Tag Archives: Japan

Bookstore Tourism : Tokyo (with a twist)

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Conceived by a group of book loving entrepreneurs that includes Smiles and Morioka Shoten (the booksellers behind the “single room, single book, bookshop), Bunkitsu opened on December 11, 2018 in a sprawling space that was previously occupied by Aoyama Book Center in … Continue reading →

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Work Your Fingers To The Bone Selling Books

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Gaikotsu Shotenin Honda-san or Skeleton Bookstore Employee Honda, is a very funny anime series based on an equally amusing manga created by the eponymous bookshop clerk Honda. If you’ve ever worked in a bookstore, or spend lots of your time hanging … Continue reading →

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When You Walk Through A Storm

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

“And you really will have to make it through that violent, metaphysical, symbolic storm. No matter how metaphysical or symbolic it might be, make no mistake about it: it will cut through flesh like a thousand razor blades. People will … Continue reading →

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The Art of Shinkansen

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Who doesn’t love an anime inspired gif ? The Central Japan Railway (JR Central) has commissioned a series of fifteen fun gifs by Japanese and international artists and animators to celebrate the world famous bullet train. The Art of Shinkansen project illustrates … Continue reading →

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Gulliver’s Travels

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Brian D. Butler
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Train Car Nuisance

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Japan’s Seibu Railway, which operates trains in Tokyo, has created a new poster campaign aimed at educating both regular riders and tourists alike on courteous travel behaviors. Capitalizing on the universal appeal of the traditional ukiyo-e style woodblock prints, the railway has … Continue reading →

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Book and Bed

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Last year, I shared a story about Tokyo’s brilliant Book and Bed Hostel. Now the traveling bibliophile’s Eden has expanded with a new location in the heart of Kyoto. The 20 bed hostel, which officially opens tomorrow, features cozy sleeping nooks tucked … Continue reading →

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When Chickens Have Teeth

Posted on November 26, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

I’m  not much of a linguist, but when I travel I love to learn odd expressions from local languages and cultures. British illustrator Paul Blow has been creating wonderful images based on idioms that has discovered during his own travels. … Continue reading →

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Book Series

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Tokyo-born, Dusseldorf-based sculptor Ramon Todo is best known for his melding of stone and glass, but I really love his new “Book Series”.

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Tokyo Views

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Tokyo 100 Views is a wonderful, whimsical project from Japanese anime artist and illustrator Shinji Tsuchimochi. The colorful illustrations take us on a wacky little tour of Tokyo, replete with imps, ghosts, animals, movie monsters, and robots. It’s sort of … Continue reading →

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