Mottekaero jDonuts

A Thursday Affair

2008-08-21T09:00:00.000+09:00

Penguin found a Scary Kindergarten wall. With a caption right out of icanhazacheeseburger, it's a good one. Personally I think the picture is more alone the lines of "Can't sleep, Clown'll eat me."

La Fuji Mama found a slice of Japan in California. With Book Off, Beard Papa and a good Udon shop, it'll give you a taste of Japan in America. Very good if you are feeling homesick for Japan.

Tom suggests a tax on convenience stores that are open 24hours. I think this would be a bad idea as any increased taxes will simply be passed on in the form of higher prices. No thanks.

Neil found some good looking Ramen in Shinjuku. Very traditional, even with the small brown glass of water.

Are you a Japan blogger? Do you want an interview? Contact Me!

Drunk Guy On The Train

2008-08-20T09:00:00.001+09:00

Here's an example of why Open Bar is a bad idea.

I found this champion on my way to work one Saturday morning. It was an 08:00 train and I could be sure he was in this state from the night before. When I was sure he was out like a light, I snapped these.

He is holding a packet of cigarettes like it's an ice pack keeping his face cool, or something.

I tried to wake him up when we reached the end of the line, I figured I owed him that much for entertaining me by his paralysed presence. However he merely opened his eyes and then closed them again. He was alive and I decided that was all I would do, and went to Starbucks.

At this point I must state that I am no angel. In the past I too have consumed too many drinks and passed out in some inopportune location, I just didn't do it in public. Also I have learnt my lesson about alcohol, where my limits are and I keep under them.

But it's a youth that's poorly spent if you haven't woken up somewhere different to where you just took a quick nap!

Orion Beer

2008-08-19T09:00:00.000+09:00

Here's some more pictures from Okinawa.

Okinawa's local beer, Orion!

It was good, it was clean, it was refreshing and it was forgettable. I enjoyed drinking it but it didn't make me go "wow, I wish this was available in Tokyo".

If you have tried it also in Okinawa, did you feel the same way?

Working Too Much

2008-08-18T09:00:00.000+09:00

Am I becoming a Japanese Salary Man?

Am I working too much?

As I work Sat-Wed, my work week is a little odd. Couple that with the fact that I work from 10:00-21:00 on Mondays, it's a pretty strange middle of the "week" for me.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job. Teaching English has become the most rewarding job in my entire life.

I just sometimes wish that the hours were a little more "normal".

In Japan, the toilets

2008-08-16T09:00:00.000+09:00

This is an internet classic about Japanese toilets. If you are interested, why not read my thoughts about Traditional Japanese Toilets and Electronic Toilets in Japan.

Engrish Notebook

2008-08-15T09:00:00.000+09:00

What do you use this sensible notebook?

This one belongs to one of my students. Thanks M.M for letting me photograph this, and thanks again for the cereal!

A Thursday Affair

2008-08-14T09:00:00.001+09:00

Badaunt's man witnessed someone fainting in the supermarket. For anyone that would be quite a scary / surreal experience. But apparently it happens all the time.

Mel has given up on Summer. I agree, Summer in Japan is too humid and too cloudy. The number of mildly sunny days this Summer (by my Australian standards) can be counted on two hands. I prefer Winter in Japan and Summer in Australia.

The Penguin has been back in Japan Six Months. That also feels like the time between updates on his blog. More Posts Please!

Tom has provided us with photos of Sendai Tanabata.

And Lina likes Ultraman so much that she mentioned the Ultraman Goggles I found earlier. I link to her linking to me.

Hello Kitty Postage Stamps

2008-08-13T09:00:00.000+09:00

Here's another one to impress a fellow blogger, Azumarisan.

We have a collectors set of ￥50 & ￥80 stamps featuring the sickeningly cute Hello Kitty / Kitty Chan.

I would have to question a guys sexuality if he used these.

Ultraman Goggles

2008-08-12T09:00:00.000+09:00

When looking at swimming goggles recently I found these and immediately thought of Lina.

