Dec. 21st, Dec. 21st...Dec 21st.... Just trying to remember the deadline. No chance of forgetting Christmas. My kids won't let that happen. But, hey, Nick,, you've given me a great idea for the January edition. Thanks.

I vaguely remember hearing of this myth about Santa when I was in Japan. One thing is for sure, Japan doesn't 'get' Christmas unless it's all about commercialism.

Damn! Now the old are stealing! Old men getting back into the game? The OG`s are back better look out! All jokes aside it is really sad that old people are stealing so they can eat or just get attention. This is a social ill that the Japanese government is not going to be able to sweep under the rug.

For the Japanese it seems that X-mas is all about the gifts, lights, and drinking.

If someone does go to this thing I hope they blog about it. I would like to read about the experience.

You must mean this one: LAST CALL FOR A JAPANESE FEATURE FILM! PLEASE APPLY ASAP! (Tokyo) http://tokyo.craigslist.jp/tfr/937581386.html

Ramen chips. It can be done.

Me too. Played once. Just don't get the attraction. Sit there all day, in smoke and noise, with my hand frozen in position? That's fun?

You'd better hurry - their updated Craigslist post is sounding desperate.

You know they use obasan to catch shoplifters of all ages. It always amazes me, when the lady catches the perpetrator outside, the perp _goes back into the store_ instead of just running away. And then, in the store office, he is berated by the store security, and then the cops come and berate the accused some more.

LOL! "They are very easy to catch" says shoplifting prevention bloke. I think these elderly folk should do away with their Zimmer frames and get on a Segway! :-P

Is anyone here going to do this movie thing?

Great site and the guys that run it are friendly too

I haven't heard this, but it wouldn't surprise me considering how many communication problems there were during the tumultuous 40's and 50's :???:

I played pachinko just once. My FIL gave me a Y100 coin. I put it in and within about 6 secs all the balls stopped moving. That was it for me...fast 100 yen I ever lost (except the one I dropped down the drain.) Never tried pachinko again after that.

Ramen burger on ramen noodles/buns? How about some ramen sauce and ramen onions to go with that? And some ramen fries, too, please.

Another party and, dang it, I missed it again. And to think of the things I have learned..maybe that's why I wasn't invited, too.

The obasan's fashion is nearly as offensive as the bag that one dog is wearing.

Great pix! Except for the cold. I hate the cold. I remember climbing Fuji once (of three times). It was 30C at the bottom and snowing at the top. I couldn't wait to get back down.

I wasn't there...but I felt like I was able to take the trip. I have never lived in an apartment once I moved to Japan, so I wondered what it was I missed. Now, I know.

I think people in all countries have a habit of saying one thing while doing another ... it's called "keeping up appearances" :???: That said, I think the foreigners in Japan hate other foreigners more than the natives do :P

Great band but the silhouettes against colour and the opening and continuing bass line are straight out of Cowboy Bebop - anyone know the link there?

I should have clarified - I meant the Nikka Black (I think) 800 yen a bottle from a vending machine near you, not the malts. Not actually had the Nikka, but I've been to Oyamazaki near Kyoto three or four times for their rather smooth Hibiki (I actually liked their 12 y.o. more than their 18) - the free guided tour round their distillary is a nice day out, and if you rush you can get three or four drams in at the tasting session!

I have seen pics of this event before. I ever expected the Japanese to have such a celebration. These days with the decline in the birth rate a penis fest is just what the Japanese need.

Nikka made the best single malt whisky in the world this year, according the World Whisky Award judges in Glasgow (Yoichi 1987). Japan also won the blended whisky in the world award at the same event (a Suntory Hibiki blend).