A Japanese Cultural Experience

Harajuku

2009-03-29T22:52:00.009-04:00

Harajuku is an excellent section of town in Tokyo. It is most famous for being a great shopping district and also for the ridiculously dressed young girls it attracts.

Harajuku girls have become a worldwide phenomenon, and many have difficulty speculating why these young girls engage is such flamboyant behavior. I have my own little theory if anyone cares to hear it.

I explain it quite simply as a rebellious tendency formed to escape the overwhelming social pressure put on uniformity in Japan. To put it simply uniformity and team work are at the core of Japanese thought. I'll go more into this in another blog, it sounds great in Theory but in Practice it is actually quite limiting. But anyway I believe that these girls are just looking for a way to become individuals, I could be wrong but hey, who really knows for sure!

Check out the pics of Harajuku Girls!

Possibly one of the most famous streets in Tokyo is Takeshita St. If you say this ten times fast it might start to sound like something vulgar. But just go with it and have fun with it. lol Anyways, this street is crammed with little shops and stores and can get heavily crowded on weekends and days off. It is definitely a must see but seriously be prepared to have you personal space bubble popped when you enter this area during a peak time. Here are some pics below of what I'm talking about:

Meiji Jingu

2009-03-29T22:40:00.015-04:00

Meiji Jingu is a great little reprieve from the city life. It's convenient location makes it one of the top places to see in Tokyo. I definitely give it the thumbs up.

The thing that makes this place so cool is that it can be reached directly by getting off at the Harajuku stop, which I'm saving for another blog in itself.

Meiji Jingu can get a bit touristy but not to worry there is plenty of space to wonder and see many different things. My top two recommendations are the Meiji Jingu Gardens, which

will be incredible in the Spring time especially during the Cherry Blossoms, and Meiji Jingu Shrine.

Below is a shot of the Gardens during the dead of winter.

Meiji Jingu shrine is a massively complex shrine which almost looks like Asakusa just way scaled down without the whole mile long shopping district. In fact I really can't even make a comparison between the two.

The only thing I can say in Meiji Jingu Shrine is like a small traditional city once inside - check out this clip!

Video Of Meiji Jingu Shrine!

Oh! Be careful with which angle you take pictures of the main structure at. It is considered rude to take a shot of the Shrine head on, not to mention it it prohibited. You can take pictures of it but it must be on an angle!

The Shrine at Meiji Jingu

2009-03-29T22:30:00.000-04:00

Here is the Shrine City-like area above!

2009-03-27T09:19:00.004-04:00

Asahi SUPER 'DRY'

Asahi super dry, is a friendly Japanese brew, goes down quite smooth and is very popular with the masses of Japan. Asahi super dry is to Japan as Miller Lt. is to the United States.

Asahi Brewing Co. sponsors many sport events here in Japan and when you ask a Japanese person what their favorite beer is many will reply "Asahi Super Dry" more often than not.

To be honest it is a great default beer when the pub your at doesn't have what your looking for.

I am not a beer connosoire or anything but I'll attempt to describe the taste because Ironically, I just so happen to be sipping on one right now.

.... its got a light, carbonated taste initially.... followed by a crispy bite, not to hoppy but not to bitter either. Hm, yea its definitely a light beer.

You should try one for yourself!

Public Drinking is Entirely Legal!

2009-03-26T23:46:00.000-04:00

Me Poundin' a brew dog on the streets of Shinjuku!

Drinking in Japan

2009-03-26T23:06:00.003-04:00

Drinking in Japan is a very strange topic to approach. Cultural etiquette and reputation would have most believe that Alcohol use here is quite mild and pretty well controlled. This train of thought could not be anymore off the mark from reality than it is. Drinking in Japan is a monstrous disaster, and that's putting it lightly.

First of all, the laws surrounding alcohol are entirely opposite of those in most western nations. THERE IS NO LAST CALL or DRINKING CURFEW - I repeat there is no last call with the bars out here. Secondly, THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST DRINKING ON THE STREET IN PUBLIC! Please see my scientific documentary on putting this decree to the test.

Drinking on the Street is Entirely Legal!

These laws only contribute to the mess of factors that make Alcohol use in Japan such a sloppy and treacherous endeavor. I am not trying to belittle the race or people of Asia but I have noticed that Asian people react funny to alcohol consumption. For example: you can tell when someone of Asian decent has been drinking, their faces light up pink and their eyes kind of swell. Its kind of a similar but way more severe reaction to marijuana use.

