Blog@naktag:www.atnak.com,2007:/blog_e//22007-11-17T09:22:43ZThe English blog of @nak.com...blogging away everyday life in JapanMovable Type 4.01Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide (Revised Ed.) (Paperback)tag:www.atnak.com,2007:/blog_e//2.19762007-11-17T09:20:51Z2007-11-17T09:22:43Z A good map to Tokyo with all locations ...@nak（あ）http://www.atnak.com/
A good map to Tokyo with all locations in English and Japanese.]]>
Fireworks, Tokyo 2007tag:www.atnak.com,2007:/blog_e//2.14842007-07-29T11:55:52Z2007-07-29T12:18:58Z With the coming of summer in Tokyo, ...Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
With the coming of summer in Tokyo, the season of fireworks start with the peak of the season from the end of July to the middle of August. Japan is famous for it's variety size of the fireworks, as well as the stage effects. If you're in Japan this time of season, it's a must-see.
I went to see the fireworks at Showa Memorial Park, near Tachikawa last night. There were a ton of spectators out to see the hour and a half show, but we were able to get some good seating on the green, and spend a relaxing time. Beautiful, powerful, and exotic. Come to think of it, I hadn't watched fireworks live in about 5years. Must have been living life too busy.
Here's a list of links that provide useful information on fireworks in and out of Tokyo :
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Share the Road License Platestag:www.atnak.com,2007:/blog_e//2.14252007-06-01T00:45:07Z2007-06-01T01:07:17ZSome states in the US have license plate...Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
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The Media picking up on New Traffic Recommendationtag:www.atnak.com,2007:/blog_e//2.13022007-01-17T15:04:42Z2007-10-01T08:07:24ZThere is an editorial out on the English...Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
the topic I raised about the law change leading to bicycles being forced up on the sidewalks. Satoshi Hikita is a well-known advocate on bicycle culture, especially bike commuting.
The issue has caught interest of the Japanese media as well, several newspapers and magazines plan to publish articles and editorials on this subject, Hikita says. Several TV programs are expected to follow.
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Happy New Year '2007tag:www.atnak.com,2007:/blog_e//2.12962007-01-01T06:16:37Z2007-01-01T09:11:37Z謹賀新年...."Kin Ga Shin Nen" is a phrase me...Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
謹賀新年...."Kin Ga Shin Nen" is a phrase meaning "Celebration of the New Years"
2007 is the year of the boar in Japan.
Hope things go well for everyone !
Forcing Bikes on Sidewalks ??tag:www.atnak.com,2006:/blog_e//2.12862006-12-21T03:15:21Z2006-12-21T03:12:00ZI have to write this to alert the world about how changes in bicycle traffic laws may start to move in a whacky direction in Japan. The National Police Agency is taking a second look in 30 years at the current ambiguous positioning of bicycles in Japan in an attempt to decrease bike-ped accidents. However, doesn't the proposal seem strange ?Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
When children, the elderly, and people making frequent stops in front of stores (for shopping purposes) being the riders
When riding in places where roadway riding is deemed dangerous
Seems like a step in the right direction ? Think again.
Look at the bill this way.
Instead of proposing a safe solution to separate bicycles from pedestrians (which should be the natural way to go towards the said-to-be-objective), the agency has opted to clarify cases where bikes should ride on sidewalks WITH pedestrians. This results in a lack of essence to lead bicycles on to the roadway where they basically should be, and in contrast justifies bicycles on sidewalks with pedestrians.
Doesn't this seem strange ? By becoming a little bit doubtful, it's easy to imagine a hidden intent here. In dangerous cases where bikes are allowed on sidewalks, who would actually deem roadway riding dangerous? Answer : the cops on the streets. The revised bill would give the police clearly stated rights to pick bicycles off the roadway and on to the sidewalks at their own leisure saying "this road is dangerous".
Cyclists (and non-cyclists) in Japan being aware of the agency's past attitude towards bicycles can see the hidden intent to gradually pave way leading bikes off roadways and on to the sidewalks. The proposed bill would act as a step in that direction. There is talk about an existance of a group inside the police which may pull off something like this. They are said to have a position against bicycles being a part of vehicle traffic, and in favor of putting them aside with pedestrians. Some sources back up this existence of these board members within the group who have written up this proposal.
Sources also say that once the bill is presented to the diet, the possibility of it being opposed (or even seriously debated upon) is very low.
First of all, what a shame that the Police Agency has come up with this hipocratic bill in order to deceive us cyclists. Why do they have to trick us with numbers ? Where is the debate ?
