me.

10-6-2010

This upset me more than it entertained me.  The poor monkey was getting yelled at and it looked like it was miserable.  And the audience of course was encouraging all of it.  So sad.

9-23-2010

There are rats with wings all over the place.  The only thing worse sometimes are the crows.

8-10-2010

In an area we dubbed "Pet Street" there were many shops where you could buy fish and other pets.  The fish and aquarium life were hanging in plastic bags on screens like this one.  No idea how they handle the oxygen problem if the fish doesn't sell quickly.

7-30-2010

Upon returning to Tokyo from camp all the staff went to an izakaya to enjoy some adult beverages and dinner.  As I was walking through the station to go home afterward a guy had three little dogs sitting obediently at the entrance.  The poodle was groomed to look like a heart.  On one hand you may think the dog has been tortured and feel bad for it.  On the other if you consider how much love and attention the dog gets from passersby (including everyone wanting to pet it), it's pretty lucky.

Got permission to take the photo from the owner.

7-23-2010

Went to a place called Kani Doraku (カに道楽 - "Crab How You Like It") with Moo Cow.  It wasn't my first time but I love the variety of crab dishes you can get.  It's an Osaka-based chain and the original is in the Dotonbori, which you can see from the last time I was in Osaka.  We had a nice multi-course meal and everything except dessert had crab in it.  This was the sashimi course.

7-2-2010

Giant spiky caterpillar at the entrance to my office.  My brilliant coworker touched it...he said it was prickly...

7-1-2010

Cats in Tokyo often are missing tails.  That's not an illusion; it doesn't exist.

6-20-2010

Pigeons really are city rats with wings, but in Japan they seem to be much less aggressive than your usual "garden variety" in the US.  These just looked at me strangely as I took their photo.  The second one there was getting annoyed with me, I think.

5-29-2010

The deer in Nara Park bow to you for biscuits.  They're a Japanese national treasure, for real.  Fat little things too.