Japan (Esp. Osaka) = High Heel Paradise

[Daisuki]

I recently went on a trip to Japan and while there were plenty of heels in Tokyo, they were mostly 2-3". In Osaka, however, much higher heels are very common. The city is very fashionable and it was great to shoe (err people) watch on the streets of Shinsaibashi, when I had extra time on my tour and after my tour ended.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4013.html

I was in Japan for 10 days and the people and scenery are both amazing. What a place to visit and I wish I hadn't waited so long to visit! It was also great to finally get a chance to test out my Japanese in Japan! It wasn't great (I'm very rusty), but they much appreciated every attempt I made. Even when I wasn't able to communicate successfully, they made every attempt to help me.

The Japanese people dress very well overall and tights/leggings & skirts were de-rigueur for the women. Even when they were hiking on trails definitely NOT suited for heels. Ground-dragging pants were rare and I can't remember any flip-flops but the weather was cool (12-15C for the high on most days). Japanese women are definitely not afraid to show their heels! There were also plenty of thigh-high socks, which looked amazing. And white socks, even in the rain were not uncommon. I don't know how they keep them white in such conditions!

Well, enough stories, how about I share some pictures. I apologize for the quality. I should have figured out that "night landscape" would have been a better mode sooner for the darker scenes...

Since returning from my trip, I have also changed my avatar. More about her later...

[bluejay]

Thanks for the pics. I like them. I have never been to Japan, but it seems that people dress up a bit over there. I like that. Happy Heeling, bluejay

[yozz]

Yes, in Japan the women dress well. The men only when for work. I have been in a temple at new year and seen couples of which the man was in jeans and the wife in a beautiful kimono. In Tokyo it depends in which part you are, how many women wear high heels. In the fancier parts the percentage is quite high. Did you also notice, when looking from behind, that many women do not really walk properly with those heels in the sense that their right foot is not straight, but instead of 90 degrees, the heel makes an angle that is more like 70 degrees or less? It is always the right foot. Nobody could explain this to me. Y.

[Shafted]

Always wanted to visit Japan, but now the radiation fallout from Fukushima Daiichi has blanketed most of the country pretty heavily. I think I'll stay home in my low level radiation environment rather than dying in 10 to 30 years from leukemia. Besides, I still want to have kids someday.. Osaka didn't get it quite as bad a Tokyo did. In Tokyo there was black highly radioactive dust on everything.

[dww]

Do you expect to live forever, don't worry about it get on and enjoy life, if I went tomorrow I would not worry about it. Two things certain in life Death and Taxes, think about it.

[Shafted]

Do you expect to live forever, don't worry about it get on and enjoy life, if I went tomorrow I would not worry about it.

Two things certain in life Death and Taxes, think about it.

I don't expect to live forever, but putting oneself in harms way is just foolishness. I don't want to die like that if I can help it. Radiation exposure is a horrible way to go. Japanese are getting ill and dying in droves right now while Daiichi is still spewing a deadly mix of radioactive witches brew.. If you want to join them, go right ahead. I won't be following. I would urge people to not go there. The only reason Japan hasn't been evacuated on a large scale is where will they go. There are nearby islands that they wanted to move to, but the claim to those islands are in dispute with China.

[Trolldeg]

I don't expect to live forever, but putting oneself in harms way is just foolishness. I don't want to die like that if I can help it. Radiation exposure is a horrible way to go. Japanese are getting ill and dying in droves right now while Daiichi is still spewing a deadly mix of radioactive witches brew.. If you want to join them, go right ahead. I won't be following. I would urge people to not go there. The only reason Japan hasn't been evacuated on a large scale is where will they go. There are nearby islands that they wanted to move to, but the claim to those islands are in dispute with China.

Where do you get your "facts" from?

[Shafted]

Alternative media articles, photo's and video WITH REFERENCES. Ask mainstream media to do that. Ever heard of Fairewinds Associates and Arne Gunderson? Also check the local news feeds for the area in question. It's not rocket science. I'm even seeing some of the alternative media stuff getting into mainstream reporting now. But it's pretty old news by then.

