kate's notes and links: bunch of info, pics, etc. i found, in case u wanna know more about whatever)

ano....i found way too many nice pics/gifs of toma where i thought, "i could use this in my story...toma wearing this or toma smiling like this, etc." but then there's too much, so in case i forget to use it in my story, i'll just list them all here. lol. i hope looking at these pics/gifs will make u feel closer to toma while reading my story....at least help u picture his expressions, smiles, gestures, clothes, hair, etc.!!!!! ^0^


-----------ah!! THAT piercing, serious, gaze:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWkRgoQsW3qW3BL-95pt3klfqvjI9bShwHNZ7uQRwPo7MUBydX-1R6-fIkfvkZyAbhChd23cL43_JNyI2Ddf9a-gn0QgprRO3xqNK0z22VN6iXlmgO35Z-hzVNOzBcc4kWZ6wo2R8-s9s/s1600-h/HOTnessssYukatoma.PNG

-------------toma's wink!!! ^__~
http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/8/209169/waw.gif


-------TOMA'S CUTE, SWEET SMILE....~_~

http://i508.photobucket.com/albums/s322/ilovetoma2/3promoteVOICE--5min20090112dokud-4.jpg
http://i508.photobucket.com/albums/s322/ilovetoma2/3promoteVOICE--5min20090112dokudare.jpg

---[toma smiling on waratte (guess who he is)]
http://i48.tinypic.com/izatsj.jpg

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3981/snapshot20100121182109.png
[THAT cute smile!!! ^^ credit: strawberry_gemm]

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/9/209169/ACUOsmile.gif


-----------[pursed lips]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/4212727912_af0706fe70_m.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq36h0L9_WO9DUBIidAsr2T_uxf8C-f0viaAPLVVqs4N6npiXigDEUfxoZqcoS-V-WH1e9ok7I1vDn_YqQiKrMrOCctrXrn6Bk4tCNVhGf-fBCNz-v2g2gw-OKyAV1bdnzupcyg9NODBxb/s1600-h/2jan29show.PNG
[jan.29show smile/pursed lips/laugh!]

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dGf2BZJU32zVHI1YJ1mUw2sK5fXBnfi4JJ5XWy1AHhto_ki66jzio0VUM-rNPfl9lXnu5HPNqoBBxL-pEypDwbzhfjfNtxL1FyaBJQYicxGdL0g_8HFR43uVgTLl6htEQhR31vF9WMYA/s1600-h/hanamura+cuuuuuuute.PNG

------------TOMA'S POUT. ~_~

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQo53XzwCBPaAvKY79CkYxBaRqSFufqatT9hzhYYMMPmp-WrmdWC1prVII7FFdIANzmpi0Jg_MJKkrRN_6WO1ci3SGrsZwarjpZt7phdfaYJCQoMM808t8Tv4d1CNN7FNfFHvQFxT3mE/s1600-h/toma+calendar+pout.PNG [calendar pout]

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Prk7LpXzRgPUXrx96s6U25JC-Zn8mvWP4UqIsvn_BX6JDH1RBh-cOjyeUNHLqlnIwQ_fqk6cKdsCTdEgd0guzdUYzg0-q1pVqibBj0LUUKDxriV32D_qU1PjZfJsIu24lijhic0uXgY/s1600-h/aiiza+%E2%99%A5+toma%27s+photostream.jpg
[2 toma/nakatsu pouts]

[and a ton more pics of toma pouting here. lol.
http://ikutatomalove.blogspot.com/2008/09/pouty-pretty-precious-perfect-tomaaaaaa.html]

http://i42.tinypic.com/5x5saa.gif
[pout - lips (waratte iitomo)]


--------toma gestures... come here~! ~_~

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/8/209169/tomacomeHere.gif


----------- nodding/chewing/clapping, sleeping:

http://i46.tinypic.com/21eq34o.jpg
[toma nodding and smiling/pursing his lips]

