Is there anything else than the five fingers and the Terra Plana out there when it comes to "sock-like-shoes"? Might have a bit of a problem getting hold on either (here in Sweden) and I'd really like something I could use for walking the city as well.

My favourite pair of shoes ever is a pair of "Brothers" boots from Camper. Looks the part and has very thin soles. For being a "full" shoe they felt like a second skin.

The Nike Free pair I had broke where the fabric meets the sole in the heel much to early so I'm not trying those again but they sure felt nice...

Regarding cushioning, what about the approach Superfeet inlay soles use (www.superfeet.com)? Instead of putting in extra soft bits they support your heel from both sides to cushion itself up so to speak. Have one pair in my hiking boots and another for everyday use. Love them but I'll continue the search for the ultimate "sock-shoe".

Like this style? Try www.urwerk.com for size (and price, ugh). That's mechanical beauty anyone with access to a bank account the size of an average oil sheik's should try out.

Same in Japanese, in that the word for '(boiled) rice' and 'meal'/'food' is widely used both ways.

Also, way back, traditionally there has never really been any "pot cooking" rice in at least Japan and, I suspect, many other countries. The old way was to steam boil the rice in a bamboo setup, not a pot. That way you can't burn the rice as it's all indirect heat.

Make that 70,000 yen range:

How about this one:
http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/more/i/74775113.html

or this:
http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/more/i/74775033.html

The Grand daddy:
http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/more/i/74775034.html

I miss my rice cooker sorely... There's nothing as simple as a throw-in-rice-vegetables-meat-soy sauce-water-whatever-and-press-play kind of meals when you're tired after a long day.

Next time I'm in Japan I'll bring one back (well, if I do return that is) and get a step-up converter for the darn thing. Expensive? They come in all colours and price tags so not really. Zoujirushi is usually at the upper price range so I'm not surprised.

21,000 JYP isn't even close to the most expensive ones. Try any regular electronics chain over there and you'll soon realize than you can take this much, much further say into the 50,000 yen range... Luckily you can get one for 4,000 yen as well.

*drool*

Solutions like these are exactly why I have an unhealthy obsession with compact living vs interior design.

Oh, and now I know why I reject any bag that doesn't have little compartments for everything. I simply can't stand one with a one-big-compartment-fits-all-complex. That together with a nitpicking mind when it comes to the design/style of bags makes it an neverending journey for perfection in my case.

Hey, I thought you'd at least notice the wooden ones Amadana has (buds) been selling the last couple of ears (http://en.amadana.com/product/pe117/pe117.html) considering the post on their safety precautions te other day. :) I have them and they sound quite nice. Buds are often frowned upon in the headphone community of elitism (though luckily, there's a wind of change, especially with the introduction of the ugly but good Yuin fex)...

Just a little heads up in japanase usage: zurui (狡い) means clever, cunning while the word you might be looking for is dzurai/tsurai (辛い) which means hard, bitter.

Anyway I'll be on the look out for this. Eight season and I haven't even heard of it... Man, I creep out from that rock I'm living under. Lucky we have bb!

So it pushed a few buttons, eh? ;D

"...having spent several hours this weekend looking over EarthRoamer's products and travel journals..."

Yup, that about summarises my behaviour as well, only I'm going the Asian route; going from home, Sweden, "stopping by" at the Himalayas to hike (on foot) for a bit, then the rest of China and Mongolia and what not all the way to Japan. Well, now I'm back to checking out backpacks and sleeping bags, as those I might actually be able to afford! Oh, and as a bonus I'll be able to use them in my future XV-JP... (I wish).

Still, I wonder about spare parts, though. That's where a Landrover shines.

Since you mentioned these vans your more or less obligated to check out EarthRoamer (www.earthroamer.com), especially their newest one: the smaller XV-JP. Yum. I'd take a two year leave (make that ten) and travel the contitents with one of those had I owned one, srpinkled with hiking throughout. Just wondering about gasoline range when your in the middle of nowhere and possible enviromental issues but *drool*.

Otherwise you could probably get a Land Rover and fix it with a stick and a pack of gum should it ever fail you comparing to special parts needed for the Jeep.