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Crazy English Store Names in Tokyo

It always amazes me that so many Tokyo shop owners, when they decide to give their stores English names, don’t reach out to Tokyo’s large community of native English speakers (just grabbing a white guy off the street probably would do), to see if their great idea for a store name actually makes the least bit of sense. The first three pictures below are stores I came across on this trip. The rest are ones I found on previous trips.

You know it's not hard to find native English speakers in Tokyo, to run by your great idea for a store name

You know it’s not hard to find native English speakers in Tokyo, to run by your great idea for a store name05-Jul-2010 08:23, SONY DSC-W55, 2.8, 6.3mm, 0.01 sec, ISO 100

Another dubious store name, in Kichijoji

Another dubious store name, in Kichijoji06-Jul-2010 02:00, SONY DSC-W55, 4.5, 14.3mm, 0.01 sec, ISO 125

A coffee shop in Ningyocho named "Tax Payer"

A coffee shop in Ningyocho named “Tax Payer”08-Jul-2010 02:09, SONY DSC-W55, 5.2, 18.9mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 125

Spotted in Yaesu chikagai - the underground shopping mall at Tokyo station

Spotted in Yaesu chikagai – the underground shopping mall at Tokyo station14-May-2007 19:12, Canon Canon PowerShot S230, 4.0, 10.8125mm, 0.02 sec

One of several “hair saloon” signs I've seen in Japan - this one is in Kawagoe

One of several “hair saloon” signs I’ve seen in Japan – this one is in Kawagoe25-Mar-2007 16:56, Canon Canon PowerShot S230, 2.8, 5.40625mm, 0.017 sec

A hat store on Sun Road in Kichijoji. Knowing what "Shazbot" means (without looking it up on Wikipedia!) marks you as a child of early 80s American television.

A hat store on Sun Road in Kichijoji. Knowing what “Shazbot” means (without looking it up on Wikipedia!) marks you as a child of early 80s American television.21-Feb-2007 00:02, Canon Canon PowerShot S230, 2.8, 5.40625mm, 0.013 sec

Another great store name in Tokyo - "White Trash Charms Japan"

Another great store name in Tokyo – “White Trash Charms Japan”24-Jun-2004 21:54, Canon Canon PowerShot S230, 2.8, 5.40625mm, 0.013 sec

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One Comment

  1. Mr. Eno says:

    SHAZBOT!

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