April 21st, 2007 Comments(0)
While wandering around on press day at the opening of Tokyo Midtown, I stumbled onto this ‘performance’ at one of the shops..
To be honest, I don’t remember the shops name or even what they were selling; seemed like jewelry or something.
An attractive woman approached me as I was filming the hardwood floor outside her shop; “Would you like to see a performance?”.. “Uhh, yeah. What kind?”.. “These girls will play.”.. “Uhh, ok. Can I film?”.. “Yes, please.”.. I wasn’t sure what kind of ‘performance’, but the girls were cute.
Anyway, this description is longer than the video clip, so just watch it; it’s nothing special but sort of ‘interesting’.. I have no idea why this piano was accompanying these three young violinists, but the music is Vivaldi’s Spring, from Four Seasons.
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March 31st, 2007 Comments(0)
A promo clip shown at Tokyo Midtown’s press conference last Monday.
“Various elements are intertwined to contribute to the diversity by accepting and stimulating each other.”.. Sounds fun..
The audio translation is a bit tough to pick up, but I’m not sure if it’s due to the audio level or the content of the speech.. Sometimes Japanese just doesn’t translate well.
The clip has some nice shots of the general area, and also shows how Tokyo Midtown has ‘intertwined’ Japanese cultural icons, such as the ‘torii’ and bamboo paneling.
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March 27th, 2007 Comments(0)
Some of the scenery at the new skyscraper complex in Roppongi; Tokyo Midtown.
Overall, I was impressed; Lots of grass, open space in the back, and natural wood. It’s also easier to navigate than Roppongi Hills, and the water everywhere might keep it cool during summer months. Inside seems to be well lit by natural light.. A pleasant experience.
Expect it to be crowded hell for the next few months until the novelty wears off; Tokyo Midtown officially opens this Friday - 3/30/2007.
The video was quickly chopped together but has most of the main attractions.. ‘Japanese uniqueness with surrounding abundance’. 
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March 18th, 2007 Comments(0)
This year’s Japan on the Web list of links, formally known as Japanzine’s Best of the Web.. These links were chosen by James Hadfield at SeekJapan, also known as Japanzine; the monthly print mag is still called Japanzine.. Did ya get all that?
Anyway, TokyoDV made the Best of the Web/Japan on the Web list for the fourth year in a row! Whoo-hoo! There are a lot of Japan-centric links in various categories. Be sure to check them out, and maybe let them know if some are missing..
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February 25th, 2007 Comments(1)
A friend back home was doing a report on ‘how people live in other parts of the world’. I thought maybe a video of my commute to and from work might represent ‘living in Japan’.
Since I don’t own a car and use the trains exclusively for transportation, I thought it might be interesting for her American classmates.
Her school is also in a rural area in the States, so the Tokyo skyline and large buildings I see everyday and take for granted might also be unique.
At a little over 10 minutes, the video is much longer than my usual clips. I’m not sure if it’ll be very interesting for some.. But I think it will be for others.
The clip has trains, drunks, escalators, people, buildings, and views from inside Roppongi Hills. The music is cheesy, but it’s my original and natural cheese..
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February 02nd, 2007 Comments(0)
Valentine’s Day is unique in Japan; only women give gifts and chocolates. The men give white chocolate one month later; ‘White Day’ on March 14th..
Seems strange, but I guess it helps men avoid any social mistakes of what to give to whom. Although, I think it mainly has to do with chocolate companies creating another lucrative holiday.
This video doesn’t have much to do with Japanese Valentine’s Day, but it was released around then. I ’stumbled’ into an adult shop and filmed some of the items on sale. You’ll see magic mushrooms, which are now illegal, and other various types of stimulants. There are also some shots of love hotels, both inside and out.
I wanted the clip to represent, what I hoped to be, a typical Valentine’s Day in Japan.. After chocolate, there’s sex, drugs, and love hotels.
Related: Read Captain Japan’s article on Japanese Love Hotels!
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January 21st, 2007 Comments(2)
Some Harajuku sights in winter.
A little collage clip from an afternoon of street interviews.. Boots, buttons, and BBQ Chickens.
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January 07th, 2007 Comments(2)
Sometime in early January, Japan celebrates twenty-year-olds becoming adults. Coming of Age Day is time for them to dress up in kimonos, gather at the local city hall, and listen to bureaucrats tell them how important ‘adults’ are.
The new adults usually get drunk before, after, and sometimes during the ceremony since they’re now legal drinking age. They can also vote at the age of twenty, so in this clip we see some right-wing black busses shouting their opinions to the newly christened voters. The wing-nuts don’t like Communists, kissing in public, or parked cars in their way.
This Coming of Age Day is probably like any other; kimonos, rabbit suits, and big black busses..
December 20th, 2006 Comments(1)
Rob Pongi helps needy young Japanese ladies find the spirit of Christmas past; Eating KFC and strawberry short-cake, strolling among the illuminations, and ‘resting’ in love hotels.. Everyone knows the proper way to celebrate Christmas in Japan is on a date.
Rob reads personal ads while the snow flies, the music beeps, the girls sway, and his balls dangle; “It is the high school girl living in Kyoto, in Japan.”..
December 07th, 2006 Comments(0)
The Neputa (large paper float) Festival in Aomori is famous throughout Japan. This single float was on display in Shibuya, Tokyo on a popular street called ‘Senta Gai’.
It was nice to see the float up close, but I was a bit disappointed there was only one. I’m sure the real Neputa Matsuri is impressive..
