atomu comments

Well said spinningplates. How those fast and heavy pedal assist bikes can be allowed on footpaths is mind-boggling. I have had many near misses, especially on the wrong side of the road and around blind corners.

RIP Professor Proton.

Fortress own's the Mystays brand among other hotels.

Seicomart, because that means you are in lovely Hokkaido.

The correct answer.

If not up in the deep north, it's a toss up between 711 & Family Mart. Each have their own specialities.

The entire tournament was set up for an India win, by the scheduling of games, choice of venues and sneaky last minute switches of pitches. All of that makes this surprise win even more sweeter. Well done Australia!

All talk, no action!

In the 20+ years I have lived in Japan, PMs trot out this old chestnut every few years and exactly nothing happens. Fix taxation and a myriad of other issues first then there might be some progress.

a nine-meter inflatable catamaran

Might be one of these?

https://www.grabner.com/en/shop/products/sailing-catamarans?ai%5Baction%5D=tree&ai%5Bcontroller%5D=Catalog

Darned if I'd sail in one of the largest models for open ocean sailing. Very brave.

Wonder who in the LDP he pissed off to get hung out to dry like this? They all have their noses in the troughs.

The pascal blue kit Australia wore last night is their away kit. Canada were the designated 'home team' and Australia the away team hence the kit change.

https://shop.footballaustralia.com.au/products/australia-2023-away-womens-jersey-dr3986-354

That new colour worked a treat!

I still am amazed that the Olympic organizers are planning on using the Seine for their swimming competitions. A generation of swimmers could have their health ruined.

That's just for the Open Water Swimming and Triathlon. Similar to what Tokyo did at Odaiba for these sports. Not that I would be keen to take a dip in the Seine.

The Aussie Dolphins are ruling the pool at Fukuoka.

Tons of misconceptions and flat out wrong information on both the article and posts. Here are three:

The cities of Kanazawa and Kyoto require guests to pay flat fees of 500 yen and 1,000 yen per night, respectively.

The actual Kyoto City Accom Tax:

Accommodation Fee Person Per Night

Under 20,000 JPY200

Over 20,000 JPY to 49,999 JPY500

Over 50,000 JPY1,000

All hotel guests are liable to pay accommodation tax if it is applied, not just in-bound tourists. It applies equally to domestic travellers as well, both nationals and residents.

The collection of these taxes is very strictly enforced by the city or prefecture in question and there is no way these funds can go to the hotel owners or staff. Yes, there have been cases of this happening in the past but if caught, the penalty is for big fines and or jail time.

Half price compared to the just announced 400,000 yen 'premium seats' now on sale for next month's Gion Matsuri in Kyoto.

Lest we forget.

A few years ago I had the great honour of attending the ANZAC Day services at the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Hodogaya. Was a solemn and moving experience and the grounds there are restful and beautiful.

https://japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyo/hodogaya.html

Then afterwards Anzac biscuits, lamingtons, finger sandwiches and even Bundy rum to wash it down. No Two-up though.

RIP to a comedy legend. Besides the incomparable Dame Edna, he was a hoot in Finding Nemo.

https://pixar.fandom.com/wiki/Bruce

Does anyone know what a Verblitz is? Just curious

Verblitz is a portmanteau of verde (Spanish and Portuguese for 'green') and blitz (German for 'lightning'). 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Verblitz

Google is a wonderful thing.

Why by IVF?

Because she is 41 year old

Apparently the mother was killed by her daughter after an argument about the kid's excessive mobile phone use. Totally pointless.

Sacking is on the cards for Eddie, sadly. It's just time for England to move on and he'd be better off coming back to Japan and coaching a club side again.

This hotel will be literally on the "wrong side of the tracks." While not bad, it's definitely a step down from the Marunouchi side.

So are you saying the Shang and the Four Seasons need to move as they are also on the wrong side of Tokyo eki?

Timely article as I am just back from my second time on the Shimanami Kaido over the weekend. This time I took my wife along who is just above beginner level. We took two full days but wished we had one more day to explore a little bit more. It truly is a fantastic route.

One 'hidden gem' was the stunning views from the cafe at Kareiyamatenbo Park on Oshima. Well worth the steep but short 200m climb to get there.

Biwaichi, especially the sleepy northern section is also well worth riding.

All for show of course.

Gotta love Japan. Why make it easy, when it can be made overly complicated?

And only small amounts of information is being released as they are making it up as they go along. As a hotelier dependant on in-bound tourism, it frustrating and bloody confusing for everyone!

It's a fantastic route for cycling with the highest roads in Japan. And it's closed to traffic, buses and bicycles only.

Now we know what happened to Herman Goering's old uniform.

As a hotelier in Japan and elsewhere, I have seen a lot worse than this. Kettles and fridges get used and abused regularly.

One of the most memorable incidents was a bride-to-be who decided to hang her wedding dress from a fire sprinkler on the ceiling of their room. As you might expect, the sprinkler broke and their room and 3 rooms directly below were all flooded. TVs, carpets, bedding etc all damaged beyond repair by stinky, stained water. It cost them a fortune for the damage but they paid up in full. I wonder if their marriage lasted?

Must write a book one day about guest shenanigans.

That should be 'White Elephant'.

This floating hotel has always been a 'while elephant' and has some history behind it. Great Barrier Reef Saigon North Korea. Won't be missed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Haegumgang#:~:text=The%20Hotel%20Haegumgang%20is%20a,a%20cult%20following%20in%20Australia%22.

@Pukey2 That would be Team GB. :-)

Well done Japan for winning silver. Still a great achievement.

Kinobi Gin that is distilled in Kyoto is a great tipple.

https://kyotodistillery.jp/en/

Another hiding coming up. Unless the weather intervenes.