The amount of people walking the streets of Tokyo was amazing to me. My friend and I stayed in Shibuya, one of the most densely populated locations in the city, and it was utterly shocking. I took a cool video from the 22nd floor of my hotel of the popular Shibuya crossing in action. Everyone patiently waits for the light to change and then madness ensues. Check it out.

The fine folks at Gothamist are reporting on a NYC DOT study that shows that New York City bicycle ridership is showing strong growth. This is good news for anyone who enjoys seeing the city government make New York more bicycle friendly.

New York’s PBS Channel Thirteen has put together an interesting three part series called Uncertain Industry on the state of New York City manufacturing. Per the website: “New York City was once the capital of American manufacturing. In 1950, the city boasted nearly one million manufacturing jobs. By 2007 that number had dwindled to one hundred thousand. Today’s manufacturers face stiff competition, space constraints, and high real estate prices.”

My travels have brought me to Tokyo for the next week or so. I’m traveling with my good friend Mark McNairy who works as the creative director for J. Press. Mark has spent significant time in Japan. So I’m not completely oblivious to the goings-on in this immense city. Some of my favorite finds thus far are below. A few more good store photos (if you are into that thing) can be seen on my site.

On the first day we stopped by Don Quijote and bought some Japanese coffee makers. Innovation really is everywhere here in Japan.

I couldn’t pass up the mini-brim hats. Perfect for riding my bike.

Everyone talks about the Tokyo vending machines for good reason, they are bonkers. The Uniqlo vending machine tee shirt store is cool too, if you are into that sort of thing.

Best store name I have seen so far. Bruce Pee.

The elevator ride in my hotel. Note the soccer field on the roof when I pan to the left.

I have always thought that a sure sign of aging was when one starts discussing commercials. As a kid I would constantly be subjected to my parents laughing with their friends about dumb commercials — saying things like “have you seen the one where…”

Just the other day, while I was watching my Cleveland Browns lay-the-smack-down on the defending Super Bowl champion New York football Giants, I found myself drooling over a Nike advert. I paused the game and sat down at my computer to get another look at the ad on YouTube. The Wieden + Kennedy produced commercial titled Fate: Leave Nothing, was directed by the respected filmmaker David Fincher (Fight Club, Panic Room, Zodiac, etc.) for Nike Football. The attention grabbing spot (note the action on the ultrasound in the first scene) is one of the best I have seen in some time. I must be getting old.

Fate: Leave Nothing starring the San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu. The song is a remixed version of Jay-Z’s Blueprint 2.

Michael Mann’s Nike Commercial — in the same vein — starring San Diego’s Shawn Merriman and St. Louis’ Steven Jackson.

Not necessarily commercials, but short films with the product as the center piece, a few years back BMW (as well as Mr. David Fincher, again) tapped Clive Owen and several well respected directors to put together a two season series titled BMW Films: The Hire.

Ambush directed by John Frankenheimer.

Guy Ritchie’s Star.

Tony Scott’s Beat the Devil.

Just like the first day of school, we are going to need a little time to get acquainted. If you read my men’s style blog A Continuous Lean, you will know a little bit about what sort of stuff (Americana, Japan, office products, track bikes, In-N-Out Burger, things made of canvas) that makes me tick. I have all sorts of varaying interests and thoughts that I am excited to share with you here on Selectism. I have been a big fan of this site for a quite some time and I want to extend my sincere thanks to Jeff and David for offering the opportunity to contribute. I promise not to let you down, but if by chance I do, it will be epic.