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Old 17 April 2008, 10:39 AM   #1
The Dude
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Japan... A different world

I was going to go into Tokyo at first but instead we have opted for Kamakura and we will visit Tokyo, tomorrow and Thursday.

These were taken in Yokohama



I am surprised at the amount of vintage motorcycles.





To get around in the Subway is real easy



And Chinatown is really nice at night. More to come



A few images from Kamakura, narration to come for these later as I will be heading to Tokyo again shortly

























Shibuya, Tokyo

Shibuya is famous for its scramble crossing which is reportedly the world's busiest. It is located in front of the Shibuya Station Hachiko exit and stops vehicles in all directions to allow pedestrians to inundate the entire intersection.

The Starbucks store overlooking the crossing is also one of the busiest in the world, the line up was too long so I skipped my morning latte.

The 2003 American movie Lost in Translation featured a scene at the crossing. It has to be the busiest crossing in the world as I can attest, I was there 3 times yesterday the last time at 11:30 p.m. and as busy as 2 p.m. ... I can't even imagine how it is at rush hour...

Ready... set ... GO!!!!!















A "Lost in Translation" moment... it is actually a little bit exhilarating at every light change





A few random pictures of people in the area









What surprised me is that they smoke in restaurants yet outside they have smoking areas...



And it is as busy at night.







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Old 17 April 2008, 10:44 AM   #2
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Great shots!!

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Old 17 April 2008, 10:45 AM   #3
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Absolutely incredible.
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Old 17 April 2008, 10:46 AM   #4
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Awesome pictures as always Dude!

Any pics of Rolex shops?
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Old 17 April 2008, 10:47 AM   #5
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Dude! You rock! Been there! Your pics are great! I lived in Japan for 4 years and am going back soon!!
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Old 17 April 2008, 10:48 AM   #6
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Stunning photos

Thanks a lot for sharing i always enjoy looking at your photos you have some amazing photography skilsl there
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Old 17 April 2008, 10:53 AM   #7
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Wow! Great shots Mr. Lebowski. I've been out there too and I found the people simply fascinating. Such an amalgam of fashion all rolled into one individual. I never could figure it out though.

As for the biker dudes, a friend of mine whose been out there since the early 90's told me they're generally Yakuza.

Your photos make me want to go back.

Mike
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Old 17 April 2008, 11:03 AM   #8
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Wow! Great shots Mr. Lebowski. I've been out there too and I found the people simply fascinating. Such an amalgam of fashion all rolled into one individual. I never could figure it out though.

As for the biker dudes, a friend of mine whose been out there since the early 90's told me they're generally Yakuza.

Your photos make me want to go back.

Mike
Not true. I rode Harleys with a group of 35 or so guys and a few gals and they were all the nicest and hardest working Japanese people I have met. Not a one was a Yakuza or a 1% outlaw biker.

Me in Japan on Harleys.







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Old 17 April 2008, 11:25 AM   #9
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Whoa, nice pics there KV, well except for the one in the john.


Lemme guess, 15 years ago?
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Old 17 April 2008, 11:38 AM   #10
Terry Newton
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Great Pictures. I love other people's histories. Seeing the world is what it's all about in my opinion. If I ever won the lottery I would be traveling like it was no tomorrow. These were great shots.

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Old 17 April 2008, 11:43 AM   #11
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Not true. I rode Harleys with a group of 35 or so guys and a few gals and they were all the nicest and hardest working Japanese people I have met. Not a one was a Yakuza or a 1% outlaw biker.
KansaiVet,

Thanks for the correction, it's appreciated. Now if you don't mind, I hear an Asahi Super Dry calling so I have to go.

Mike

BTW, in front of which castle are you standing in photo number 4? Himejijo?
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Old 17 April 2008, 12:25 PM   #12
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KansaiVet,

Thanks for the correction, it's appreciated. Now if you don't mind, I hear an Asahi Super Dry calling so I have to go.

Mike

BTW, in front of which castle are you standing in photo number 4? Himejijo?

Osaka-Jo.
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Old 17 April 2008, 02:09 PM   #13
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Dude, love the photos and your signature

I was at Shibuya station a few weeks ago and it is the biggest street crossing I have ever seen.

Thank you so much Your Dudehighness
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Old 17 April 2008, 02:14 PM   #14
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Just great. I stumble in here to see beautiful pics of Japan and then I get to see pictures of Tom peeing.
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Old 17 April 2008, 02:18 PM   #15
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Great photos. Yokohama is a nice city to visit, went there three times for business. Looks like you visited Pacifico Yokohama hotel. Great hotel design.

Are you going to visit Akihabara?
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Old 17 April 2008, 02:54 PM   #16
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Just great. I stumble in here to see beautiful pics of Japan and then I get to see pictures of Tom peeing.
Just be thankful it wasn't a full frontal shot Seems like Tom needs a slapping (maybe by JJ) to in-still some law and order into his unruly behaviour

The Japanese love a beer, but they have some of the harshest drink/driving laws in the world.
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Old 17 April 2008, 03:07 PM   #17
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Nice work there. Everytime I see your street shots, it makes me want to go out and do the same. My problem is that I get self-concious about taking photos of strangers. I always feel that I am intruding upon their privacy some how.
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Old 17 April 2008, 03:17 PM   #18
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Incredible photos, Dude!

They really tied the whole thread together....
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Old 17 April 2008, 03:49 PM   #19
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Just great. I stumble in here to see beautiful pics of Japan and then I get to see pictures of Tom peeing.
Ain't TRF great!?
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Old 17 April 2008, 03:50 PM   #20
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Whoa, nice pics there KV, well except for the one in the john.


