Interesting Stuff

For Cosplayers - Cosplay.com is opening up a new wig store with wigs imported from Japan but redesigned to accommodate larger heads. Yay~ I have a big head and I used to have a LOT of hair, so I'd get headaches even with larger wigs. Hopefully my chopped off hair shall fix this, but yeah. Take a look yourself.

http://www.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=210984

Japanese Convenience Stores - Foreigners Godsend or Not so Convenient?

So I've done a bit of research on conbini or convenience stores in Japan. There are SEVERAL different chains including:

• Seven-Eleven
• Lawson
• Family Mart
• Circle K Sunkus
• Daily Yamazaki
• Mini Stop
• am pm
• Coco Store
• Seico Mart

Google maps actually shows all the little labels for conbini over the building. There are MORE that just what google shows, but it gives you an idea. Familiarizing yourself with such icons is important because it'll help you if you need to grab a quick bite to eat or if you need batteries for your camera. You don't HAVE to know Japanese to be able to get around. Just google the store and you should get an icon.

While conbini are everywhere, they aren't necessarily the cheapest option. Think of it like shopping at 7-11 all the time. Good for snacks, but not really for grocery shopping, right? In Japan, conbini also serve pre-made meals which can be heated up for you. This is a decent option for lunch (a meal would be around 500 yen or $5.50).

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Edit (same day)

Figured I should add some other stuff, rather than make a new post.

For Japanese words, I go to Denshi Jisho.
http://jisho.org/

Denshi Jisho can be used to search for kanji meanings, for words in Japanese, and phrases. You can search by radical and reading, which makes it very users friendly.

For the stroke order of kana and kanji, I go to Kajijun.
http://kakijun.main.jp/en/

Kakijun isn't as user friendly as DJ, but the menu on the left side is how you navigate. You can chose from Hiragana, Katakana and kanji. The kanji are organized by their romanized readings (meaning japanese words with English letters).


Words, when certain syllables are stressed, can change meaning. Content can also change a meaning. Here is my list so far. I shall add more over time in new posts (copying the old one) because most people don't understand what I'm talking about when I refer to this.

Example of a word that, when
COMplex - exaggerated concern or fear (inferiority complex, superiority complex)
comPLEX - complicated or intricate

Lead - to lead a group
Lead - a metal
Lead - you are being lead by a leader

Another curiosity I have with English is homonyms. Words that sound the same but are spelled differently. Google homonyms.