Second, there seems to be nothing wrong with the current law regarding the relationship between pedestrians and bikes. Bicycles are vehicles belonging on the roadway with automobiles. It a matter of enforcement, making the law known thoroughly to drivers, cyclists, through the education system.
Third, the idea of picking bicycles off from the roadways and on to the sidewalks doesn't look at all convincing as tackling the problem of growing accidents head on. It's about time the authorities seriously take on the issue of giving bicycles an independent position in the traffic ecosystem instead of regarding them as "something in between peds and cars".
That "independent position"should take shape as bike lanes on the roadways. It will be difficult, but it has to be done. After all, Japan is a country where 2 out of 3 of the population own bicycles, by the numbers. WE NEED BIKE LANES, especially in metropolitan areas.
Lastly, cyclists also have to take on their part in thinking about bicycle's concrete position in the traffic society, and coexistence with other means of traffic. Cyclists have to act responsible towards this.
The relationship between pedestrians and bikes seem to be safe and friendly in places overseas. It may be that we haven't seen the dark side, and each place has it's problems with bikes and peds, it 's something worth looking in to and sharing.
The first step in voicing out against the bill is to publicize the situation in and out.
Let's spread the word.
・ASAHI com (Japanese) : http://www.asahi.com/national/update/1130/TKY200611300260.html]]>
Cycle Oregon 2006tag:www.atnak.com,2006:/blog_e//2.12402006-10-02T09:23:12Z2006-10-06T08:23:47ZWell, I'm back. Actually, it's 3 weeks s...Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
Cycle Oregon 2006(CO2006) was great ride, verrry well organized, and first class service considering you are on a camping trip !
No event in Japan will compare to this event in terms of organization and setup. 80 miles (and up) with hills everyday for 6 days was a bit overwork for us. Though we were able to ride it through, a shorter distance may have helped with more room for us to enjoy the scenery, nightly activities at the campsite, and interaction with more people. (We were basically asleep right after dinner, our bodies couldn't take any more...) We'll, I guess that's our problem, and the distance must of been adequate for the rest of the riders who were enjoying the evening festivities :-)
Though very tiring (HOT, and COLD !) whilst on the road, it was a surprise that I wasn't in any pain with cramps or muscle aches in finishing the ride. My knees did hurt on the 2nd day due to bad positioning , but a position check (bike fitting) at the end of the thrid day took care of that. (Should have done it first thing.)
I do have alot of things to talk about this event, too much that it'll take time to sort out and have it written in English.
One thing, it's a surprise to me that against my assupmtion that I would be most moved by the Oregon nature and wilderness, my strongest feeling towards CO2006 now is how interesting it was to meet and talk with different people and personalities. It was also interesting to think about the American thinking, motivation, and expectation that makes something like this happen. (2000 tents, showers, kitchens, a bike shop, coffee shop, ice cream shop, beer garden and pizzeria, practically a small village all moving along with 2000 cyclists ! ) ]]>
Cycle Tokyo! - a website to fulfill your Tokyo cycling needs !tag:www.atnak.com,2006:/blog_e//2.11652006-07-31T16:25:42Z2006-09-26T02:23:56Z Since I started putting out informatio...Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
Since I started putting out information on this site about my bicycles and cycling, I've been constantly getting inquires from overseas asking for advice about cycling in Tokyo, and places to ride. Looking around the internet myself, I found out that there was lack of information (both in English AND Japanese !) on cycling in Tokyo.
As a Tokyoite cyclist, I felt it a natural thing to do to promote cycling in Tokyo, provide our knowledge and information out to the world, and help out people visiting (and living in) Tokyo to go about cycling. After all, cycling IS the best way to tour various places in Tokyo at your own pace ! Luckily, a few of my fellow cyclist buddies felt the same when talking to them, so we started something called the "Cycle Tokyo ! Project" at the beginning of the year. After few months of gathering information, test rides and discussions, we now have a new website and volunteer cycling guide service.
Cycle Tokyo ! : http://cycle-tokyo.cycling.jp/
This site is intended to assist overseas visitors interested in cycling around Tokyo. The site will provide tips on cycling in the city, and introduce a variety of actual courses to ride making cycling in Tokyo a worthwhile one. Of course, the site will also be useful to local cyclists that reside in Tokyo.
There are tourist sites, and there are cycling sites out there. However, one of the features of this site that makes it outstanding is our list of actual cycling "tour" ride courses (in detail, including maps and GPS logs !) in and around Tokyo. This is something few sites offer. As we go on with this activitiy, more and more courses will be added, providing many choices.
Here's some of the stuff you will find in this site : (from the Cycle Tokyo ! flyer)
Tokyo Bike Tours : We'll present you with actual plans for bicycle rides around Tokyo. There’s a detailed course map, route information, GPS logs etc.
