Sunday, May 30, 2010

Window Shopping - Matsuyama Style


Munich style food, which is different than traditional German cooking.


A popular treat Omanju Wiki


Entrance to a local Pachinko Parlor


Signs outside the parlor enticing visitors to enter.


Is Pachinko more exciting than being chased by a prehistoric dinosaur?

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Takashimaya Department Store

There is a Ferris wheel on top of the building.

Japanese department stores have floor themes. The top floor is reserved for restaurants and the basement is for food. The ground floor is for womens cosmetics. The Japanese do not assault the visitor by spraying them with scents as they walk by.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

A Japanese Drug Store


A Japanese schoolgirl cannot be fashionable without the proper stockings?


A popular item. Looks hot.


The woman on the far right appears to be Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi. Cosmetics in Japan are expensive.

Japanese Drug Store


Remedies for keeping aging knees and hips looking young.


Skin care grove.


Tools for squeezing the fat out of your behind. Where does it go?


Aluminum face masks for when you sleep. Does anything look more uncomfortable?


Can anyone imagine what it would be like to sleep with someone with an aluminum face mask and wearing these on their feet?

Inside a Japanese Drug Store


Rosy Rosa?




More Japanese cuteness.


Breast enlargement, only in Japan.


Hello Kitty of course.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Takashimaya Department Store


As with anything in Japan, the appearance or presentation is most important.


The material is not cheap but the quality is quite outstanding.


This would be used in a traditional Japanese home made meal.

Window Shopping - Takashimaya


Cell phones


A must have for the school child, an expensive leather back-pack. Grandparents traditionally purchase these for their grand children.


As you enter the department store, these women will greet you and give you information and the latest promotions. You cannot take their picture unless you are an obnoxious gaijin who disregards proper Japanese etiquette.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Matsuyama Castle and Castle Hill

One of the finest castles in Japan and one of the few on top of a castle hill. This is the view that greets a visitor staying at the Tokyo Dai-ichi Hotel in downtown Matsuyama. If you visit this lovely city, make sure to stay at the Tokyo Dai-ichi. It is a wonderful place for the visitor.





Downtown Matsuyama


A well attended home garden.


Japanese homes have washing machines but they do not have clothing dryers.




A well used delivery motor bike.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Walking Around Residential Matsuyama

Matsuyama is a quiet, residential city located on the island of Shikoku. It is off the beaten path of what people think of Japan. It is a city, yet it is located in a part of Japan that is linked to its rural past, more than most any part of Japan today. When you get outside of the city, the visitor gets a glimpse into Japan's past.


Hot motorcycle outside of Uni Qlo.


No space is left unused in a Japanese dwelling.


Same street, different angle.


Rail crossing, the overhead barriers are to protect the electric line for the railway.