Growing up in Southern California, in a predominantly Asian neighborhood, I was always shocked by the sight of Asian men picking their noses in public. Ok, I should say any grown men, but the vast majority were Asian. I mean, my mother would slap me across the back of my head if my finger ever [...]

Ok, don’t say Billy W never did you a solid, cuz he’s about to do you one now.
Are you a coffee drinker? If you are, then you know what good coffee is.
But, just like any other addict, when you need a fix, you need one. And, there’s no time to be looking around for a [...]

Most of the time when I view a photo I’ve just snapped on my camera’s flat screen, I mumble “Now that’s crap” as my thumb darts for the delete button. But on occasion, when I take a look at what I’ve just shot, I think Damn, I’m good! Here’s a fave of mine, a Shimokitazawa [...]

Ever seen the movie, The Cincinnati Kid with Steve McQueen? Well, if you’re someone who likes movies, you should see this one. If you’re someone who likes poker, you should see it. In fact, if you’re someone who likes poker, likes movies, especially movies about poker, and you haven’t seen The Cincinnati Kid, what the [...]

Behold the new, undisputed king of noodles!

When I was living up north, near Sendai, I used to dream of the day I could move to Tokyo and start a life here. Not that there’s anything wrong with the Tohoku Region. In fact, I loved living there and there’s a lot I miss about it. However, there was no way I was [...]

For the last several years, I’ve renewed my visa at the Yokohama Immigration Office in Motomachi. While the process was fairly painless for me until last year, I was always disappointed to receive a one-year visa each time. Several friends and acquaintances had received three-year visas through the Shinagawa office by that time and I [...]

Throughout my time in Japan, like many Westerners, I’ve been amused and sometimes horrified by seemingly flawless Japanese beauties suddenly smiling and revealing a snaggletoothed grin. Now, this post isn’t meant to be a feature on what yaeba are - you can see for yourself at Yaeba Superstar.com - but to find out how people [...]

It’s the first warm evening of Spring this year. My buddy and I are having drinks in Kabuki-cho at a bar that has an outdoor table. It’s about time for last train and hordes of individuals start coming out of the heart of the Cho to make their way back to Shinjuku Station and then [...]

Everybody enjoys a nice relaxing day in the park. Even this guy.