Hoppy trucks

Don't worry, be hoppy.

Crazy Candy

The tagline on this grape-flavored gummy candy reads "If you eat it, you'll understand." Cue theme music from The X-Files.

Hot dogs

The Japanese name for this hot dog shop is Machigaine, which loosely translates as "no mistake."  Well, there's no mistaking that she's double-fisting those wieners, that's for sure!

Not bad pics

This photo booth machine is definitely not competing with Glamour Shots.

Sapporo Station

Sapporo Black Label Beer featuring an illustration of the newly renovated Tokyo Station. On sale at Tokyo Station, of course. 

Cylon Toilet

Whenever I use the urinals in Japan, I feel like humming the theme from "Battlestar Galactica."

Tiger mask

This man is often seen walking the streets in Shinjuku. He carries a portable stereo and blasts enka music. I have no idea who he is. He must be some sort of superhero. Or super homeless.

Sloppy snowman

Someone's been busy. A rare snowy day in Tokyo. Good thing it's a national holiday.

Mystery Drink

Behold the "Mystery" beverage. You may get a Coke, green tea, Aquarius Sportsdrink, or who knows?  The only thing you know for sure is that it'll be cold. I wasn't brave enough to buy it. I prefer to exercise my freedom of choice. Life has enough surprises for me as it is.

Buddha vs. Christ

Standing silently, a Buddhist monk begs for alms in exchange for chanting a sutra to passersby. Nearby a guy holds a sign that says "Return to God." Attached to the pole is a loud speaker, which blares about how we are all going to HELL. Not sure who arrived first. If it was the Jesus guy, I'd say "what a dick." (He's a dick anyway, regardless. . ) If it was the Zen practitioner, I bet he thought "life is suffering, so suffering a little more by enduring extremely obnoxious proselytizing at high decibels won't do any harm."

Year of the Snake

New Year's window decorations at the Wako Building in Ginza. Caduceus, the winged snake staff carried by the Greek god Hermes, is copied here from a symbol carved in stone near the entrance to the famous Tokyo landmark. (Forgot to shot a pic of the actual engraving!) While used as a symbol of medicine in the U.S., in other parts of the world it is known as a symbol of commerce.