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/9/209169/nodding.gif

http://i49.tinypic.com/eurjhd.jpg
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7191/53270877201001241915340.gif
[toma eating/chewing...^^]

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/9/209169/1%28claps%29tomavideo006.gif
[clapping]

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjISk_kHs-RZnNJrUjR8S8XHXI3cjCndAAja2PxjWiaccYxFcpUhccBh3yT6nGY8_nHHmJ-nUlUOTOlZSK07p3c8RDVyP-4Y4gNG-M6Q00C5pCbJBRJKrEIVgFLSwNX1DVEbldGsce8iF/s1600-h/+act---sleep.PNG
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT747Zk7rvxiIxBGoII4d_jDpmTWxUu-_j5QKakI7WT_Nki7QXU6BJNYB9IaynAMknMtcaMjOMYUGBkVUS_FbEMglX0khcnDhsZ3FoP_qZVya4WjTKTL2YLrUL-s2hm8AONL88vvWO3GE/s1600-h/kawaiiSleep.PNGl
[sleep...]
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOvG4nJKOb48Gi__-dFQl8fXkYCubb1vSP8d2_KH50SfqOQM5COMALt6wpnyMVv9MV2Z7AM7G9WE36uH_5kseQDL4LhOmGv5-wPZZo8_60-h9b0aMQNCk0x2JeSDhemUN9yOs26orSdY/s1600-h/beauty+sleep.PNG
[sleepy/sleeping]



--------------laughing:


http://i47.tinypic.com/s3f4md.jpg
[toma shy smiling/laughing]

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/8/209169/0003de0y.gif
[toma laughing. :D I AM YOUR WEAKNESS!]

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/9/209169/aiba-tomaLOL.gif

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/9/209169/LOL0007tsy9.gif

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/9/209169/thumbsupw81x.gif

http://i42.tinypic.com/23ibgwi.gif
[douzo, lol!! majosai team]
[credit: http://ameonna10.livejournal.com/14604.html]



-----------------------------[his hair]:


A TON OF AWESOME HAIRSTYLES TOMA'S HAD!! KYAAA!! lots of pics i gathered!
http://ikutatomalove.blogspot.com/2009/05/toma-looks-awesome-with-almost-any.html]

[toma's not so styled HAIR--- waratte koraete & duet]
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHogxlHDD20FDnPUA55sz8qUSiImeIZeDP7B-unfTEKGQ_-2hWmrpgZfPD2rSY1DDYrOCs_beRZEIUtILWrmqchkZjvu93PLSrM0XLNqHZFjNhlOkTjqHw_dXkCHYPduuoDFdwbaIU7xpN/s1600-h/DUETmarchPreview+GAHHHH.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIW0QWvdlyVtmjjRrDEHYu39bjOigj89lmf7gMPTm-knnruEJcJvNDRAuiDHfxGIF6DgIAytnNyhtAuxePaI9veWdU3o5Qy6vmyS9g1mj99RzDPTZ9rgHLkq0-NYSt3IpR4i5SOLlGlVUt/s1600-h/%5BTFS%5D+Waratte+Koraete-+Ikuta+Toma.avi_000150159.jpg



https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LsRXDs4XyRiCKwkcTOSSkQvr1HPjH5un2NYe2605uKLa-bhm723x8a5wMVEI4GPaoRR9eJTG0ZIf6GIx_NtBJ0Y4V5__3bCpV3km89-FtksomPq9JsOCcXaNMBW5jt9evABlQi2l5WRt/s1600-h/ikuLUMINOUSwaaah.PNG [luminous toma]

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_B5-AS1hafra7-DfzwO4lOZ530NZkzXPhFQtcSbdwRWhs3gRMXwd214Ai3m6c8EnoOp9tk_JAH89h7bt2ZObzHLwZL9xdzACaK8iBrtaq1dVQIGpBDDHwEVOeAGw0N9wmc0T7bIQpzeT/s1600-h/mySunshineBoy.PNG [bright toma]