[yozz]

I get my information from my colleagues in Japan. They live 60 km North East of Tokyo. They absolutely do not recognize your doomsday scenario. Better yet: they work at an institute where worrying about radiation (and measuring it) is daily business. And it is taken extremely serious. The fact that something is an alternative news source on the internet does not make it more reliable. Y.

[Shafted]

I'm glad you clarified that. Maybe you should check before you discount.

Hare are two websites everyone should know about. Rock solid references and verified.

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php

http://enenews.com/

[hhboots]

There are nearby islands that they wanted to move to, but the claim to those islands are in dispute with China.

By the way, these islands in dispute with China are several tiny little islands, only 2 of these islands could hold a very small population (of about less than 100). So, no, they are not "wanting to move" there...

[Shafted]

By the way, these islands in dispute with China are several tiny little islands, only 2 of these islands could hold a very small population (of about less than 100). So, no, they are not "wanting to move" there...

Quite right! It depends on who they are looking to move. And you can't argue with the timing of China stepping up defense of those islands recently.

I get my information from my colleagues in Japan. They live 60 km North East of Tokyo.

They absolutely do not recognize your doomsday scenario.

Better yet: they work at an institute where worrying about radiation (and measuring it) is daily business.

And it is taken extremely serious.

The fact that something is an alternative news source on the internet does not make it more reliable.

Y.

It really doesn't surprise me that this is the way those people feel. Radioactive fallout doesn't announce itself with red skies and desolate landscapes like in the movies. It is a silent and invisible mass killer.

[Heelster]

Shafted - - - somewhere in the middle is the truth, but there is little you can do even if you find it. I remember as a kid, a neighbor became all worried and bought a geiger counter. He would have a fit when it went off. My old man had to explain to him that a red brick house would trigger it. Just think - Radon in your basement, Radioactive red bricks in a house, and Japan cesium in East LA. If this all scares you, don't get an X-ray next time your at the dentist.

[Shafted]

Shafted - - - somewhere in the middle is the truth, but there is little you can do even if you find it.

I remember as a kid, a neighbor became all worried and bought a geiger counter. He would have a fit when it went off.

My old man had to explain to him that a red brick house would trigger it.

Just think - Radon in your basement, Radioactive red bricks in a house, and Japan cesium in East LA. If this all scares you, don't get an X-ray next time your at the dentist.

The truth is there is something you CAN do if the fallout is minor. Potassium Trioidide (Lugol's Solution), even potassium iodide ( thyroid protection only). Potassium triodide will offer protection for your thyroid plus regenerative capabilities for all the other cells in your body (including cancer protection). Those in the know realize it is the elixer of life. why do you think the medical industry want's you to lay off (table) salt. It is the one and only source of iodine that the people have left. Molecular iodine, while poisonous to the digestive tract, in the form of potassium triiodide is a miracle elixer. I'm living proof. I should probably mention that iodine is a necessary nutrient in the human diet. Unfortunately the American government has discouraged this necessary and beneficial precaution.

Normal environmental radiation is just that, normal.

By pure serendipity I was on Lugal's solution 3 months before the Fukushima meltdowns.

I don't worry for my self, I worry for my friends and loved ones. That includes those of you here.

BTW: I live in a mobile home and don't have a basement.

[Daisuki]

Well, this certainly hasn't turned out the way I wanted, wow. C'mon all, can we talk about shoes?

[Shafted]

Sorry about that, Daisuki. It's just that I've been following the Fukushima Daiichi story since it happened back on 3/11/11. Today the situation there is pretty much the same. The number 3 spent fuel pool still teeters on the brink. If it falls it's all over folks. You can kiss your butts goodbye. The story continues although mainstream media doesn't think it's important enough or something. The situation is in reality far from over. I had a friend who went there Tokyo) after the meltdowns. She's not doing to well now. I tried to talk her out of it. Do me a favor, and take care of yourself. Beware of perpetual cold like symptoms (runny nose, etc.) as this is an early indicator of exposure.

