I’m getting ready to travel to Japan next month. I’m fascinated by Japan and its modern history. Well, at least its modern history from 1947 onwards, if you know what I mean. I’ve been looking around to see what sights are worth seeing, and I think I’ve found a few. See what you think.
First of all, there’s the International Godzilla Observatory at Naha, Okinawa. It’s a bit off the beaten track but it does have the highest number of confirmed Godzilla sightings in the entire Japanese archipelago, and to be honest, going to Japan and not seeing Godzilla would be a bit like visiting Loch Ness and not seeing the alcoholic inbreds. Or Nessie. Apparently there’s a great Godzilla museum and visitor’s centre nearby with lots of interactive exhibits where you can trample over badly constructed cardboard cities. It should be easy to pick up some souvenirs there too, like models and toys etc. After all, I regularly receive emails telling me where I can buy a 12 inch Cockzilla at a bargain price (I think Cockzilla is one Godzilla’s enemies, even though I can’t find him mentioned anywhere on the Internet Movie Database)
More central is the newly-opened Japan National Museum of Robots Wearing Schoolgirl Uniforms in Nagoya. This state of the art facility combines two of Japan’s more recent contributions to international culture. I’m hoping to catch a sight of Shizuka Fujioka who was recently appointed an Ambassador of Cute and promotes the culture of grown women wearing schoolgirl uniforms in the west. So that makes it all right then.
Shizuka Fujioka. She's an ambassador and everything
Finally, and perhaps most poignantly, there’s the International Friendship Centre for Devastated Industries at Hiroshima. This beautifully designed museum contains many (often harrowing) images from western companies that were destroyed by the Japanese economic boom of the 60s and 70s. The displays devoted to British Leyland are supposed to be so moving that you emerge from the museum in tears, shaking your head and muttering “Never Again.” Closed Tuesdays.
Well, that’s what’s on the Agenda so far. Perhaps you have some ideas?
You are going to Japan next month!?
Brilliant!!
I am ready with numerous adjectives of envy!!
A friend of mine was there last year and another just went out on a lightening visit this week – to climb Fuji of all things.
It is the one place that facinates me and yet I’ve never got there…yet.
Enjoy the visit and don’t forget to send a Postcard!
Jimmy, yup, I got a cheap(ish) flight from Japan Airlines and I’m off. (I’ll try to remember to bring you back some Hello Kitty chopsticks).
It will actually be my second time there, and I have to say that it is the probably the best place I hve been on holiday. It’d nowhere near as expensive as you may think and places like Kyoto and Nara are incredible.
For 20 years I have had some cash crisis, procrastination, feeble delay which has prevented me heading east instead of west. Having spent the last 9 years travelling some 15 times to Mexico hasn’t helped allow for spare time (and spare Scots Pounds).
Still I’ve got a wee cash reserve, as my last motorbike purchase fell through…so I’m aiming for a Tokio, Kyoto, Hiroshima trip in the coming 9 months (he says!). I must go!!
Have a great time over there
15 times to Mexico? Ay Caramba! (That’s Spanish for “Jings & Crivvens!” I can’t recommend Japan highly enough and suggest you get over there while the exchange rate is still good!
Fwwooarr!! etc. Them Japs might have raped and tortured there way across the far east. But any nation that can turn out fit sexy cute schoolgirls at the rate they do deserve not to be atomic bombed so hastily in future.
Calm down Tom, it’s just a tartan skirt with long socks. We Scotsmen have been wearing them for years, but you don’t get Wired magazine using us as a cultural barometer for all that’s new and trendy, do you?
*goes off to listen to vinyl copy of “A Night at the Opera”*
Thumper – did Godzilla, Mothra, Gamera eat you when you were in Japan?
It’s all gone a bit quiet here and at ‘Vicars!
Hello there Jimmy, no I wasn’t affected by the clash between Godzilla and Mothra that happened when I was over there (you may have seen it reported as a “Typhoon” in the press – don’t believe a word of it.
I’ll try and put some photos from Japan up here this week, and there is a new post on Wicked Vicars.
I am looking forward to the photos once you get a chance to put them up for viewing!
It’s a wonderful place, Thumper. It’s like being ‘in the future.’
Rain in Tokyo = Blade Runner. Simple as that.
Make sure you try some Okonomiyaki.
Hello there, Piqued. Yes, I think being “in the future” describes it absolutely perfectly: The first time I was on a shinkansen I found my hands subconsciously looking for the safety belt, as I obviously thought I was on a plane. I loved every minute, and would go back tomorrow. And the okonomiyaki were bloody lovely.