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Author: kuri
  • Carrefour has a parking

    Carrefour has a parking lot. A big parking lot. Full of cars. Carrefour is an international chain of super-size discount department stores based in France. Think “Kmart” and you’re on the right track. One recently opened in Makuhari, across from the convention center where MacWorld was held. Big stores and malls in Japan are normally…

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  • I arrived a minute

    I arrived a minute or two before my 11 am appointment. I walked out the door at 1:30. A huge transformation occurred in the interval. I was coiffed, caffeinated and calmed. First, a consulation with Dan Suzuki, my stylist. Although this salon, Watanabe Hair Dressing, has a reputation for really cool, artsy styles, we agreed…

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  • MacWorld on a press

    MacWorld on a press pass isn’t too much different from MacWorld without one. The biggest benefit was that I sat up front during Steve Jobs’ keynote speech yesterday. He announced some new iMac colors (Flower Power and Blue Dalmation) along with lowered prices, new video and more Japanese font support. His 105 minute keynote address…

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  • Although the city hosts

    Although the city hosts six jillion “hair and make” salons, I do not belive it is possible to get a spur-of-the moment hair cut in Tokyo. Yesterday in Omotesando, a ritzy part of town, I was seized with the desire to have my hair cut. I looked for a salon and found one called “Voice”…

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  • Grocery store lunch options

    Grocery store lunch options you’d never find in America: slab of salt-grilled salmon on rice cabbage salad in a large-sized clear drink cup breaded, deep fried oysters french fries slathered with honey and sesame steamed mustard blossoms

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  • Fabric stores are truly

    Fabric stores are truly international places. The range of products represents the textile production centers of the world: lace from Belgium, cotton gauze from India, wools from New Zealand, shijira from Japan, gingham from America. But even more universally, the shoppers, looking inward, quietly calculate yardage or compare colors in their mind’s eye. Some go…

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  • Who knew there could

    Who knew there could be so many foodstuffs made from plum? We sampled and sniffed delicate plum tea, sweet plum wine, pink plum flavored steamed buns, bitter pickled plums, sour plum-flavored sesame seeds, plum-infused garlic, bright fuschia plum scented daikon pickles. The foods, combined with the blooming plum trees, two enka (Japanese lounge music) singers,…

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  • Finally, I’ve seen a

    Finally, I’ve seen a plum blossom. Now I know spring has arrived. We wound our way through a labyrinth of alleys towards our dinner destination yesterday and there it stood, shining bright pink under the glow of a streetlamp. What a delicate and beautiful herald of the new season. Today we’re going to take the…

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  • One group, a dozen

    One group, a dozen ideas. Digital Eve Japan is the reincarnation of the Japan Webgrrls group. Our affiliation changed, but the goal remains the same: women sharing their information technology knowledge and skills. Last night’s launch party attracted an interesting mix of people: a music talent manager, a nurse who is also a database developer,…

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  • We were our own

    We were our own miniature parade and side show. Susan, Laura, Katie, Tod & I went to dinner together last night. Susan is a lanky redhead; Katie & Laura are her blonde daughters. Laura, in her stroller, was the float in our parade. As we waited for the light to change at an intersection, she…

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