Tokyo Part I

Pop Culture. Tokyo is a crowded city with blazing lights in the areas we visited at night; Shinjuku and Shibuya, the going out parts of the city. Our hotel was conveniently located in Shinjuku and we were close to the action at all times.

Shinjuku street at night.

Advertisement on the side of a truck driving through the city.

Beauty = big eyes. They sell a lot of color contacts and fake eyelashes. Make-up is such a big thing that even in fitting rooms they have face covers so that the make-up won't stain the clothes. You are not allowed to try on white clothes; only colored ones, because otherwise the make-up will be too obvious if it ruins the shirt.

Rimmel London advertisement targeting the Japanese consumer.

Even during the day bright lights and blaring images are the norm. In these areas loud music is also played on the streets as part of advertising. At one intersection they were playing Ladya Gaga's Poker Face video on a big screen and the music accompanied it.

Even manga characters appear on billboards. You are constantly confronted by advertisements. There are also huge gambling halls with slot machines covered by bright anime characters making loud noises. I don't see how anyone could spend 10 min. in one of those halls and not go crazy.

Going Asian with Hello Kitty.

There was a Barbie store and a life size Barbie doll was displayed.

Sofie with a saleslady in Harajukuh. The salesladies wear the clothing the store sells and this story sold hoodies with kitty ears.