Lazy Guns Brisky - my new favorite Japanese all-girl rock band!

Now that I've been in Japan for a couple of months, I've finally started to "figure out" a few of those little things in life that we don't realize we need, but are needed to keep one sane. For instance, I've found this great English language weekend guide/pop culture magazine called Tokyo Metropolis.  It may not sound like much, but I feel as if I've discovered the Rosetta Stone!  It lists restaurants, concerts, museum exhibits, sporting events and anything else you can imagine going on in Yokohama and Tokyo - along with a healthy dose of news and information for the ex-pat crowd here.  Until I begin my Japanese language class this week, I still need these kinds of things to lead me around and tell me what is what.

Another small achievement is finding a decent radio station - InterFM (76.1 on your FM dial...).  Again, I wouldn't die without it, but as one who appreciates a good tune, its nice to hop in the car and have a listen to something interesting.  (Sidebar:  Today, as I was driving around Yokosuka, I heard an updated version of "Kung Fu Fighting" - made me laugh to think I was driving around Japan with that as my soundtrack...)  Anyway, where was I?  Oh yes, back to the point of the title of this entry.  

Tonight, as I was driving home, I heard a great Japanese all-female band called Lazy Guns Brisky.  Love them!  I even sat in the car for a few minutes just so I could hear some more of their music.  They were being "featured" on InterFM to coincide with their CD release party in Tokyo tonight.

Here's the only thing I could find on YouTube - their song, "Michigan":

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" - see it!

This has nothing to do with Japan really (though we did see the movie within the borders of Japan) and I know the movie has probably already gone to video in the US...

But, last night, J. and I saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and we both gave it a BIG 'thumbs up.' Since I'm no Roger Ebert, I won't try to tell you anything about the plot or the movie's subtext or the cinematography... Just see the movie. Its VERY VERY funny. British comedian/actor Russell Brand is worth the price of admission, no doubt. Good stuff!

Canyoning: NOT Canoeing...

A few weekends ago, J. and I took off on a little adventure that was... exciting...to say the least.  As an aside, I'd just read, the day before, how the Japanese have a higher than normal suicide rate.

J. and I went "canyoning" in Minakami, a beautiful area about 3-4 hours from here full of green (and some snow topped) mountains, deep canyons and crystal clear rivers.  J. thought she was signing us up for a "canoeing trip" until about 5 days ago when I looked at the flier and said, "Uh, J.... this doesn't say canoeing, this says canyoning..."  Of course, neither of us had a clue what "canyoning" was - well, except for the one photo I found on the flier of some insane person jumping off a waterfall!  Anyway, we went ahead with the trip since we'd already paid for it and such (ignorance is bliss...).  

It was scary as hell at times, but a lot of fun.  Basically, you put on wet suits and helments and then proceed much like a human pinball while 'body surfing' down a raging river, over waterfalls and through whitewater rapids.  Due to all the rain we've had (its currently typhoon season here), coupled with the still-melting snow up in the mountains where we were, the water was HIGH and it was FAST!  For much of these canyons, the riverbed is only about 3-5 feet wide so the water was just powering thru - and I felt like I was trapped in a washing machine at various points.  

In the morning, they teased us with the fun stuff in an area called Nosehair Canyon - sliding, quite fast, down the river on our backs/stomachs/butts on natural water chutes.  Piece of cake compared to what was coming later.  In the afternoon, they took us to Fox Canyon where we proceeded to be swung out on a pulley, holding a tiny bar, about 60 feet in the air - and then had to jump because they wouldn't bring you back...  After that, we body surfed down the river to a 20 meter (that's about 66 feet if my calculations are accurate) waterfall that we slid/hurtled down.  Of course, I did pretty graceful cartwheels all the way down said waterfall and almost killed myself...

And did I mention the water was about 40 degrees?  Oh yes, there were large snow drifts sitting next to the river's banks in a couple of places.  Good stuff.  Here are a couple of videos on the outfitter's website to give you a taste of what "canyoning" is.  Its insanity is what it is.

http://www.canyons.jp/video_cany_hard.asx

http://www.canyons.jp/video_cany_soft.asx

Great, great trip!  I'm ready to go back and do it again, no doubt - and we're happy to take other naive visitors too!