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzMVR6dVaYAfApRl3oUvX2NRFAccWWZZN-gwAmozpaEJo-un0VHPVtHizlbRifLktMWewJGBGOil5l-XgXHJuzkCRlYSBeXM2fhH5pczvbUY8eVASFcyc43zKNPBB1Ct8fG5I3FF14933/s1600-h/3cozySweaterCUTE.PNG [bookish toma]

*******
wind blows his hair...
http://i508.photobucket.com/albums/s322/ilovetoma2/windytoma.gif
************



---------TOMA WEARING GLASSES:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyerE9Mby_pbVXuOfW6RkV82hMG_XHvzfRqDYNo7YRPB-J2ARqzieen1qn4OzMKLFasmxMbr-1giIJbXWzpGbR1K2f3SO_3j8sdgH9lBt5qK9w4AgUNPg_RkRjv-QLJl-4SAKmEGHMhKWB/s1600-h/toma@hokkaidoGLASSES.PNG [toma wearing glasses @hokkaido]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4428761494_09823099c1_o.jpg
[H&C toma glasses]

---------[toma's glasses/hat]

various pics of toma wearing glasses....cute!!!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tx28iAOMTbUXI6UkmIbAySs2-UTzhzD_PWKXUcnN-chncMkpvIt7VbrP0R_jMEIm5-skZUYdQaz234VwzBv2YrFz7D34y5SzF6NojjKGhMh9kq14CcACpM08yMyeKgRLfCBHLUWATKT_/s1600-h/glasses...tomaFASHION.PNG

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4327508536_0d58823b7e_o.png
[toma maou team glasses]

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj165/bleahzzz/mag%20scans/TFS0805MyojoScanlationP1.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/2324077634_bd3ab5480e_o.jpg
[kyaa!! kakkoii. toma looking cozy & cool...]

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb2tKgqY1tVb2v2H9DwrIQolGQyKuzSzKaqyorF1M4lICZFRKLfa8Txj1Ast7_Qv9UAfRhyUCZoCBIqcsFLuz9pAPg5aqwWj2MBizpaj-mNTYu6ZXCoBA-xUOIEFbd9S05KIqCoXpG6w/s1600-h/glasses+pout+ikuta_toma_bd_00156.jpg [toma f/a long while back. ~_~]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/4114521554_a9ed7269e5_o.png
[old paparazzi pics]



in a quiet, pretty spot, like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaako/2612777165/
[Camping perfection @hokkaido]

the sun is setting beautifully, with shades of pink and purple...
like this:

http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7976/1116/234/z/54496/gse_multipart11961.jpg [pink hokkaido sunset!!!]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/teepee1/79879384/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teepee1/101265136/in/set-72157600188623788/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fortphoto/799357336/




---------------- the wedding INFO

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_traditions#Japanese_wedding_customs
http://www.hudsonvalleyweddings.com/guide/japanese.htm


http://www.flickr.com/photos/three_circles/2538849252/
[j wedding at meiji shrine!]



---------------- hotel


[typical small business hotel room]:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/decade_null/3088932055/
My hotel room in Fukuoka. I stayed mostly in business hotels, and all of them looked very much the same. The one I stayed in Fukuoka was the most expensive one, but that only meant that the reception was a bit more stylish than the other places. The rooms were exactly the same. Oh, and for some reason the staff at the reception whispered everything, which made it pretty difficult to communicate with them.


---------------------http://www.granbellhotel.jp/facilities/index_e.html

[the annex single. AROUND USD$99 A NIGHT!!! so 198 total (for feb.18 and 19, fri and sat). WHEW....only staying 2 nights though. so...BUT IT'S 3 MINUTES F/THE SHIBUYA STATION!! SWEET!! and the room is pretty...not too small...]

