Another day

It didn't rain today so I went flat-hunting. A feckless occupation. Every one-roomed Japanese flat whose plan I have seen has the same layout. They also also have the same one-piece moulded plastic bathrooms which are so vile and single (or, if you are lucky, double) hobs which are no good to man nor beast. The difference between paying 65000 yen a month and 85000 seems to be the size of the main room (which is going to be tiny anyway) and the date the building was built (an identically sized and located room may be 15000 yen cheaper if it is 20 years older).

Of course, a larger space would be nice but I am resigned to the fact that a gas-ring for a kitchen means one not only will never entertain, but rarely even cook for oneself. And if one isn't cooking for oneself, one is probably only going to be in the flat to sleep. So it would make sense to go small and cheap. But Tokyo risks being claustrophobic in its own right so a little space might be worth having. And round we go.

This whole affair is worse than shopping for clothes.

Tonight we were invited to the British Ambassador's residence for a 350th anniversary party for the Royal Society. Several eminent British scientists got very jolly. The ambassador himself is rather inspiring.

Some unusual treatment in one area I saw flats.

A philosophical wine shop.