Harrison Ford, a Giraffe and a three legged Crow. Welcome to Japan.

Kirin is the Japanese word for a giraffe, although when Japan first saw a real life giraffe is a question somewhat open to debate but probably dating back to the early 15th century and the Chinese explorative voyages to the coasts of Somalia. The name however, predates the African savannah lands and referred originally to a mythical beast, the qilin; horned, hooved, part dragon and sometimes the harbinger of good news.

It's also the name of Japan's second most popular tipple, Kirin Lager Beer, overtaken in the 1990's to the surprise of the nation by the upstart Asahi Super Dry. Promoted by the likes of Harrison Ford, Yokohama based Kirin beer had seen dominance over its Osaka counterpart for as long as most could remember but eventually the hoover, horned, scaley deer like dragon beast was to be seen off its top spot and remains to this day a default rather than first choice.

Indeed, to generate new interest, Kirin went as far as creating an App that not only provided the reader with the location of the nearest fine establishment stocking its products, when you scan the bar code on the bottle, you get your own avatar to keep you company. A little sad and lonely it has to be said. Still, probably better than being a yatagaras, the three legged crow that kills itself if it breaks a promise. Mythical creatures are interesting in Japan.

Spring Valley Brewery and the first fine pints of Japan

Back in the early days of April 2015, Kirin Beer, one of the major brewers in Japan, entered into an experiment in the backstreets of Daikanyama, a small and quiet neighbourhood of Tokyo. Established as a minor house of creation, The Spring Valley Brewery takes advantage of the changes in brewing laws of a decade ago that allow for low volume, on-site creation of some quite remarkable tastes. And as you sit outside, under cover from the rain and with a heater to keep you warm, you have to wonder as to the origins of the name. At least I did.

And the name goes back to the origins of Kirin Beer itself. Today Japan has three major beer companies; the Osaka based market leader Asahi, with its signature tipple "Asahi Super Dry", remains slightly ahead of Kirin following the shocks of the 1990's when it overturned their market dominance which is then followed, a little far behind, by Suntory, another Osaka based brewer dating from the days of the Meiji restoration. But Kirin's roots date to chaotic days of the opening of Japan, in the the twilight of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Founded in 1869 by William Copeland, an American-Norwegian entrepreneur who had arrived in Japan half a decade earlier, 'The Spring Valley Brewery' provided German style beers to both the local Yokohama foreign community as well as the Japanese market itself through Meidi-ya, at the time an importer and distributor of foreign goods and produce. Selling out to local investors in 1885, the brand would eventually evolve into Kirin, the name of a lucky, mythical Japanese beast. And so if you'd like to see the origins of The Spring Valley Brewery take the short walk from the Gaijin Botchi in Yokohama, past the international school and over to Kitagata Elementary School, for that's where it all began. Kampai!

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The Last Friday before Christmas

The expat community of Japan has many interesting societies and gathering that help bind the  diaspora together. 'Brits Not Bankers', 'The St Andrew's Society' and the 'Curry Club of Kobe' are just a few examples of the informal gatherings that occur throughout the year. And now it's Christmas. And there is one that is held just the once each year. The Last Friday Club. Which this year was designated by decree to be Monday, 7th December (it's a long story).

The origins of Last Friday Club date back to 2001 when on the last Friday before Christmas, two foreigners decided to have a quick lunch together and one had a cool little new device called an iPod. Over a couple of beers they prodded and played with this new toy, enjoyed the lunch at Trader Vics and agreed it would be a great idea to catch up again a year later again on the last Friday before Christmas.

Today the group has grown somewhat however membership always rotates. Invited on a blind cc, no one, excepting the organiser, knows who will actually be there on the day. International footballers, the odd coach of a national team, presidents of companies and numerous others take the afternoon off and enjoy a beer and a pina colada together (and there is obviously a story about that too which if you read carefully, you may get the reference). And then it's back to the corporate world and another year until we catch up again. Thanks to all for coming along, great to see you and here's a festive treat...

Tokyo Comic Con - The Genius of Steve Wozniak

Tokyo Comic Con 2016 kicked off with a press launch in Roppongi Midtown. Something new for Japan, the origins date back to a conversation between Stan Lee, the godfather of American superheroes, and Steve Wozniak, the legendary engineer who brought Apple to the world alongside Steve Jobs. They believe in a cross over between pop-culture and technology and aim to create something that is truly global in scope and execution.

Woz-san, as respectfully referred to by the MC, talked of his love of Japan and how he sees it as a country of pioneering concepts and technologies. Somewhat adverse to international travel, he made the point of how much he enjoyed visiting Japan in particular and even how his wedding ring was created using the technology of the katana, something over four centuries old. But he just loved the technology. And he talked about the new world.

His belief is that learning should be fun. Motivation is more important than knowledge he said. The world has changed and Steve Wozniak was an agent of that change. Steve Jobs famously loved the Zen of Kyoto but Steve Wozniak spoke of his passion for Japan's future vision. And then he was joined on stage by Darth Maul along with the Emperor from the dark side, praised the work of Mifune, he of The Seven Samurai, to his daughter and chatted with a green haired cosplay idol. But he believes learning should be fun. And from a man who changed all our lives, that's important.

The Fratellis in Shibuya

Roppongi is famed as the night life centre of Tokyo for the foreign community having housed some of the infamous gaijin friendly establishments dating back to the 1960s as it drew the crowds away from Akasaka and the Ginza. However, it's not where the locals party, especially the young; they hang out in back streets of Shibuya where the bars and clubs often start late and finish even later.

The clubs, although very focussed on the domestic market, often without a word of English to assist even in basic directions, such as where is the door, are just as happy to host a foreign band as a local one. The big name acts are seen at venues like the Budokan or Tokyo Dome but if you're looking for something a little different, take a walk down the side streets of Dogenzaka. O-East, Quattro, O-West, Womb and the rest always have a hugely diverse selection of entertainment to choose from.

And the vibrancy was raised to "11" last night as the Scottish band The Fratellis brought the house down in front of around 500 Japanese fans who seemed to know the words to every single song and who carried a flag waving Scottish fan on their shoulders for much of the time. Highly talented and highly enjoyable, it was a great show. Thanking the crowd and pointing out that without them they'd just be three guys in an empty room, they left the audience ears still ringing. And then we walked home. Shibuya is just so easy.