ノンアルコールビール

I am not sure how it started but walls of of non-alcoholic drinks are taking up valuable beer space in the markets and conbinis in Japan.  WHY???  This stuff is everywhere (even though I never see anyone buy it).

 

0% chance of fun times

There is REAL beer in every conbini, vending machine, grocery store and restaurant.  There is also the fake beer options of Happoshu and '3rd Beer' which provide twice the hangover for half the price.  So why all the trouble for non-alcohol?  I'm seriously asking, cause I'm not sure what the deal is.

My best guess is that Japan does not play games when it comes to drunk driving.  .03% is the legal limit.  Anything over and you get fed to Godzilla (citation needed).  Japan also has a HUGE drinking culture that dates back to when America was just a twinkle in Britain's eye, so there might be some pressure for designated drivers to drink something beer like during the festivities.

All joking aside, non-alcohol beer isn't too bad with vodka.

Driving in Okinawa

It kinda sucks that Okinawa doesn't have the fantastic train system that REAL Japan has.  If you want to go from one end of the island to the other, it's best to drive.  I just bought a Honda Fit and holy crap my first few hours behind the wheel have been life shortening.

It doesn't help that everything is backwards and I have to constantly think about not turning on the windshield wipers instead of turn signals.  I still reach for my left shoulder for my seat belt and try to shift with my right hand.  Once you stop having to think so much, the fun really begins because...

Okinawans are terrible drivers.  There are a bunch of rules you learn about when driving, like don't run red lights and to buckle up your kids when driving.  I've learned that these are just guidelines and there is no enforcement here of any kind here.

When a light turns red just run it!  I occasionally hear a honk behind me when the light turns yellow - I'm pretty sure the honk roughly translates to "run this light or me and the next 3 cars behind you are going to run your ass over."  And as for the kids situation, I've come to the conclusion that Okinawa hates their children.  Kids of all ages are just free roaming the front seat, getting a tan on the dash board, hanging head first out the window, or just jumping on their parent's laps.  What the hell is that all about?  Can somebody seriously tell me??

Terrifying experiences aside I can't wait to start riding my motorcycle here so I can REALLY risk my life.

Peach Airlines

I just took Peach Airways up to Kansai for new years and what an experience that was.  Peach is probably the cheapest airline I have ever flown, and for a very good reason.  They are absolutely no frills. 

First class?  Forget about it.
Free drink service?  HA!
Have legs or arms?  Too bad, no leg or elbow room.
Boarding gate?  Psh, you get shuttled to the outskirts of the airport and leave from the cargo hangar.  

Costs? as low as $45 for a 1000 mile flight.  Yeah, I'll take that.  And I'll definitely take it over flying in the US.  Flying in the US is a degrading and horrible experience.  When I fly domestic in Japan I can pack as much liquid as you want (BYOB!), keep my shoes and belt on, leave my id at home and just get to where you're going.  Imagine that...Where's your freedom now 'Merica?

8% Double Ume Chu-hai?  This is most certainly a 'carry-on' item.

Peach actually isn't bad at all considering the price.  The flight attendants are still cute and the price is unbeatable.  They also do throw some chairs, carpet, and a bathroom up in the cargo hangar which was mighty nice of them.  Plus there are vending machines and little shops so you can buy any drinks/snacks you may need for the flight.  I slept most of the 2.5 hour flight from Okinawa to Kansai, but I would imagine a longer flight would be a little more miserable given the above mentioned lack of comforts.

Flying Peach is often cheaper, and certainly faster, than the night bus, so I will most definitely be flying with them again.  Next stop, Tokyo?...Sapporo?...Haven't decided yet.

Fushimi-Inari Taisha

With all the time I've spent in Kyoto, it is crazy how I managed to avoid Fushimi Inari for 5 years. Apparently it is a common problem with everyone else I know in Osaka/Kyoto.  If you are one of those people who just haven't gotten around to checking out fushimi inari, you are missing out on some killer scenery.

I walked about an hour south of the Sanjo Station along the river to get there but I saw a lot of busses so if walking isn't your thing...don't go to fushimi inari.  Fushimi-Inari has a nice open area in the front (first picture below) but after that it is miles of walking up a mountain through torii.  The scenery is cool and the longer I walked the less people I saw, making for some decent photos.  Unfortunately I didn't make it to the top but that just gives me a reason to go back.

Though I didn't make it all the way to the top, that beer I had afterwards sure tasted good after walking a few miles up and down a mountain.

I took these with my iPhone but I'll bring my DSLR with me next time!

(Unfortunately?) Google has a street view of a small portion of the walk, but you really need to see it for yourself.

Nomunication

Now that I'm back in Japan, it's okay for me to talk about drinking (excessively?) and not sounds like a raging alcoholic.  Thank you Japan for helping me remain in the denial stage.

Drinking culture is crucial in Japan and not just because Japanese are uptight and need to unwind (which is not a bad reason). Drinking culture has its roots in Japan as far back as time and alcohol itself. I'm seeing it a lot now with the Bounenkai (drinking parties to 'forget the year') which are typically held in izakaya and bars.

Side note: I actually got a work email the other day from a coworker saying thanks for inviting him to the Bounenkai, but he is too hungover from the previous night's party to attend.  I think I'm going to fit in just fine at work.

As with all Japanese traditions, there is a process and rules you are expected to follow; have a few beers with coworkers for new years, fill your neighbor’s glass, drink a lot, etc. I forget the rules around drink 8, but there is a clear drinking culture and the best part is anything goes when you're drinking. The whole "I was drunk" excuse is more accepted here and you're almost expected to get a little weird and at least open up. I find that a little karaoke afterwards helps a bit.  Nothing forms bonds faster than a bunch of sloppy people enjoying good food, singing like idiots and just letting their guards down.  Some have coined this phenomenon of using beer to make friends as Nomunication (which is a clever combination of the word to drink, Nomu, and communication.

Here's to a great year and a lot more beers in the future.  I'll drink to that!