Neil Duckett » Japan

Shibuya Street Dancer

Neil — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:50:47 +0000

I had cause to visit Shibuya one last time the day before i left Japan.

I ran into this fella, dancing to the tune of “It’s Raining Men” and drawing quite a crowd just near the Hachiko exit.

His moves were OK, his enthusiasm was spot on, my only suggestion would be a less revealling pair of shorts.

Shibuya is full of interesting sights, both during the day and at night and was home to one of my favourite photos.Similar Posts:

Post from: Neil Duckett

Shibuya Street Dancer

Hyatt Regency Tokyo

Neil — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:27:17 +0000

There`s an overwhelming sense of dejavu as i write this, sitting in the same hotel i stayed in 3 years ago when i moved to Japan … only this time, it`s the end of the journey.

I stayed in this hotel for near on 10 months before i was made a local employee and before i had a gaijin card, working visa etc … all the stuff you need to rent an apartment.

This time round the stay is only 3 days and having copious amounts of points from my semi permanent status a few years ago … i am able to cash in and use them so it`s free.

It`s been a stressful last week and depite living a minimalistic lifestyle i still managed to acquire far too many possessions that all needed to be disposed of.

The countless amount of tasks needing to be done prior to exit is far reduced with only some minor things outstanding. If you find yourself in the same situatiuon soon hit me up for some advice if you need any.

Saturday i head off to Phuket for a holiday, meeting up with my brother who i haven`t seen for 18 months and a few mates. Looking forward to it like you wouldn`t believe.

It`s bitter sweet leaving Japan, there`s lots i`ll miss, plenty i won`t too … but most of all i`m happy i had the chance to live in a place most people desire to visit for a holiday let alone live for a few years.

For the people i didn`t get to cacth up with before i left … i apologise, it`s been a hectic month.

What`s next for me? Not really sure. I won`t rule anything out and have a few ideas and a few irons in the fire as we speak.

My immediate plans are to kick back and spend time with family and Friends who i`ve seen very little of the past 3 years.

I`ve got a few bits and pieces of travel coming up for the remainder of the the year, after Thailand i`ll be off to Hamilton Island and have a few other trips in the wings too.

I`ll be sure to post pics of interest but in the mean time … until at least early August things will be quiet round here … while i sit on the beach and ponder the future.Similar Posts:

Post from: Neil Duckett

Hyatt Regency Tokyo

Modern Samurai

Neil — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:47:32 +0000

My cousin sent me this link on the weekend, some pretty unbelievable skills with a sword i`m sure you`ll agree.

Didn`t see it on Japanese TV at the time but glad i was able to check it out … the clip has subtitles too. Cheers Cuz!

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Modern Samurai

This Is Japan!

Neil — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:57:03 +0000

If you`ve been to Japan you`ll recognise lots of these images, if you haven`t then this is a great video showing many different facets of Japan.

This is Japan! from Eric Testroete on Vimeo.

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Post from: Neil Duckett

This Is Japan!

Japan + Alcohol = Karaoke

Neil — Mon, 25 May 2009 05:09:36 +0000

Karaoke happens in 2 main types of places in Japan, the Karaoke Box and the Snack Bar …. i prefer the Snack myself, they’re always full of great characters and never a dull moment.

So when i saw this diagram via Tokyo Mango on the weekend i did have to laugh at the accuracy of it all.

Japans’ and indeed my own love of Alcohol often results in Karaoke.

However, for the most part i’m never so drunk that i fall off my bar stool

At least he saw the funny site of it too.Similar Posts:

Post from: Neil Duckett

Japan + Alcohol = Karaoke

14 Nature and Wildlife Photos

Neil — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:15:10 +0000

Of the 800 plus photos i took from the Hiroshima and Kyoto trip a while back i found a few nature and wildlife ones i was quite happy with.

This bird was in a stream near Gion City in Kyoto.

Click each image to see larger size and better quality.

There were plenty of trees flowering in the grounds of Nijojo Castle in Kyoto.

The flower beds in the Peace Park at Hiroshima were spectacular.

Deer on Miyajima Island.

Cherry Blossom trees on Miyajima.

