Scenes from Japan

It's good to see amongst all the AJAX-powered mobile-enabled SNS hype that defines the internet of today, there are still some web sites created by good old-fashioned technologies, such as this one here spotted in the centre of Tokyo currently being crawled by a spider:

I know a lot of bloggers are very interested in web spiders, so for your convenience I have included a larger image of this particular one below.

This time in the early evening. Accompanied by lots of thundery dramatics, and I'm pretty sure Tokyo Tower was struck by lightning at one point. Not long after I took this picture the skyscrapers in the background disappeared completely, leaving me with the disconcerting impression that I was living in some remote provincial town.

Around 10am on Friday morning I ambled out of Harajuku Station headed towards the Shibuya Ward Office where I was planning to report a mutation in my status as a registered alien. I wasn't particularly surprised to noticed a long queue of people snaking around the pedestrian bridge at the top end of Omotesando - it's not as if queues in this vicinity are an uncommon sight. I was mildly impressed to see that it actually reached all the way over the bridge towards the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, seen in the background of this picture I was moved to take:

To my surprise though, that wasn't the end of the line. Oh no. It went around the corner and down the road which runs parallel to the Yamanote Line. And it looked a very determined sort of queue, complete with essential queuing items such as small portable stools (though oddly enough few people had thought to bring along anti-sun equipment such as parasols or hats).

And it didn't stop until it reached the crossroads at the south side of Yoyogi National Gymnasium, about a quarter of the way to Shibuya, where the presence of a Softbank employee holding an "End of Queue" sign alerted me to the fact that today was the day Apple was launching its ineffably trendy, fashionable and stylish iPhone in Japan.

Unfortunately I have applied for and failed to receive a Coolness License several times, so I was not permitted to join the end of the line in the quest to be among one of the first in to Japan to be hospitalized for sunstroke while queueing for an iPhone.

It's nice to see the Japanese-German relationship is still going strong, as demonstrated by these enthusiasts for traditional German garb at the Oktoberfest in Hibiya Park a few weeks ago.

One for the Tokyoites: name / describe both structures visible in this photo.

While out and about exploring the new neighbourhood, I was delighted to encounter a space-time vortex just around the corner which took me back in time 20 years or so:

In fact, if I lean out of the bathroom window, I can just about see into the compound, so I'll keep a close watch and keep you informed on any mysterious comings-and-goings which might have some relevance to the ongoing nuclear weapons reduction talks or the progress of perestroika. 

Some major airlines such as SAS or ANA don't just fly you from A to B (usually via an interminable wait at C while part of your baggage is directed to Q, X or Z), but will also accommodate you at your destination in one of their hotels (though having experienced rather too much in-flight accommodation in economy class, strangely I've never been tempted to try one). Until recently I wasn't aware that French national carrier Air France has business interests in this market area, but it seems they are combining the French reputation for romance with their powerful brand name with this boutique hotel in Tokyo's Gotanda district.

Rates are suprisingly competitive, and there's even a discount "REST" price for anyone wanting to try out this new facility but who doesn't have the time for a "STAY".

Unfortunately I haven't yet had a chance to sample this latest addition to Air France Groupe's portfolio, but I hear the "Eiffel Tower of Power" suite is proving particularly popular. Members of Air France / KLM's "Flying Blue" frequent flyer club will automatically receive a complementary "Mile High Club" membership card entitling them to further discounts and free usage of each room's "ooh la la" facilities.