3 Favs

I have been missing the Nihon a lot lately (no surprise there), but I have been keeping my sanity with 3 little things that give me the taste of Japan, even though I`m stuck in this world of obesity and rudeness.

First - Tsubaki
This stuff is magic. I`m pretty sure its the Japan equivalent of Vidal Sassoon, its not all that expensive but it certainly does the job. It gets your hair soft and awesome (I think it even says that on the label). It does make your hair feel a little `heavy` though, but nothing a blow dryer and some wax cant fix.

Second - Movies. Particularly Shinobi and Hazard
I really enjoy and recommend these movies. Shinobi is essentially the Japanese Romeo and Juliet with rival ninja clans, but the action is sweet and its a good story. Hazard is a pretty unique story following a Japanese kid coming to New York so its got a good mix of Japanese and bad english. Odagiri Joe is in both of these movies, but he plays COMPLETELY different characters. Hazard was definitely the less popular movie, but I like it better - I strongly recommend this one. I like the main gang leaders way of mixing in Japanese words with his English and vice versa - its pretty fly.

Third - this may be a little hard for the rest of you, but Japanese Fashion
I was lucky enough to bring back a Japanese girl omiyage, so I get to see Japanese fashion quite a bit. Unfortunately she is not so in to gyaru fashion, but I`ll convince her soon enough. Yakusoku dayo.

Only Cool Kids Allowed

I suppose I should have said this about a year ago, but its better late than never.

One of the first things I was told upon arriving in Japan was to behave myself because I am an ambassador to America and white people in general. That being said, I have a few words for you anime, manga, and cosplay lovers-----Stay Home.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate you making me look cool, but its just not worth the damage you're dealing to the gaijin image. And I'm pretty sure you don't need to be in Japan to sit in your room and download anime.

I'm not trying to be rude, I'm just trying to save you a wasted trip. I saw these kids all the time in Japan. They referred to the local hirakata train station as 'downtown' and wore gundam and evangelion t-shirts and never really experienced Japanese culture. Real Japanese culture is not in Akihabara or Denden town (there are some certain places there that can be entertaining because of there 'creepy sad' atmosphere, but its not REAL Japanese culture). Real Japanese culture is out in the big cities' streets, malls, bars, and love hotels. You'll learn more about Japanese society there than inside any yaoi book.

America has brought in a lot of the weird Japanese culture and its giving people the wrong impression about what life is really like there. NEWSFLASH - people who are really in to DDR are just as lame in Japan as they are in America.

So if you're going to Japan, first delete anime from your 'interests' section of your facebook page. Next, grab a chu-hai and hit the streets and talk to some real people. Find out what Japanese people are doing with their lives and what they want to be (and if they know where the water hotel is); not what their favorite ファイファン character is or how many strokes their kanji is. Get out there and grab Japan by the kintamas! Don't be like these kids

Priorities

As I was applying for a Job today (based in Tokyo, but I'll take what I can get) I realized how much my priorities have changed from just a few short years ago. So let this be a warning for all of you - If you have any major plans that you REALLY want to see met, than don't go to Japan until you've met them. This place will change your life --->>>

In the past couple years my priorities have changed from finish college, find a decent paying job, build up some money, eventually buy a house, an settle down with a family TO get back to Japan by any means. All that other sissy stuff doesn't mean anything anymore. I will take living in Japan in an apartment the size of a refrigerator and making salary-man money over just about anything else. (as long as I'm not working at one of those ultra-conservative Japanese companies...nuts to that)

I'd be just fine with my Chu-hais and my bros. and maybe the lady friend...and some ambasa, a wii and onigiri senbei and umeshu - THATS ALL I WANT!

I'll try to find some way to explain how your mind will be blown by Japan - but while I think of the words, just watch this 8 year old rock your face off. He's Japanese by the way, go figure!

I'm too young for this

First of all, does anyone even read this???

Anyways, I'm about to graduate this semester (hopefully) , so I will be choosing a job soon. Thank you America for making my job decision easy - just take anyone willing to hire you in this crappy economy is much better than having to actually decide on something

I'm looking in to careers in Japan, but as you already know, working conditions in Japan are less than stellar. Teaching english isn't so bad, but I'm looking for something more permanent. AV and hosting would be sweet but I'm pretty sure its hard to get a visa for that.

A little note for anyone crazy enough to work for a Japanese company, you'll need to take the JLPT 2 at least, 1 is better. Study Study Study! With any luck I'll be taking the JLPT 2 in the next year or so.

This website might be helpful

K, thats it, stay classy

tanjoubi omedetou!

Well, after having a birthday in the US, it really makes me wish I wasn't here. There are so many party options in the good 'ol Nihon. Getting plastered in the largest city in the world is just one option. No designated driver is of course a bonus.

Lets not forget massage parlors, love hotels, girls bars, etc. I can't speak for the ladies, but all those ideas sound great.

The only problem is, how do I get back to Japan?? The JET program is always an option (you teach your native language in Japanese middle and high schools for a few years for low pay but a free place to live). But I'm not sure if you're allowed to stay in the country after your contract is up. Word on the street is that you can't just find another VISA sponsor, you get booted out. Anyone know if that's true or not?

Well, with any luck my next birthday post will not be in english...

Holiday Season Over

Hey Hey,

During the holiday season, it REALLY made me homesick for love hotels and fast food (as is the custom for the kids in Japan). To help myself through this difficult time, I have been making flavored alcohol similar to that of Ume-Shu, the greatest alcohol known to man. Its pretty simple really, so I felt I'd share.

Equal parts Ume (or other fruit) and some tasteless alcohol - vodka or shochu
Some rock sugar (or plain ass sugar if you don't have any)

Add more sugar if you need to later on, but you just poke holes in the fruit and mix the ingredients together and wait at least 6 months. Thats pretty much it.

don't forget to get crunk.

ホテルファイン

Well, its been days since I've told someone about the love hotel concept, so I'm here again to talk about the happiest place on earth, Hotel Fine.

Words don't do much justice, so if you click the link
you can see for yourself. I recommend clicking the media and watching the videos.

To be fair, I've only been to ファインガーデン梅田
There are at least 20 more Hotel Fines located throughout Japan. If the name ends in garden, its actually not the best, though it is awesome. If you find yourself if Kyoto, hit up the Grand Fine and be sure to tell me how it is.

I've attached a map to the Umeda location because...why not? Tell them Jon sent you and you'll get a discount.
haha, not really, but wouldn't that be sweet??

Perhaps the most beautiful thing I saw on the website is 24時間365日...I'm sure you can figure out what that means.

Much Love