New York Times has a new piece on nightlife in Tokyo, titled: Hidden Tokyo

Tokyo, especially after dark, is notoriously hard to penetrate. With its winding mazelike streets, the city is a challenge for even seasoned taxi drivers. (Many bicyclists have GPS devices on their handlebars.) So imagine hunting down the restaurants, bars and clubs that are stashed away in patchwork alleys, nondescript apartment buildings, faceless office towers and basement stairwells illuminated by red bulbs.

Discreet, out-of-the-way bars have been a staple of Japanese culture for decades. Before World War II, Tokyo was filled with these pocket-sized dives — called nomiya (counter bars) — with space for just six or seven stools. Behind the counter was a proprietor, whose role was both confidant and caregiver to the regulars. When the city was rebuilt, however, most were bulldozed in favor of larger, glossier, more Westernized offerings.

Now a younger, postwar creative class is reviving nomiya culture — with a decidedly modern spin.

Complete story here: Hidden Tokyo. Technorati Tags: asia, tokyo, japan

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The next time you are on airplane and flying economy class or coach, you might find yourself on standing “seats”.

This might happen since the airlines trying to fit together more passengers for each flights, citing the even increasing fuel costs as one of the reason.

The low cost airlines might come first, specially for its short-haul routes.

New York Time’s article, “One Day, That Economy Ticket May Buy You a Place to Stand” also mentioned two Japanese Airlines that might be interested in using this new seating arrangement for its short haul, island hopping routes: All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines.

The rest of Asian low cost airlines might not too far behind.

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Nearing 30 years together with hundreds of credits and accolades to their names, TOTO remains one of the top selling tour-acts in the world. Collectively and individually, the band has played on nearly every major hit record of the past quarter century, placing their distinctive stamp of excellence all over CD shelves around the world. With nearly 30 million records sold, TOTO is the benchmark by which many artists base their sound and production, and they continue to transcend the standards set by the entire musical community.

TOTO “Falling In Between” Tour

In Asia: April-May 2006

When And Where?

April 2006 	
26  Wednesday: 	Koseinenkin Kaikan, Kanazawa - Japan
27  Thursday: Shi Kokaido, Nagoya - Japan
28  Friday: Yubinchokin Hall, Hiroshima - Japan

May 2006 	
1  Monday: Shimin Kaikan, Fukuoka - Japan
2  Tuesday: Grand Cube, Osaka - Japan
4  Thursday: Koseinenkin Kaikan, Sapporo - Japan
6  Saturday: Pacifico, Yokohama	- Japan
7  Sunday: International Forum, Tokyo - Japan
8  Monday: International Forum, Tokyo - Japan
10 Wednesday: Royal Paragon Hall, Bangkok - Thailand
12 Friday: Shangri-La Ballroom, Surabaya - Indonesia
14 Sunday: Jakarta 	Plenary Hall-Convention Center, Jakarta - Indonesia
16 Tuesday: Fort Canning Park, Singapore - Singapore

Ticket Information:
Singapore sistic.com.sg
Thailand thaiticketmaster

More info about the tour.

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There are four low-cost that has many flights all over Asia (Pan-Asian carriers) but mostly in South East Asia, there are:

• AirAsia (Country based: Malaysia)
• Jetstar Asia Airways (subsidiary of QANTAS (Country based: Singapore)
• Tiger Airways (subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (Country based: Singapore)
• Valuair (subsidiary of Jetstar Asia Airways (Country based: Singapore)

Besides the above, other low-cost budget cheap airlines in Asia, country-wise are:

» Low cost airlines in Hong Kong

Oasis Airways

» Low cost airlines in Indonesia

• Awair (subsidiary of AirAsia)
• Citilink (subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia)
• Lion Air
• Adam Air

» Low cost airlines in Thailand

• Nok Air (subsidiary of Thai Airways International)
• One-Two-GO (subsidiary of Orient Thai)
• Thai AirAsia (subsidiary of AirAsia)

» Low cost airlines in Japan

• Hokkaido International Airlines (also known as Air Do)
• Skymark Airlines
• Skynet Asia Airways
• StarFlyer (from March 2006)

» Low cost airlines in Macau

Viva Macau

» Low cost airlines in Philippines

• Air Philippines
• Asian Spirit
• Cebu Pacific
• South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR)

Info source is from Wikipedia: List of low-cost airlines

More info:

A good travel guide can help you in deciding about the travel lodge plans for your trip. If you are considering air travel, then you can search on the various cheap airlines. A thorough and effective search lets you make airline reservations that will help you in planning out everything on time. Depending upon the destination you select, you will need to survey the best budget hotels available. Your plans might as well include a travel bag that should be handy with the urgent travel necessities.

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