For only ￥1300 you can be the coolest kid in school with your very own pair of Ultraman Swimming Goggles!

Back to the Future, August 2007

2008-08-11T09:00:00.000+09:00

Was it a year ago that I started using iTunes? I can't believe it!

I was very pleased with the price I got for a 4gig memory card. Now the thing is worth ￥500, maybe?

I discovered a place selling NewZealand steak. It's not ￥750 any more... Sigh...

We started moving into our new apartment and my son turned one! Has it really been a year? Really?

I moved into this domain and found Pikachu at the local Toyota.

Engrish T-Shirt, The First Time

2008-08-08T09:00:00.000+09:00

The First time
Song is for you
It's she grooves
C-Seventeen

WTF!

White Cola

2008-08-07T09:00:00.000+09:00

Finally, a new Cola product that doesn't suck as hard as Pepsi Blue Hawaii did.

It's difficult to say how it tasted. It was good, kind of creamy. Give it a try if you come across it.

Muji, the No Brand - Brand

2008-08-06T09:00:00.003+09:00

Have you ever walked around a Muji store? It's so peaceful and the time spent inspecting their merchandise, you could feel as though you are simply checking out your own belongings.

At Muji the products are simple but not boring. Distinctive yet not garish. Each product has a quality of it's own and yet doesn't draw attention to itself. Around our home or on my desk, the stuff I have from Muji blends itself in the easiest, regardless of what surrounds it.

It's this timeless & universal quality to their products that I love. Each item is unbranded the same way you would expect a No Frills item to be, but in a simple and elegant manner. The products stand and fall on their individual quality, not the brand. This is so refreshing for me.

If you only have a limited time for your visit to Japan, you cannot go past spending an hour or two in a Muji store just to look around, drink in the ambiance and maybe find an item or two to make your home more complete. For me as the serious shopper I cannot fault their attention to detail and quality.

Japan Vs China

2008-08-05T09:00:00.001+09:00

Recently I was contacted by BBC radio about an interview to discuss my views about how the Chinese economy was about to surpass the Japanese economy to be No.2 in the world. While I didn't actually get interviewed, I gave it some thought and figured I'd publish a post about it.

The question I was asked by the show producer was "what do Japanese people think about the growth of the Chinese economy?" My answer was that they don't give a rats ass.

Japan cares more about the direction of trading partners like America and Europe more than it cares about China. Why? Because that's comparing apples with apples. Comparing China to Japan is like comparing apples and bananas. They are not the same.

Japan, Europe and America are all 1st world democracies. (Europe is a collection of democracies, but lets ride this idea out and generalise, ok?) People enjoy a fair degree of Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Movement, Access to education & a 1st world standard of living. Compare the life of the 1st world factory worker VS that of a Chinese factory worker to see the differences.

Sure the gap between the haves and have-nots in these regions are growing but nowhere are the differences so large as in China. If a worker in a 1st world country loses a limb, they can expect health care, rehabilitation and some kind of compensation. Lose a limb in China and you need to fight a corrupt legal system that favours the factory bosses.

For the time being Japanese people are concerned about Chinese militarism and Contaminated Chinese products more than their displacement as the No.2 world economy.

Double Zeppin Burger

2008-08-04T09:00:00.000+09:00

Do you remember the Zeppin Burger at Lotteria?

It's still around, but now it has brought it's big brother to the battle of the burgers in Japan.

Now we have the Double Zeppin Burger and it's so bad that it's good.

Here we have the burger under it's unassuming cover with Medium Fries and Drink for ￥780.

Bam! A double helping of that meaty goodness that makes me scream for more. Real meat & real cheese, not that Frankenstein creation they serve at McDonalds.

Nom Nom Nom. Oh it's good.

I'm not sure if these babies are out for a limited time or not, but if you have the chance DO NOT go past the opportunity.

Eight Gigs?

2008-08-02T09:00:00.000+09:00

Recently I withdrew some of the money I made from selling EntreCard credits into my bank account. I had outgrown my 256M flash drive and decided to splurge on something new.

