Robb Satterwhite
@robb-in-tokyo.bsky.social
Editor of Bento Japan restaurant guide and WhereInTokyo.com. Fan of spice curry, craft beers and quirky museums. Author of What's What in Japanese Restaurants (Kodansha). Software developer. Born in Morningside Heights, NYC; now in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.
A rare peek inside the TSUTAYA DVD and CD rental warehouse in #Japan. The company has pledged to continue renting out physical media by mail even as they've begun closing down, or converting, stores across the nation.
Chomp, chomp! The results are in for yesterday's 11th Annual Capybara Watermelon Speed-Eating Contest. 5. Rin - Ishikawa Zoo (5:53) 4. Sudachi - Saitama Children's Zoo (4:18) 3. Budo - Izu Cactus Park (3:59) 2. Mitsuto - Nagasaki Biopark (2:33) 1. Kobu - Nasu Animal Kingdom (1:41) #capybara
New review: Pilny Pijak is a lively Czech restaurant just around the corner from Takanawa Gateway. The name means "The Diligent Drinker," and in addition to Czech beers you can explore Czech wines, including an apricot wine that's served in shot glasses. rev.bentojp.com/pilny #tokyo #czechcuisine
Japan travel report (Osaka): Standard bacon cheeseburgers at Critters Burger are hefty in volume, with properly crisp bacon, juicy fresh tomato bits, and a mayonnaise dressing that brings out the meaty flavor of the patties rather than overpowering it. Jalapenos make a nice optional topping. #osaka
Critters Burger: Umeda
rev.bentojp.com
22PokopokoDan are an all-cat punk band based in Tokyo.
Flow serves single-origin pour-over coffees and espresso beverages in a lovely townhouse overlooking the Kamo River. Bilingual baristas will guide you through your choices, and you can opt for a three-part tasting flight to compare different beans and extraction methods. rev.bentojp.com/flow
Composition No. 150 by Friedrich Vordemberge-Gildewart, 1945 https://botfrens.com/collections/212/contents/137787
I believe Meta when they say they're using AI for software development. My Instagram feed just showed me my own latest post, and suggested that I follow myself.
Cafe report: Possibly the most Showa-era coffee shop in existence, this charming shop will take you on a trip back in time. It was decorated in futuristic style in time for the 1970 Osaka Expo, and so it remains today. rev.bentojp.com/madura #kissaten #osaka #showa
Madura Kissaten: Umeda 1-chome
rev.bentojp.com
Vote on the name of the horse at enclose.horse !
enclose.horse
A puzzle game about keeping horses safe in their pasture.
enclose.horse
enclose.horse@enclose.horse · 2mo agoThe horse needs a name! I have short listed the suggestions from the community. How to vote? Head to enclose.horse/name-the-horse and cast your vote!
5/ However, the Digital Minister invoked some real 19th-c fears, warning that Japan is going to become an “AI colony” (AI植民地) because it will fall so far behind in tech development that it’ll become dependent on foreign innovation. More from @gaijinpot.com: blog.gaijinpot.com/japans-new-a...
Japan’s New AI Data Law: What It Means for You
Japan just rewrote the rules on personal data and AI. Here's what changed, who pushed back, and why it matters for everyone living in Japan.
blog.gaijinpot.com
Herzog & de Meuron transforms mountain antenna tower into "iconic sculpture"
Coffee report: The second Tokyo branch of the popular Fukuoka REC Coffee offers a relaxed, quiet atmosphere, picturesque riverside views and plenty of space. They serve espressos, pour-over coffees, pastries and beans to go, with a free cup of coffee when you buy 200g of beans. #tokyo #coffee
REC Coffee: Suidobashi
rev.bentojp.com
Polen, Illustrierte Zeitschrift, Nr.11, 1962. Cover design by Marian Stachurski designreviewed.com/artefacts/po...
Kacto serves California-inspired International cuisine in a beautiful setting overlooking the Kamo River. They're a sister shop of Tokyo's TY Harbor and Smokehouse, and they serve brunch every day until late afternoon. rev.bentojp.com/kacto #kyoto #japantravel #kacto
Excellent article by Ted Chiang in the Atlantic on Artificial Intelligence and consciousness. (Gift link)
No, Artificial Intelligence Is Not Conscious
Taken to its logical conclusion, this line of thinking is absurd—and damning.
theatlantic.com
Sandwich report: Totemo's pork-belly sandwich is so good it's worth traveling across town for. The meat is cured in salt for 24 hours, then slow-roasted for two hours. They also serve excellent leberkase sandwiches and an Austrian "meat salad" sandwich. rev.bentojp.com/totemo #tokyo #sendagi
