[Kenneth1704] A Photo A Day 2015 (Mobile Version)

[Kenneth1704]

#38
Laundromat
[2015/2/7]

BG Info: In many residential areas, we can find laundromats hidden in many of the corners. This is another one of those "convenience" that we can find in Japan. Of course you will have your own washing machine and dryer in your homes. But for rented apartments, some do not come with washing machines or dryers. Laundromats provide the convenience to these people who do not have the luxury of doing laundry in their homes.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#39
Niconico Head Office Studio
[2015/2/8]

BG Info: Some people might wonder what is the hype about niconico. It is actually a video streaming company, similar to Youtube, but it is the Japan version. They have quite a varieties of videos available. Users can upload a pre-recorded video, or do live-streaming. This studio, recently moved to Ikebukuro, is the head studio where most of the live interviews are held. Sometimes we get to see famous celebrities being interviewed here in this room. The space outside is actually very narrow and it is very difficult to hold a decent group of people outside the studio. When they have events, expect the pathway to be filled with spectators blocking the roads.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#40
Katana Holder
[2015/2/9]

BG Info: This multi purpose structure by Google allows you to position it anyway you want. My colleague received it during one of the Google's Conference sometime back. The katana is actually a letter envelop opener. Despite it being blunted, it is still quite sharp and can cut like a penknife. I have seen the kata in stationery shops before and I doubt if I were to buy one and bring it home to Singapore, it can cross the customs. Our customs is actually very strict with regards to these types of things. Anything shaped like a weapon will need a permit.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#41
Japanese Keyboard
[2015/2/10]

BG Info: After almost a year here in Japan, I still dislike the Japanese Keyboard. Turns out I am having too many typographical errors and sometimes leading to spelling errors. That it is how the keyboards are built here in Japan. For me, who is already very familiar with the US QWERTY keyboard, I need to look at every single letter I type on the Japanese Keyboard, even the symbols. I played a lot of PC games which needs a lot of hotkeys on my US Keyboard, so this has already become muscle memory. This is probably known as "Touch Typing", but to the Japanese, it is known as "Blind Touch". Company-issued computers have the Japanese keyboards built in, which I can do nothing about it. However, lucky for me, the daily work is done on the Macbook which I chose the customised version for the US Keyboard, making work slightly smoother.

 

[richiemccaw1]

Thanks for making my day better. Japan holds nice memories for me.

Looking forward to learning more about Japan and your experiences there.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#42
Underground Enclave
[2015/02/11]

BG Info: The basement of many department stores have many secrets to tell. When you step into any one of them, you can see that the variety of things they sell is totally out of expectation. Those things range from Bento food, dried goods, souvenirs and even raw food. Some of them that I have seen are selling sweets and some, high quality tea. My first impression of them was like, "Hmm this is totally like our Takashimaya basement area in Ngee Ann City". Despite many departmental stores having the similar varieties, they never lack the customers.

 

[Kenneth1704]

Thanks for making my day better. Japan holds nice memories for me.

Looking forward to learning more about Japan and your experiences there.

Thank you for your comment. I wont be here forever though. But I will try to make the most out of it.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#43
Cafe Breakfast
[2015/2/12]

BG Info: I frequent the same cafe every morning to buy breakfast on the way to work. Many cafes open rather late, only a handful of them open early in the morning. The earliest I have seen are like 6am. After that, a bulk of them open at about 7am, leaving the rest straggling to open at about 9am to 10am. It's not like you really have a choice, and breakfast is just as expensive. Yeah, nothing is cheap unless you make it by yourself.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#44
"Valentine's Day Party", they said. "It's going to be fun", they said.
「さぁ素敵なパーティしましょう」 〜夕立〜
[2015/02/13]

BG Info: Valentine's Day seems like a very important event in Japan. In this park, they have this outdoor stage ready for a party tomorrow. Not sure how will the turn out be like, but yeah. In their culture, on Valentine's Day, the girls will give the guys chocolates, and the guys will have a month to respond to the request. If the guy is interested in that girl, then they will give another set of chocolates on White's Day on 14 March.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#45
Valentine's Day Delivery
[2015/2/14]