At ￥2990 for Eight Gigs from Dos Para, I was astounded at how cheap they had become. I was tempted to buy the Sixteen but decided against it as by the time I fill up the Eight something much bigger will be the same price.

Engrish T-Shirt, Big Boast

2008-08-01T09:00:00.000+09:00

Very Great Existence, Big Boast
King of the Natural World
Strong Willpower
FIGHTING TRIM

WTF?

Interview with FujiMama

2008-07-31T10:00:00.000+09:00

Today I'd like to introduce you to a fellow Japan blogger, Fuji Mama of lafujimama.blogspot.com

1. Tell jDonuts readers a little bit about yourself.

I'm an American that just moved back from living in Japan for the second time with my husband and little girl. I work in the legal field and am a complete Japanophile. My husband jokes that I was born in the wrong country. (me too! C.)

2. Why did you start blogging about Japan?

I had been thinking about starting a blog for a while. I read lots of blogs written by other people around the world, and decided that it was time that I share my own experience because it was selfish to keep it to myself. Not that I think I have an extraordinarily interesting life, because I don't, but I know that I am always interested to know about how people live in other countries, and to learn tidbits about those countries. So, I figured that if I was interested in learning about that kind of thing, someone out there might be interested in those things from my perspective. If nothing else, I figured it was a way to collect my thoughts on life. (I hope to see you around more on jDonuts in future C.)

3. Why have you continued blogging about Japan?

Japan continues to be a major source of my inspiration, whether it be in the kitchen, in what I decide to read, or in my crafting.

4. What Anime character are you most like and why?

Hmmmm, maybe Mei Kusakabe, the younger sister in My Neighbor Totoro, because I'm determined, imaginative, and always willing to see the magic in things. (Did you say that because I'm a Totoro Fan? C.)

5. If you only had one day in Japan and ￥10,000 what would you do and why?

I would go to a sumo tournament. I love sumo, and what better way to spend one day than to do it in the presence of giant men throwing each other around?

6. What are two of your favorite posts (on your own blog) and why?

1) Bottled Fuji: I love this post because it sums up a lot of my feelings on Japan. (the photos on this one are SUPER cute C.)

2) What is food to one is to others bitter poison: This was just a fun post to write!

7. What are two of your favorite posts (on other Japan blogs) and why?

1) Roll Call: This post is short but had me laughing so hard that I was in tears.

2) Can You Hear The Potatoes Singing: The sweet potatoes that the yakiimo vendors sell have to be one of my favorite treats in Japan, and I loved Geisha Interrupted's idea of the stages of culture shock caused by this cultural phenomenon. I myself am in the stage of potato acceptance.

8. Go crazy after this, say anything you like! (but please keep child safe)

Come on over and check out La Fuji Mama. In the near future I'll be writing a bit more on the differences I notice between Japan and the US as I try to readjust, the things I miss, and my adventures in trying to teach myself to cook Japanese food.

9. Who would you like to see interviewed next? (Max 3)

1) Blue Lotus: blue_moon.typepad.com/blue_lotus
2) Moonstitches: moonstitches.typepad.com/moonstitches
3) Obachan's Kitchen: kokonuggetyumyum.blogspot.com

And here we have the 5th in our series of Japan Blogger interviews. If you want to be interviewed, just Contact Me!

A Thursday Affair

2008-07-31T09:00:00.001+09:00

It's time to hold another Thursday Affair.

The best of the week in Japan blogging brought to you by old Uncle Contamination.

This week BadAunt found a rather surprising wheelbarrow type figurine in a shop window. It too made me do a double take.

Mel went stellar with internet fame. She was interviewed by the Japan Times! Congratulations Mel!

See where an interview with Uncle Contamination can get you?

Tom finally got his Japanese Drivers Licence. But I already had him beat by seven months on mine. Nyaa....

EngrishMan bought a new TV. I am now waiting for an invitation to his place so we can play PS3 together on it.

