Today KLS and I went cosmetics shopping together. We’ve done this before: I text her photos and she responds indicating what she wants! It was a big success and she’ll collect a bounty of stuff when I return.

I was in Shibuya and Shinjuku and aside from the photos I sent KLS the only other shot I took is the above, so maybe now is a good time to show off some pics from earlier this trip.

The above pic was taken in Osaka, and is a masterful example of an Ita Bag. These are the bags with built in compartments used to display items, usually badges. Here’s a closer look at her collection:

That’s 73 badges of the same character, which would have been quite expensive since these badges are usually $5 and up apiece. Note also that the bag colours – and indeed her outfit – match the character as well. She’s obviously a true fan!

And who is this character? I have no idea, but I’d guess he’s from a gacha or otome game (a romance game for women). If you recognize him, please let me know who he is!

The above are four public information/education posters I’ve photographed in various places during this trip. I’ve shown such things before; I like the thought and execution that goes into them. Clockwise from top left we have an anti-bullying message, a poster warning about electronic equipment that issues unauthorized radio waves, an ad for a college (I think) and a warning not to call an Ambulance unless it’s a true emergency.

These are often put up in or near stations or supermarkets, and I’ve already many others on this trip alone. These are a good idea, but I think you all know why we don’t see them much in the west.

Shortly before 8 pm I was in Yodobashi Camera – an always-busy giant shop near my hotel – and at the same instant everyone’s phone beeped. It’s because we all got the above alert, although it arrived only moments before the shaking began so I read it after the building had begun to move.

What followed was the strongest and longest quake I’ve ever felt. The background music in the store stopped and was replaced with a repeating alert saying more or less the same thing as our phones. I stood next to a cabinet in the shop and watched assembled Gundam kits shaking and wondered when it would stop. I’ve experienced several quakes in Japan now but this was the first time I was indoors with other people and this made it eerier.

For instance when the last quake happened (for me) I was on street level in Osaka and I was struck by how little the shaking seemed to affect others. By comparison everyone stopped today when the phones went off – even employees – and I could see a lot of nervous faces when the shaking continued just a bit longer than was comfortable.

And then, as with the other quakes I’ve felt, it passed and life very quickly returned to normal. A memorable experience, and not one I hope to repeat!