Quickies from Nihon

Konnichiwa!

Just a quick post to let everyone know that Kentak3 and I are alive and kicking. Today is his birthday, so we have been wandering the streets of Hiroshima looking for a gift. We saw a pet store with chihuahuas, but no luck in convincing him that it was just the birthday present he wanted.

Anyway, Japan is great. My Top 5 Favorite Things About Japan so far are after the jump. Soon, we'll be off to Shanghai to see what tomfoolery Evil has been up to.

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1. All of the toilet seats are heated and come with a variety of other functions (including playing music) even in public bathrooms. Nothing can beat Toto's widespread innovation.

2. Cars and taxis turn off their engines in the street when not moving (like at red stoplights). Then, they turn them back on when the light turns green. How is that for Japanese efficiency?

3. There are loads of women in short skirts and knee socks, almost bordering on pantless. (See photo of GoGo from Kill Bill Vol. 1 up top for a helpful visual.)

4. Sake can be purchased in convenience stores (like the 7-11) for 375 Yen. Also, there are many delicious red bean snacks. (Note: Kentak3 made me add the part about the red bean snacks. Who cares about those when you already have the sake?)

5. Japan's inadvertent entertaining use of English. Examples include: "Happy Discount" for items on sale, "Happy Bath Day" for shower gel, "Casual Sweets" for pastries, and "Morning Banana" for juice bottle.