[ilikekicks]

The truth is there is something you CAN do if the fallout is minor. Potassium Trioidide (Lugol's Solution), even potassium iodide ( thyroid protection only). Potassium triodide will offer protection for your thyroid plus regenerative capabilities for all the other cells in your body (including cancer protection). Those in the know realize it is the elixer of life.

I have a good bit of both, stashed away.

Normal environmental radiation is just that, normal.

Taking on Rads isnt a ' healthy thing '. The fallout from the plant that went down wasnt so great, BUT!!!

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/25/world/asia/japan-fukushima/

It effected their food supply. Eating contaminated food isnt as bad as taking on Rads straight up.. but its still contamination. Old article? Sure, but the full story or all the details wont be released.

By pure serendipity I was on Lugal's solution 3 months before the Fukushima meltdowns.

I don't worry for my self, I worry for my friends and loved ones. That includes those of you here.

BTW: I live in a mobile home and don't have a basement.

Im working on a ' basement ' of sorts.

The GOOD thing though is the people in the area seem to be getting on with life and enjoying themselves. Ive always liked Asian women for some reason

[ChipsHH]

Radiation or not, I've always wanted to visit Japan strictly for anime conventions and now, I can add "high heel look-around" and "shopping" to the list! Course, those were long on the list some years ago, haha.

I don't know why I was expecting higher heels...must be the anime that's plagued my head (imagine that!). That, or prior pictures on the web I've seen here and there. Oh, and videos. I still want to try my hand at not-too-high, erm, "single-tooth getas" I believe they are called?

[Bubba136]

Who would've thunk!

[HappyinHeels]

Daisuki, Well I'm glad you finally got to see Japan and I'm assuming you have a family link to Japan as well. It's always good to reconnect with one's patrimonial origins. I made my first trip to France in December and in February visited my father's family in Quebec and my son had never been surrounded by French-speaking people before!

I remember seeing interesting heels on some of the Japanese flight that landed at O'hare Airport when I worked there for a number of years. Their flight were always easy to deal with it seems everyone had their forms filled out and were very organized. I seem to remember about five flights daily to Chicago from Japan. My only question would be what do you the chances are of guys wearing heels in Japan?? I know the younger generations are different but just how different really?? I am failry well-travelled but far eastern Asia is one area I have not been so I really have no solid observations there just what I've seen in Japanese communities in the USA, Canada, and Brazil. Thanks again for sharing!! HappyinHeels

[Daisuki]

No, no family link. Just got into Japanese shows at an early age and studied the language about 10 years ago for 2 semesters. I had wanted to go there ever since. It just took a little longer for me to get over there than I had thought. In fact, it was my first trip out of the country since '98 and my first solo trip anywhere, though I was in a tour group, with people I hadn't met before. I didn't see any guys wearing heels in Japan, but then again I also can't remember seeing any here as well. Well, except myself, but even in that case I don't wear them much beyond my driveway. Attached is another picture of an ad for a Karaoke machine. As you may suspect, I didn't pick this up for any interest in Karaoke.

[Shafted]

Hmm, yes, cant imagine why.

[Berg]

I didn't see any guys wearing heels in Japan, but then again I also can't remember seeing any here as well. Well, except myself,

Hi. Dont you follow Tokyo Fashion.com? They always pay intrest to peoples footwear as clothes.

http://tokyofashion.com/tag/guy-in-heels/

To go even further into this then there is Galsun Tokyo;

http://www.galsuntokyo.com/

Bye, Berg.