Also, Alcohol use seems to offer some kind of escape from the daily stresses and is often times used as an excuse for bad behavior. Japanese people feel they can not be held accountable for things they do when they're drunk, this mentality is slowly fading.

The allergic reaction teamed with excessive drinking laws and abuse leads to a disgusting mess. Shinjuku station at 5 am is like a graveyard of Japanese people covered in Vomit and sometimes their own feces. (I'm not kidding) It's totally a disaster however, its also one that I enjoy taking part in every once in a while.

Akihabara

2009-03-26T01:06:00.008-04:00

Please check out the video clip before reading! It totally sets the stage for the following post!

There are

so many shops in Akihabara that in order to stand out Japanese go to unique and drastic measures. Like this young aspiring rapper above!

Akihabara - A.K.A. Electric town. When people think of Tokyo and its tightly crammed streets with bright lights and loud solicitors with microphones, Akihabara is actually the section of town they're thinking about. This area is one of the most highly trafficked places in Tokyo, packed with tourists, Manga geeks, and solicitors. Akihabara serves several functions. Firstly, you can buy electronics here dirt cheap. PC, Audio, Visual, and any other types of equipment you may need are sold here. Including L.E.D. lights and Digital cameras. The Amazing thing about Akihabara is that like the black market, you can buy and sell used appliances. It's Great!

I had to sell my MP3 player recently and made out like a bandit with the sale. It was so much easier just to hop on the Yamanote line and sell it here in person for cash on the spot than going though the whole listing process online. One of the best things is that even though you may be unfamiliar with the area and in's and out's of buying/purchasing here, almost everyone is willing to help you get things done.

Buying used software and products is actually quite a trustworthy enterprise and its not uncommon to see used and completely functional lab tops in the lows hundreds price range.

This place is perfect for its functionality(its an electronics trading market) but the cool thing is that it definately facilitates the tourist and gives you something to look at. The bright lights and hustle and bustle of sales is the epitomy of Japan!

Another cool feature and unique bit about Akihabara are the Akihabara Maids! It's and interesting marketing technique but check out the pic above to see these ladies in action.

World Baseball Classic

2009-03-25T10:58:00.004-04:00

Has anyone ever heard of this great tournament? Aw, it's okay me neither until I moved here to Japan. This up and coming Baseball competition is the global equivalent to something like the World Cup is to Soccer. I think its about three years old but still it sounds like a brilliant idea.

Unfortunately for me it seems to be the pride and joy of Japan's worldly athletic feats due to their recent victory.

Apparently, there was an intense face off between the Japanese team and the American team. This resulted in a Victory for Japan. I think I would be a bit bitter if had been following this tournament much less aware of it when it started. But to be honest I am happy for Japan, every good American loves a story of the underdog winning. Congratulations Japan!

It's a pity though that the American team was not strong, It's kinda tough to explain to people that baseball is no longer 'America's favorite Pastime'. This will be an interesting event to follow in the upcoming years!

Here is some more information: World Baseball Classic

Textbooks and Learning Tools

2009-03-25T06:23:00.002-04:00

GENKI 1

Genki 1 is an excellent first book, I've been using it for quite some time right now and am finding it very easy to follow. The best thing about it is that it is definately producing results for me. It comes with a CD and a workbook for you to track and your progress and review each lesson.

If you a getting started with japanese I would definately recommend this to be your first textbook.

ROSETTA STONE

Rosetta Stone: Japanese; in conjunction with my other learning materials I am also using Rosetta Stone for Japanese to help me with my listening and speaking. Although, I live in Japan it is very difficult to find someone to talk too who is willing and patient enough to answer pronouciation questions. In my humble opinion Rosetta Stone is not the knight in Shining armour its made out to be. I am basically using it because I spent 200 american dollars on it and anytime I drop that amount of money I make sure its worth the investment.

MINNO NO NIHONGO

Minno no nihongo and Hiragana times are also other resources my friends are using. I personally have no experience with them but I believe Hiragana times is geared more for the advanced staged learners.

Any questions about things just ask!

Matsuya

2009-03-25T05:50:00.004-04:00

Matsuya offers a method of ordering that is becoming increasingly popular in Tokyo. You literally purchase a ticket from a machine, which actually doubles as your receipt, and present it to the worker. The worker will then prepare your order. (or shout the order outloud demanding it to be cooked immediately)

Matsuya is nice but personally, I am a Sukiya man myself. In my opinion their Gyudon is certainly not their strong point. If you were to visit a Matsuya, I would definately recommend their Japanese Curry. It's a delicious blend and comes in a hearty portion size which should fill you up. It's not to spicy and not to dull, just the perfect brew! The price is great too coming in at about Y460. Traditionally, Matsuyas can be spotted by their uniquely colored and designed sign see above!