----------[booking info]
http://www.489.jp/rwrs/evroom2/eroom_select.php?smem_id=157&op_id=22&rmb_id=19132&v_ymd=20100219

----------
rooms: 3-7th floors

--------
Narita Express from New Tokyo International Airport
(About 80 min.)

--------

Is Wi-Fi connection available?
Wi-Fi is available only in Annex Suite rooms and around robby and lounge.
Wired internet connection is available in all rooms. LAN cable is set in the drawer.

-----------
and I didn't think there was an English language TV programmes (not that we were interested to watch one).


-----------
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1066456-d630480-r53804690-Granbell_Hotel-Shibuya_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Jan 18, 2010 | Trip type: Couples New

We spent our first 2 nights in Tokyo at the Shibuya Granbell. It was a good choice - central at only 2-3 minutes walk from Shibuya station, but nicely tucked away so as to be quiet. Unlike some previous reviewers, we didn't find it far at all from the station - but we don't tend to travel with more than we can easily carry, even on long trips, so the easy walk up and over the pedestrian bridge didn't involve lugging a heavy suitcase.
The room was comfortable and modern, and no smaller than your average Tokyo hotel room. The bathroom was great - awesome shower, great products replenished daily and one of those toilet control panels that looks like it belongs on a flight deck.
The Japanese breakfast was good, while the western breakfast was not. But hey, when in Japan... what do you expect?
Our view wasn't a Tokyo city skyline, but I the side alley we looked over was intriguing nonetheless, and this wasn't the kind of trip where we'd be spending a lot of time in our room - there is too much to see and do. We found this a great base to walk lots of this part of Tokyo, from Shibuya to Harajuku and Meiji-jingu.
The staff were efficient, and the kind I would expect to find in a business hotel. There did seem to be a mix of business and leisure clients at this hotel.
If we wanted to stay in this part of Tokyo again we would probably stay here. However, we were far more fond of the shitamachi - the older, more traditional part of Tokyo (Asakasa, Ueno) - and next time will probably base ourselves there for our entire stay in Tokyo.



--------------http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikujaga

Nikujaga (肉じゃが?) (meaning meat-potato) is a Japanese dish of meat, potatoes and onion stewed in sweetened soy sauce, sometimes with ito konnyaku and vegetables. Thinly sliced beef is the most common meat used, although minced/ground beef is also popular. Pork is often used instead of beef in eastern Japan.

It is a common home-cooked winter dish, served with a bowl of white rice and miso soup. It is also sometimes seen in izakayas. Nikujaga is considered comfort food, and many Japanese claim they crave it if they do not eat it for a long period of time[citation needed].







---------------------http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html.

Tokyu
There are two Tokyu department stores in Shibuya: the main store with ten floors is located a 5-10 minute walk northwest of the station, while the Shibuya Station branch with twelve floors sits on top of the station.
Main store open daily 11:00 to 20:00 (upper floors until 19:00, restaurants until 22:30). Shibuya Station store open daily 10:00 to 21:00 (Sundays and holidays until 20:00, restaurants until 22:30).


http://shops.japan-guide.com/shops/42
A department store directly connected to Shibuya station!
We are divided into East, South and West buildings on the premises of Shibuya station. We stock a wide range of clothing, food products and more.
On the second floor of our West building, we stock FANCL makeup (a very popular makeup brand, well-known for having no unnatural additives).
We provide floor guides in-store in English, Chinese and Korean.


----------------------DEPACHIKA



http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/eat/tokyus-basement-depachika-179920



http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/underground-in-tokyo-department-store-food-halls-088599

http://www.japanwelcomesyou.com/cssweb/display.cfm?sid=1251
[
"Depachika"

February 2005

by Robert Cameron
Department store food floors are a fun and relatively cheap way to experience Japan's food culture, and foreign ones as well. Depachika is short for "depaato-chika shokuhin uriba," (department store basement food-selling place) but don't let the name fool you -- these are not bargain basements, nor are they an afterthought stuck in some spare space, as you might find back home.

