Sumimasen.

Konnichiwa.

I went to this HUGE toy shop.

Umm..

Whoa!

After the lecture, the school took us all out to dinner.

I had Takoyaki for the first time. Damn. One of the tastiest treats. Takoyaki is octopus balls. Well, not octopus testicles, but battered balls of goodness with octopus bits inside of it.

The owner of the restaurant gave us a bunch of free random goodies to try out.

This guy is awesome. I want to be like him when I grow up.

Afterward we walked around Osaka. It was probably one of my favorite areas in Japan.

We walked by this crazy place that looked as if it had swastikas all over the place. I guess it reads 'Hitlers Cafe' in Japanese. No it doesn't. We thought it did though. It was a Buddhist temple. For those who don't know, that swastika-looking symbol is called manji. It's actually facing the opposite way and represents love and mercy. At first I thought we stumbled into the wrong side of the neighborhood.

Karaoki is everywhere. It might even be bigger than religion. Actually, it might even be a religion.

I learned: Smoking cigarettes inside restaurants and other establishments, is perfectly legal. Smoking outside is illegal and frowned upon. The few people who do, don't throw their cigarettes on the ground because that's littering and they take pride in their country, unlike some people in other countries. A lot of Japanese people carry around miniature pocket ashtray cases that they put their cigarettes out in. It's also frowned upon to eat outside or while walking. Everyone is very kind, positive, well mannered, pays attention to little details, has a great work ethic, very family oriented, and super helpful (even to strangers). Japan makes me happy.

My first lecture in Japan was at the Vantan Design Institute in Osaka, Japan.

I thought that this idea was amazing. I guess Japanese people use this square-barcode on everything. They have barcode readers on their cell phones, so when they see a flyer or poster that peaks their interest, all they have to do is scan the bar code and all of the information loads in their cell phone. I'm not sure if this happens in America, but it's huge here in Japan.

This character on the soda machine in the school is awesome!

I had an interview beforehand, with Senken newspaper. I think it's like the WWD of Japan.

Last summer they did a nice feature on my Los Angeles shop.

I had to cut my lecture a little short because since I had a translator it made the lecture double in length. I also had to cut a bunch of my jokes out, because Japanese people don't understand a lot of American humor. I still figured out how to get a bunch of laughs out of them. Thank you Mariko for being a wonderful translator + host!

I thought it was neat that there were a few people in the crowd with Johnny Cupcakes t-shirts on.

The school set up a workshop which immediately followed the lecture. Everyone was given an assignment. If Johnny Cupcakes were to open a shop in Japan, design/concept a poster that would best get peoples attention. There were a lot of great ideas!

The school supplied all the students and attendees with print outs. It was funny seeing Japanese people playing with enlarged versions of all of my close friends.

Ha!

Hello, I'm Mr. Cupcakes.

Thanks for helping out everyone! Even with the language barrier/translation - it was a success!

Bottled sweat! Yum.

Freddy Krugers daughter.

I like the animal comparisons. I wonder if the elephant ones, are just a box of kitchen trash bags. Also, do bald eagles even have wieners?

I thought this was interesting. There's a place called the 'Cat Room' where people pay to get in and they can play with cats for 'x' amount of time.

Look what this American Apparel shirt is printed on.

y0!

Crazy Audi dealership architecture. This photo does no justice, esp since it's all optical illusion-y.

I'm taller than this truck. I'm honestly thinking about importing one of these next year.

The calm before the store. This intersection is INSANE when the walking lights turn green. I'll try to post a video in the future. I thought I was a goner for sure.

I ate a the restaurant that Quentin Tarantino used for inspiration for the huge restaraunt fight scene in in Kill Bill (I can't wait for his new movie!). And speaking of Tarantino - expect a Johnny Cupcakes x Tarina Tarantino collaboration in the future.

About to go hit the streets with my friend Andie. This is both of our first times in Japan and we're wanting to move here.

Time for more adventures! I shouldn't be glued to my computer while here. Sayonara!

To consolidate space and to give the die hard Johnny Cupcakers something to munch on, I've created this fun work project. We've been rolling out a bunch of hidden treasures, last pressings, vintage JC shirts, collectors editions, and warehouse findings - on the Johnny Cupcakes eBay vault. All bids start at only .99 cents, so you might even be able to get a t-shirt for .99 cents if nobody else bids on it. Yes, you can use PayPal when winning your auction. And yes, we ship worldwide.

One of the bazillion things that my sister is working on with my brand, is helping with this eBay vault, and she's doing a great job! Click here to see some of the latest items, as it's updated weekly. And remember, it's only the real deal if it's from eBay seller: johnnycupcakesvault. Thanks sister - love ya!

Just got to Japan the other day. It's unreal. I'm half asleep as I type this, so I'll try to make it short(and comprehensive). My plain ride wasn't bad at all. Maybe it's because I can sleep on command?

