Hiroshima Winter 2011 Day 7
Visiting the legendary shrine island 09 March, 2011 by Sho
Today was our last day staying in Osaka before we returned to Tokyo tomorrow. But instead of staying around the Kansai area, we were to brave the trip down to Hiroshima to visit the famous Itsukushima Island and hopefully pay our respects at the Peace Memorial Park.
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Nara Winter 2011 Day 6
The real cultural capital of Japan 08 March, 2011 by Sho
Nara, home to some of the countries’ most significant historical sites yet is often passed over by foreign tourists in favor of the more promoted Kyoto. Today we headed for this ancient capital city, where we would visit the greatest temple in all of Japan.
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Kyoto Winter 2011 Day 5
Kansai trouble 06 March, 2011 by Sho
After last night’s disappointment, you’d think that things might pick up the next morning. Unfortunately, I would meet with great misfortune during today’s visit to Kyoto. It seems that for almost every trip, there was going to be one day which you end knowing that it could possibly be the worst day yet.
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Kobe Winter 2011 Day 4
The best place to live in Japan 05 March, 2011 by Sho
Today, we visit Kobe, the city voted year in, year out as the absolute best place to live in Japan. The rich metropolitan city was wedged between the Seto Inland Sea to the South and the Rokko mountain range in the North, making it one of the most beautiful scenic cities ever. Continue reading for the photo walkthrough and full day’s happenings.
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Osaka Winter 2011 Day 3
Peeks at classic and modern Osaka city 03 March, 2011 by Sho
On this first morning waking up in Osaka, we headed to the suburban fringes of the city seeking a sushi restaurant that Yan had heard about from a Singaporean food blog. It was Located inside the Osaka Chuo Oroshiuri Shijo, a large complex dedicated to the wholesale of fresh produce and the daily haul from the ocean. Here we would have our heartiest and most expensive breakfast ever.
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Osaka Winter 2011 Day 2
A mad dash past architecture, snow and fishes 02 March, 2011 by Sho
This morning, we head to Osaka. To maximize whatever daylight we had, we woke up extra early in the morning to catch the JR Hikari bullet train that we had reserved seats for yesterday. Daylight breaks at around 5 to 6 AM depending on season so when you know you’re early when you wake up to no sunlight. The train departed Tokyo station at 6 AM. Which meant that we could be found leaving the hotel before 5. Keep in mind that we were an hour ahead in Japan and clocking two straight days with only 3 to 4 hours of sleep each.
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Tokyo Winter 2011 Day 1
The reason for the erratic updates! 01 March, 2011 by Sho
If you’ve been following this site, then you’d might had noticed the sparse updates as of late. That’s because last month, the only remaining active authors at Supermerlion (sort of); Wilson, Yan and myself left for the land of the rising sun.
This time we were up for a hasty excursion through our usual Kanto spots, as well a southern expedition through the Kansai regions of Kyoto, Kobe and Osaka, all the way up to Hiroshima. Could it be done in the limited time and finances we had? Who knows. Follow as I write about our daily adventures in Japan.
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It’s My Life / Your Heaven
New double A-sides to start out the year with YUI 11 February, 2011 by Yan
It’s always exciting to see YUI’s songs being heavily featured in campaigns, commercials and whatever other places that seems appropriate. To start out 2011 with a bang, YUI has prepared for us another double A-side single, It’s My Life / Your Heaven. With both songs featuring in advertisement campaigns way before the combined single was released, is YUI getting a wider exposure for her music? This is the way to go.
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Ikimono Bakari
~Members BEST Selection~ 10 February, 2011 by Yan
Even though this album has been released for a couple months already, I felt the need to introduce what I think was the most worthwhile album purchase of 2010: Ikimono Bakari ~Members Best Selection~.
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Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
For those who love their Steamboat 07 February, 2011 by Sho
In Chinese majority Singapore, it’s almost impossible to miss such a historically and ethnically rich dish such as huo guo (hot pot), better known locally as Steamboat. In lieu of the Lunar/Chinese New Year festivities, here’s a post on the local’s favorite new year dish.
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Valentine Kiss
Mayu and friends gets two new friends 02 February, 2011 by Sho
Today marks the release of AKB48 spin-off group, Watarirouka Hashiritai’s 7th single, Valentine Kiss. The song is a cover of the 1986 debut solo single by Kokusho Sayuri of Onyanko Club fame, which was (less than coincidentally) written and produced by AKB48 producer Akimoto Yasushi. For this cover, two temporary members, Komori Mika and Iwasa Misaki were added to form the seven strong “Watarirouka Hashiritai 7″.