Sukiya

2009-03-25T05:42:00.002-04:00

Ahhh!! The incredible Sukiya, by far one of my most favorite establishments in Japan! Sukiyas in Tokyo can be identified by their Red Signs. They offer one of the best varieties of food for a 'gyudon' shop. Because their menu is so expansive you will almost always leave this place with a full belly and satisfied.

Among the amazing dishes that Sukiya offers is the Donburi (rice bowl with assorted meat of your choice) Cheesu!

I would like to meet the genius who decided to sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the beefbowl. It might just be the American in my coming out, because as you know we put cheese on everything!

But my goodness is the Gyudon Cheesu magical or what? This is definately one of my favorite meals here in Japan and whenever I am down I pop in my local Sukiya and get myself one of these bad boys!

Try it you will not be let down!

Yoshinoya

2009-03-25T05:41:00.002-04:00

In the Gyudon world their are three main competitors in Japan. Yoshinoya, Sukiya, andMatsuya.

By far the most renowned establishment in Japan is Yoshinoya. It is easy to see why Japanese love this particular chain so much.

Currently the regular sized Gyudon (Nami de) is priced at Y380. You can't beat this price per portion size anywhere else in Japan.

The menu is simple and the price is even more modest than the other two competitors. AlthoughYoshinoya does not offer the same variety of food as Matsuya and Sukiya, you can order yourGyudon with extra sauce at no extra cost.

A Japanese person taught me the linguistic command which sounds something like (Toi-YoDaku).

But as with most interactions in Japanese, you'll probably have to repeat it several times until they understand what you mean.

Trust me, if you order this successfully, you're in for a real treat.

How to make Gyudon!

2009-03-25T05:06:00.002-04:00

I promised to list the ingredients in my last blog but the artistic beauty of this video mandated that I link it to my website. Please check it out so you can fully understand the deliciousness of this meal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1mvYnRJX70

Strangely this narrating dog sounds French, but even if you don't live in Japan, you can still atleast relate to it's awesomeness!

Gyudon

2009-03-24T04:02:00.003-04:00

Seriously, everybody needs to eat atleast one gyudon in their lifetime. 'Gyudon', Also, known as the 'beefbowl', has been my inspiration for the last several months. To break the ingredients down simply would do this beast no justice. But I'll do it any way. It's basically a bowl half full of rice, with delicious slivers of juicy beef, and onion cutlets piled on top. This whole contraption is soaked down in its own mouth watering broth... I think I've just inspired myself, yep... yes I have..

Alright, I need one right now and my mouth is watering, I'll be right back... heres a pic you can look at while I'm gone.

THE BEEF BOWL

Haha Alright, the scary thing is that I did literally go buy one. This is a must try, and it is unfortunate you cannot eat a legitmate one outside of Japan. Their are several different restaraunt chains that specialize in the Gyudon but I'll talk about these in other posts. See my Ingrediants post if you would like to attempt to recreate this deliciousness.

Asakusa

2009-03-24T03:19:00.004-04:00

Asakusa is definately one of the most traditional looking places in Japan with its ancient Shrines and beautiful structures. Anthony and I are basically awestruck by this place!

Hiking up Mt. Takao

2009-03-24T03:18:00.000-04:00

Hiking Mt. Takao is mildly difficult. I say this because I remember hiking down and being surpassed by 90 year old Japanese women. This doesn't say anything about the difficulty of hiking the mountain, just how out of shape I am. But yea, basically there are about 6 different routes to take in and around the Mountain. I recommend definately finding one that gets you to the peak.

If you get there later in the day or just don't feel like hiking there are other options:

The Chairlift The Cable Car

I am not gonna lie I took the The Cable Car up and refuse to upload the video footage!

Mt. Takao

2009-03-24T03:17:00.000-04:00

Here is the Glorious Mt. Takao! Only one hour from Tokyo, it is so worth the time and effort getting up!

Shibuya

2009-03-24T00:45:00.009-04:00

Shibuya is a trendy section of town here in Tokyo. It's famous for it's posh shopping districts and great nightlife. It also offers a great eating district and believe it or not while wondering around I found an Outback Steakhouse! This district is becoming more popular with a lot of young Tokyoites.

Here is a shot of Shibuya by day. Shibuya is famous

for one of the busiest cross walks in the world. To the left is a shot from Hachiko square and below is a before and after shot of the ensuing madness. In the before shot the 'Don't cross' Symbol is being displayed. In the after, the 'Green man' indicator is on. I like to refer to this phenomenom as a sea of people.