Let Us Guide You! : We can guide your Tokyo ride !
Tokyo Cycling Blog : Info on what's going on in Tokyo NOW.
Riding Essentials : Hints and tips on how to have a good time riding in Tokyo.
Cycle Tokyo ! information(flyer - pdf) : http://cycle-tokyo.cycling.jp/docs/cycle_tokyo.pdf
We're looking forward to lots of access, and people making use of the information.
This is a growing project, so we will always welcome feedback and comments that will help make the contents more useful. Contact the project at : cycle-tokyo"at-mark"cycling.jp (replace "at-mark" with "@")
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Sloppy but Satisfying Riding tag:www.atnak.com,2006:/blog_e//2.11282006-07-07T14:47:47Z2006-09-26T02:23:54ZWeekends in Tokyo this spring were very ...Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
Weekends in Tokyo this spring were very frustrating for cyclists, with rain for (7? 8? many for sure)consecutive weeks. Then after a couple of sunny ones, came Tsuyu, the rainiy season. We sure impoved on Majong and table tennis, but no biking. We were verrry lucky that the day we hosted the 2nd Tokyo Cheescake Pottering Ride with 19 riders didn't rain....until everyone got home !
The Utusukushigahara HillClimb Race came the weekend after with good weather, but down we were with a bad cold ! (We didn't even get to Matsumoto, the race location.)
When I had the chance to take my bike out at last for a run on a cloudy (coudln't ask for more in this situation...) Saturday morning, it was as though I was a dog being unleashed out in the open. I couldn't believe how frustrated I had been because of lack of riding seriously (of course according to my standards...) in so long. It was a short 3 hour ride along Tamagawa River, but I soon found out I was pushing hard as I could without any thinking. I must have been riding really sloppy without thinking about a smooth ride, because my knees started aching that evening. In any case, satisfaction won over anything else, and the aches were peaceful ones.
rainy seasontag:www.atnak.com,2006:/blog_e//2.10902006-05-31T15:36:05Z2006-09-26T02:23:53Z The rainy season is approaching in Toky...Tae(@nak(Ta))http://ta.atnak.com/
The rainy season is approaching in Tokyo.
Since it continues to rain every weekend, we can not ride on our bikes which we love to do.
When it is raining, we play Majong! We say Chi-Pon!
We are planning to participate in a hill climb race, "TOUR de UTSUKUSHIGAHARA 2006"
next month.
I am worried about lack of power because I can not ride on my bike.
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Curry Shop in Japantag:www.atnak.com,2006:/blog_e//2.10712006-05-20T15:09:56Z2006-09-26T02:23:52Z We have Japanese style Curry (not India...@nak（た）http://www.atnak.com/
We have Japanese style Curry (not Indian style), and there are many fastfood style shops in our town.
Curry dish is usually served thick curry sauce with rice and pickled vegetables and shallots.
It is very popular among office worker and students since it is reasonable and convenient and delicious .
In shop, you should buy a ticket with a ticket machine, sit on the counter, hand over the ticket.
You can choose the hotness ( very hot or hot or mild ) and size, various topping ( cheese, croquette, pork-katsu, egg, vegetables, etc.) for your dish.
My favorites are “hot pork curry” of curry shop C&C and “chicken curry” of Matsuya that is 290yen,very cheap.
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705 chickentag:www.atnak.com,2006:/blog_e//2.10572006-05-10T12:54:36Z2006-09-26T02:23:52Z This is the fried chicken of the kimchi...@nak（た）http://www.atnak.com/
This is the fried chicken of the kimchi flavor.
Since it is delicious even if fried chicken cools down, it is suitable for the dish (okazu) of the lunch box.
It’s a simple recipe!
1 Cut the chicken into one bite size
2 Soak chicken in kimichi sauce and shoyu (soy sauce) for 15 minutes
3 Attach flours to chicken lightly and fry it in oil
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Arakawa Cycling Ride (3rd Sunday every month)tag:www.atnak.com,2006:/blog_e//2.10132006-04-10T08:04:04Z2006-09-26T02:23:50ZWondering where to ride your bike on a s...Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
Arakawa Cycling Page for more information, and drop us a note if you're interested in joining the ride.
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Cell Phones in Flight !?tag:www.atnak.com,2006:/blog_e//2.9832006-03-23T09:30:51Z2006-09-26T02:24:35ZI came across an interesting article abo...Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
I came across an interesting article about cell phones while listening to the ABC Nightline Podcast. According to the podcast, the FCC is considering allowing cell phone usage during (airline) flights. Cell phones are currently prohibited from use during flight due to the radio interference they will cause with the airplane's GPS (Global Positioning System). However, it is said that the FCC is planning to auction frequency bands that do not interfere with the GPS system, thus allowing in-flight cellphone usage to become technically safe.
