Random Amusements in Japan

Oops, no Taiwan yet. I first want to share some things that amused me in Japan.

I have to mention that we saw a policeman in full uniform, wearing a surgical mask. Somehow I couldn't imagine taking him seriously with that mask on. I guess I'm still not quite used to masks.




Cool stairs in Tokyo (near Shinjuku Gyoen Garden).




Claire had no qualms about wearing the reindeer headband Michael bought for me at HULT.




It was also cute how Claire fell in love with every shiba inu we ran into. I guess that's how I am with Bernese Mountain Dogs.




These dropped, extra-wide hallways were made for soldiers in full armor to run along at Matsumoto Castle.







And somehow the soldiers also quickly made it up and down these steep stairs that made us sore the next day.




Warning sign at Matsumoto Castle.




Michael and Claire happily introduced me to warm soup and hot chocolate from vending machines.




That introduction, and the extreme cold, led me to this. Heated earmuffs from a vending machine.



Leaves on a sign about leaves in Shinjuku Gyoen Park in Tokyo.






I think I want big doors like this on my house--it'll keep things quiet.




I can't believe this thing is still running at a Matsumoto Tourist Office. iBook G4.



I couldn't well leave toilets out of my accounts of Japan, could I? Like a friend said on Facebook, you never know what you're going to find behind a bathroom door in Japan.



There are usually big flushes and little flushes (indicated by the same Chinese characters used for "big" and "small") and a whole bunch of bidet options I don't understand. My favorite, though, is the really loud flushing sound to drown out your own sounds--it reminded me of my friend Tanya, who likes to let water run while she's in public bathrooms so people don't hear her (sorry if that's embarrassing Tanya, I think it's awesome).




Each stall at this place had a kid holder so you can do your business in peace. I like that.




Safety bar and sanitizer.




Changing table for kids, yay!




A short urinal for male kids who join women in the restroom.




The men's restroom was kid-friendly, too! That. is. so. awesome. I've always felt bad that a lot of times, dads aren't expected to help care for their children, so they don't receive the same kind of consideration when designing buildings. (Now for baby-feeding rooms or even just seats instead of just breastfeeding rooms--I think those rooms should be more for the quiet and because it's hard to hold up a baby for a long time without sitting than because people are afraid of seeing or showing breasts--not to mention that not every woman can or chooses to breastfeed.)



And then after all of this advanced toilet awesomeness, there were places with squat toilets. And here's where my graphic rant begins.

Squat toilets: they make no sense to me. Just because they're "traditional" doesn't mean they're something that should be continued after something better has been invented. The floor around squat toilets is always covered with liquid that I don't want to think about but that I have to stand on, I have to hold up my pants or skirts so they don't get wet from the floor, I have to hold myself up so I don't slip if I want to squat enough to not dirty my own pants and shoes, and that leaves no hands to grab toilet paper, so something always has to give. And for some reason, the restrooms with squat toilets are less likely to have toilet paper or soap. What the heck? It's at least got to be one or the other, right? Claire told me that she heard a doctor say that the squatting position is supposed to be more natural and easy for bowel movements, but even if that's true, that's not a reason not to have at least some kind of thing coming a bit off the floor to catch the stray streams and solve a couple of the problems. Women's bodies aren't exactly the best at aiming, you know. Combine stray streams with all those ridges for grip on the floor, and it can't possibly be easier to clean them.



Continuing right along . . .


Car seats apparently need prettifying. Also, notice that he's not driving. I didn't realize that cars drive on the left in Japan.




Mary Christmas.




Even the poop is cute in Japan.



 
KitKat sandwich.




Dancing Santa!



 


Japanese Raccoon Dog (Tanuki) statues.




In case some high heel-wearing visitors want to hike to the monkeys, Crocs are provided.




"The monkey park is not only a monkey."




We think this monkey . . .




was reacting to this looking monkey. Maybe some memes are in order? Ideas for captions?








"Get it off today!"




Watch out for silly putty people.




How did Mushu end up in Japan?!?




Clever leftover drink disposal.




Babies, handicapped people, and . . . bears?




This is one of the least naughty pictures at the Gion Okonomiyaki Place where we met Nancy.




Felt play sushi exists!




I should have bought these Hina May Green boots because they're the only comfortable ones I've found for my problematic feet. As a guilty consumer, one evening to decide is just not enough, especially when there's a weird sole to get over.




I loved this skirt, and then I found another skirt on the rack that had tulle below the top layer, and then I was super excited because I realized they were the same reversible skirt. Heidi.




This is gas.




Some restaurants let you order using a machine at the door.




Get your matching dog pajamas today.




A deer drinking from a deer bucket.




Best deer warning ever.




This deer must have been teething.




As I said, clean. (There's hardly even a cigarette butt or leaf in there!)




Walking a cat in Hiroshima.




Guilt-trip story for backpackers.




Guilt-trip story about cigarette butts (seen on a train).




One stone dragon/dog thingy looked serious, one looked crazy, like Ed on Lion King. I couldn't help but thing of that "that one crazy friend" meme.




What we do while waiting for food.




What I do when I get sick of Michael photographing me.




In case you were wondering if ancient Pagoda corners line up perfectly.




After the zillionth picture of this pagoda, someone (ahem, me) got bored. Michael loved the peace sign so much that he started requesting it.




Like when we saw this giant paddle thing.






And when we saw the giant of all giant paddle things.




I just had to include the deer photobombing again.




You can't hide your food from these deer. I watched this woman have to walk into a hotel to get away from the deer, which patiently waited for her to come out so it could check for remaining crumbs.




It may look like I'm worshiping the boy-band looking boys, but really I'm worshiping the heat coming out of the heater above them. Oh, the joy.




Sometimes I like to take photographs of the photographer. It's nice that I can wander around enjoying things while he takes good shots for my blog. This time, I had two really good photographers with me. Fabulous. Thanks to Michael and Claire!

If Japan isn't on your list of places to visit, I'd highly suggest you add it now.