Japan 2007: Day 1 (Convenience Stores and Shopping Malls)

I’m in Japan. Above you can see Saitama just north of Tokyo, where we’re staying for much of our trip. It’s very hot and very humid here, but sitting here under some lovely A/C and looking back over today’s photos? It’s damned lovely. Also? I’M IN JAPAN. Everything is wonderful so far.

I’ve been up for 28 hours, so after arriving at Narita and taking the train through Tokyo everything is awesome. Variety stores. A mall. Bookstores, arcades, all of it. It’s absolutely amazing and I’m very tired and don’t have much to add. So! Here’s some more pictures (after the cut).



This is one of 4 aisles of manga at a mall bookstore. Sort of Waldenbooks sized. They had a huge selection of stuff. Just right of dead-center in this picture is the sign for the BOY’S LOVE section. So much BL/Yaoi… they’ll never, ever run out of work to license.

This was posted in the store. It is, I swear to god, just the itemized manga releases for the month of September.

Sooo tired…
- Chris
September 5th, 2007 | by Chris
14 Responses
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September 5th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Looks amazing Chris.
Give Andrew a big hug for me (for the metropass).
Jay
September 5th, 2007 at 11:02 am
More please!
September 5th, 2007 at 11:40 am
You look taller than the mall signage! I’m glad you both got there safe, tell about the plane?? were the seats small?
Take more pictures!!
Mike
September 5th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
awesome photos
September 5th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
HOLY SHIT YOU’RE IN JAPAN! Living the dream, such as it is. Fantastic guy. Did you play the Taiko Donkey Conga’s?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Rest assured we’re green with envy.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Damn, I hadn’t realized your trip was coming up so fast. And now you’re already there!! Have a fantastic time and post more pics. –> Hold it! You’re in front of a Starbucks! Are you sure they didn’t knock you out, fake the flight send you to Richmond Hill?
September 6th, 2007 at 5:34 am
Typhoon is coming to TOKYO.
Pay your attention to a weather report.
September 6th, 2007 at 8:17 am
Chris, I have to say I’m insanely jealous. I’m hoping to visit Japan myself one day. Great photos. Safe travels.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Hey, you already found a Taiko Drumming Arcade Game. Nice work. Looks like you’re having a great time already.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:19 am
[…] [Multimedia] Christopher Butcher is in Japan, and he’s got photos to share. […]
September 6th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Enjoy your time there, Chris! Can’t wait to hear about your visit to Kyoto.
September 6th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Damn, I miss Japanese convenience stores…
March 26th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Hiiiiiii. Shake your ass on some japanese hooker for me!!!