The first one held since 2007. It doesn’t hold a candle to the parades in New York or San Francisco, but it’s something.

Near NHK Hall, Tokyo, Japan

東京都渋谷区NHKホール

Performing live in the rain at the Fuji Rock Festival on August 1, 2010.

Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.
新潟県苗場スキー場

After Japan’s improbable World Cup victory over Denmark, propelling it to the Round of 16, throngs of Japanese Blue Samurai revelers descended upon Shibuya for a raucous celebration. I was right in the thick of things here.

At the Hachiko exit of Shibuya station, Tokyo, Japan

東京都渋谷のハチ公口

After Japan’s improbable World Cup victory over Denmark, propelling it to the Round of 16, throngs of Japanese Blue Samurai revelers descended upon Shibuya for a raucous celebration. I was right in the thick of things here.

At the Hachiko exit of Shibuya station, Tokyo, Japan

東京都渋谷のハチ公口

This resourceful gaijin was dazzling his Japanese audience by playing the drums on plastic buckets by Hachiko in front of Shibuya Station. Shortly after I arrived, a car full of Japanese musicians pulled up, and, one by one starting with the guitarist, they joined in an impromptu jam session.

Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station, Tokyo, Japan

東京都渋谷駅のハチ公口

On the Izu Island of Shikinejima, Tokyo-to, Japan

東京都式根島

Actually, the line outside is shorter than I would have guessed, but I did come later in evening, long after most of the Apple otakus got their prized possession, or they were at the more glamorous Ginza shop.

In front of the Shibuya Apple Store, Tokyo, Japan
アプルストアー渋谷、東京都渋谷区

This ad or variations thereof is currently appearing on cigarette hanbaiki (vending machines) all over Tokyo. It provides an interesting commentary on smoking and Japanese culture in general.

Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
東京都目黒区

As I was heading to the Lao Festival today by NHK Hall, I came across some right-wing Japanese protesters who referred to themselves or perhaps the demonstration as “Soyokaze (そよ風)”. Visible in the photograph is a sign that reads “Gaikokujin hantai (外国人反対)” which basically means “against or no foreigners.” Actually, they were protesting the possibility of foreigners who are permanent residents attaining suffrage in Japan.

Yet, ironically enough, one of them approached this foreigner and began speaking to me in broken English. He began by saying, “Foot and mouth disease.” Or was it “Mad Cow Disease?” I wasn’t sure. The rest of the conversation went something like this (Note that since he was making the effort to speak in English, I was very patient with him.).

Me: So what are you protesting?
Him: The Democratic Party of Japan.
Me: What about the Democratic Party are you protesting?
Him: Its policies.
Me: Which policies?
Him: Its policies towards communist countries like China and North Korea.
Me: What about them?

He then went on to explain about the Japanese nationals who were abducted by North Korea back in the 70′s and 80′s.

The conversation continued….
Me: So how would you like Japan to deal with North Korea and China?
Him: We want the US to attack North Korea.

With that, I thought it was best to excuse myself and head to the Lao festival.

Spotted in Gotanda, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo

東京都品川区東五反田