---------------------


----------------------BENTOS and pastries, etc at dept stores,etc!!!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bento


http://www.flickr.com/photos/dessertcomesfirst/1484759787/
[the tokyo food show...big view...]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunday_driver/455163608/
[pastries @tokyo food show, the depachika in tokyu's shibuya dept store]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunday_driver/455161868/
[some1 that works there...]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunday_driver/455179331/
[pastries and such in glass cases!]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dessertcomesfirst/1484761415/
[cakes and sweets]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kozyndan/2848465024/
[making imagawayaki]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54745850@N00/3112552920/
[sushi chefs]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yuenkay/4142299494/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrcraft/452161397/
[bentos, bentos, bentos]

close-up of bentos and that 1 popular sandwich, tokatsu??
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35593477@N00/1129649289/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kazbad/3289947494/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanderson/454005933/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrcraft/452145690/




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [housing...]


old man's traditional house in VOICE:
http://i508.photobucket.com/albums/s322/ilovetoma2/voice-%20screencaps/16ep7v.png


------------- [traditional j homes...]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sautot/197855754/ [take off shoes here---genkan (entryway)]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36362445@N00/537020930/ [can sit here during summer...]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amerigo/314644666/ [interior...tatami on the floor]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tavibito/3315524444/ [pretty tatami living room!]



---------------


http://www.flickr.com/photos/mi-ki/sets/72157607723793967/
[FISH EYE TOUR OF A J HOUSE.....nice!!]



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housing_in_Japan


nterior design
[edit] Traditional homes

Traditional Japanese housing does not have a designated utility for each room aside from the entrance area (genkan, 玄関), kitchen, bathroom, and toilet. Any room can be a living room, dining room, study, or bedroom. This is possible because all the necessary furniture is portable, being stored in oshiire, a small section of the house used for storage. It is important to note that in Japan, living room is expressed as i-ma, living "space". This is because the size of a room can be changed by altering the partitioning. Large traditional houses often have only one ima (living room/space) under the roof, while kitchen, bathroom, and toilet are attached on the side of the house as extensions.

Somewhat similar to modern offices, partitions within the house are created by fusuma, sliding doors made from wood and paper, which are portable and easily removed. Fusuma seal each partition from top to bottom so it can create a mini room within the house. On the edge of a house are rōka, wooden floored passages, that are similar to hallways. Rōka and ima are partitioned by shōji, sliding and portable doors that are also made from paper and wood. Unlike fusuma, paper used for shōji is very thin so outside light can pass through into the house. This was before glass was used for sliding doors. Rōka and outside of the house are either partitioned by walls or portable wooden boards that are used to seal the house at night. Extended roofs protect the rōka from getting wet when it rains, except during typhoon season where the house gets sealed completely. Roofs of traditional houses in Japan are made of wood and clay, with tiles or thatched areas on top.

For large gatherings, these partitions are removed to create one large meeting room. During a normal day, partitions can create much smaller and more manageable living spaces. Therefore, kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and genkan with one multipurpose living space create one complete Japanese housing unit. However, the bathroom, toilet, and even kitchen can be communal. (See Sentō.) Therefore, the minimum Japanese housing arrangement, which is still possible to find if one is looking for the cheapest room to rent, consists of just genkan and one living room/space.
[edit] Modern homes

Housing is typically listed in Real estate advertisements in the format of a number of rooms plus letter designators indicating the presence of common room areas, for example: 1R or 2LDK. R designating room, L for living room, D for dining room, and K for kitchen. In this format, the bathroom and toilet are not mentioned but are included with the exception of some very small 1R or 1K's. L, D and K are not really separate and are part of or next to the kitchen. An LDK is bigger than a DK. The number before the letters indicates the number of additional multipurpose rooms. Often the rooms are separated by a removable sliding doors, fusuma, so large single rooms can be created.

