Yesterday, I had my first experience with Japanese plumbing. After a long day of travelling, then meeting up with Kumiko and Mika to grab some food at a `hard to find if you are not japanese' izakaya. Apparently Izakaya is a term for small place to eat and drink. I thought it was a last name for the guy who started Hapa Izakaya back home. I know the who started Hapa Izakaya back home. I know the trufe now Izakaya! I got your number. But i won`t do anything because I respect your hiring policies.
It is a thing of beauty and a symbol of the highly advanced civilization that is Japan. This baby plugs into the wall. Knowing there's juice flowing underneath your keister gives you tingles. The arm on the side controls the bedet(sp?) and a self cleaning mode. Not only that, when you flush, the water to refill the tank comes out of a spout on the top, which ｙｏｕ can use to wash your hands. Brilliant.Anyways, before I encountered the space toilet, we went to the Izakaya with Kumiko and Mika. At this particular place, you sit down and choose what you want to eat from a touch screen attached to the table.
Eric and I were confused with this wonderous technology. 
But luckily Kumiko and Mika took control and ordered for us. 
Our food arrived. Among the dishes, Tamago - egg. My favourite. Please note that my beer is much larger than Eric's, that is not perspective playing with your eyeballs.
And so we proceeded to mow down.
We also had yakitoria (chicken skewers), tofu, gyoza, more beer and karrage (fried chicken). So this actually felt like lunch at work. But honestly, it was perfect for the first night. This particular restaurant was on the 5th floor of some building with some words on it in Japanese. Without Kumiko and Mika we would never have even walked into the place. It was a great experience. Soon after this we headed back to the hostel to turn in, since we were up for almost 27 hours straight and Eric was tired. Sumo wrestling and Electric City to look forward to the next day!
Above is where they throw salt into the ring before entering.
They square off then backoff again go to their corners and wipe off with a rag. They do this three times before they actually fight.
And here is a video of the final fight which the Mongolian won:
The title is for the appreciation of the Steet Fighter 2 geeks out there. Today we went to Sumo wrestling and Electric City, the place to go for electronics in Tokyo. We started out the day in search of a bank machine that will actually take our cards. We were a little unsettled when the first two banks, completely in Japanese, spat our cards out as us like it was a white guy eating a Japanese fermented plum (almost happened on the plane). Luckily, corporations came to our rescue as the 7/11 down the street had a 7/11 bank machine that took international cards. We were set. Next stop Electric City.
On our way there, on the Japan Rail line platform i noticed this cool sign. I interpreted it as 'If you are a young girl and you lost your hat, a man with a freakishly long claw arm will retrive it for you'. I searched for this man in vain. I want to shake his hand. I'm going to keep a lookout for him.
Electric City, a smackload of things that go beep, buzz, and ping, and some crazy plechinko game where everyone smokes like a chimney. We actually go there too early in the morning and some shops weren't even open yet. But all you could ever need if you wanted the latest phones, gadgets, plus an alley full of shops with electrical components so you can build your own Astroboy. Good times. We didn't buy much, other than a XD Card Reader because I left my camera USB cable at home.
The whole thing shook back and forth for about what felt like 10 long minutes. I did my best to look completely terrified but couldn't stop laughing at how ridiculous it was. The crowd of Japanese that had gathered there were completely entertained and gave us a round of applause after we completed the Earthquakre Ride of Death. For our troubles we were awarded a delicious can of Mackerel:
I was happy as a school boy. Eric even gave me his so I've got too. Its going to be hard not to crack those babies open and scarf em back...deeeelicious. To top it off we found some other random stuff we found was shit on a stick and the claw grab game with pringles inside. 
It is a thing of beauty and a symbol of the highly advanced civilization that is Japan. This baby plugs into the wall. Knowing there's juice flowing underneath your keister gives you tingles. The arm on the side controls the bedet(sp?) and a self cleaning mode. Not only that, when you flush, the water to refill the tank comes out of a spout on the top, which ｙｏｕ can use to wash your hands. Brilliant.
I think he's going to be a hit in Japan. Who wouldn't love a satanic Pee Wee Herman. Actually, that's probably the only type of Pee Wee available.
