Notes from a small group of Japanese islands

With Japan boasting such tantalising titles as best Jeanist and Nailist, it’s perhaps not surprising then to see that online entertainment site ZAKZAK has created the Japanese Gravure Idol Award. A prize that finally gives the nation’s hard-working bikini models the recognition they so richly deserve, with the judges taking into consideration the likes of photo album sales and media exposure, along with an ample number of other assets.

And, after some no doubt lengthy deliberations, the judges finally presented the first ever title to 24-year-old Yuko Ogura.

Although obviously overcome with emotion, Ogura-san managed to just about pull herself together enough to proclaim that, “I really appreciate my fans who support me all the time. When I started bikini modelling eight years ago, everybody thought models should have big breasts. But it’s different now. Diversified girls with different characters and shapes can succeed in modelling.”

A well intentioned statement that on closer inspection, however, may,

or indeed may not,

have much merit.

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Tokyo is often touted as being Blade Runner-esque due to its blaring, neon-lit nightscape, and, in its more maudlin moments, the metropolis also has an almost Gotham City mien.

Plus, it now appears that Star Wars can be added to the movie medley, with Tokyo’s celebrity super trooper and Sith cavorting round the capital, although the selected soundtrack sounds strangely familiar, rather than one from a galaxy far, far away.

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With the seasonal heat and humidity now firmly ensconced in the Japanese capital, confining oneself in air-conditioned comfort is the most successful way of surviving the summer, but when venturing outside simply can’t be avoided, there are several tried and trusted techniques to help diminish any discomfort.

For the particularly adventurous, simply taking off one’s trousers helps cut down any uncomfortable clamminess.

Or, for the more timid, a towel tied round the head is a time-honoured tactic.

But, when all is said and done, a fan is by far the best approach, and, like many things in life, the bigger they are the better. Although waving such a whopper about can be a bit unwieldy.

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The vast majority of golfers would no doubt agree that Mark Twain’s famous suggestion that golf is a good walk spoiled is a little harsh to say the least, but rather strangely, the Showa-no-mori Golf Course in Akishima, western Tokyo, appears to have taken the denunciation to heart. As, while for obvious reasons the pummelling of the ball hasn’t been eradicated from proceedings, the hindrance of hauling one’s bag around has.

Meaning that, for the fairly efficient at least, a good walk now need only be spoiled by some seventy or so swishes of a club.

(click images for gargantuan golfing gadgetry)

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With Tokyo’s sudden change over the weekend from unbearably humid, to unbearably hot and humid resulting in countless people suffering heat stroke, a sure-fire way of staying cool is crucial; however, while drinking lots of water, fanning oneself furiously or simply staying still certainly have their benefits, air-conditioning is inevitably the number one choice.
 
And as such, people will go to whatever lengths are necessary to have it installed, regardless, it would seem, of how complicated such a course of action could be.

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Most of Japan’s bewildering selection of beverages sit comfortably in a certain category, but Asahi’s Vegesh is as nonconformist as its name, happily striding various varieties. You see, not only does it contain 21 vegetables and 5 different kinds of fruit, but rather cannily, it is also a cocktail, packing a fairly respectable 4 percent of alcohol.

A unique combination that allows one to stay healthy while at the same time getting happily hammered, which, judging by the quality of the video below, is exactly what this YouTube user was doing when they uploaded this woefully crap copy of the current commercial.

Oh, and as far as taste goes, it’s surprisingly pleasing — almost Fanta-esque in its fizzy freshness. Plus, after feeling especially thirsty and firing down five, all that fruit and fibre has left me feeling in fine fettle.

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As the vast majority of rented property in the Japanese capital is unfurnished, prospective tenants of this rather old residence would no doubt be pleasantly surprised to hear that it comes complete with full laundry facilities.

Although more than likely they probably wouldn’t have anticipated the need to wash their wear in the wide open space of the car park. And in these decidedly far from modern machines.

However, that said, they do come complete with dryers, should the two complementary hangers be taken.

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