Additionally, advertisements quote the sizes of the rooms – most importantly, the living room – with measurements in tatami mats (jō in Japanese, traditional mats woven from rice straw that are of a standard size: 180 cm by 90 cm in the Tokyo region, and 191 cm by 95.5 cm in western Japan): "2DK; one six-tatami Japanese-style room, one six-tatami Western-style room" is an example.

In Japan, multiple-unit blocks are referred to as one of two types: 1) Apaato (アパート）often older buildings, which are usually only a few stories in height, without a central secure entrance 2) Manshon (マンション) more modern expensive buildings with multiple floors, elevators, and a communal secure gate, with centralised postboxes; they are usually more sturdily built than apaato, normally of reinforced concrete (RC) construction[3].

Though commonly accepted standards for description exist, this is not a legal requirement, therefore descriptions may not be entirely accurate.
[edit] Genkan

Main article: Genkan

One characteristic of a Japanese home is the genkan, or entryway. It includes a small area, at the same level as the outside, where arriving people remove their shoes. As they take off their shoes, people step up onto a raised floor. They point the tips of their shoes to the outside. The rest of the residence is at the raised level of this floor. Adjacent to the lower floor is a shelf or cabinet called a getabako in which people may place their shoes. Slippers for wear in the home are also stored there.
[edit] Toilet
Main article: Toilets in Japan

The toilet in Japanese housing is located away from the bathroom and separate from it. It usually is in a small stall-like room with only the toilet in it. When entering the bathroom, one traditionally replaces their house slippers with plastic "toilet" slippers, swapping back when exiting the bathroom.
[edit] Kitchen

Main article: Japanese kitchen

The modern Japanese kitchen features appliances such as a stove, a narrow fish grill (broiler), and an electric refrigerator. The stovetop may be built-in or may be a self-contained unit on a counter-top, and it is usually gas-burning, although recently induction heating (IH) stovetops have become popular. Common units of all types of stoves include two or three burners. Broilers designed for cooking fish are usually part of the stove and are located below, and unlike many Western-style grills, are not full width. Built-in ovens large enough to bake or roast are uncommon; in their place, work-top multifunction microwave ovens are used. Many kitchens have electric exhaust fans. Furnishings commonly include microwave ovens, hot water boilers, and electric toaster ovens. Built-in dishwashers are rare, although some kitchens may have small dishwashers or dishdryers. The kitchen includes running water, typically with hot and cold faucets.
[edit] Bathroom

(see also Sentō)

Japanese housing typically has multiple rooms for what in Western housing is the bathroom. Separate rooms for the toilet, sink, and ofuro (bathing room) are common. Small apartments, however, frequently contain a tiny single bathroom called a unit bath that contains all three fixtures. The room with the sink, which is called a "clothes changing room", usually includes a space for a clothes-washing machine. The room containing the bathtub is waterproof with a space for washing, and often for showering, adjacent to (rather than in) the tub. As a result, bathwater is neither soapy nor dirty, and can be reused. Many washing machines in Japan come with an extension pipe to draw water from the tub for the wash.

Hot water usually comes from a gas or kerosene heater. The heater is usually located outdoors (at least in warm climates). Its gas supply may be from a municipal utility or from tanks on site. The typical Japanese water heater is tankless and heats water on demand. One heater may supply both bath and kitchen however many homes have two or more heaters.
[edit] Washitsu
A tatami room with shoji.

Many homes include at least one traditional Japanese styled room, or washitsu. It features tatami flooring, shoji rather than draperies covering the window, fusuma (opaque sliding vertical partitions) separating it from the other rooms, an oshiire (closet) with two levels (for storing futon), and a wooden ceiling. It might be unfurnished, and function as a family room during the day and a bedroom at night. Many washitsu have sliding glass doors opening onto a deck or balcony.

