Tag Archives: Japan

Only In Japan

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Located in a southwestern Tokyo suburb, within sight of Mount Fuji, Shonan T-Site is a uniquely Japanese take on the bookstore. Owned by the entertainment retailer Tsutaya, the store is situated in a former Panasonic factory complex that is being … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lost in the Train Station (pt. 2)

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

H/t to the folks behind sizvideos for this set of crazy gifs:

Posted in Asia, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Biblia Antiquarian Bookshop Case Files

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

h/t to follower Akira O for the link to this video series Based on the bestselling novels by En Mikami, “The Biblia Antiquarian Bookshop Case Files” (Biburia Koshodo no jiken techo) is a popular Japanese television series that features Shioriko, … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

They Had Me At Konnichiwa

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

I love a wacky tourism campaign and this new series created to entice Japanese tourists to Israel is just bizarre and quirky enough to get some attention. “Israel, Like!” is an anime series that follows sisters Saki and Noriko as … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Asia, Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Eye Know

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Filmmaker Hiroshi Kondo turned a conventional time-lapse journey through Tokyo at night into a mind-bending psychedelic trip. The vivid soundtrack is by Ayako Taniguchi.

Posted in Art, Asia, Film, Tech | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Murakami’s Tokyo

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to TBTP are probably familiar with my fervent enthusiasm for the writings of Haruki Murakami. This month marked the much anticipated release of the English translation of his latest novel Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism, Travel Writing, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Murakami, more is not enough

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Suzanne Dean, the Creative Director of Random House in London, designed the new book jacket for Haruki Murakami’s new novel Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, which includes a sheet of stickers so readers can redesign their own … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

About Murakami

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

New York psychologist, writer and animator Ilana Simons created this terrific short animated film called “About Haruki Murakami” to celebrate everyone’s favorite Japanese writer. Well, he’s my favorite, any way.

Posted in Animation, Art, Asia, Books, Film, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Everything but Fukushima

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

The only thing I love more than a cool map is a cool map with clever illustrations. The Cape Town, South Africa-based creative design studio MUTI illustrated this terrific map of Japan that includes lots of icons highlighting landmarks, architecture, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Maps | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A Lost Era of Travel

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

A recently discovered treasure trove of 1930s Japanese railway and tourism posters is being auctioned this month through Heritage Auctions Galleries . The gorgeous Art Deco-influenced posters are so rare that even poster museums have few examples from the collection. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment