From the Lawson combini near the office, Naruto Ham and Egg Sandwich!

As Japan rests precariously on an intersection of tectonic plates, earthquakes have become a fact of life here. Following on from a series of quakes in the Tokai region in the 1970’s the government has predicted that a major quake in this region will happen—it’s just a question of when. It has been estimated that if a quake hit in the morning in the Tokai area, about a hundred miles southwest of Tokyo, it could result in a death toll of up to 9,000 people. A staggering number compared to the Kobe quake in 1995, which killed roughly 6,400.

The fact remains that an earthquake could hit in Japan anytime, anywhere, so being aware and prepared is a must.

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

(more…)

In this season, everyone on the train is coughing and hacking away with the seasonal cold. I’m not immune and last week I finally caught my yearly march flu. So to pump up my vitamin-c intake, I popped into the local Livre Keisei, the supermarket just near my train station, to get some mikans.

(more…)

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

Story by Karryn Cartelle

Are the city crowds getting you down? Are you in need of a weekend getaway? Make the most of the last of the winter weather and find the perfect escape only a few hours away from Tokyo. Take a look at what Spinshell recommends.

(more…)