Before After

The legend of Hachicko is just about the coolest Japanese folklore I've ever heard.

The Story is that Hachiko used to meet his Master at Shibuya station at the same time everyday for

years, until one day his master did now show up. His owner had passed away.

Hachiko being the incredibly loyal dog that he was showed up at the Station everyday at the same time for the last 15 years of his life.

This story inspires legendary loyalty that Japanese people take pride in.

Statue of Hachiko in Hachiko Square Shibuya (Picture)

Train Etiquette

2009-03-24T00:11:00.003-04:00

Here are just a few simple guidelines to obeying Japanese etiquette while on the train. Of course depending on where you are these can vary. Tokyo is a more progressive city so the penalties when these are violated can be less harsh.

First and foremost mind the 'silver sections'. These are the areas at the end of each car that are set aside for elderly, handicapped, pregnant, and just flat out cranky people. The rules are the strictest and penalties most harsh around these areas. Do not worry if you pay attention these areas are clearly designated by different color seats and indicators on the floor. You must not sit down if any of the people listed above are standing. ( This is just common courtesy and should be obeyed throughout the whole train. You must turn off all electronic devices including cell phones and certaintly MP3 players. You are not to talk loudly to those around you in these areas.
Almost equally important to remember is that cell phone use on the train is extremely prohobited. If violated you may be scolded verbally and at the very least you will not escape the death stares from the entire car. Texting is fine just don't talk on the phone.
Listening to music in your headphones is acceptable, so long as you are aware of the people around you and not completely in your own world when it comes to blocking the door. I have been repremanded several times for listening to my headphones to loudly. It is considered a nuisance and is not tolerated. So just keep the noise to a minimum.
The entrance/exit procedure for getting on and off the train is universally recognized. Always step aside when waiting to get on the train because those getting off must be comepletly exited before you can get on. Everyonce in awhile you'll see an ignorant salaryman try to jump the gun and get on but the masses exiting almost always prevail in keeping him in line, forcing him to wait until the car is exited.
Do not enter the train with excess baggage, all you backpackers out there who love your gigantic rucksacks need to be very mindful. If you plan on riding for more than 2 stops please put your bag on the overhead shelf.

So all said and done, just try not to be a nuisance to the people around you. The name of the game here is to not bother anyone.

Riding the Train (Clip)

2009-03-24T00:05:00.006-04:00

Here is a snazzy little clip of what its like to get on the train at Shinjuku. This particular train is not so crowded but you can see pretty easily how it might get out of control. The very existence of this footage directly violates a few guidelines of my next post 'train eitiquette'. But just roll with it, it's cool.

Also, pay no attention to Anthony's crazy eyes in the outro. lol we were just having a laugh!

Romaji

2009-03-23T22:57:00.002-04:00

Romaji - What is it?

No, romaji is not a board game where you roll dice and crazy animals jump out at you forcing you to escape and live in a jungle for thirty years. Romaji is the translation of Japanese words through the use of the Latin Alphabet.

As I said previously, there are three different 'alphabets' used in the Japanese language; katakana, hiragana, and kanji. I should've corrected myself to say there are four main alphabets in Japan because Romaji is very common and all Japanese people who have attended elementary school post WW2 have been taught to read and write romanized Japanese.

You may have been wondering this also, but I used to ask myself, How do Asian people type if they have different alphabets than us. Well its simple, Romanization is the most common way to input Japanese into word processors and computers.

Just a wee F.Y.I. before I let you go, many people incorrectly translate the word romaji, as romaNji with an N.

Trains

2009-03-23T22:40:00.003-04:00

In Tokyo, the train system is very easy to follow and get used to. The Japanese have made it very foreigner friendly and added the romaji-nized spelling to most signs and stations. A few things you should note about Japans train system in General are; they are extremely punctual and wait for no-one. Doors will attempt to shut regardless of the position of you body limbs. Trust me on this one I have seen and experienced some close calls. Trains can also get extremely packed during 'rush hour' this is not only uncomfortable but depending on your location in the car, it can be threatening and dangerous.

So, I said before that trains in Japan are almost always on time, however, there is one issue that needs to be brought out quite delicately into the open here. Suicide by train, also known as 'Jumpers'. Unfortunately, this is a pretty common practice and I'll look up the statistics for you in a future blog.

Aside from these things a major, major noteworthy point is 'train etiquette' and as a foreigner I recommend you proscribe to these social boundaries in order to not stand out anymore than you already do.

