toddatron

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FOOD

FOOD!! (which is a major part Japanese culture) so whenever I get that vibe I try to capture the whole eating experience at whatever place I think is important.

Japanese cuisine has developed over the centuries as a result of many political and social changes. The cuisine eventually changed with the advent of the Medieval age which ushered in a shedding of elitism with the age of shogun rule. In the early modern era massive changes took place that introduced non-Japanese cultures, most notably Western culture, to Japan.

The modern term "Japanese cuisine" ....nihon ryori or washoku, means traditional-style Japanese food, similar to what already existed before the end of national seclusion in 1868. In a broader sense of the word. Japanese cuisine is known for its emphasis on seasonality of food the quality of ingredients and presentation. They also excel in the adoption of foreign foods and giving them a Japanese twist making them their own. This adaptation of outside ideas in food or anything for that matter does not make them exempt from the strict dedication Japan has towards quality in every thing they do. Food is precious here food is art and love!

Culture

Well its culture or tradition in Japan... come experience it with me!

Bicycles and Biking in Japan

Well here it goes. I am not an expert bike guy but since living here the bike has become the holy steed. I have been getting a lot of interest in the bicycle vids and find that the bicycle has become a major part of my daily life. Caring for it, maintenance and the Japanese culture of bicycling out of raw necessity mainly and recreational sport.
I have not given up my love affair with the car and the wrench. I have to embrace the bicycle now out of necessity but I also want to enjoy it as much as I can. I am learning more about bikes now than I have since I pedaled my banana seat chopper in the late 70's. I would be lost here without my bike. One little tip: Bike is referred to as a motorcycle more often and leads to confusion when I talk about bicycles here ....sometimes. Bicycle is the word of choice when speaking about what we loosely sometimes call a pedal bike or as I always say: "Hey lets ride our bikes"... Chari ... mamachari for short always works to. Mountain bike is just to long. Hey its my bike and that's your bike... right?

In Japan you can find bicycles everywhere. Often you see them thrown away even though they are still perfectly all right to use. Many foreigners take this opportunity to avail themselves of a bicycle for free. Since it is just laying there beside the road and nobody seems to care about it, they take it home and do some repairs and "voila", your own bicycle. What could be wrong with that?

Well, actually a lot.

You can be ARRESTED for riding on a bicycle that is not properly registered in your name. All new bicycles must undergo crime-prevention registration after they are bought. Even if you receive a used bicycle from a friend or acquaintance you must re-register the bicycle. If you just leave the bicycle registered under the name of the previous owner you may be suspected of stealing it. So you cannot just pick up any bicycle and use it as your own. Be sure to buy one from either a store or a person and don't forget to register the bicycle in your name. This is called Bicycle (Crime-prevention) Registration and there is a registration fee of 500 yen. (Most bicycle shops handle crime-prevention registration.)

And speaking of laws, did you know you can be ARRESTED for violating other bicycle laws as well? According to the Daily Yomiuri (9/18/04), riders who carry another person on a bike can be fined up to Y20,000. Cyclists who are caught talking on cell phones or carrying umbrellas while cycling could receive a maximum prison sentence of three months or be fined up to Y50,000. Anyone who causes an accident resulting in death may be charged with negligence and manslaughter under the penal code. It is illegal to park a bike in front of a crowded train station. Illegally parked bicycles may be removed, and those that are will be disposed of after two months if not reclaimed. There are usually free or inexpensive bicycle parking lots available near the station, so make good use of them.

You will very quickly notice that the people around you do not follow these rules, however, these are the rules that the police will follow in case of an accident when they make their investigation/report in order to establish who is at fault. So it is better to be aware and careful when riding your bike.

Bicycle riders must obey traffic laws since bikes are considered vehicles. Now even though I just gave you a big spiel..... like I am a master of Japanese law... not! Everyone here breaks these laws and they seem to do it constantly, cell phones, passengers and complete disregard for traffic rules. Trust me I stay on the road because the people on the sidewalk here ride like zombies! Just play it extra safe if you are a gaijin.

Even though hardly anyone does here.....WEAR A HELMET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Istanbul files

Same toddatron different country.........

Even if you watch every video in this play list.... you have only touched the surface of what is waiting for you in Istanbul.

Turkey.......a modern Muslim country with all the trappings of a society in flux. I will focus on food and walking the streets and market places.

Why Istanbul Todd? Cause I felt like it! Join me for 5 days in Istanbuls Taksim square and surrounding markets and sea shore areas.

The former capital of three successive empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, Istanbul today honors and preserves the legacy of its past while looking forward to a modern future.

It is Istanbul's endless variety that fascinates its visitors. The museums, churches, palaces, grand mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem innumerable.

Right on the western shore of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected in the windows of the opposite shore you may suddenly and profoundly understand why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this strategic site. At such times you can see why Istanbul is truly one of the most amazing cities in the world.

I will add some other videos in this play list from other producers as to help make my play list more informative and promote the other few up-loaders of good original videos on Istanbul

Japan Everyday

Everyday Japanese things, places or mundane daily rituals that seem mysterious or unique because they are in Japan.

When you visit japan the every day grind seems mysterious and when you move here its almost cryptic. What I mean is that its takes a wile to get your bearings and even longer to learn the language so I try to document those daily gems or needs and what they are like for me at least.