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Got a new pair to replace the ones I left in Paris…
This model ups the coolness factor a notch by having an air bubble in their sole (so not kidding). Yes, I am wearing the Japanese Edo era equivalent of Air Jordans…

The debate is still up as to whether wearing them in the street makes me a complete tool, given that:
1) I do not work as a rickshaw runner.
2) I am a pale-skinned gaijin.

(current consensus seems to be that points 1 and 2 cancel each other and it’s OK for me to wear them, possibly even cool… but seriously, who cares: they are super-comfy and funky-looking… good enough for me)

This Summer, Tokyo Metro is tackling a major issue throughout its network: rampant tanuki infestation…

Helpful signs spread through stations and trains help you spot and identify the cheeky critters. Here seen engaging in such antisocial activities as: biting hands, chasing human preys and staging unauthorized protests…

Let’s hope authorities quickly regain control of the situation. In the meantime please be careful of marauding hordes of tanuki when boarding cars, especially late at night.

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