BG Info: I have decided to make a delivery for myself this Valentine's Day. So, I packed some stuff to mail home. Because, I will be back home for Chinese New Year, so probably will be able to receive it when I am still in Singapore. The post office staff said that if I want to mail to Singapore, I would need to write my address, invoice, order number, description of items, buyer info, seller info, phone number, etc. So, I clarified again, saying I am not a buyer, I am not a seller. I am mailing things from my place in Japan to my house in Singapore. I am sending it to myself, so i am the sender and at the same time, the receiver. He did not understand what I said because he refused to listen properly to my request. Then he asked me for my phone number and I said I do not have. Then, finally he realised my intentions and asked, "So you are not a Japanese Citizen, you are mailing things to yourself?". I reiterated saying I am not a Japanese Citizen and I am sending things to my house in Singapore. He was dumbfounded because, if he had listened to what I said in the beginning, everything would be settled in three minutes. Yet we spent, fifteen minutes at the counter wasting each other's time and causing a queue to form at the back.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

[Kenneth1704]

#46
Bus Stop
[2015/2/15]

BG Info: Most of the small bus stops in Japan looks like this. They have only a post stating the bus stop name and the bus schedules. Only the medium sized stops have shelters. The bigger bus stops have both shelters and seats for waiting passengers. Nope, I did not meet any Totoro at the bus stop.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#47
Early Morning Shinjuku
[2015/02/16]

BG Info: Stuck in the train this morning with more delays. The train that I was at just decided to stop at this junction which just nice positioned with this view. I have not seen Shinjuku this empty before. It is always jam-pack with cars and people everywhere. This is a rather rare scene indeed with the streets all empty. I guess this is how it is like when they say "the calm before the storm".

 

[Kenneth1704]

#48
Tully's Coffee
[2015/2/17]

BG Info: Tully's Coffee has good coffee. They are quite known for their Honey based. They even have their own brand of Honey. I especially like the Honey Milk Latte, which there is no need for sugar, you substitute sugar for honey, which is a better choice for the taste. So, I was queueing up for my coffee this morning and they decided to put out this pink bear for sale. It was quite cute as it sits in the Tully's Mug with "straws" inside, staring at you.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#49
It will be long till I see you again.
雨は、いつか止むさ。 ～時雨～
[2015/02/18]

BG Info: Before I am able to take a break for the Lunar New Year, we are made to attend a mass sharing session in review of the whole year of work. The training centre is located in the western Tokyo, which takes long time for me reach. Last year, it was exciting to embark on a new journey. Every day filled with excitement and joy, ready to accept any new challenges from work. Now, coming here is just a chore, because of the long journey. My own office is much nearer than this place.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#50
Festive Gathering
Chinese New Year Day 1
[2015/02/19]

BG Info: Family Gathering early in the morning to exchange well wishes among family members, junior members gives respect to the elder family members. Normally this follows on by family steamboat lunch and group visiting to the great grandmother house.

 

[hjbyeo]

#50
Festive Gathering
Chinese New Year Day 1
[2015/02/19]

BG Info: Family Gathering early in the morning to exchange well wishes among family members, junior members gives respect to the elder family members. Normally this follows on by family steamboat lunch and group visiting to the great grandmother house.

Back for the new year? Enjoy the hot humid SG weather! Happy CNY!

 

[Kenneth1704]

Back for the new year? Enjoy the hot humid SG weather! Happy CNY!

Yeah. Back for CNY. Enjoying the warmth while it lasts. :bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[Kenneth1704]

#51
Oranges on the move
Chinese New Year Day 2
[2015/02/20]

BG Info: As a tradition, you must bring mandarin oranges when you go visiting. It symbolises gold. The first thing when you do when you arrive at the destination, is to meet the house owner, give your well wishes with the oranges. When you leave, the house owner will send you off with parting words, with the exchanged oranges. Wishing people good luck and good wealth, while they do the same when they give you the oranges. These oranges are semi-permanently in my bag this Chinese New Year.

 

[Kenneth1704]

#52
Lion Dance on the Couch
Chinese New Year Day 3
[2015/02/21]

BG Info: Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. The lion dance is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and other Chinese traditional, cultural and religious festivals. It may also be performed at important occasions such as business opening events, special celebrations or wedding ceremonies, or may be used to honour special guests by the Chinese communities (Source: Wikipedia).

 

[Kenneth1704]

#53
Open Happiness (Coca-Cola)
Chinese New Year Day 4
[2015/02/22]

BG Info: Coca-Cola has interesting prints on their cans for Chinese New Year. Although it may be all random, so far I have seen eight of the characters here. All of which wish for good luck in the new year. May everyone have a great year ahead!