Halloween in Japan (continued)

The never ending topic, we know. Halloween was a lot of fun in Japan, and we found some extra shots of the holiday. 

Although yummy, this is not like the pumpkin ice cream you get at home. There is a swirl of what tastes like actual pumpkin puree. It's pretty tasty, just not what you would expect from pumpkin ice cream. 

Porta in Kyoto station had a free photo station set up, complete with staff to take your photo with your cell phone! 

We went as a Korean couple, obvious isn't it? Korean couples are notorious for their twin-like dress. Unfotunately in Japan people just thought we were twins or not dressed up at all...

The Hub was a Halloween central! Well decorated and populated by many costume-clad Japanese people. For once it was actually a great place to be. Also to be noted was the awesome waiter who came to my (Meg) rescue when while Kev was in the bathroom, a drunk guy sat down at our table and wouldn't leave! Thank you to the Hub and their awesome staff (even if you are a chain)

Yes, it's totally fine to bring your precious baby to the bar...and yes it's totally fine to let them wander the bar. 

Black face DJ at Butterfly! Because it's totally fine to be racist here...(just kidding...sort of)

Our tiny little pumpkins...Sharpie pen decorated as they were too small to actually carve...

Photos booths in Japan

When you walk around shopping areas in Kyoto, you will see a lot of funny looking photos booths. In the states photos booths are really popular, but very different. In your home country, they may be the same as the states: just a booth with a small camera, and generally pretty dingy. Sometimes at events in the states (weddings, and such) there may be some props provided to hold or wear in your photo. Your photos may come out something like this:

In Japan, not surprisingly the photo booths do so much more than just take a photo. This weekend we had a miserable typhoon hit Kyoto, and we were stuck mainly indoors. The bowling alley we like to go to (next door to the Hub) has a couple photo booths. After minimal amounts of begging, Kev agreed to try a booth with me. We really didn't know what to expect as the outsides look like makeup advertisements. With images of too-much-makeup-wearing, cute girls posing for photos. The inside of the booth looks like a photographer's worse nightmare with a wall of gigantic lights, and a small video/touch screen.

Even if you don't speak any Japanese, you can fumble your way through the directions. When you start seeing numbers flash you know a photo is about to be taken. The screen will give you suggested poses as you take photos, let you pick a color theme, and give you a few other options. Almost every step is timed, so be prepared to think fast. When it asks for your name(s) in Katana, just let the time run out if you don't know Katana and it will move on.

After you take your photos, it will tell you to move out and to another screen. This is where the real magic happens. The booth has a second cubby where you can add all kinds of little graphics, words, and stamps to your photos. Each person gets their own screen, so you can tag team the photos. After adding to your photos, you can go to the print screen on the outside of the box, opt to get digital copies (which you may have to pay for...) and get the printed copies of your photos. Here are the shots from our recent photo booth experience:

Just in case it wasn't obvious, Kev has full length eyebrows, does not wear pink lipstick, and no his eyes are not naturally that large. Mine are naturally pretty big, but definitely not shaped like that. 

 You would never know these gems came out of a machine that looked like this: 

We found the Mexican

Yes, you heard us correctly: We found the Mexican...food, that is. At a local (we think) underground bar called Den En, you can get Nachos and quesadillas! Although they do put pork or ham in the quesadilla, you can with just a little Japanese (or a solid finger "x") get them to leave it off.

To be honest the nachos are sort of Mexican-Italian...tomatoes are uncommon here so they use what tastes sort of like italian seasoning stewed tomatoes, but whatever they tasted like Mexican food!

There really isn't much to say about this...we just couldn't believe it and wanted to share. Den En is across the street from the Hub (a british style chain restaurant, similar to Applebee's). They have an "all you can drink" menu, that can either be all beer or all cocktails and the food is very cheap!

While we were there it was us and several groups of twenty-something Japanese people.

