| Web Design for Traditional Artists | | | | wall-to-wall salarymen. A consequence of exorbitant |
| | | | rents as much as the desperate need for a few |
| Web Design for Traditional ArtistsI married into a | | | | drinks after work, these tiny spaces offered solace |
| family of artists and have met many interesting | | | | in the form of cheap food and booze at the end of |
| associates of theirs also involved in traditional | | | | the day. In the tachinomiya of yesteryear, rumpled |
| Japanese art including my other relatives. Some of | | | | black suits and chain smoking were de rigeur. Not so |
| the rare artists I have met include a man that hand | | | | in today's standing bars, which typically feature sleek |
| makes "Yoroi" which is Samurai Armour and another | | | | interiors, an array of tempting tapas, and a clientele |
| who is a Yuzen painter with his own line of clothing | | | | dominated by stylish young women. |
| that is all hand painted. | | | | The tachinomiya revival began a few years ago in |
| My Father in-law Ken creates and repairs "Makie" | | | | the Ebisu area and spread like wildfire across the city. |
| which is Japanese lacquerware made with gold, silver | | | | The notoriously shy Japanese are attracted to the |
| and mother of pearl inlay. Makie can be extremely | | | | standing bar's casual, relaxed atmosphere, where |
| expensive as I have found some of the prices | | | | proximity encourages socializing with strangers. |
| shocking, but then when I consider the time spent to | | | | Affordable prices are an added boon; at most of |
| produce some of the amazing art he creates. | | | | these places, you can get a drink and a tasty snack |
| Read more articles about Working in Japan | | | | for about 1000 yen. By this time last year, |
| Squat Toiletsby Jamie | | | | tachinomiya were cropping up in just about every |
| I must agree with a fellow contributor that Japan has | | | | space that could accommodate 20 upright people. But |
| some of the most technologically advanced toilets in | | | | is the trend finally on the wane? |
| the world. Nevertheless, Japan has a two-tiered | | | | Read more articles about Dining in Japan |
| system. The more common type is the luxurious | | | | Gunma Flower Parkby Lauren Hudgins |
| toilet-bidets with music (to mask unpleasant sounds), | | | | In the foothills of Mount Akagi lies the fantastic |
| heated seats, temperature settings for the water, | | | | Gunma Flower Park. It is difficult to reach without a |
| automatic flushing, etc... These toilets are common in | | | | car, but if you are ever driving in the area, head just |
| most hotels, department stores, and private homes. | | | | a bit north of Maebashi city to find this enchanting |
| The other type of toilet is the dreaded squat toilet. | | | | landscape. |
| This style is still very common in public washrooms | | | | The park is 18.4 ha of perfectly manicured gardens. |
| (such as parks, temples, and train stations). All the | | | | Be sure to allow several hours to see all of them. |
| ferries I took used them, many bars use them, and | | | | The inner gardens of the park are carefully laid out |
| even my English conversation school had one! Suffice | | | | spreads flowers in exciting shapes and colorful |
| it to say, I was disappointed to learn that I had a | | | | patterns. The park is centered around a strip of |
| squat toilet in my apartment. | | | | fountains and an intriguing Park Tower. The view |
| Read more articles about Living in Japan | | | | from the tower is not to be missed and allows an |
| Buri: A Long-Standing Traditionby Melinda Joe | | | | incredible photo opportunity. You can fully see all the |
| Once upon a time, the word tachinomiyaJapanese for | | | | dazzling landscape designs and understand the layout |
| "standing bar". "Tachi" means "to stand", "nomiya" is | | | | of the park. There is also a lovely view down the |
| Japanese for "pub". evoked images of grubby little | | | | valley to Maebashi and beyond. |
| watering holes bereft of seating and lined with | | | | |