6 Weird Things Meme:

Oops...I've been slack in posting my response to H&B's tag, so here without further ado are my answers.

weird
1. Of, relating to, or suggestive of the preternatural or supernatural.
2. Of a strikingly odd or unusual character; strange.
3. Archaic. Of or relating to fate or the Fates.

6 Weird Things about Japan:

1. TV: There is a bewildering array of bizarre TV shows to choose from including Chimpan News Channel and you have the pleasure of paying NHK (the state run TV station) every two months for owning a colour TV. Also, programmes rarely start on the hour or half hour, instead they start at 12:24, 7:58, 1:05, 4:55, etc.
2. Vending machines are ubiquitous and sell everything, even ice cream!
3. Akiba Girls
4. Warabi mochi
5. Hikikomori 引き篭り - People, generally men, who choose to cut themselves off from the rest of society. They tend to stay in their rooms playing video games and watching tv. Most say that they withdraw due to the intense pressure to conform to societal pressures.
6. Engrish: "When it is crowded, there is the situation that cannot be carried on the boat which you want to board."

Contrasts...

Japan is home to ancient traditions like sumo, geisha, kimono, shinto, shrines and temples. Which is all fine and dandy, but, fortunately for me it also has its fair share of weirdness such as the giant beer building in Asakusa:

(Doesn't it look delicious?!

Taken while on the Tobu train crossing over the bridge.)

Look at the frothy head...is your mouth watering yet?!

The top floor of the building has a bar with one of the best views of the Tokyo skyline - the coolest part is that you can say you had a drink in giant beer froth!

One of the weirdest things in Tokyo is the Golden Poo:

I think you can work out which item above is affectionately known as the Golden Poo...and perhaps even why it's called that. I've heard that the designer intended it to represent the frothy head on a glass of beer. Now I don't know what kind of beer he drank; but I've never had one that even remotely resembled this interpretation! Personally, I think that the beer building is a far more accurate representation of a frothy head.

What's your tipple of pleasure?