Burger King - Have it your way

In the states there is no delivery of Fast Food...you have to get off your lazy bum and get it yourself. In Japan they will bring the Burger King to! We can't guarantee the quality or warmth of the food when you get it, but they will bring it to you....if you can order in Japanese...Good luck!

How to be manly in Japan

As hilarious as it might sound to try and be american-style "manly" in Japan, we have found a few ways that any average Joe (American, Japanese, or other) can man-up in Japan.

1. Get yourself some cool t-shirts

We don't know if it's the Japanese passion for nature and mysticism that brings these shirts about, but they are freaking hilarious. 

2. Learn to love "cool biz" 

Cool Biz is an awesome time of year, when Japanese business people put aside their black pants and white, long-sleeved shirts, and opt for a more summer casual look. By "summer casual" we mean gray pants, instead of black, and pastel or short sleeved shirts. We heard this was started by the government to help beat the heat, but we will report back after some research. You still stick out like a sore thumb if you are in anything but gray, black, or white as a man or earth tones and navy blue as a woman, so don't think your neon Nike gear will suddenly help you blend in (nice try tourists...and Meg).

3. Drink highballs all day long...in the can

Cheaper than beer, and generally with a higher alcohol content, canned cocktails, including highballs, are a great option. With the lack of "on-the-street-drinking" laws, you might as well just grab one on your way to work, or while sitting next to the river watching the sun set over Kyoto. There really is no bad time for a Suntory Highball.

Another classy and affordable option is just straight vodka (or whiskey, bourbon, gin, etc.). There is a killer vodka bar on Pontocho street that serves up hundreds of varieties of vodka. They also apparently own a Russian restaurant on the other side of the river, but we haven't made it there yet. 

4. Forget about shoes and get some hoes...knee high that is

At several points throughout Gion Matsuri we have seen men in a series of what appear to be handmade sandals, and at the big parade a few even threw on some ladies knee high nylons. I mean, why not? What manly-man isn't at least a little in touch with his fem. side. 

5. Eat all the meat you can

The Japanese love two things: meat and carbs, but rarely do the two meet. We see people eating all kinds of meat, even foot long polish hot dogs without buns. There are boulangerie shops on every street, if not two in a row. Quite honestly, these people are just begging to be the next obesity epidemic. The picture above is a popular advertisement by restaurants serving cow. Some are cuter than others with little red hearts painted anatomically correct on the body. 

Oh and did we mention you might as well stop eating protein bars now?...You will starve eating Japanese protein or fruit & nut bars. They can't be more than 1x3" and keep you feeling full for 1-3 seconds.

6. Get yourself one badass tractor

and by "badass" we mean...SUPER TINY. Check that thing out! The guy digging has a shovel almost the same size. Needless to say, we only saw this tractor once, and ever since it's only been men at work. 

Nijo Castle and a really easy way to offend non-Japanese in Japan

Trying to kill some time in Kyoto on Saturday morning before our meeting for the immigration consultation at Kyoto House, we wandered through Nijo Castle (aka Nijo jo). There isn't much to be said about these beautiful grounds that can't already be found on some really well written sites, so we won't bore you with out lame commentary. Instead here are a few shots of the grounds (again, like San Ju San, no inside photos allowed :-/)

Apparently, hundreds of years without any predators and you will get HUGE too. 

D-san checking out the water fountain/face washer/whatever the hell it was. 

How to be offensive in Japan (to foreigners, not Japanese natives...)

So although this shirt is hilarious to lots of US citizens in the US (don't judge, just laugh, you know you want to) foreigners in Japan mean mug you like you are solely responsible for the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Although Kev will not wear this shirt out in public anymore, non-Japanese traveling to Japan, please stop your mean mugging. Even in normal clothing, we get the worst mean mugs...We are sorry if walking by us in Kyoto ruins your ideal image of an all-Japanese Japan, but we can't help it. If anything, ask us how to get where you need to go -we are really helpful, we promise!!