China is a vast country with a rich and diverse food culture. Each region has its own distinct flavors, ingredients, and cooking styles — from the delicate dim sum of Guangdong to the hearty wheat-based dishes of the north. But out of all the regional cuisines, my favorite is Sichuan food. Sichuan cuisine stands out…
Chinese taxis have changed a lot in the past decade. They used to be mostly old, gas-powered sedans—often worn out, not especially clean, and with drivers who preferred cash. Now, in most cities, they’re modern, clean, and mostly electric. The shift to electric vehicles has been rapid, especially in major cities, where government policies pushed…
The delightfully nostalgic Japanese ジャンケンマン (“Jankenman”) arcade machine—a Showa-era gem that’s equal parts kitsch and charm. The machine, made by Sunwise, is based on janken (rock-paper-scissors), the classic hand game that’s settled more schoolyard debates in Japan than any courtroom ever could. The LED display in the center is showing the “peace” or “scissors” sign, and players use the…
Sunday in Akihabara—Tokyo’s Electric Town—is a surreal experience. By noon, the main street, Chuo Dori, shuts down to traffic and turns into a pedestrian zone. Locals, tourists, cosplayers, and camera crews take over the asphalt. The street becomes a moving showcase of otaku culture: anime shirts, bags stuffed with merch, kids filming TikToks in cosplay,…
You step off the main road and find this place — a battered ramen shop squeezed between concrete walls. The yellowed menu, printed in big red numbers, screams cheap prices: 650 yen, 750 yen, no-frills. A cartoon pig clutches a bowl of noodles on the glass door, half peeled from the sun. Inside, the world…
Tokyo has a surprising number of canals, a legacy from when it was known as Edo. The city’s network of rivers, canals, and moats supported commerce, transport, and defense. Today, many of these waterways still exist, though their roles have shifted. Central Tokyo’s Nihonbashi area preserves some of the oldest canals, once the beating heart…
Old American pinball machines have a kind of gritty charm that mixes mechanical clatter with bright, unapologetic style. They’re loud—buzzers, bells, and the solid thunk of a steel ball smacking a bumper. Unlike today’s digital games, there’s nothing soft or polite about them. They’re all muscle: spring-loaded plungers, flashing lights, hand-painted artwork of cowboys, space…
Taishakuten, formally known as Shibamata Taishakuten Daikyō-ji (柴又帝釈天題経寺), is a Buddhist temple in Tokyo’s Katsushika ward. It’s dedicated to Taishakuten (帝釈天), the Japanese name for Śakra (or Indra), a deity often seen as a guardian figure in Buddhist cosmology. The temple has been an anchor of the Shibamata (柴又) neighborhood since 1629 and is known for its distinct mix…
Tora-san, the star of Otoko wa Tsurai yo (“It’s Tough Being a Man”), is a beloved figure in Japanese cinema and culture — a sentimental drifter with a big heart, a bigger mouth, and an uncanny knack for falling in love with women who are always, tragically, just out of reach. Played by actor Kiyoshi Atsumi, Tora-san…
Just wanted to share some shots for anyone wondering how the Summilux 50mm “Classic” handles bokeh. Everything’s shot wide open. Honestly, I was a bit worried it might be too busy in the background — but nope, it’s beautifully smooth. I’m loving the way it renders.