Deer with antlers removed.

Miyajima was full over blossoms.

The grounds of Nijojo Castle.

A stream running through Gion City in Kyoto.

Another bird in the freezing water.

One of my favourite shots of the trip, again from the grounds of Nijojo Castle.

Like i said earlier, all images are full size and much better quality on flickr.Similar Posts:

Post from: Neil Duckett

14 Nature and Wildlife Photos

A-Bomb Dome

Neil — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:05:40 +0000

You can only really understand the devastation that hit Hiroshima by going there as i suggested a few weeks back. The A-Bomb Dome was one of the only remaining structures that survived, if only partially.

In the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum there’s a scale model of Hiroshima before and after.

Widespread destruction with only several buildings still standing.

A representation of the A-Bomb Dome in sparse surroundings.

The A-Bomb Dome as it stands today, surrounded by a rebuilt Hiroshima.

The photos of the Atomic Bomb Watch that stopped at exactly the time the bomb dropped are interesting too – Atomic Bomb Watch.

Check out the full szie versions on flickr and some other trip photos from Hiroshima and Kyoto.Similar Posts:

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A-Bomb Dome

Stop Motion Animation

Neil — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:24:53 +0000

A week ago i saw a fantastic example of stop motion ( a technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own) on Kirainet which was yesterday followed up with reader Dave Lee sending me in a clip of his.

I wouldn’t have the patience for this sort of thing but i do like watching it.

Experimental Japan from Dave Lee on Vimeo.

Check out Dave’s other stuff on his blog.

Here’s the clip i mention i saw last week, made with 1300 pictures and an extreme amount of patience and creativity by Takeuchi.

If YouTube’s your thing then check out his channel for more of his creativity.Similar Posts:

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Stop Motion Animation

Tiny Tokyo Apartment

Neil — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:30:58 +0000

I saw this tiny Tokyo apartment yesterday on Akihabara News and it got me thinking, if i had to live in this sort of apartment i wouldn’t be living in Japan.

I can understand limitations in the size of the apartment you live in due to cost so in that case i’d move further out and commute a bit more.

For my way of thinking, if i lived in this apartment i would be out EVERY night of the week thus spending a lot more on entertainment and so on.

This apartment costs 50,000 yen and is situated close to Tokyo station and it a grand 6m2 in size.

Granted Tokyo is as expensive as it gets in Japan but for ~80,000 you’d at least be able to get something big enough to accommodate a couch or fold out bed, with room for a TV and some other comforts.

Post Updated to include picture of bathroom – taken from Akihabara news.

Shower, toilet, sink …. entire wet area all in one.

Like i said, i’m sure the added expense of living in an apartment that can only function as somewhere to sleep, just barely, incurrs additional spending that could be front loaded on the monthly costs to afford some better digs.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.Similar Posts:

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Tiny Tokyo Apartment

Worlds Smallest Beer

Neil — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:53:22 +0000

Believe me when i say i`ve consumed a lot of beer, in a lot of countries over the past 15 yrs, and this is by far the smallest can of beer i`ve ever seen.

While i was picking up some supplies last week i saw old mate restocking the shelves with these little one sip wonders.

Let`s put it into perspective. This is the size i usually drink, 500 ml cans that sell for about 260 yen depending on the flavour.

Next member of the beer family in Japan is the 350 ml can, i drink these on the train on the way home, it`s the biggest they sell … for about 200 yen from the convenience store.

Weighing in at 250 ml and at a cost of 170 yen is this next little fella …… sure it tastes the same, I`ve just never had cause to buy such a small can of beer.

Last up ”standing on the scales” at a measly 100 ml is junior, and possibly the Worlds Smallest Beer …. costing a single silver coin, 100 yen.

I don`t know who drinks these beers but they certainly get moved off the shelves.

For comparison purposes here it is next to the big daddy of beers in Japan.

If you still can`t appreciate how small it is …. then up against the iPhone might help.

Economically the 500 ml can is the undisputed choice of champions, but if you`re down to your last few bob this summer then one of the smaller guys might be your speed.Similar Posts:

Post from: Neil Duckett

Worlds Smallest Beer