Photo Of The Day: Japanese Mall Food

by Anna Brones on

When you are in a new place, sometimes it’s the most common things that are the most striking. Think about going to the food court at the mall. At home, that’s a mundane task, certainly not on the list of anyone with a passion for food or experiencing new cultures. But on the search for mall food in another country? Now that’s an adventure.

Instagram user atiriarte shows us Japanese mall food in this Instagram photo. Mall food at home might not have much going for it, but the tray in this photo certainly isn’t another meal at Orange Julius. Much more appetizing, for sure, and a look into the world of Japanese food.

Want your own photo featured on Photo of the Day? Submit it via the Gadling Flickr Pool or on Instagram by mentioning @gadlingtravel and tagging #gadling.

[Photo credit: atiriarte]

Photo Of The Day: Sakura In Tokyo

by Jonathan Kramer on

Cherry blossom season is in full effect in Tokyo. The beautiful, pinkish flowers, sakura in Japanese, are in many ways intertwined with the country’s culture. The start of the fiscal and school years falls in line with the blossom season. Virtually all public schools and major company buildings will have at least one sakura tree out front and group pictures are taken at the start of a new session, taking full advantage of the fantastic colors.

It’s wildly popular to picnic underneath the trees; it’s so significant that the activity even has its own dedicated word in Japanese, hanami. Families will gather, eat and drink together, taking advantage of the fresh spring weather. As seen in this shot by Flickr user whitefield_d, many streets all over Japan are lined with cherry blossom trees, making for amazingly picturesque scenes during the brief two-week flowering season.

Share your own travel photos with us in our Gadling Flickr Pool and we may choose it to be our Photo of the Day. You can also do so via Instagram by mentioning us, @gadlingtravel, as well as tagging your photos with #gadling.

[Photo Credit: Flickr user whitefield_d]

The Coolest Japanese Souvenir Ever

by Libby Zay on

Paper lanterns, Hello Kitty keychains and sake sets make for fine Japanese souvenirs, but if you want something truly unique, how about a gummy of yourself? Fab Cafe in Tokyo uses 3D printing and other technologies to create custom gummies, chocolates and other treats. So the next time you leave home, there’s no need to look far for the perfect gift for your sweetie-you can just get them an edible you!

For a quick overview of the process used to create these gummy figures, click through the gallery below.

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[Via: The Verge]

[Photo credit: Fab Cafe]

Friday Rocket Blast To Be Streamed Live

by Chris Owen on

Earlier this week, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) fired up their Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft in a successful test to prepare for launch to the International Space Station, set for Friday, March 1, at 10:10 a.m. EST. Space travel fans can follow along during the event via LiveStream starting at 9:30 a.m.

Monday, SpaceX teams ran through all the countdown processes as if it were launch day. All nine engines on the Falcon rocket were successfully fired for nearly two seconds, clearing the way for the historic launch.

Friday’s launch will be the fourth flight for SpaceX’s uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft and the fifth and final flight for the company’s two-stage Falcon launch vehicle. It it the second SpaceX operational mission contracted to NASA under a Commercial Resupply Services contract.

Did you ever wonder what they send to the International Space Station on resupply missions?

[Photo Credit- NASA]

In addition to what we might expect; food, clothing and gear needed for survival in space, the 1493-pound mission manifest includes experiments sent from a variety of nations.

Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency, for example, is sending stem cells. The Canadian and European Space Agencies have experiments going up also. NASA and the Russians are sending various supplies, computer resources and replacement parts.

With favorable weather expected, coverage of the launch from NASA’s Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida will begin at 8:30am on NASA TV.

Here is a short clip of that test-fire earlier this week-


Video: Japanese Customer Service Is Different From Ours

by Laurel Miller on

In keeping with Japan’s reputation as a most hospitable country comes this video from LiveLeak. Two Canadian backpackers are attempting to purchase subway tickets so they can visit Tsukiji Fish Market, but have problems with the dispenser.

No worries! Apparently, in Japan, live, smiling attendants pop out of tiny, hidden slots in automated machines. Perhaps the U.S. should take note, and use this strategy to help stimulate the job market. If only we could get rid of automated phone prompts.