Lemme guess, 15 years ago?
Yep about 15 years exactly!
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Old 18 April 2008, 02:19 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leethal21 View Post
Great shots!!

Thank you

Quote:
Originally Posted by diversified View Post
Absolutely incredible.
Thank you

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Originally Posted by jasonbellevue View Post
Awesome pictures as always Dude!

Any pics of Rolex shops?
Thank you, lotsa Rolex shops, they even sell them in pairs, his and hers in Electronic City in Akihabara

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Originally Posted by KansaiVet View Post
Dude! You rock! Been there! Your pics are great! I lived in Japan for 4 years and am going back soon!!
Thank you

Quote:
Originally Posted by frostie View Post
Stunning photos

Thanks a lot for sharing i always enjoy looking at your photos you have some amazing photography skilsl there
Thank you

Quote:
Originally Posted by velomane View Post
Wow! Great shots Mr. Lebowski. I've been out there too and I found the people simply fascinating. Such an amalgam of fashion all rolled into one individual. I never could figure it out though.

As for the biker dudes, a friend of mine whose been out there since the early 90's told me they're generally Yakuza.

Your photos make me want to go back.

Mike
Thank you and no... They are not generally Yakuza, there is a big Yakuza guy down the street from where I live, normal guy except has a couple of body guards outside his house 24/7

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Whoa, nice pics there KV, well except for the one in the john.


Lemme guess, 15 years ago?
Yea John! Why didn't cha put pics of you using the squatting toilet

Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry Newton View Post
Great Pictures. I love other people's histories. Seeing the world is what it's all about in my opinion. If I ever won the lottery I would be traveling like it was no tomorrow. These were great shots.

Terry Newton
Thank you... Don't wait - Just go, life is too short to wait for everything to be perfect. Just go.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lol-x View Post
Dude, love the photos and your signature

I was at Shibuya station a few weeks ago and it is the biggest street crossing I have ever seen.

Thank you so much Your Dudehighness
Shibuya is truly awesome!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa View Post
Just great. I stumble in here to see beautiful pics of Japan and then I get to see pictures of Tom peeing.
Thank you! C'mon the pics of Tom coming out of the closet ... Priceless, for everything else there is MasterCard!

Quote:
Originally Posted by roadcarver View Post
Great photos. Yokohama is a nice city to visit, went there three times for business. Looks like you visited Pacifico Yokohama hotel. Great hotel design.

Are you going to visit Akihabara?
Went to Akihabara today, nice place to shop for stuff not even out in America for another two to three years are ridiculously low prices

Quote:
Originally Posted by vh_bu98 View Post
Nice work there. Everytime I see your street shots, it makes me want to go out and do the same. My problem is that I get self-concious about taking photos of strangers. I always feel that I am intruding upon their privacy some how.
Thank you and... Just do it!

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Originally Posted by boa2 View Post
They really tied the whole thread together....
Thank you

Quote:
Originally Posted by KansaiVet View Post
Ain't TRF great!?
Yes it is... A few more pictures from today, sorry no narrative yet... Just real busy and will be heading to bed shortly.

Glad I offered this trip to my S.O. for her 27th birthday. Tokyo is an amazing city - truly. And the people are extremely receptive to being photographed by a tall stranger...









The cool things with taxis is that only the door on the curb side opens, and it is automatic - you do not touch it.

The other great thing is, there are no barriers between you and the driver + the cars like the rest of Japan are immaculate. As a country Japan is beautiful and incredible in all ways (Except the food... albeit I had great Sushi today, finally! Had to go to the 5th floor, a place in Ginza... No one spoke English, well very little but the food was terrific and inexpensive.)



I mean what's not to like when you get reactions like these...







Bummer it rained...











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Old 18 April 2008, 04:17 AM   #22
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Japan is definitely on my list of places to visit, or maybe even live. It looks clean, forested...safe. People are obviously interesting.

Thanks for the trip dude.

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Old 18 April 2008, 04:23 AM   #23
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Incredible and mesmerising camera work as always, Patrick. Can't thank you enough for your efforts in sharing such wonderful pics with us.

Many thanks - JJ
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Old 18 April 2008, 04:57 AM   #24
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Great pictures. I won't be able to go there anytime soon, but thanks to you and TRF I'm able to enjoy!
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Old 18 April 2008, 11:23 AM   #25
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I can't believe that outdoor smoking area.
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Old 18 April 2008, 01:46 PM   #26
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Thanks for the pictures, keep 'em coming.
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Old 18 April 2008, 11:20 PM   #27
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beautiful country and a very nice place. once i get a decent job, i plan to go back this time on a hunt for watches.
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Old 20 April 2008, 10:18 AM   #28
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Huh oh...

Japan is like... very clean but...

If you are lucky in a public restroom you get one of these when you have to go...



If you are totally unlucky and you had something bad for lunch then you'll probably find only those puppies.... And lemme tell ya, I hope you are carrying a change of clothes.



Now, if like me... You are luckier than most, you'll get one of those comfy lazy-thrones for the reading room, the only thing it can't do is... Make a good cup of Java but for the rest, just press a button



It even has a warm seat :wink:



But try using a Microwave oven without blowing the house up....

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Old 20 April 2008, 11:10 AM   #29
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Some of those cubicals in Japan are so small you can't even swing a toilet roll

The heated thrones are different, but who the heck can work out what all those controls are about.

I refused to even try those stand up toilets

Did that lady stretching her arms out have on a Rollie? That looks like the shot was taken in Ginza (the Rodeo Drive Hollywood district of Tokyo)?
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Old 20 April 2008, 11:22 AM   #30
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Great stuff! I thoroughly enjoyed this thread.
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