I'm sure we've all been there: you go out for a few drinks after work and end up having a few more, followed by a few more, followed by a bottle of tequila. Next thing you know, the alarm goes off and you drag yourself from under the covers like a zombie clawing its way out of a grave, except the zombie smells better and has better motor skills. You know you have to be at work … [Read more...]
Ichiran Ramen — The Perfect Bowl of Noodle Soup
Japanese ramen is one of my favorite foods and Fukuoka is arguably Japan's top ramen city. I lived there for two years and enjoyed countless bowls of the local tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen from many a local ramen place, but when most people around Japan think of Fukuoka ramen, they think of Ichiran. Famous as much for its ordering procedure and privacy-focused seating … [Read more...]
Treading Chlorine in a Public Pool in Japan
The pool itself was 25 meters long and divided into four lanes of varying sizes. The largest lane took up half the width of the pool and was filled with the cast of the Japanese remake of Cocoon doing water aerobics more or less in sync with an overly enthusiastic instructor. Mostly less. With all the thrashing about in the water the whole scene looked more like an open … [Read more...]
Japanese Car Elevator
Japanese car elevator in Fukuoka in 2003—way before everyone's favorite Mormon™ robot got one. … [Read more...]
What to do Before Entering a Public Pool in Japan
On one of the hottest days of the summer, I decided to try and beat the heat by going to a public pool. I had been told of an indoor poor a mere five minutes from my apartment. Of course, it's only five minutes if you know exactly where you're going. Otherwise, it'll take ten to ninety minutes, thanks to the Japanese addressing laws which I will reproduce here in … [Read more...]