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They have been the inspiration for budget style accommodation in London, NY, Amsterdam and Malaysia but no-one has quite managed to grasp the unique design of the ‘Capsule hotel’ phenomenon in Japan.
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It seems like the Japanese have replaced their designer pouches with designer pooches. From cafes to salons, weddings to fashion, a dog can live a pretty plush life in Japan. There are more than 25,000 outfits in Japan itself that cater for dogs alone and the streets now overflow with pampered pups in child like strollers and the latest fashion fads — from trendy t-shirts to dyed prints — anything goes. With a market now estimated at 1.5 trillion yen per year it’s no wonder businesses have been cashing in from the pet boom, which started back in 1992. According to experts fewer births, people living alone and the cute factor are at the heart of the dog obsession. Experts have also suggested that the Japanese are now replacing children with dogs. Statistics show that dogs, at 12.5 million, now outnumber children under 10 in Japan
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For those that really want to see some doggy style, Omotosando Hills and Roppongi Hills are the places to hit. From mudpacks to massage from restaurants to doggy cakes, the Japanese have taken the phrase “man’s best friend” to a whole new level.
Being an expectant mother in a foreign country may seem overwhelming at first, especially if you don’t read or speak the language. Fortunately there are others who have trodden that path before you, and many are happy to share their knowledge.
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It’s the opening performance of Takarazuka’s Phantom of the Opera. The theater is hushed as the Phantom rests in Christine’s arms. The main lights dim to a single spotlight and all that is left is a tender moment between two forlorn lovers. The emotion wells up in the audience as they are caught in the moment, but one thing is amiss.
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Tokyo is a city brimming with creativity. From its unique architecture to the artwork that adorns its pavements it’s no wonder that foreigners flock here to become part of the design scene. But how easy is it to make your mark in a city of 12 million people?
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Chrs,
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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.