Canal Cafe

Iidabashi,Tokyo

Nishi Eifuku Station

Low Tech TV

Japan is home to some of the worst television on the planet. This is a 'live' report by a field reporter standing on the bank of a river (nothing is happening, no one is around, but it is 'live'). He is holding up a cardboard map - no high-tech graphics here, and you can see his hand supporting the card. We have the time in the top left corner, the 'LIVE' in the top right corner, some other text information at the bottom right. Meanwhile, we can see a picture in picture of the host in the studio watching the report. Why? Why, indeed. Incredible visual noise.

a discount nation

TV in 2009 in the 2nd wealthiest nation, a country known for technology, still uses hand-held cardboard signs. Meanwhile, massive kanji text blocks your view of the cardboard sign. A shameful embarrassment.

pointless

This "memorial plaque" made me laugh. It is on a very ordinary building in Shimo-Kitazawa. It is, indeed, pointness. But, it is in English, which is important in Japan. Though I do not know why. Plenty of mysterious and useless things in Japan. Everywhere you look.

Korakuen

Iris garden