UFO Catcher.....

Beware! addictive arcades plague the country of Japan. Cute little stuffed animals and weird toys await inside of them. I personally, have found this to be a very interesting yet fun past time. I put aside about 10 bucks a week to play, but i come out on top every time. I figure its a good way to feed my habit(for redemption games) and get folks back home some Omiyagi(souvenirs). And plus the prizes are so much better here than in th US. these are the plush toys that they sell in Sanrio for like 100 bucks, hahah. crazy, i know.

1 of many arcades in m town. Look at the businessman leaving the spot. He has no shame....

It just screams FUN!!


Dim Sum Babies.....they live on my coffee table now.
Sweet ass Hamster Tissue Dispenser

Strange...

Yet Awesome....The Banana that almost wasn't....this guy was pretty stubborn. But well worth the Battle.

And it unzips......how cool is that??


Guess what these are? So kute right???
They are freakin NIPPLES, BOOBIES, JUGS, whatever you want to call them. They are hilarious. But look closely at the ad above and tell my why the "Brown" one has a piercing on top??? hahah
And This....i don't even want to know what this is and why it is or what it's for, no comment.

This is by far the Ultimate Most Literal CLAW game i have ever seen in my LIFE!!!! Do you want to eat a fancy meal but also have fun getting it? hahaha. they even have rubber gloves and a bag and rubber bands to handle him when you win!!! who plays this game?

P.E.T.A. would have a field day with this one.....CLASSIC.
And i leave you with another Pikeru(picture) Session. It fits this post perfectly.






And if you have a minute or 2 to spare you can watch how these things are played. (the editing is horrible but i had fun doing it)

The Greatest Store Ever

Imagine you walk into a store and they have everything you've ever wanted in your entire life, and then some for later too. I know it may sound a bit much, but Japan is pretty much based on that concept. Everything is a bit over the top, but in the best kind of way. So my friends Linsdey and Michael told us about this cool 2nd hand shop, "thrift store" and i was like, "ok a goodwill or something, sweet." then i walk into this massive house of toys, crazy nice clothes, video games everywhere, hard to find books, rare shoes, and awesome Claw Games.....it was nuts. I don't know exactly what the place is called but its my new sanctuary. So here are some photos from the happiest day in japan so far.

My new favoritest place in the entrie world!
TOYS!!!!!!
MORE TOYS!!!!!

LOOK AT HOW EXCITED I AM!
Last year i spent a lot of moolah tracking these things down on my Japan Trip. and they are just sitting back in San Jose in my apartment.....8(

One of my goals is to find one of these Sentai suits "power ranger like heroes" and wear it for halloween back in the states. I will own one these helmets before i leave. Of this, i am sure.

I am still totally excited about this place!
damn, slow down homes. i didn't know you was bangin for the red team...."Hola Kitty"

Panda Z: Robotic Panda Fights...and Pandas with Mustaches.....nuff said.

Some of the sweetest kicks and strangest kicks i have ever seen.

this is a japanese thrift shop!?!?!? with brands such as Porter, Bounty Hunter, Supreme, Uniqlo, and every other hella expensive brand in the U.S. all for under 20 bucks......the most expensive thing here is Levis and Dickies......wow.
One of the limited edition Japanese Spiderman Gashapon (capsule toys from vending machines)

And another one....
and the sweetest one. How come Japanese make everything better? why can't american toy molds look this good?

straight creeeeepin.
and last but not least, the find of the day!!!! one of my early art inspirations and the reason why i was always doodling. TMNT and this metal head guy was my favorite because his crazy robotic lines, see where i get my influence from....so buy your kids lots of cool toys! cheers..

Autumn is Here

The first Day of Autumn (Fall Equinox) is a very celebrated day here in Japan. They even have a 3 day weekend holiday(which means everyone parties!) So in conjunction with this perfect day of leaves falling and nature's colors fading, is my welcome to Japan Spring Roll party.(today we will just call them Fall Rolls) So before coming to japan, one of my tasks from Michelle was to make sure i brought Vietnamese Rice paper all the way from San Jose, because the one's here are not as good and SUPPPER expensive. With the hep of her mom(Thanks!) we managed to get the best ones and she did a sweet job of bubble wrapping and packaging them. All i had to do was smuggle them in through security. 8) the Party was a really fun time and i met a bunch of awesome people,. But if you are wondering why none of these people are local Nihonjin(Japanese). I will try to explain in short. Most of the people at this party are friends and coworkers of Michelle. they are all English teachers from across the country and world working for JET(Japanese Exchange & Teaching program) They are all super cool folks and it made me feel like i brought a bit of home with me(besides the rice paper.) But i have to give it up for Michelle. She spent the whole afternoon prepping all the food and she did a wonderful job because everyone was stuffed senseless. It is definitely a nice opening to my chapter here in Japan. I came on a fresh new season when change is in the air and flowing through many people's minds. I don't usually care for change, but i think that is what this move is about, and i am really taking a liking to it. cheers.


This is a detail of the installation i am working on in my office. Trying to bring a bit of the outside inside.
Oishii Desu!!!!! Probaly some of the best Azuki Red Bean i have ever eaten in my entire life. This is a dish that the locals prepare for the Autumn Equinox. It is mashed up red bean and also Edamame(soy beans)the green one) over sweet sticky rice.

Michelle prepping all of the food for the nights festivities.


Flown in straight from San Jose, CA. can't get eany fresher than that....

Our delicious spread for the evening. yummmmy.

Spring Rolling 101:

Having fun guys?

Totally debating over the best You Tube videos Ever!

Topping the night off with some cheese...gruyere and gouda


Roll Call.....all the spring roll squad.
A funny picture we took at the Sega World arcade. She is wrapping me in Nato(sticky tofu) and leaves. trying to cover me in her evil web of Autumness....hahah
this is where i will be doing most of my blogging and youtubing...cheers friends.