Well, it’s January 6, 2009 and the first week of the new year is almost over. Have you failed in your resolutions yet? I suppose I could I write a post about my New Year’s resolutions, but hey, that’s boring. So, I’ve decided to share with you some resolutions I’ve received by e-mail here at 7:10 to Tokyo from various members of the Tokyo community. Some of these actually brought a tear to my eye.
Here’s one from Kenji “Kakekomi” Tanaka, a mid-level salaryman from Nakano:
“I’ve decided to stop drinking …

If you’re reading this on December 31st, have a great time ringing in the new year tonight! And, if it’s already 2009, Happy New Year!
If you’re doing it up in Tokyo tonight (the 31st), remember that the trains run all night and take advantage. Personally, I’ve caught a mother of a cold (possibly turned to pneumonia) so I’m going to watch the clock turn at home this year.
7:10 will be back with regular postings starting on Jan 5th. Until then, enjoy the holidays (if you’ve got ‘em) and don’t slack …

Two solid months of over-commercialized hype and Christmas is finally here in Tokyo. Yet, most of us have to work. Go figure. Well, when I set off for work today, I wasn’t too disappointed in not having the day off; this is the third Christmas in a row I’ve worked and I’m quite used to it. Besides, it was a slow day at the office without much to do. A few drinks and some light food at an izakaya after work with a couple of co-workers and then I was …

Here we go again… another “Where in…?” post. Shouldn’t be too difficult for anyone who has spent a fair bit of time living in the Kanto area. As before, guess all 5 locations where the photos were snapped and your blog will be featured in ‘JapanBlogger’ here at 7:10 to Tokyo.

Ok, here’s the game…
Guess where in Tokyo the photographer was when he snapped the shot. Depending on the photo, a high degree of specificity may be required. Use your best judgment; If more precision is required, you’ll find out in the comments section below. The first person to guess all three locations correctly (subject to the author’s discretion) will get his or her Japan blog written up in JapanBlogger, as long as he or she consents to an interview. Leave your responses in the comments section of this post.
Seen this …

I come from San Francisco and go to school in Portland. My whole life, marijuana has been illegal enough to slightly inconvenience would-be smokers, but barely more. The consensus tends to be that it’s much less harmful than alcohol, an excellent appetite-inducement tool for those going through chemotherapy, and a good alternative to opiate painkillers.
This is not the case in Japan, where four students at my school were just arrested, and will likely be imprisoned and later deported, for marijuana possession. I received an “urgent” email from Waseda in my …

Tokyo has one of the most detailed and efficient train systems in the world. A person would be hard-pressed to find a place in Tokyo which cannot be easily reached by train. The trains are very clean, well kept, and most importantly, on time. Sadly, however, a ride on a train in Tokyo is also one of the most depressing experiences in the city.
When I was just making trips to Tokyo I did not notice the ice cold vibe of the train system. Now that I live in Tokyo, the …

I’ll be honest — it would be a lot easier to write about a bad day in Tokyo than a good one.

I wish I had photos, but it just didn’t feel right- I already felt like I was privy to a sight not meant for outside eyes, and I didn’t want to mark myself as a tourist any more than I already was (picture dressing to meet an old friend for drinks at a bar by a train station, and then ending up at a board meeting). The club was extravagant, from the gilded and art-laden walls to the private reserve bourbons filling the crystal cabinets. Everything screamed opulence. The tables are scattered around a carpeted floor, surrounded by posh leather sofas and chairs.

That morning, I rode the local train into Shibuya Station. It was a cloudy day and a slight chill hung in the air…