Maid in Akihabara

This picture costs around 500 yen in one of Akihabara district's famous Maid Cafes. These are girls dressed in European maid outfits and try to pamper your stresses away in they cafes. The maids try to entertain you as much as possible like to the point of participating in their DANKEN (jack-and-poy) games, sing a song with them and try to do a lot of OTAKU-type or GEEK-type of games like talking about favorite anime characters and a whole lot more. I am not an OTAKU, please take note. The reason why I went here is out of curiosity. Well, maids... well I mean waitresses here are real pretty. Drinks are relatively a little expensive food is somewhat decent. I went here with my Costa Rican friend after some business matters and we had so much fun. Especially though if you can't understand that much of Nihongo. You will keep on guessing what the ladies want you to do. Once you enter the cafe, they will greet you "Goshuujinsama, irasshaimase," which means "Welcome master!" Well, its just a marketing hype. Don't take it seriously guys. Also, this place is so jam-packed with patrons from students, geeks/otakus, salary men, DOMs and other tourists. The captions in my picture says "Ian sama February 25, 2008 at Home Cafe Main Store Love Hana." The name of the lady is Hana. Well guys, feast on it. When in Akihabara, do not ever miss visiting this shop.

Vending Machines

Japan is the undisputed King of Vending Machines. They call it JIDOUHAMBAIKI (自動販売機). In Japan, in almost every corner of the street and block, you can stumble, the least is a single vending machine that sells anything from cigarettes, coffee, juice, tea, softdrinks, beer, ice cream, rice, umbrellas, batteries and anything you can imagine. Here are some of the coolest that I have seen so far.

Sakura

A lot of my friends way back in the Philippines and some visitors to my blog have been envy that they won't be seeing a real Sakura with their beautiful colorful petals bloom during the 1st week of April. Well, I would like to share some of the photos that I have collected. I hope in my very little contribution, I am able to share how beautiful Japan is every Spring season. Feast your eyes with these pictures....


The main road at Hitotsubashi University in Kunitachi City is closed for a whole-day Sakura viewing to local residents. The entire stretch of the street around 3-4 blocks from Kunitachi Station of the JR Chuo Line is planted with Sakura trees up to Yaho Station of the Nambu Line.

A school in Saitama planted with Sakura trees.

A river bank filled with towering Sakura trees in their full bloom.

A portion of Kunitachi City filled with Sakura trees.

Another angle of Kunitachi City.

Two (2) days before the Sakura festival.

A different type of Sakura tree spotted in Takao, Hachioji City.

An early bloomer. This shot was taken around late February in Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo, near my office. Shown is a Blue Plum fruit.