* look for further explanations on my homepage and other blogs when you see italicised items

Akihabara: The Young Aspiring Artist

2009-03-23T05:28:00.000-04:00

This footage was taken in the Electric town area of Akihabara. It is not uncommon that stores send an employee on the streets to entice customers in. This particular store is my favorite. Enjoy the Clip!

Japanese Police

2009-03-23T03:49:00.000-04:00

The police are hard at work fighting crime. Look at the unusual stance of this particular officer.

Sushi: Conveyor belt action!

2009-03-23T03:31:00.000-04:00

Yes, it is true Sushi Conveyor belts do exist. Haha enjoy this marvel!

Shibuya at night

2009-03-23T03:22:00.000-04:00

This is just a short clip of Hachiko Sq. in Shibuya at night.

Introduction to Japanese Language

2009-03-23T01:00:00.004-04:00

Learning Japanese, like learning any other language, can be difficult and frusterating. I have been at it for only a short period of time but I am seeing positive results. If you are someone who is trying to learn Japanese, here are the basics of the Language,soon to be followed by techniques, materials, links and information on products to help you succeed.

Alphabets:

Katakana - Used for new English words, basically a more boxy version of Hiragana

Hiragana - Japanese alphabet, kind of like cursive katakana

Kanji - taken from the Chinese, 2000+ words in everyday use, very difficult, pictographs similar to Heiroglyphics of Egypt

Linguistic etiology:

Not tonally emphasized like most Asiatic languages, when people think of Asian languages the tend to imitate a tonal wave in their head. This is not at all how Japanese sounds.

SOV vs SVO:

Unlike English the verb always comes at the end of sentence, no exceptions! For example;

Japanese: English:

Ringo wa desu. It's an Apple.

Subject/Object and Verb Subject Verb Object

Polite Tense:

Quite a complex system of honorifics which reflect on the hierarchical natured of Japanese society.Its best to learn polite Japanese and chop it down as you become more comfortable with the language and people.Verb forms and some vocabulary indicate the status of the speaker, and the listener. I've been told foreigners speak Japanese too politely. But better safe than sorry.

Simplification:

Japanese speaker's like to cut down sentences to include many times just an object/subject and verb/ so written Japanese and spoken can be very different. Again, this shortening can be used to reflect the relationship a level of comfort between speaker and listener.

Gyo-za

2009-03-23T00:35:00.003-04:00

GYOZA! Gyoza are some of the most delicious delicacies I've stumbled on in Japan. The recipe was originated in China, but throughout the years it has become increasingly popular in Japan.

They are extremely tasty little treats consisting of various veggies, pork and spices. All wrapped in a bundle of deliciously friend dough! Talking about them is making me hungry!

Check out the ingredients below.

Gyoza Ingredients!

2009-03-23T00:25:00.000-04:00

Ingredients:
(30 Gyoza)

Dough:
170 mL water
200 g strong flour
Filling:
200 g ground pork
Cabbage
Nira*: can be substituted by leek or green onion
Leek or Green onion
Garlic
Ginger
Sake*
Soya sauce, salt, and pepper
Sesame oil
Dipping Sauce:
Soya sauce
Vinegar

* These ingredients may not be available in Western supermarkets, but no worries the alternative tastes just as wonderful!

Getting to Mt. Takao

2009-03-22T23:43:00.001-04:00

Hiking Mt. Takao is a Must Do if you are visiting Tokyo and the Surrounding area. The scenery is not only beautiful but peaceful and serene. Takao is located approximately an hour by train from the bustle of the city center. It's extremely easy to get to and is very accessible from any location in the city. You have two routes to choose from:

Chuo Line (Takes between 45 mins and 1 hour) but requires a switch to the Keio Line, but no worries its only one stop to Takao-San Guchi Station.

The Keio Line (Takes Approximately 47 minutes and costs Y370 one way) but it will take you straight there and cost less.

If you're staying in Tokyo and need a breather from the Urban hustle this is a perfect reprieve.

Purpose: Mission Statement

2009-03-22T10:57:00.000-04:00

As for most endeavors in our lives, I feel that we have a purpose for doing things. (or atleast we should) I want to make it clear in my very first posting the purpose or reason for starting this Blog. My goal is to inform, and convey information to the outside world about various aspects and dealings in Japan. I wish to give insight to those living outside Japan and hopefully add some understanding of what it might be like to live here. With this said, I need to add a disclaimer, I am not a traditional person nor are my perspectives and views.
So... Strap on your boots, Pal - your in for a wild ride.