Santa Claus goes diving at Hakkeijima

Seasonal events are quite common at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise and Christmas is no exception. This year they have what looks like a female Santa Claus diving with the white dolphins and giving them presents (food) from her sack. It has been reported as far away as the BBC in England and here is the video they showed.

In the original article they call it Kakkeijima rather than Hakkeijima.

Video: Yokohama Salaryman Dances

It’s not the first time I have seen some strange occurrences in Yokohama but it is one of the first times that I have been quick enough to pull out my mobile phone and switch on the video camera. Pity I didn’t have the presence of mind to check the quality.

This video was taken about 3 or 4 minutes walk from Yokohama Station just outside the building where I occasionally work. It is hard to see but it looked like he was listening to some sort of portable music player.

http://www.vimeo.com/5072052

Better Place Battery Swap Station in Yokohama

Well, this is another first for Yokohama as well as being a first for the world. As previously mentioned on Yokohama Living, Better Place, has come to Japan, specifically Yokohama. Better Place is an American company that plans, with the cooperation of others, to bring dramatic changes to the automobile industry by implementing and electric car infrastructure that would help reduce the world’s dependence on oil. You can read more about what they are about at the Better Place website.

Just recently Yokohama was the venue for the first ever demonstration of the a Better Place battery swap station. In the following video you can see a demonstration of how the battery swap happens. You can check out more videos on the Better Place website.

This was held near the in Naka-ku, Yamashita-cho. To be more precise, it was held near Yamashita Park and right beside the Doll Museum. It’s about 2 minutes on foot from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minato Mirai Line. This area is open to the public on the following dates with some type demonstration being held from 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm and 4pm.

May 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th, 31st, June 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th and 20th.

Video: Giant Robot Spider in Yokohama

As if Japan didn’t have enough trouble with robots and giant creatures already they have decided to import (albeit temporarily) a giant spider robot from France. Apparently the spider is walking the streets as I write this which is a pity, as I would love to see it in action. It is here as a part of the Y150 events celebrating the opening of Yokohama Port 150 years ago. While the giant spider probably won’t be seen on the streets after this there will be plenty of opportunity to watch it in action as it will be in Yokohama until September 27th.

Below are a selection of videos so you can see what to expect if you go to see it.

Link: Y150

Video: Bras for Men

This is one of those stories that you really find hard to believe but these man bras are really available for sale at Rakuten. Here’s a video talking about them and don’t worry, the video is in English. I probably won’t be rushing out to get one any time soon though. This is just plain weird.

Video: Japanese Convenience Stores

I noticed this video on the Washington Post and I though I’d share it. The report is about the fact that Japanese convenience stores are doing well at the moment while many other Japanese companies are suffering financially. I thought it was interesting that they chose a “Happy Lawson” but I hope that people watching this video don’t start to think that convenience stores are spacious over here.

Uniqlo’s Uniqlock

I came across this bizarre video/clock on the Uniqlo site. Apparently it is an award winning piece of viral marketing.  (More information on the T-Shirt Review.) Well done Uniqlo. For those who are interested there is a sale on at Uniqlo Online Store selling tees for only 500 yen. Pretty sweet.

Tour of Zoorasia Video

This a video of Zoorasia for those who want to know what they can expect of this zoo before they go or perhaps to remind themselves of what a good time they had when they were there. The video is not the best in the world and does drag on a bit but you do get to see and here what Zoorasia is like. When I was there though it was much quieter. I love to go to these places on weekdays. Anyway, thanks to Andrew Shuttleworth for making and sharing this video.

For more information about Yokohama’s Zoorasia be sure to check out our guide to Zoorasia.

Sit, Rollover, Play Dead, Dance

I came across this video at Reuters. I think this is definitely in the weird category. Taking your dog to dancing lessons may be fun for you and your dog but wouldn’t these people be better off trying to increase the number of human relationships they have. In a way it’s sad. I love dogs but only so much.

Link: (Japanese)

National Chauvanistic Association Video

I came across this video which has a similar theme to a previous article. It is an interesting video about what Japanese men are doing to save their marriages. With new divorce laws allowing women to get half of her husbands pension it is easier for them to leave their failed marriages.

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