It’s only appropriate that this article be juxtoposed against an article about a vegan cafe. Really, it’s the only way to maintain journalistic integrity.

By now, those keeping up with Tokyo trends will undoubtedly have heard about Burger King’s return to Japan. Just a little over a month ago, Burger King opened its first store in Shinjuku and shortly thereafter, another store in Ikebukuro. The stores maintain that little taste of home except unlike their NYC counterparts, the food is fresh and hot, while the service is courteous and efficient. As an added bonus, the staff will actually get your order right!

Unfortunately, as with any new “in” spot in Tokyo, you’ll be waiting on line. I can’t believe I just wrote that last sentence. Who would have thought that one day I would be writing about the economical and gastronomical joys of Burger King in reference to it being the latest trendy restaurant?

Regardless, if you are after that taste of home that’s even better than you remember, Burger King is worth the wait.

Official homepage

I walked past Shibuya River last night, it was glittering under the stars, yet it is but a miserable drain embanked in concrete. You will find it just south of Shibuya station on the west side along Meiji Dori ( Highway 305). Some NGOs are making an effort to revitalize this river, hoping to making it “green” again by 2012. One group is Toziba, and, starting in 2001, many groups created Earth Day Money as a local currency, to support clean-up campaigns and maybe get Tokyo City to start considering a major project…

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Miss American-style diners with their relaxed atmospheres and huge dinner portions? Well, you’re in luck because Tokyo has just what you’ve been longing for. Baker Bounce, located in Sangejaya with a new branch just opened in Roppongi’s Midtown, offers huge sandwiches and real char-grilled burgers–not to mention the ever elusive, Swiss cheese topping. I could go on about it’s value and taste but I think their website does a good enough job of doing that on its own. Check it out.

Baker Bounce

Congratulations Ms Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007.

What is your career ambition?
To open my own dance school in Tokyo! My mother runs a successful dance school outside of Tokyo and we plan to expand my family’s love for the performing arts by opening an international dance school in Tokyo, the capital of Japan and a crossroads for many cultures. My plan is to hire teachers who speak a number of languages so that I can host students from around the world. Opening my own school will allow me to live and teach my passion for dancing while being an independent businesswoman.

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This is funny news from Shitamachi (lit. “downtown”), the old part of Tokyo. A bearer was arrested Sunday for riding on a mikoshi (portable shrine) at Asakusa Shrine, despite an organizers’ ban on such behavior, on the last day of the three-day Sanja matsuri festival held in Asakusa, Tokyo.

During the festival’s climax, called the Honja-mikoshi togyo (the passage of sacred palanquins of the head shrine), mikoshi bearers started jumping onto them. Several men in their groups’ happi coats began jumping onto the mikoshi, while other bearers and spectators shouted “They rode on them!” throwing the whole area into uproar. The bearers on the mikoshi continued striking aggressive poses while shouting “banzai” and waving folding fans.

That is really the funny attitude of people in “downtown” Tokyo…
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Slightly annoying billboard at my station. Visa, the credit card company hooks up with a major department store, IOIO (Marui) and this is the best they can do? It is wrong on so many levels. She has Tokyo tower on her panties, and Fuji. And a Hawaii top. Who is it for…

Okinawa is a group of islands, a prefecture on its own in south Japan. This week it has been in the news a lot because it was 35 years ago that the US occupation ended, in May 1972 (27 years after the end of WW2).

By chance I found a Okinawan restaurant tonight in Nishi-Waseda, called Okishoku. The two old ladies were adorable and served simple Okinawan dishes, macrobiotic-style. They also had posters and books about Okinawan political issues, and the campaign to keep Article 9 of Japan’s constitution that renounces war.

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Tonight, I found a number of magazines about organic foods, sustainable development, environmental issues, global warming, and “eco” in my local bookshop.

I had to take photos and make this collage. I am really pleased Japan is embracing this trend to such a degree.

When workers in Tokyo get their well deserved breaks such as Golden Week, many tend to travel to other parts of Japan; some go to visit relatives, others for relaxation and excitement. However, regardless of the reason, domestic travel can be an expensive endeavor.

A one-way ticket to Osaka from Tokyo will run about 14,000 yen, making your wallet almost 30,000 yen lighter in travel expenses alone! But don’t fret. There are other options but you will need to sacrifice some convenience and comfort to reap the benefits.

Overnight buses are great ways to get around Japan’s major cities on the cheap. There are three major types of buses. The cheapest one can get you all the way to Osaka for about 4000 yen in 8 hours. Unfortunately there is no restroom on board, meaning the bus will need to make periodic stops. If you are a light sleeper, this bus is to be avoided. There isn’t much leg room and the announcements that accompany the stops will have you waking every few hours.

The second tier bus improves the experience by having an accessible restroom. This allows for fewer stops so that the driver can rest. But the most expensive bus (6,000 yen plus) is obviously the most comfortable. In addition to the restroom and fewer rest stops, there are only 3 seats per aisle with more leg room per person. This makes for an easier sleep without medical aid.

There is one catch to all of this: You’ll need to speak Japanese to decipher and navigate through the websites to get the best rates. To make things easier however, links to some of the best rates are provided below. Enjoy the uncomfortable ride knowing that your wallet doesn’t need to go hungry. Just don’t go competing for seat space with me.

Bus de Tabi
Sunshine Tour
Overnight Bus Navigator

I passed the May Day parade in Tokyo today and took a few photos. Union members are demanding higher minimum wage and more stable employment to fight the income gap and the problem of the so-called “working poor” who are struggling with low wages. I was also impressed by the banners and floats aiming to protect Article 9 of Japan’s Peace Constitution, that renounces war.
42,000 people participated in the events in Tokyo today.