Japan: Shin-Urayasu shopping complex 2012-01-24

Another snowy day, another adventure around Shin-Urayasu!

This time around my friend Mao and I explored a shopping complex that had a big display of goofy gifts. See for yourself!

Poop chocolate, anyone?

Japan: Mamachari & Shin-Urayasu shopping complex

Oh, Soft Bank, with your adorable doggy mascot, bravely setting paw where no pup has stepped before.

While I meandered around the shopping center quite a bit, I actually came with a singular goal in mind:

ママチャリですよ！

Ah, my sweet Mamachari. I had that bike for the rest of my stay in Japan all the way up until the day I left, at which point it was handed down to my coworker Jason who lived a few blocks away. 

The bike cost roughly ¥10,000 and some change, about $100US, which is pretty reasonable. With the basket, the bell, and the price, it was a great find that would make my life so much easier. Many a grocery trip ended with the basket stuffed full of veggies and bags dangling off the bars. What I didn't realize is that I had just purchased the two-wheeled equivalent to a minivan, usually owned by mothers who need to get around with baby in tow. Womp womp.

Honestly though, it was my first breath of true freedom here, allowing me to cruise all around the town like a bat out of hell. 

While I had to wait for the bicycle shop employee to process all the paperwork and prepare the bike for me, I took the time to continue browsing the enormous entertainment/shopping center.

Japan: Shin-Urayasu Arcade

Taiko no tatsujin!!!

One of my favorite arcade games in Japan, it's essentially a rhythm music game except you get to wield drum sticks as big around as hot dogs and pound away on an oversized drum. It's a blast and the psychedelic animations that adorn the screen as you play just add to the experience. To be fair, Japanese arcades, often located near or on the top floor of multi-level shopping and entertainment centers, are pretty trippy on their own.

Japan: Shin-Urayasu & The HUB

Shin-Urayasu station is the next stop on the Keiyo line, a brief ride from Maihama. It's also the newer area of Urayasu, as denoted by "Shin" in front of the name, built up from landfill to create more land for the sprawl. There are many lovely hotels and restaurants in the area, and the shopping center connected to Shin-Urayasu station is full of lovely shops. I spent many a hard earned yen there! There's also a British themed pub called "The Hub" that's quite popular among the foreign residents of the area,  though there are many throughout Tokyo. I've met rugby players and watched the dramatic antics of the dancers there, though I only went a handful of times.

After all, I went to Japan to experience Japan, not try to recreate my experience in London. ;)

Gindaco! Ever tried Takoyaki? They're small round dumplings stuffed with pieces of grilled octopus and all sorts of savory yummies, like tempura batter crumbs (tenkazu), pickled ginger (benishoga) and more, then smothered in a thick soy-based sauce and other tasty toppings. They're one of my favorite quick snacks and they're also a great show as the adept chef uses chopsticks or simply small wooden sticks to flip the dumplings as they cook, ensuring a crispy round exterior and molten hot interior. Be careful not to burn your mouth!

This gent kindly allowed a photo as he worked. ^_^

Japan: Day to day vibes 2011-11-30

More meanderings around my neighborhood in Urayasu-shi, Japan. 

Photo diary~