Other bedrooms, as well as living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens, are in a Western style. They usually have modern synthetic floor coverings. Ceilings are typically also synthetic, and might be white or beige. Windows usually open by sliding laterally, although many kitchen windows open by tilting, with the bottom slanting outwards.


--------------

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2002.html


Japanese Bathrooms

In Japan the main purpose of taking a bath, besides cleaning your body, is relaxation at the end of the day.

The typical Japanese bathroom consists of two rooms, an entrance room where you undress and which is equipped with a sink, and the actual bathroom which is equipped with a shower and a deep bath tub. The toilet is almost always located in an entirely separate room.

When bathing Japanese style, you are supposed to first rinse your body outside the bath tub with a washbowl. Afterwards, you enter the tub, which is used for soaking only. The bath water tends to be relatively hot for Western bathing standards.

After soaking, leave the tub and clean your body with soap. Make sure that no soap gets into the bathing water. Once you finished cleaning and have rinsed all the soap off your body, enter the bath tub once more for a final soaking.

After leaving the tub, the water is usually left for the next member of the house. It is to keep the bath water clean for all members of the house that washing and rinsing is done outside of the actual bathtub.

Modern bath tubs can be programmed to be automatically filled with water of a given temperature at a given time, or to heat up the water to a preferred temperature.



--------------------------------------------------------POP (Plate of Pie)

The fun POP (Plate of Pie) bar and restaurant is open 24 hours a day so you can 'pop' in whenever you desire.

http://www.japan-easy.com/japan-travel/hotel-guide/japan-hotels/tokyo/shibuya-granbell-hotel-tokyo.html
[info and pics!! lol at the entrance!!!!]

http://www.bento.com/rev/2852.html
[plate of pie, POP website

----------------

MAYBE the bar, the POP place looks like this...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/funkyjazz/2866622627/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/funkyjazz/2866627931/

----------------

http://www.tablethotels.com/Granbell-Hotel-Shibuya/Tokyo-Hotels-Japan/102430
[MORE ABOUT POP....diner like.]

What you can expect is convenience, vibrant youthful style, and the kind of charming details that we love Tokyo for. Chief among them is the restaurant, Plate of Pie, which is named not whimsically but quite sensibly, as pie is what it serves — not just dessert pie but savory pies as well, in a 24-hour diner atmosphere.



############# about appendicitis...


http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/appendicitis-symptoms

---------------

http://organizedwisdom.com/Pictures_of_Appendix_Scars

Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix, a small, finger-shaped pouch that is located at the cecum (the junction between the large and small intestines). The surgery is the standard treatment for appendicitis and patients usually recover from appendectomy without experiencing complications. In the case of a laparoscopic operation, the patient will have three stapled scars of about an inch in length, between the navel and pubic hair line. When a laparotomy has been performed the patient will have a 2-3 inch scar, which will initially be heavily bruised.

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----------------------------- about kyoto:

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501639-kyoto_vacations-i;_ylc=X3oDMTFka28zOGNuBF9TAzI3NjY2NzkEX3MDOTY5NTUzMjUEc2VjA3NzcC1kZXN0BHNsawN0aXRsZQ--



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O
N
S
E
N
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------------------ about ONSENs....


-http://www.tokyoessentials.com/azabu-juban.html


http://www.pureinsideout.com/onsen-japanese-bath.html
http://www.onsenjapan.net/onsenbasics.php


-----------------Ooedo-Onsen-Monogatari @odaiba

http://www.ooedoonsen.jp/higaeri/english/hotspa.html
[official website...pics of all the diff baths!!]



http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1066449-d532056-r46528281-Oedo_Onsen_Monogatari-Koto_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
http://www.travbuddy.com/Oedo-onsen-Monogatari-v172972
[reviews, description, what to do there...]


