Topic: Japan gets all the good stuff!

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Me and the Missuz in front of Osaka castle!

Needs more Shotokan.

J/K

[TheCruelAngel]

Needs more Shotokan.
http://bp0.blogger.com/_RBBZ1h6j3Cc/SGRRCj044lI/AAAAAAAAAUg/pDm9-7OgMQc/s400/super-street-fighter-ii-turbo-hd-remix-20080625042442605.jpg
J/K

I used to practice shotokan... o_O

Speaking of Gundam? Have you eaten at the Gundam Cafe near Akihabara Station? http://g-cafe.jp/ It is a must experience for die hard Gundam fans. The lines are long by nightfall because they are serving Gundam themed cocktails.

YES! That food is DELICIOUS! Drinks were pretty good too. It was heavily Gundam 00 themed since the Gundam 00 movie had just come out on Blu-Ray there. Also yeah, those lines were long. I think we waited for about an hour and got stuck in the smoking section, which was fine for my bffl, but the rest of us were gagging. XP

Also; proof because what's the point of a good story on the net without pics?
My buddy, my bffl and myself infront of the cafe, my missuz was takin' the shot. 


What I ordered


What the missuz ordered


Our drinks!


We even went to the little cafe in Shizuoka when the Gundam was there!


Though this place was really legit! It was a little bar in Osaka where the bartender had been living in the states for the past few years and finally came back to Japan. He was so excited to have American guests he started to play "Team America" on his tv there. 


We actually kind of got really drunk, convinced a young Japanese guy (about our age) to go do Karaoke with us (with a lot of persuasive help from the bartender)...and had a blast!


Though since we drug him out of the bar to hangout with us, we decided to cover his Karaoke expenses as well. Also, we didn't want him to completely cover the bill. Remember kids, Japanese people will try to cover the bill entirely, even if they can't afford it! Once we were done he was starting to make a beeline straight to the cashier so we had our buddy distract him by showing him where the toilets were, mwa ha ha ha. I can be a jerk sometimes. 

[Shiroi Koumori]

Has anyone tried Sweets Paradise?
http://www.sweets-paradise.jp/guide/index_english.html

[Donvermicelli]

Yes me! I've lived in Kyoto for about a year and even though I only went there once the food was awesome. Only sweet stuff there (like the name implies) My teeth died through the experience though and were relieved to meet my toothbrush soon after.

Also has anyone been on the hunt for the KitKats? They have like a million different flavors, each town/city has it's own.


(would post my own pictures but an overview one like this is just more convenient)

[Lashen]

I used to practice shotokan... o_O

CHESTO!

[Neobelmont]

What about the gamecenters since america does not give a flying freak about the arcade scene anymore in fact the I use to go closed down after thirty something years it was called family fun arcade which is very ironic since that place was a hardcore fighting game community just my cup of dang freaking tea now it's gone forever... forever!!! 
 
In a way it makes me feel like this but with arcades

The Crying Indian Commercial

The natural beauty that was once the arcade 

[Donvermicelli]

True, Japan's arcades are numerous and amazing. In fact I think the sole reason they exist is because it's considered to be socially awkward if you stay at home to play video games.

[Shiroi Koumori]

True, Japan's arcades are numerous and amazing. In fact I think the sole reason they exist is because it's considered to be socially awkward if you stay at home to play video games.

Yeah. You get associated to the hikikomori group.
I love their UFO catchers. It is really easy to grab *ahem* push those goodies!

[TheCruelAngel]

The arcades are pretty awesome. A lot of Gundam Extreme Vs (I suck at them, but bought it for PS3 anyway) but always fun air of competition and comraderie around.

I don't know about you guys, but I leave near Seattle, so we still have our Game Works...I think I'll need to make a trip out there again.

KIT KATS! slkdhjfralkjfa

I just bought a bag of Green Tea Kit Kats (my favorite) from the local Japanese grocery store here (http://www.uwajimaya.com/). I also really like the milk tea flavor.

Speaking of milk tea, JAPANESE VENDING MACHINES!



(Yeah I'm a big Boss Coffee fan...) I love these things! Deceptively easy to spend all your money here...but so convenient! I was never without beverage, even if I was dropping $1.50 each time. But I could have cold coffee, hot coffee, juices, tea, sports drinks, though surprisingly kind of hard to just find a Coke. o_O

[Shiroi Koumori]

Coke is rare since Japan is a Pepsi country. Finding Dr. Pepper is a treasure hunt challenge!

I am a sucker for tea so all those very convenient vending machines are heaven sent.
I also love the freebies usually keychains that are with the drink bottles in the convenience stores. I collected those Gundam pepsi caps when i was there! 

[TheCruelAngel]

I got a can of Kamen Cider (Ichigo!) while I was there.

Note: Not my actual can, but just an idea of what it looks like.


I also love New Years in Japan! Going down to the shops and getting the little grab bags? Win! (Also don't forget to visit your local/favorite shrine!)

[Laina]

One of my favorite clothing/cosmetic lines. I has a sad that I missed their one American appearance at J-Pop Summit Festival 2012. I'm not sure if they'll be nack this year or not, but I can't afford to go anyway.

http://www.lizlisa.com/en/

[Pfil]

So many good JRPG's only in Japan...
I was hoping Toki To Towa was translated to english, but it seems it won't.

[Ratty]

This seems to be the most appropriate topic for this, I found out that at least in the USA you can watch the 1970s Japanese Spider-Man series (in which he gets his powers from aliens, fights the evil "Professor Monster" and has a giant robot) for free on Marvel's website
http://marvel.com/videos/watch/563/japanese_spiderman_episode_01
Unfortunately it's probably region blocked outside the US.

[TheCruelAngel]

You can also watch the Australian interpretation of Ultraman on Hulu!

http://www.hulu.com/ultraman-towards-the-future

I remember I used to watch this as a little kid every Saturday morning.  Though I think I prefer Ultraman Tiga, because J-Pop.