Seems great, but this is only half the story.
Imagine the passenger sitting next to you in economy class talking on the cellphone for the majority of time thru the duration of your flight. Because of the background noise, that call will likely be a very loud one, with the person yelling into the phone and repeating "Huh ? Can't hear you !" Imagine that happening on a ten hour flight from Honolulu to Tokyo, or a red-eye flight. It's inevitable, you're basically trapped inside the plane and strapped down to your seat with your seatbelt on. Imagine how obnoxious that would be ! Rage amoung the pasengers in a closed atmosphere inside the plane surely doesn't seem safe.
The general thinking in Japan is that speaking on the cellphone in places of public nature is annoying to others and should be avoided. Why ? Because that's "how the system is" in the train, restaurants, in the office, and the majority of public space.( I hear even inside some homes !) Even though frequent annoucements remind us of this "rule", I feel that it's pretty much in everyone's minds. I won't say that everyone goes by the rules, but it's from ill will being aware of it. It is regarded as something needless to be said, i.e. common sense.
Abroad and even in Japan, I encounter a certain number of non-Japanese people speaking on the phone openly in public areas as though they are privlidged to do so. Since they don't look like they have ill will doing it, it sometimes makes me wonder if the level of consiousness among the Japanese towards (cell phone) annoyance in public areas is somewhat different compared to people from other countries. I rarely see Japanese people doing it without ill will.
I doubt that any Japanese public transporation authorities would consider changing the rules to allow speaking on cellphones inside the trains or on the bus. It just doesn't seem to fit in with the Japanese system.
Allowing freedom to the individual is ideal, but the humans tend to use this freedom in a selfish manner. The Japanese system seems to put emphasis on what not to do to cope with the reality. Being used to this may be the reason the fact that FCC would think about allowing cellphone usage inside airplanes in the first place seems awkward to me in the first place.
Cycling Jersey au Japon !tag:www.atnak.com,2006:/blog_e//2.9082006-02-22T12:29:45Z2006-09-26T02:24:33ZFor those of you looking for Japanese-is...Ats (@nak(a)) http://www.atnak.com/
http://www.cyclingtime.com/modules/wordpress0/index.php?p=1783
Ryu, and Kabuki : http://item.rakuten.co.jp/o-trick/06spi000
How about one Steven ? :-)]]>
With the coming of summer in Tokyo, the season of fireworks start with the peak of the season from the end of July to the middle of August. Japan is famous for it's variety size of the fireworks, as well as the stage effects. If you're in Japan this time of season, it's a must-see.
I went to see the fireworks at Showa Memorial Park, near Tachikawa last night. There were a ton of spectators out to see the hour and a half show, but we were able to get some good seating on the green, and spend a relaxing time. Beautiful, powerful, and exotic. Come to think of it, I hadn't watched fireworks live in about 5years. Must have been living life too busy.
Here's a list of links that provide useful information on fireworks in and out of Tokyo :
Cycle Oregon 2006(CO2006) was great ride, verrry well organized, and first class service considering you are on a camping trip !
No event in Japan will compare to this event in terms of organization and setup. 80 miles (and up) with hills everyday for 6 days was a bit overwork for us. Though we were able to ride it through, a shorter distance may have helped with more room for us to enjoy the scenery, nightly activities at the campsite, and interaction with more people. (We were basically asleep right after dinner, our bodies couldn't take any more...) We'll, I guess that's our problem, and the distance must of been adequate for the rest of the riders who were enjoying the evening festivities :-)
Though very tiring (HOT, and COLD !) whilst on the road, it was a surprise that I wasn't in any pain with cramps or muscle aches in finishing the ride. My knees did hurt on the 2nd day due to bad positioning , but a position check (bike fitting) at the end of the thrid day took care of that. (Should have done it first thing.)
I do have alot of things to talk about this event, too much that it'll take time to sort out and have it written in English.
One thing, it's a surprise to me that against my assupmtion that I would be most moved by the Oregon nature and wilderness, my strongest feeling towards CO2006 now is how interesting it was to meet and talk with different people and personalities. It was also interesting to think about the American thinking, motivation, and expectation that makes something like this happen. (2000 tents, showers, kitchens, a bike shop, coffee shop, ice cream shop, beer garden and pizzeria, practically a small village all moving along with 2000 cyclists ! ) ]]>
