In Japan, they have manhole covers as street art. This one was photographed one evening on the way to dinner at Amataro, when our Tokyo friends pointed down to our feet and yelled out, “Manhoru no Futa!” (manhole cover) We learnt that they come in a variety of designs and colours, depicting localities, utility type [...]

Finding hotel accommodation in Tokyo that meets a traveller’s requirements and budget can be a challenge. Tales of ‘shoe box’ sized hotel rooms abound along with soaring costs in what is considered as one of the world’s expensive cities. Our friends in Tokyo booked a hotel for us close to their apartment. But when last [...]

It’s not every day that you get an invitation for a cold beer in a Japanese home. So when friends in Tokyo invited us for a couple of ales before dinner, little did we know who would be serving us. Meet Robo-san*, the Asahi Beer Robot. So cute, you’ll be tempted to pat him on [...]

If you’ve been to Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, you would have encountered the gigantic spider in Roku Roku Plaza. The ten metre bronze sculpture called Maman is the work of French artist Louise Bourgeois who passed away yesterday at age 98. Roppongi Hills is a large modern complex combining elegant shops, designer boutiques, trendy cafés, [...]

While we’re always on the quest to find tasteful and original souvenirs to bring home, every once in a while, there’s an item so kitsch that it begs for an impulse purchase. This sumo wrestler comes from Oriental Bazaar, a multi-level souvenir shop on Omotesando, in the Harajuku area of Tokyo. The extended belly and [...]

A melodic tune announces the arrival of the Narita Express train at Airport Terminal 2 station. It is heading in the opposite direction. I watch the passengers alight onto the platform. Girls in short shorts, high heels and stockings that cover their knees parade past oblivious to my foreigner eyes. People with face masks circulate [...]

The hotel room wasn’t ready but the urge was too strong. I entered the Ladies Room in the hotel lobby, found an empty cubicle and shut the door behind me. I took one look at the toilet seat and stifled a giggle: it came attached with a remote control! Naturally, I took a photograph. I [...]