Japan: the home and undisputed champion of Engrish

 So, Japan is the undisputed champion of Engrish. I would venture that this statement shall remain uncontested. I present to you some evidence to further back up my claim. Firstly, the lovely "charm box" pictured above. In other words, a sanitary napkin disposal box. I must admit, it's a much more pleasant name.

 I will tell you that we ate this "sweet potato and chestnut love cake" and it was actually DELICIOUS. I love when my food can be both delicious and hilarious.

Okay okay, so these signs are all in Japanese and therefore there is no Engrish to be found. But the graphics were so entertaining that I figured I might as well throw them in! I think the general idea is "watch out for birds who might poop on your head/your laundry and/or eat you if you're a worm". Maybe? Other possible translations are welcome :)

 Once again, not "wrong", per se, just funny. Bambi Coffee. When you want to be mildly traumatized and bored out of your brain at the same time.

 Maybe this stationary was scented? In which case this would make some sense? Although I couldn't smell anything....But side note: the Japanese make the CUTEST STATIONARY OMG. I want to have some sort of craft I'm supposed to do just so I can buy mountains of the stuff.

 Oh, furniture produce. Trying to upstage the regular, organic produce with flashy marketing.

 My favorite part of this flyer is the "filth putting", definitely. But second-favorite phrase is harder to judge: is it a) The upside-down red "senso" seemingly stamped across the photo? b) The passive tense instructions on how to work the lid, or c) its request that you "encompass" the sanitary pads "to paper".

 I think I'm gonna go with c). But really, this photo is a gold mine.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

They are SERIOUS. Never leave. NEVER. This bathroom is your home now.

Also, the graphics are hilarious. The kid falling off the table looks like a midget skydiver.


Lastly, I'm not sure what the branding meeting for this shop was like, but I would SERIOUSLY have liked to be there. I mean, Question Mark* Jerry Girl? It's genius! I need somebody from this team to help me with all of my future branding issues.

Q

Tokyo

I haven't blogged in months! AHHH I'M A BAD INTERNET PERSON! Oh well, at least I have vacations to keep me from falling completely off the bandwagon.

I wrote this log post on the bullet train on our way from Tokyo to Kyoto, meaning to post it as soon as we got there, but I forgot. Sorry! I added to photos later, obviously. More photos to come on Facebook, and keep watch for a new The Original Engrish post from Japan :)

Tokyo is awesome. I highly recommended that you visit. These last few days have been action-packed and the cherry blossoms (sakura) lend an almost magical air to most things.

Kathryn and I are great travel partners. She likes planning and is good at navigating. I'm easygoing. So it works out ;-) Also, we both want to see similar things, sleep the same amount, and move at the same pace.

Some of the highlights have been:
A fantastic sakura-flavored ice cream cone

The most beautiful garden I've ever seen (or at least top 3) filled with cherry blossoms in bloom, Japanese bridges, and tea houses.
A chance to do a tea ceremony in a famous tea ceremony house with an awesome Japanese lady who invited us cuz she thought we looked interested and she taught us all the special stuff.
A thrift store called Chicago where we put together our Ultimate Kimonos and looked awesome. And I also bought a pretty dress.

The best coffee shop in Tokyo, called Cafe de L'ambre. I can't even begin to describe the awesomeness of thus place. The only way I can do it justice is to say that it is the coffee shop that you dream of opening. Kathryn had Sumatra coffee. I had sweet coffee topped with egg yolk. We both shared a coffee liquid pudding. Pictures will follow. DO NOT go to Tokyo without getting the business card from me.