Author Archives: Michael Gakuran

Red Bean Pepsi

By Michael Gakuran | Published October 21, 2009
Okay, video time! The new flavour of Pepsi was launched in Japan yesterday. An ambitious Azuki (red-bean) flavour! I called into my local 100 yen Lawsons to pick one up and give it a whirl. My thoughts below ^^.
Posted in Other | 27 Comments

Super Mario Cakes and Treats

By Michael Gakuran | Published October 17, 2009
Here’s a selection of some deliciously awesome Japanese Super Mario cakes I found on Flickr. The creator is quite the artist, sculpting Mario, Luigi and the Mushroom Kingdom out of fondant and chocolate. Brings back fond memories of the Mario cake I had as a child…
Posted in Other | 12 Comments

The Yaki-Imo Man of Japan

By Michael Gakuran | Published October 14, 2009
At first a faint wail carried by a distant wind, slowly growing louder and louder into a caterwauling song. As the leaves turn yellow and red and the temperature drops, Japan’s 100 year-old Ishi Yaki-Imo Man comes out to play. Video below.
Posted in Japan | 23 Comments

Anglerfish Ovary & Microscopic Photography

By Michael Gakuran | Published October 10, 2009
Ever seen what the ovary of that bioluminescent deep sea monstrosity the anglerfish looks like? How about the mouth of a sea urchin, oral surface of a starfish or a freshwater dinoflagellate? Dig into this collection of microscopic photographs that show just how much we’re really not seeing in our lives.
Posted in Bioluminescence | 20 Comments

Gakuranman Giveaway Winners!

By Michael Gakuran | Published October 5, 2009
Alrighty good people. You’ve been kept waiting enough! Here are the winners are the Gakuranman Giveaway contest that I posted a few weeks ago! There were two prizes up for grabs – an Edufire Superpass and a bundle of awesome Japanese sweets!
Posted in Other | 20 Comments

Japanese-style Interior Design

By Michael Gakuran | Published October 2, 2009
A bit of a chance encounter after work today saw me with my first photography job doing some shots for a small Japanese interior decoration store. It was literally a walk-in and shoot for charity sketch! So here are some photos of the gorgeous hand-made Japanese furniture.
Posted in Japan | 12 Comments

Random Japan Photos 1

By Michael Gakuran | Published September 30, 2009
Here are a few pictures I’ve taken walking around my city and whatnot. Loads of interesting stuff to photograph in Japan, and only my lack of ability to hold me back (no more compact camera restrictions!) I’d love your comments on what works, what doesn’t and why so I can keep bringing you better pictures!
Posted in Photography | 13 Comments

Aeon Photo Walk

By Michael Gakuran | Published September 27, 2009
Just a few pictures I’ve taken recently walking around Aeon in Japan. I’m enjoying using my new Olympus PEN E-P1 camera and flexing my creative muscles. I have tested two lenses in this post – the Olympus 17mm f/2.8 pancake and the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 pancake. Enjoy!
Posted in Photography | 38 Comments