cycle tree

Most times you'll see mountains of bicycles parked nearby the train stations (this was actually orderly, a mild version)

(This one has a small fee, if it were free it would be krazy packed)
 

Nearby though, I saw this neat thing called Cycle Tree, where you drive up to the elevator door.

Punch in a code

And it "sucks" your bicycle in and parks it for you.

I'm sure there is a larger fee, but thought it was cool that you didn't have to park it yourself

bicycle

It seems most everyone gets around by bicycle in Tokyo.

I've seen the postman.

Even the police.

And the delivery dude.

It makes sense for them to be on bicycles, to get into those narrow streets and back allies.

In fact, I think there are more police around in Tokyo than those we've seen in Osaka.

There are police boxes almost everywhere and you can feel their presence.

When we first moved to Tokyo, we'd ask them for directions.

Do police ride bicycles where you live?

things I'm liking (disliking)

Some random things I'm liking and disliking...I'm liking these cookies by Harney & Sons.

The chocolate one is called Earl Grey Supreme and is flavored with earl grey supreme tea, citrus peel, cocoa and chocolate chips.

The white one is called SOHO and is flavored with tea, coconut, chocolate chips.

Super crunchy with lots of flavor.

I'm bummed though because these cookies are made with margarine, should've read the label better...

The cyclamen is blooming and brightening up our living room. This plant has been with us for over 10 years now.

These cupcakes called Hachimitsu Altena. Hachimitsu is honey in Japanese and Altena is a city in Germany.

These cupcakes are made by Konigs Krone, a confection maker in Kobe. We got these from my host-brother's wife. She gave us four, chocolate, matcha (green tea), tea (earl grey) and coffee.

The cakes are moist and rich, there is a little honey "crust" at the bottom and lots of chestnuts.

You can either eat it as is, or zap it for 20 seconds in the micro to warm it up. Either way it is pretty awesome. (Thank you!)

I'm liking this division for cars, bikes and pedestrians.

I saw this while walking in Tennoji and am glad that everyone keeps to their area, sometimes it gets crazy scary when bicycles zoom around us pedestrians...

I'm sure it is just as scary for bicycles with cars...

This black ramen by Ippudo.

It is curry based and they give you a bib so you don't get your clothes dirty when slurping. Kinda like eating squid ink?

This ramen had char siu, buttered corn, cabbage with balsamic reduction, and fried onions. Talk about different textures and flavors.

Too bad this one is only on their menu for a limited time.

This baguette with a slab of chocolate by Iena.

Toast it and the chocolate gets all oozy while the baguette crisps up...so good with coffee!

The croissant donut and fuwafuwa (fluffy) donut from Donuts Dept.

The croissant is filled with a custard cream, dipped in a little chocolate and topped with diced peanuts.

The fuwafuwa donuts is just that, fluffy goodness.

I love this little shop!

From Tada farms in Iwate, Tohoku, their chocolate pudding.

So rich and I love that hard layer on the top.

Speaking of Tohoku, I'm sending some good thoughts their way today.

What have you been liking?

bicycles

Wanted to show you how some womens bicycles in Osaka look like. 

Bicycles are often called "cha-rinko" in Osaka. 

If the bicycle is used by moms who take their kids here and there in their attached extra seats, then the bicycle is called a "mama-cha-ri". 

There has been controversy over this as it is dangerous. 

Anyway, on the handles of this particular bicycle (in the photo), are vinyl "mittens" which protect your hands from the cold. 

In the middle of the handle bar is a gadget to put your umbrella when it is raining or to protect you from the sun. 

On the front and back of the bicycle are wire baskets with coverings to protect against hittakuri (purse snatching). 

This particular bicycle looks like it is also battery powered, to give you some help going up hills. 

I've heard that Osakans are the only people to ride their bicycle in the rain. If they don't have that gadget attached to their bicycle, you can almost always see someone holding their umbrella in one hand, and steering the bicycle with the other...totally dangerous if you ask me. 

