In which I discover a new street feature of Japan

This morning I got up and out much earlier than usual -- particularly out, showering and getting dressed without stopping by my laptop. So by 8 AM I was wandering around, getting morning sun, and observing all the other people out, going to school or strolling or whatnot. The shopping street just north of me was still depressingly shuttered, but activity was high. Walking. Biking. Wheelchairs in the middle of the street.

On seeing the wheelchairs I realized: "no cars", and while these streets are usually low-traffic, this seemed to be no-traffic, and an expectation thereof. So I paid more attention to the signs, and found: ( Read more... )

In which I join the Osaka bicycle menace

I finally rented a bicycle in Japan. It took some effort: paying for a Mobal eSIM, it being the only easy way of getting a phone number. Going to an office to show my passport and get the process started. Getting back home and finishing signup or something. Waiting for someone to actually activate the number the next morning. Then figuring out how install the new eSIM (actually confusingly easy), and panic because my Google Voice wasn't sending texts. (Turns out G Voice simply does not send SMS outside of the US or Canada.) ( Read more... )