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Sakura no Ki ni Narou
AKB48's most depressing single to date (in a good way) 01 February, 2011 by Sho
AKB48 will be releasing their next single later this month on February 16th. As most can guess by now, it will be yet another Sakura-themed song in time for Spring. My first impression on hearing Sakura no Ki Ni Narou (桜の木になろう/Let’s become a Cherry Tree) was that of a slow sentimental ballad reminiscent of a typical Japanese drama ending theme. Sure enough, the single will be used as the theme to the upcoming new drama series Sakura Kara no Tegami, Sorezore no Sotsugyou Monogatari (Letter from the Cherry Blossom Tree, Individual Graduation Stories) starring AKB48 members.
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Midori Sushi
Good sushi doesn't have to be expensive 31 January, 2011 by Sho
Midori Sushi is famous among both locals and tourists alike as the place to go for the most value for money fresh sushi you’ll find in central Tokyo. Located inside the overhead pass on the 4th floor of Shibuya’s Mark City, each evening Midori draws a long line of hungry customers in need of their daily dose of raw fish.
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El Chateo del Puente
Cozy riverside Spanish restaurant 30 January, 2011 by Sho
El Chateo del Puente (エル・チャテオ・デル・プエンテ) is a quaint Spanish restaurant located under the JR train tracks beside Mansei-bashi (bridge). It’s near the junction between Ochanomizu and Akihabara. When we stayed at Suidobashi during out last visit to Tokyo, I would pass by this group of restaurants each time I walked along the Kanda River to reach Akihabara. Finally, we stumbled into the establishment one evening for a pleasant dinner experience.
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Akihabara
World famous geek paradise 26 January, 2011 by Sho
Akihabara definitely ranks alongside Harajuku and Shibuya as the districts most recognized by tourists. There has never been any shortage of international coverage, which often plays up Akihabara (like all other featured areas) to be another strange, silly or downright crazy town. Sensationalism aside, if you’re reading this site, chances are you’re probably well familiar with Tokyo’s Electric Town. But today we take a look at the heart of Tokyo’s otaku culture.
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Hock Lam Beef
Singapore's century old flavor of noodles 21 January, 2011 by Sho
The funny thing is that while Singaporeans will go through great lengths to support overseas franchises, it is generally frowned upon when local food businesses attempts to provide to the masses. Since its expansion from a humble shop at Purvis Street, Hock Lam Beef has attracted harsh feedback calling the newer branches “not authentic” or “too expensive”. Does it really deserve the hate?
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Keisuke Tokyo Ramen Revisited
Ramen with a sophisticated ambience 17 January, 2011 by Kazesuki
After a day of walking through the fun-filled booths and squeezing through the crowds at STGCC, Chad, Yan and I took slowly for dinner at this ramen restaurant at Parco Millenia Walk, Keisuke Tokyo Ramen. It’s faster to walk from the new Promenade station on the Circle line. What’s special about this ramen restaurant was its special ramen stock made from prawns! With an emphasis on was. Due to poor response from the local community, Keisuke Tokyo Ramen had been forced to abandon their original dishes for a more generic menu.
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Keisuke Tokyo Ramen
Where's the elusive prawn stock ramen? 16 January, 2011 by Yan
Normally I’m not too keen on featuring something that is not available anymore, yet Keisuke’s ramen is worth investing some amount of time and effort to be introduced to readers who may have missed it or who simply want to savor the memories of the prawn ramen that they used to feature in their menu.
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AKB48 Catchphrases, Part 2
Translations for Research Student and Graduated Member Catchphrases 15 January, 2011 by Sho
Earlier, I released a full list of current AKB48 Catchphrases. Though the response for the previous article hasn’t been quite as good as hoped for, here are the remaining catchphrases for the members of AKB48′s Kenkyuusei (Research Students) and as well as the graduated members as promised.
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Perfume
Quirky electro-pop trio from Hiroshima 10 January, 2011 by Sho
Perfume is a 3 member female act from Hiroshima that are best known for their amusing dance moves, performed to ultra catchy techno-pop tunes. While they have only found mainstream success in recent years, the group spans a decade long history, beginning as an indie pop act formed by three schoolmates.
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