http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+71348
http://www.ooedoonsen.jp/higaeri/stay/iseya.html#01
[if u want to sleep over]



http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/51/3f/4c/to-the-hot-baths-one.jpg
[To the hot baths, one area for men and another for women and kids. Photographs are not allowed f


http://www.flickr.com/photos/super-amanda/270111467/
[outside view]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownie0102/3178578039/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonno212/3830700277/
[outside view, night]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aliaaaaa/2304691645/
[lobby ceiling]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownie0102/3178594733/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37214984@N00/447098767/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownie0102/3178601885/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferrando/2314798771/
[food court area]

-------------------------
http://www.flickr.com/photos/packie/3745728141/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mediatinker/489901243/ [ROMANTIC! AND REFRESHING!!]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferrando/2314794783/ [AT NIGHT....MORE ROMANTIC!!!]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuija/196052264/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuija/196053149/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuija/196053041/in/photostream/

[outside...communal foot bath and other areas...
A LIGHT PINK OR LIGHT BLUE YUKATA 4 ME,
PROBABLY A DARK BLUE ONE OR SOMETHING FOR HIM. <3] ------------------------------------------------- http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+17658+1+jp+105+104 swinsuit not allowed 2005/6/27 Actually, not that you don't need swimsuit, you are not allowed to wear swinsuit in the bath. Strictly speaking, you are not even allowed to cover yourself with a towel in the bath. The reason is that they want to keep the bath and its water clean. So, you first have to wash yourself clean before getting into the water(bath). And stricktly speaking, towel in not allowed to be in the water because they may leave residue or lints in the water. But most places would allow you to cover yourself with a small towel in the water. All the above applies if you are in a female only bath. If you are in a male and female mix bath, you then have to wear swimsuit of course. ------------ 1) i read from the website, saying that the price of admission is inclusive of the yukata? meaning i get to bring the yukata home? The yukata is a rental. You cannot bring it home. 2) do we wear the yukata when we go to the restarants and other game areas? if yes, do we wear anything inside the yukata when wearing yukata to walk around the restaurants and when taking foot baths? yes, and you should wear at least your underwear. you can wear more clothes underneath if it suits you. 3) are the Massages free? No, you have to pay for them. #############################################



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--------------------------- MEIJI SHRINE:


[pic of the path to the meiji shrine, http://www.flickr.com/photos/227am/455346691/]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpellgen/sets/72157604361468999/
[SET of meiji shrinE pics!! LOVELY!!!
AND WITH NICE DESCRIPTIONS/explanations UNDER THE PICS!!]

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=meiji+shrine+path&m=text
[#### meiji shrine path ####]

-------------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Shrine

http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/your/1.html
[shrine etiquette...bowing and stuff...]

http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/11/how-to-pray-at-a-shinto-shrine/
[how to pray there...ring the bell...]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtnbiker404/1190536274/in/set-72157601449156585/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neverbird/4000508009/ [by nighttime]
[wish boards]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lichuan_owen/2238801231/
[but charms and good luck, good health, etc. amulets here]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancientsuns/2586535196/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/potatowned/3331699993/
[amulets...]


##########
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gog/5146037/
[majestic entrance!!!]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpellgen/2382795835/in/set-72157604361468999/
[approaching main shrine]
############


http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmyharris/3373264141/
[entrance, as exit]


#######
http://www.kirainet.com/english/meiji-jingu-at-night/
[MEIJI JINGU AT NIGHT!!!! WOW!!!]
#########


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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ema_%28Shinto%29

==============EMA/MEIJI...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathewajay/2688085571/
[ema wish plates]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sevenspotted/3822225841/
[entrance!! nice!!!]


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gewitterhexer/3424694743/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gewitterhexer/3424690081/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/epler/525781191/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gin_e/265952863/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrhayata/2161911706/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vfowler/153596362/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/honus/1473659151/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceekay/2560562892/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalavinka/273481553/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxooox/1302843559/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bryoz/3727924723/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianosh/81521004/