It is Friday here...hope Santa brings you everything you are wishing for.

culture shock

In Osaka, you will see bicycles parked anywhere and everywhere they can find space.

There aren't enough parking areas for them and even if there were, they cost money to park there, nothing free (unless you're parking illegally).

Most times there is a "patrol" to check on the illegally parked bicycles. This patrol attaches a paper ticket and leaves your bicycle there.

I think if the bicycle is still there when they come around again, they then load up your bicycle on a truck and take it off to the burbs or under the freeways where they lock it up until you come to claim it (and pay a fine).

Of course, no one claims their bicycle nor pays the fine, so the city has a load of bicycles and people go out and buy new ones...and the cycle repeats...how wasteful, yeah?

Personally, I think the city should re-sell these illegally parked bicycles at 2nd hand bicycle shops in order to re-pay the ridiculous amount of money they put out to haul and store these bicycles out of the city.

eco sight seeing

If you want to see Kyoto without using public transportation, you may want to rent a bicycle.

Tamakikat and I saw these bicycles parked near Heian Shrine. They are from Kyoto Eco Trip. The prices on their site seemed pretty reasonable, plus there is a cool gadget to hold your water.

The link above is in Japanese only (sorry!)

Kyoto Eco Trip
56 Higashikujomuromachi
Minami-ku, Kyoto
Phone: 075.691.0794
(near JR Kyoto station)

culture shock

There are a lot of people in Japan who ride bicycles. I don't because I am afraid I will be run off the road or broadsided by another bicycle or car. (I have actually seen many people broadside or clip each other with their bicycles.) If you've ever ridden a bicycle in the area where I live, you'll realize that there are no road rules.

Walking through the shopping arcade can also be quite scary, people are supposed to get off their bicycles and push it through the arcade, instead, they speed through and think that by clanging their bicycle bells we'll have time to jump aside...just get off your bicycle and push it.

The other night, Satoshi and I were walking before dinner. Most areas in our neighborhood do not have sidewalks, so we have to "share" the road with cars, other pedestrians and bicycles. So, as Satoshi and I walked, a high schooler came behind us on his bicycle. There was lots of space to go around us, but no, he wanted to go straight. So he came really close behind us and clicked his tongue and gave us a "tsk" and a sigh...because we were in HIS way. As he pedalled on, I was yelling at him in Japanese, "Dude, doesn't your bicycle have a bell? I guess you don't have a mouth either." Cowardly, he sped off, looking back every so often. I figured if he came back, I would then yell at him in English.

When I studied here during college many moons ago, I was amazed at how many Japanese said "please", "excuse me", "thank you" and "I'm sorry"....they had manners! Nowadays, I am truly saddened. No one uses their mouth anymore, they just push their way off the trains and buses. No "excuse me" I need to get off the bus, no "I'm sorry" for stepping on your foot, "thank you" for letting me pass...nothing. It is sad that people are in such a rush or involved with text messaging/cell phone/hand held games that they do not have time to at least be civil with each other.

It is also sad that they only think about themselves. Like when riding an escalator, as soon as the person in front gets off, they stop and talk to their friends or just stand there. They don't think that maybe they are in other people's way, that there are others behind them riding the escalator...get off and step away from the escalator...and when you do realize that you are in the way, at least say, "sorry".

Getting on and off the trains are the same way. Once I had to shout and push someone out of the way to get onto the train because as soon as she got onto the train, she stood right in front of the door...move away from the door and move in towards the back of the train car! there are others behind you that want to ride the train too!

This type of attitude is quite a shock for me because growing up, I was often told, "if you want something, ask, you have a mouth". So, I use my mouth to say "I'm sorry" when I bump into someone, or "excuse me" when I want to get past someone, or "thank you" when someone lets me pass.

I could go on and on. I guess I'll just keep using my mouth and hopefully other will catch on and start using their mouths too.