Ahhhhhh Japan. My first foreign home (and still my favorite country in the world). By 2008 I had built up so much PTO from my corporate career that I had to “use it or lose it” — so I moved to Tokyo for six months. Little did I know that this would be the catalyst for my nomadic lifestyle…
The HoliDaze began life as Shibuya Daze back in 2008 when I first moved to the Shibuya ward of Tokyo. After becoming nomadic I eventually got tired of the “What is Shibuya?” question and changed the name to HoliDaze in 2011. Anyway, my point is the Japan section is full of both new, interesting posts and old ramblings that are quite….raw. (Basically just a drunken journal so friends halfway around the world would know I was still alive, not anything that someone who does not know me in real life would ever want to read.)
It began just like any other random night with a few drinks at Nonbei Yokocho in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo. Unbeknownst to me I was about to make friends with a guy in the Yakuza and see a whole different side of the city! The night started off innocently enough as I made friends … Read more
Did you know that Europe is the only continent without a desert? Or that American Airlines saved $40,000 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first class? Throughout my journeys I have learned a lot of staggering travel facts that will blow your mind — and now I’m sharing them with you. Enjoy … Read more
At first glance the sheer magnitude of the sprawling, tangled Tokyo railway and subway system can be a little intimidating — and by a little I mean a lot. Have no fear! It is a lot easier than you would initially expect, even if you do not speak a word of Japanese. Huge maps and … Read more
Heard of the Ice Hotel in Sweden? Take the same concept but apply it to a bar instead of a hotel, and the result is Ice Bar Tokyo (and the other 20-something ice bars scattered around the world). Located in Roppongi, Tokyo’s tourist district in the Minato ward, the building kept at -5°C (23°F) because … Read more
Alcohol consumption is a popular social activity in a variety of countries all over this world, however few cities take it to the level that the residents of Tokyo do. From hard liquor sold around-the-clock in corner stores to clubs whose closing time is not until “the last person leaves,” this mega-metropolis has a decidedly … Read more
Wow. That’s all I can say. You cannot even begin to imagine what the clubs are like in Tokyo. They are absolutely incredible, like nothing we have over here in the west! It figures that as much as the residents of Tokyo love to drink, they should have some damn cool places to do it. … Read more
Harajuku is located in the northern portion of Shibuya ward and even though I don’t care for fashion or shopping, this is still is one of my favorite districts in all of Tokyo. Two things I appreciate most while traveling are uniqueness and art. If you had to describe Harajuku in any two words except … Read more
If you don’t know, you don’t need to know. Wow this city is fucking awesome! Tokyo is great! Mayu is great! Her source hooked it up too. It is going to be a shame to leave but I suppose I have to at some point…don’t have my flat anymore and can’t live on her couch … Read more
Man I do not even know where to begin Tokyo when we first met I was nervous and you were so busy, But every day you seemed to impress me more and more. All the thoughts of the past cities in my life started drifting away and alas I think I’m falling in love. Why … Read more
The subject about says it all but at the same time it says nothing about what has really transpired during our final days in Japan. I mean where do I begin?!? So much done, so much to tell… Do you realize that during all this last week here in Tokyo I only slept for about … Read more
Still Has The Scars 04:20AM so last night it was are last night here and derek wanted to drink a lot well I have seen him drunk but yeah. we go to shibuya nuts which was really fun derek buying shots for people it was a really good time. As we left this fool was … Read more
I used to think I had no talents at all but I realized something today I do! I can hurt my self anywhere you could put me in a padded room with a padded jacket and I would come out bloody and bruised its remarkable I know………. but yeah we were just sitting here the … Read more