[onyourtoes]

Let's high heel great! The problem shopping for shoes there is finding large sizes. I think most women's fashion shoes stop at about size 7 1/2 - 8 (US women's), and men's shoes don't go much over 10. Once in Yokohama Station I saw a man wearing a business suit and red open toe platforms, they were about 5 inches. My Japanese friends (female) were quite embarrassed and kept assuring me that this was very unusual. The first time I was in Japan high platform boots were the rage. They were mostly black, knee high, with 4 inch wedge platforms with a very small heel rise. Many school age girls (probably boys, too) leave the house in ordinary clothes and change first chance they get. I've been told that some rent lockers to hide their cool street outfits in. I was affiliated with an American school that hosted students from Japan for a semester. On the day before the students returned to Japan, there was always a run on CVS (local chemists) buying black hair dye to undo their blonde away from home hair.

[Daisuki]

Yeah, I wear a 9 in men's and did buy a pair of men's shoes there. I would have bought a pair of women's shoes too, but the largest size I saw was 24.5cm, when I'm a 26.5 or a 26 (Men's and Women's shoe size measurements are the same in Japan). I went to a bunch of stores and asked before I realized the sizing charts where on the wall. i.e. shoes in this section are 23-24.5, etc.

I did buy some tights and socks there though. Attached below (after the reply) is one example for now and it's also how I came to be introduced to my new avatar. And yeah, only in Japan can they have a logo like that...

Hi. Dont you follow Tokyo Fashion.com? They always pay intrest to peoples footwear as clothes.

http://tokyofashion....g/guy-in-heels/

To go even further into this then there is Galsun Tokyo;

http://www.galsuntokyo.com/

Bye, Berg.

I didn't know about these sites. Thanks!

[Marion]

Did you also notice, when looking from behind, that many women do not really walk properly with those heels in the sense

that their right foot is not straight, but instead of 90 degrees, the heel makes an angle that is more like 70 degrees or less?

It is always the right foot. Nobody could explain this to me.

I do think that's because they are sitting cross-legged most of the time since childhood (at home working or eating, at the restaurant, in bars "izakaya"...).

Such "abuse" of this position make their knees turn inside, maybe more for the right leg because cross-legged sitting position is not symmetrical : the right foot is more bent when above the left knee, whereas the left foot is less bent under the right knee.

I hope you see what I mean.

[yozz]

I do think that's because they are sitting cross-legged most of the time since childhood (at home working or eating, at the restaurant, in bars "izakaya"...).

Such "abuse" of this position make their knees turn inside, maybe more for the right leg because cross-legged sitting position is not symmetrical : the right foot is more bent when above the left knee, whereas the left foot is less bent under the right knee.

I hope you see what I mean.

This is the first explanation I hear that makes sense.

Y.

[platformman]

Normal environmental radiation is just that, normal.

Define "normal radiation"? It is a well known and documented scientific fact that there are areas of the world that have very high levels of background radiation, and the best example I can think of is Ramsar in Iran, where some residents are exposed to over 6 mSv a year which is 4 times the average background level worldwide (there are also areas of the UK, such as Cornwall that have very high background radiation levels) and far in excess of doses that were present in Tokyo at the worst period after Fukushima. Guess what? There does not appear to be any statistical evidence to suggest that these people (in Iran) are getting sick from exposure to such levels of radiation! This is because the linear no threshold model of radiation that postulates that the risk rises linearly with dose at a rate of 5% per Sv is now in the process of being slowly discredited, and there is some suggestions appearing from recent research that exposure of up to 100 mSv a year will not have harmful effects. The other group of people that are worthy of some study are cabin crew in airlines, since it is not widely documented that travelling by air exposes you to quite a lot of cosmic radiation, i.e. on a transatlantic flight you will receive on average a dose of about 6.5 microSv/hr. Also, I dispute your point about radiation levels in Tokyo, which are actually less than New York City. As usual, with anything nuclear, paranoia rules, and misinformation is spread, particularly given that 20,000 people died tragically as a result of the earthquake/tsunami, but not one person died from the accident at the power station! I also hope you don't live anywhere near a coal fired power station, as they actually emit more radioactivity than a nuclear power station does under normal operation......

[Shafted]

Radioactivity from natural sources such as the sun, cosmic rays and decay of naturally occurring radioisotopes.