Hope all is well in your corner(s) of the world.

Citizens of Japan: BEWARE!

So, quite an exciting accomplishment for me yesterday...  I'm now a legal driver in Japan!  I passed my written exam and driving test with flying colors (okay... not flying colors, but I PASSED okay?!?!?).  If you know people who live, visit or are thinking about living or visiting Japan, tell them to stay off the roads and to walk on the inside edge of the sidewalks.  For, I cannot be responsible for my driving when they are demanding I drive on the LEFT side of the road, sit in a driver's seat on the LEFT side and navigate roundabouts by going LEFT.  I really should get some more insurance.

Japanese fun fact:  In order to get a driver's license as a Japanese citizen, you must attend a driving school - which can cost anywhere from $3,000 - $6,000 and the course lasts from 3 - 6 months.  They don't play around here.

Shimizu

I met J. in Shimizu on May 31 after a circuitous trip via train.

Shimizu is a nice little city with a small downtown area and big port.  We toured around the business district, then grabbed some lunch at a ramen noodle house.  I had smoked eel and buckwheat noodles that were fantastic!  The eel was so good.  Later, we met some folks and went hunting for a place to grab a drink.  We ended up down some little alley in a TINY place - honestly, and I'm not exaggerating when I say this - the place was MAYBE 3 feet wide and 5 feet long.  It had a bar with 4 bar stools and one Japanese "sitting table" in the corner.  We sat in there and drank a couple of Sapporo beers and watched the Japan v Italy volleyball match (which was very exciting actually) while trying to carry on a conversation with the owner/bartender.  That was like...well, like an American who doesn't know any Japanese talking with a Japanese person who doesn't speak English.  I have now become quite proficient at charades.

Sunday morning, we caught the bus to the ship about 6:15AM.  The ship took off about 8:30AM and the weather could not have been better.  It was cool and very windy, but blue skies and calm seas.  As we pulled out of port, you could see Mt. Fuji lurking above the clouds.  I'll have to say that is one of the most stunning and beautiful things I've ever seen.  You understand why the Japanese revere it so - it looks like its not of this world.  We had a great afternoon being entertained by a jazz band playing on the deck and a "steel beach" cookout with burgers, hot dogs and BBQ chicken on the deck as well.  It was a really good time - and it was fascinating watching them bring the ship into port here.  They "back" the ship into the dock using tug boats - quite a site to watch.

SUMO!

I'm back-tracking and trying to catch up on getting info on here...  Anyway, on to the good stuff.

=========================

On Friday, May 23, I went to Tokyo for the afternoon to catch the Sumo Tournament and it was a blast.  Once I learned the basic rules and standings, I really got into the matches!  Some good drama involved.  Basically, the tournament last 15 days and everyone wrestles every day.  In order to avoid demotion to the next division below, a sumo must win 8 matches in the tournament.  Yesterday was Day 13 so there were a lot of guys on the precipice between 8 wins or 8 losses.

The current leader in the standings for this tournament is a guy named Kotooshu.  He's Bulgarian and enormous (not fat, just huge - about 6'4" and built like an NFL tackle).  This would be his first title - and the first title ever for a European-born sumo.  Apparently, he's quickly become a huge star in Japan and the ladies love him (and is credited with bringing young people back to the sport).  He's called "the Sumo Beckham" I learned from a Japanese woman seated near to me...

I happened to have a seat next to three people from Austin, Texas...  We all proceeded to drink a lot of Asahi "tall boy" cans, eat some dumplings and really get into the matches (I'm sure the alcohol had NOTHING to do with it!  ha!).  Good times!

I will definitely be going back and will be happy to take any of you if you should come to visit.  Hope all is well!  Tournaments in Tokyo are held in Jan., May and September...  hint...hint...

Here's the link to some photos I took - nothing great I can assure you (there are also a few off the back deck here in Yokosuka that I included so you could see our view into the hills)...

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8IbsXLVuycsJq