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Recohan Images

Patrick has started putting up pictures of the CDs he sells at his Tokyo Record Hunting Service. These are pics of the actual used CDs he sells, that he takes himself, so they give you an even better idea of what you’re getting. You’ll see that Japanese used CDs are usually in excellent condition (a lot better than what you’re used to seeing in North America), and the prices he sells these are just unbeatable. Sure, he’s my friend, but I don’t mind mentioning the service every once in a while because it truly is a great site for anyone not in Japan who’s interested in Japanese music.

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Mini Tripod

When I met Elsbeth and Derk a few weeks ago, Elsbeth had with her this tiny tripod that she let me use in Frey to take their picture (I’ll put it up tomorrow as TB.Grafico’s pic of the day), and I immediately wanted one. I always have trouble taking pictures inside bars and clubs, or even outside at night, because I can’t really adjust the aperture or speed on my camera, and just taking a pic without the flash often gives blurry results. Today I was walking in front of one of the Bic Camera stores in Ikebukuro (the one that specializes in camera equipment), and I remembered that I wanted to look for one of those tripods. I picked one up, only 700 yen. Can’t wait to use it in a dark setting.

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Ramen Wars

There’s a report on the news right now about ramen price wars in Tokyo. There are now quite a few places in the city (mostly in Shinjuku it seems) that are offering a bowl for 390 yen (and even one place, Bikkuri Ramen, had a bowl for 180 yen). That’s pretty damn cheap. Most places usually offer a regular bowl for 600 yen, and some are more expensive (especially if you want lots of extra toppings). I wonder if this price war will affect the shops in Ikebukuro.

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TB.Grafico

Sake Barrels

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Sake barrels at one of the temples in Kamakura.

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Akiko Wada

I’m enjoying the hell out of Akiko Wada’s new single, “Rumba de Boom Boom,” which was produced by Ken of the Crazy Ken Band (you can even here a tiny “ii ne” in the background), and Comoesta Yaegashi. A great follow-up single to her recent Yasuharu Konishi produced album WADA AKIKO CO., LTD.

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Hajime Sorayama

Illustrator/designer Hajime Sorayama is having an exhibit at the Ginza Graphic Gallery, and I found this mention from REALTOKYO interesting:

But, don’t forget that Sorayama is the guy who designed the first AIBO, and record covers for the likes of Aerosmith!

I never would have imagined that the same person was responsible for both of those works.

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TB.Grafico

Prayer Plaques

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Prayer plaques found at one of the temples in Kamakura. Some of them were even written in English.

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World Standard.01

805I was listening to the new Tatsuo Sunaga mix album, WORLD STANDARD.01, on my iPod today (thanks, Patrick). It’s better than I thought it would be (I sort of ranted against it a while ago in some comments on the site), and made for some good going to work and coming back home music. Although not usually a big hop-hop fan, I really like the track “Girls (feat. Abstract Pude and Busdriver)” by Daedelus. It’s got a vibe I’m really enjoying.

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Rainy Season

Rainy season means having to bring an umbrella with you everyday when you go out. It also means some cool weather before the torturous Summer heat that we get in July and August in Tokyo. I used to hate rainy season because it made it very annoying when I had to ride my bicycle to the station, but now that it’s only a 2 minute walk, it doesn’t bother me as much. And I like the cool weather. August is going to kill me.

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Zico

Will someone in the Japanese football association come to their senses and get rid of Zico as coach of the national team! He is not coach material, and it’s been obvious for quite a while now. He is not going to bring Japan to the second round and beyond at the 2006 World Cup. He doesn’t strategize, he just puts players out there and hopes they’ll do something! Bring back Troussier, please!