ummm....lack of internet connection made me forget my headline

Some more pictures from our day in Ikebukuro shot with my new canon 24-105mm lens. First we met up with Toshi at the station. Then he took us to this amaaaazing 9 floor book store where we didn't have neerly enough time or money to spend. We spend the most time on the ninth floor where the art section was. Found some really nice reference books and the rest will have to wait till next trip. After that we took our first trip to Tokyo Hands. For those who isn't familiar with this piece of heaven on earth, the fastest way to describe it is: What ever you need, they have! That store has (almost) every thing from tiny gears to kitchen ware to custumes to stickers that says that you aren't allowed to flip the table no matter how angry you are...to new fishing poles to that strange piece of plastic that you don't know what is called but you need for that other thing...well you get the point.
But since the Tokyo Hands in Ikebukuro isn't as big as the one in Shinjuku we decided to go to that one too...just to see if we missed out on something and ofcause we found a few extra things. After that it was time to head back to Koenji and hook up with the Ink Rats. Scroll down a bit and see who the story continues.

Follow that little green coat

I have been playing with my newest toy, the canon 24-105mm lens that I got myself yesterday at this amazing camera shop in Nakano that also sells used stuff and usually in brand new condition but for less than half price. I just noticed a pattern when I looked at the pictures from our trip to Ikebukuro today. Amalie was in most of the pictures in one way or the other and sometimes more than other. I even captured a bit of other green things on our way. It was a good day by the way.

Raaaaamen Kudasai

I was wery sad to hear that my favorite ramen shop in Koenji (Maybe even Tokyo) has closed. But life goes on and what is a hero...or a Allan without his ramen so we had to try out a new shop in Koenji. I was happy to find out that this could be an ok substitude for my old shop. Not as good but it will do for now. Still pretty damn good.

I'm big in Japan

...not really in the Tom Waits kinda way but I did get recognized the other day in Tower Records on Shibuya. Pretty cool!! He called the shop the next day and ended up getting tattooed the same day. Long but good day.
Here is my Ink Rat work so far...all 3 from different Japanese hardcore bands...funny!

One of my regulars...From Shiver

My new customer...forgot his bands name.

Sealion on a nother regular from My Love

Our internet here at the appartment keep coming and going and sometimes it is super fast and other times not strong enough to upload anything from so I don't know when the next post will be and that is also the reason for all these posts at the same time...but see you hopefully soon.

Kooooenji desu

Here a bit from our good old neighborhood. We have the same appartment as we had on two trips ago so we know this part of Koenji pretty damn well. We kinda missed this walk to work last time where we stayed a bit down the street from Ink rat so we are happy to be back. Good old bars, shops and seveneleven where the same people still work. Ahh good to be back.

Looking down from the train tracks.

My (almost) Japanese wife. Kawaaaaiiiiiiiii!


On the way to work

Why not...

...put spaghetti in your sandwich? I am wondering if they just put it in there as a filler?

I had this on the train to Yokohama and my 7 hour long session with Shige who is doing my back (and thighs) piece. Thanks to the advice of of Canadian friend, Corey, Nyquil made me last the whole session of getting both backsides of my thighs AND my butt shaded.
Here is a little treat to all my customers who have been tortured by me: I almost passed out...TWICE but after it was all done. We had taken pictures and talked and I was ok but when he were about to wrap me up I got REALLY lightheaded...had to take me a little break before finishing getting wrapped up. There is a first for everything.
Let's see what happens next wednesday when I have one more session...

Chicken du jour

The other night our good friend Izumi found time in her way to busy life to drop by and go out and eat with us. We went to a place here in Koenji where we live. Many variations of chicken were had. Everything from raw chicken (only eaten by Hata), chicken neck, chicken bones, chicken wings, chicken "beef", chicken heart and many other dishes including chicken.


Unfortunatly Izumi had to run quickly after the dinner so she could catch the last train home. Good to see you again, Izuuuu.

Osaka Tattoo Event

Right after we arrived to Tokyo and Ink rat we had to go straight to Osaka for a Tattoo event that was beeing held the next day. Thanks to Rei I was gonna work there as well. Japanese tattooevents are like a convention of sorts...kinda...usually everybody is booked ahead and sometimes even by regulers. It seems more like a showcase than an actual convention that way since it doesn't seems like people come to get tattooed but more just too look at it beeing done.

My customer was to our surprice wearing cats ears...yep!!

Hata at work

Papa Rei.

What is a Tattoo Event without a good sexy poledance?

Hiroyuki and Kaori aka Team Cotton-Picking.

Somebody saw that I was taking pictures and insisted that I took a picture of their friend...so I did.

Newest addition to the Ink Rat family. Horitoshi.

Todays Work.
Morphed picture.


For more pictures and tales from our trip so far go to Amalies blog who always does a more interesting job at this blogging than me!! Gomenasai.

Soon more pictures...

Niiiiiippon

Back in Japan now!! Here is the mandatory airplane picture...yes it is the same as on my wifes blog but I want to use it too.
After a weekend in Osaka (see next post) we are now back in"our old appartment" in Koenji. It is the same as we had two trips ago so we feel right at home.
Soon more pictures to come!