Almost all of the cars here, have their side mirrors on the hood of the car instead of the normal spots.

The buses and taxis all have these cloth doilies on them.

Panasonic makes bicycles?!

I went to this crazy arcade and saw a prize-claw machine that was filled with containers of Ritz Crackers.

The Japanese/Sega version of Mickey Mouse.

In the arcade, I found this sign posted n the wall. It means don't run off with strangers I guess? Looks kind of creepy.

I'll post more photos soon. One of the two lectures I'm giving, is tomorrow. My translator and I are pretty much all set as far as prepping for the lecture.

Optimus Cupcake AutoBones will be available in stores and online this Wednesday (tomorrow). Get your oil changed and come on down!

Finally! People have been asking me for a while now, about Johnny Cupcakes' hats. Here's a few samples that we've been playing with. The very first batch of Johnny Cupcakes x New Era 59/50 hats which are slated to drop this fall.

Hold your hats.

Check out The Walk Of Shame. It's an episode that my buddy Dan created + directed. It's well crafted and very funny! I hope someone good picks it up for television!

I picked up an amazing jacket from a wonderful shop, Dover Street Market. Thanks guys!

Brandon gave Andrew a haircut. He looks like a badass greaser from the 50's. Man, I want that haircut. If you happen to be in New York City, hit up my friend Brandon at Mudhoney Hair Salon for a haircut on 85 Kenmare Street.

Oh yeah, Andrew got my signature tattooed on his leg! I know there are well over 100 people with Johnny Cupcakes tattoos, but this is the first one with my signature. I thought he was joking when he told me to sign his leg because he was going to get it tattooed.

Never in my life have I had a more delicious treat.

Someone please overnight me a box of coconut flavors! I'll be your best friend!

Thanks again Hugo - for the PSP gifts.

And yes, I am serious about those coconut treats! Friday is my last full weekday in the office before my lectures at Vantan Design Institute in Osaka + Tokyo Japan.

I can't wait!!

Taking the train from London to Paris was scary yet awesome. Once we got on that train, it was quite the culture shock... or a preview of what was to come. Nobody really spoke English, but let me tell you, I could listen to people speak French forever. It has got to be the most beautiful language. Anyways, aside from my ears popping more than ever from the pressure (this train went underneath the ocean) - it was a smooth, quick ride. My friend and I arrived in Paris and got picked up from some random new friends whom I met through twitter. We got a nice little evening tour through all sorts of nooks + neighborhoods of Paris.

I've heard the French hate Americans, but an anti-people sign? C'mon! J/k. Actually - we were treated pretty well. I also noticed a few French people wearing Obama hats + t-shirts.

My temporary bedroom/office/home away from home outside of Paris. Thank you Fabien!

"Don't play with that pyramid kid, you're gonna poke your eye out!"

Interesting seeing 'Point Cap' machines in the train stations. I know French is the language of love, but I wasn't expecting this...

...or this.

I bet you didn't know that in some countries, Metallica is the language of love.

Fabien doing business on the train.

We stopped by his shop in the midst of our travels, and met some of his partners who he runs his business with. Funny guys who we later on hung out with. In addition to running a shop, Fabien also has a hardcore band called Providence.

Interesting Orangina advertisements. They sorta gave me a weird feeling..

Another one of our tour guides + translators. Thank you for hanging + showing my friend Brandon and I around!

I thought it was interesting that the French soda machines stock their soda's upside down.

My main destination in Paris - Colette. Before knowing what Colette was, the owner contacted me around 4 years ago, wanting to carry my Johnny Cupcakes brand in their shop. I never wanted to have my products in any other stores, however, this Colette shop was right up my alley. They then carried my brand for a a few years.

I met up with their owner to say hello and to put a face to the name. I'm not sure yet, but I think I might start doing business with them again. I don't want my brand in any other shops but my own - however, this store is my ultimate favorite and they've represented my brand well in the past. They might be one of the few or only acceptions. <3

What a beautiful, well designed piece of architecture. Not having a girlfriend and being by the Eiffel Tower is fine...if you only look up. Once you look around, you'll notice that 98% of the people there are cute couples trying many many times to photograph themselves kissing with the Eiffel Tower in the background. It felt like someone kept poking me and saying "Haha - Look what you don't have!"

I tried taking a photo next to the Eiffel Tower many of times, but I kept getting interrupted + scared away by all the creepy dudes who hustle Eiffel Tower paraphernalia.

We met up with a bunch of new friends and played the European version of Pool/Billiards, "Snooker". What an addicting game! The balls are slightly smaller and the rules are a smidgen different. I'm going to try to pick up some Snooker balls this week!

Thanks again for the wonderful memories and great hospitality! You have a very clean, polite, tasty, beautiful country.