Tokyo

Odaiba Illumination Tips & Info

Odaiba is a manmade island on Tokyo Bay, located just outside of the city. Its year-round lighting, known as Odaiba Illumination YAKEI is a popular tourist draw, and one of the main reasons people make the trek to the outskirts of Tokyo. Winter Illuminations are popular throughout Tokyo November through December, and there are some […]

Robot Restaurant Redux

A lot has changed in the 3 years since we first visited the Robot Restaurant. The same week we originally reviewed the Robot Restaurant, Anthony Bourdain profiled it on Parts Unknown. It thereafter received a flurry of media coverage (what can we say–people love dancing robots!) and has even since been featured in commercials for Expedia and a […]

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum Review

This post reviews Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum, which is located outside of Tokyo, Japan. In our review, we’ll offer photos of Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum, our thoughts on the ramen, and whether it’s worth your time and money to go here while visiting Tokyo. On our last visit to Japan, we went to two ramen museums, including this one in […]

Kawaii Monster Cafe: The Most Bizarre Restaurant in Harajuku, Tokyo

Calling Kawaii Monster Cafe the most bizarre place in Harajuku, Japan–a place known for eccentricity and sometimes outlandish fashion–is really saying something. Yet, that’s exactly what this themed restaurant is. In this restaurant review, we’ll take a peak inside Kawaii Monster Cafe, covering whether it’s worth your time and money, as well as how appropriate […]

Nature’s Neon in Shinjuku, Japan

Shinjuku is an interesting ward within Tokyo, Japan. By day, it’s a business district, where salarymen carrying suitcases, wearing trimly-cut suits scurry from meeting to meeting. It’s not all concrete and towering buildings, as people enjoy the natural world in Shinjuku Gyoen, one of the largest parks in Tokyo. As day turns to night, it’s […]

50% Grey Dodge-Burn Layer Photography Tip

Today I wanted to focus on a new technique I recently learned that provides a way to non-destructively dodge and burn in Photoshop. For those unfamiliar with the dodge/burn tools, they are ways to extend the dynamic range in a single image in Photoshop, but the problem is that they normally a “destructive” ways to […]

Owl Cafe in Tokyo, Japan: Fukuro No Mise Review

Fukuro No Mise is a popular Owl Cafe in Tokyo, Japan where you literally dine and interact with a variety of owls. This review features photos of the owl cafe, and answers the question whether it’s worth the money. Animal cafes are a distinctly “Japanese” experience, with a variety of different animals, from cats to […]

Cool Japanese Vending Machine Beverages

If you’ve visited Japan, you know the Japanese love vending machines. In Tokyo, there is literally a beverage vending machine on every block, and in most cases, more than one. These vending machines offer a wide variety of beverages, from delicious bubble gum flavored soda to hot coffee, to an odd assortment of drinks in […]