Train Stations in Japan have jingles; at least the stations on the JR Yamanote line do- when the trains pull in and when they pull out. They’re bright, cheery, and last about 10 seconds. I suppose they let us know- OK, now it’s time to get on the train. Now it’s time to get off. Oops, mind the gap! Each train station has a different jingle – Buddha alone knows why, perhaps so the blind know where they are – but now an enterprising toy-maker has produced a range of collectible key-chains that burble out the full range. Who needs Pokemon?
Ikebukuro Jingle Key-Chain, at Ikebukuro Station.
I found these chaps at a store at the end of Ginza, a whole rack of all the stations on the loop in miniature. I live in Mejiro, but couldn’t easily find one for that, so just went with Ikebukuro- which is bigger and I also live there anyway. It cost about 500 yen and there is no chance I will use it as a key-chain- the jingle button is hyper-sensitive and would be going off all the time. Embarrassing!
Lovely bright packaging.
I’m going to try something different with this toy- a kind of tombola competition. I want links to my website- because that makes my website awesome and upticks my Technorati and Pagerank authority. What do I need that for? Ha, I don’t know! Anyway- bloggers want links back to their blogs. And people, maybe, want this super-awesome jingle key-chain.
The key-chain, or the actual station? I can’t tell.
So, here’s what to do if you want this key-chain, and also the next 3 toys / games products I feature on this site, over the next month. Link to my site from your site. Sorry, forums and sidebars don’t count, it has to be in the main body. Then comment on this post, with the link to your site linking to me- so I can check. We both get links. You’re in with a chance to win awesome J-goodies!
At the end of March I’ll draw a winner (by checking your link in the comments) and send, yes by post, the gear to the chosen winner. Rock on?
Key-chain? Station?
.
Ikebukuro!
And of course- video of both of the chimes:
Ikebukuro Keychain Jingle from Michael John Grist on Vimeo.
TOMBOLA RULES
1- Link to me on your blog (not forum or sidebar).
2- Comment on this post or one of next 4, including link to your site with link to me.
3- Sit back and wait for the goodies to roll on in!
LINKS
You can see my other Toys / Games articles in the Toys / Games gallery.
If you like this post, why not link to it, or leave a comment? Thanks.