Evening Okinawa Skyline

2008-07-30T09:00:00.000+09:00

Here is the evening skyline from the resort in Okinawa.

It was so peaceful and quiet. Sigh...

Bike Parking

2008-07-29T09:00:00.000+09:00

I'm often annoyed by the number of bicycles that are parked everywhere. They always get in my way and I have no problem with kicking them over if some careless & inconsiderate idiot has parked it in a bad spot.

However the city where I work has started to do something constructive about them, auto bike parking & lock systems.

I haven't checked if there are instructions in English or not, but I must say that my trip from the school to the bank is a LOT easier now that the clutter of bicycles has disappeared.

On The Beach in Okinawa

2008-07-28T09:00:00.001+09:00

The sand on the beach was filled with coral pieces, so my son had a blast playing with his Anpanman Beach set that he was given by one of my students. (Thank you M.Y) As there was coral pieces everywhere, I must give my wife credit for the great idea to buy marine shoes to protect our toes. It wasn't dangerous, but it wouldn't be comfortable on bare feet.

We were making faces of Anpanman and Baikinman in the sand as well as collecting Hermit Crabs in the bucket.

And here we are, out on one of the floating platforms inside the protective nets. It was so deep out there I couldn't stand any more.

A Taste Of Home

2008-07-27T09:00:00.000+09:00

Look what arrived through the post!

For this Australian guy, sometimes feeling a little home sick, my loving wife knows how to cheer me up! An assortment of 10 pies came via frozen delivery for ￥3800 + ￥900 for delivery and have proven to be a real "taste from home".

No Tattoos Allowed

2008-07-26T09:00:00.002+09:00

Anyone who knows even the smallest amount about Japanese culture knows of the connection between the Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) and tattoos. It has always been an easy way to determine who is a regular person of good character and who is a Mafia member.

Thus rather than directly refusing entry to the Mafia, it's easier to simply ban tattoos in general.

I was a little surprised when I came across this sign at the station recently.

It reads (taken from the Summerland Website)

As a general rule, people affiliated with mobsters or criminal organizations are not allowed to enter the premises. The same applies to people wearing tattoos. This rule will become effective on 1 July 2008 and applies to the entire premises of Tokyo Summerland. Any people found to be ignoring the above rule will be asked to leave.
※Tattoos: including body sticker and body paint.

While to some this may be a surprising form of discrimination, to me it's a part of Japanese culture. In the west the idea of getting a tattoo is an expression of rebellion, the freedom to mutilate your body in any way you see fit. You are free to call it "art" and I am free to call it a "tramp stamp".

Here in Japan tattoos are a mark of criminal association or bad character. Just because it's tolerated back home, don't expect it to be tolerated here.

What A Lovely Day

2008-07-25T21:00:00.000+09:00

What a lovely Japanese Summers day!

First start off with a quick dip at the local pool. ￥150 for an adult, children under 3 are free. My son really enjoyed himself.

Next, a simple lunch at Saizeriya. I made sure to fill up on caffeine at the drink bar.

And then off to CostCo to pick up some essentials like the National Geographic & a big, bright beach towel.

Wrap it off with a new Lilo & Stitch bag from a local store and being able to watch the evening thunderstorm roll through from my balcony with my Son in one arm and a beer in the other.

Today was a great day.

Just a perfect day,
Drink Sangria in the park,
And then later, when it gets dark,
We go home.
Just a perfect day,
Feed animals in the zoo
Then later, a movie, too,
And then home.

Oh it's such a perfect day,
I'm glad I spent it with you.
Oh such a perfect day,
You just keep me hanging on,
You just keep me hanging on.

Just a perfect day,
Problems all left alone,
Weekenders on our own.
It's such fun.
Just a perfect day,
You made me forget myself.
I thought I was someone else,
Someone good.

Oh it's such a perfect day,
I'm glad I spent it with you.
Oh such a perfect day,
You just keep me hanging on,
You just keep me hanging on.