July 31, 2013

Engrish: The Florist Edition


You know what? This one is so wonderful that I am going to keep quiet and let the beauty of Engrish wash all over you. 
Okay, really quickly--the misuse of "it's" is driving be bonkers.
That is all.

Location: My Favorite Flower Shop in Uwamachi, Yokosuka.


July 29, 2013

Engrish: The Car (Kuruma) Edition!




Is this technically Engrish? I think so! The use of an English word or phrase in a situation such as the naming of a model of car when it is totally opposite of what they probably intended is definitely Engrish. 

So here we have three of my favorites: Cocoa, Diva and Naked. I think the only model that would stand a chance in hell of being sold in the USA would be Diva and it would probably have a very specific, and narrow, market. Now Cocoa and Naked? I have no clue what they were going for, but hey--thanks for the giggle during my morning commute!

By the way, if you're just joining the fun and don't know what Engrish is, please visit the almighty wikipedia  for a quick lesson.

Location: Yokosuka


July 28, 2013

Sell Outs: Leo Dicaprio

Fresh off his Django Unchained success, Leonardo can be found brightening up the liquor aisles in Japanese supermarkets. He's the current spokesman for Jim Beam. What is funny about this instance is that I asked (in terribly broken Japanese,) if they threw away the poster afterward. The stocker immediately removed it from the box and handed it to me. After about ten thank you's and five bows, I left with a rad souvenir, a new blog post and hey--I'm totally a loyal customer now.

If you've read this blog in the past, you're familiar with "Sell Out" posts where I share western celebrities that are pushing products here in Japan and probably getting paid enough money to buy a small island. So why do I do it? Simple--I find it amusing! Back as early as the 80's, some of them would get flack for advertising cigarettes in Japan during a time that the culture in the states was shifting toward anti-tobacco. There seems to be a stigma with A list celebrities and advertising in the 'states, but it is very accepted here and thus more common. Finally, I don't see Leonardo pushing Jim Beam in the states would go over as well as it does here but what do I know.

Location: My (now) favorite local market, Yokosuka.


July 26, 2013

INSTRAGRAM!

If you enjoy the photos on this website, check out my Instagram at user name RamenForBreakfast. You'll have to download the free app of course, but it's a totally fun way to see what your friends and entertainers are up to.

Have a tasty day!
~rfb




 Do you want to tell him or should I? 
You know what? On second thought, I take that back. Props to this "ogi-san" for having the balls to push around a CHIHUAHA in a PINK dog STROLLER! See how I did that just there? Three offenses. Not only do I admire the tough-guy expression on his face but I also love that in Japan, this is a totally normal. 
Location: Yokohama




Engrish: The Toilet Paper Edition


Aah, the beauty of Engrish!
 It's not that I don't understand the advertising; it's just that it's so opposite of American advertising. I'm sure the Penguin brand is suggesting that the herb or leave-infused wipes will bring a chilly Antarctic-feel (or wherever the hell penguins come from,) to your tush. And I'm guessing that one of the Fruit Basket brand rolls will provide you with the scent of grapes or peach while you're, um, doing the business. But this American finds the idea of mixing delicious fruity smells with ahem--the nastiest of ones--simply gross.  It's subtle cultural differences that I love about living in a foreign land. You can only be bowled over by so many temples, crowded subways and crazy fads for so long.
Location: My local supermarket.


January 30, 2013

Best & Worst Things I've Recently Eaten


Freshly shucked Japanese oysters in a ponzu sauce served with lemon wedge, grated daikon and spicy daikon garnished with a shiso leaf. BEST thing I've eaten this year!


Tuna Soup with miso and lucky eyeball. In all fairness to the dish, the soup was definitely not the worst thing I've had this year (that would be the fermented squid guts tossed with mashed umeboshi,) but that's another story. It was definitely the scariest looking thing I've forced down. The eyeball socket wasn't bad, nor was the skin that had separated from the eyeball. The eyeball was tough to swallow. The texture is like many an organ but it didn't taste bad, just a little mind-over-matter playing with my gag reflex:)

If you like food photos, check out my instagram feed: http://instagram.com/jessica_in_japan/


World's Most Narrow Restaurant


Call Guinness World Records! We stumbled upon the most narrow place to grab food and drink and it's located in Kawagoe, Japan. That is the main entrance directly behind Matt. In the background is the tiny kitchen and to the right is the bathroom door. That was an, um, interesting experience. The place only held four people at a time and both the owner and regular were very friendly.

I wonder how much rent is for a place like this?