Halloween in Japan!

Today is the famed All Hallow's Eve. Most people seem to think it's not a thing here, but I've seen a lot of people in costume today at my university. There are also large groups of children that dress up as well.

However, it's largely commercialized. I think it's more commercialized than in the States, where we sort of have a tradition of doing it. Oddly enough, most of the fear factor has been taken out of it here, as far as I can tell. The decorations are viewed as cute...

I will update later tonight with video footage of a local Japanese graveyard and some pictures. It was cloudy earlier, but if the moon comes out, it'll be mostly full.

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So I got some good pictures of the moon and the graveyard, but just as I was going to leave...a feral cat ran up to me, meowing. I took off my hat (I had cat ears that freaked him out) - and he started brushing against me. It was creepy...but I still bought him some food.

I named him Jack the Pumpkin King.

Japan - the myths and truths part 1

Yes, the trains are packed during rush hour. So terrifyingly so that it's difficult to tell if it's chikan (public molestation) or if they're just stuck. The people hate it too and one of my teachers hates it so much he rides his bike over an hour to get to school (about 20 kilometers).

Yes, the Japanese are train masters. Over half of those standing on a train don't hold onto anything and yet they don't get bounced around like I do. I've yet to figure out exactly how they do it...

Yes, Japan is expensive. But because the Japanese can't afford it either, there are plenty of ways to knock a few yen off. Things that don't seem to apply, however, are juice, fruit, and western products.

Yes, the Japanese are a sexually depraved society. I just watched a video on CNN about a new Akihabara shop that sells cuddles. This is the land of maid cafes, host clubs and butler cafes, after all...

Yes, the apartments here are small and relatively expensive. However, I find them just as expensive in the States. An apartment near my university, for example, costs $850 a month not including utilities and is a four bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. My apartment here costs $730 a month without utilities and is private. Granted, it's small (there's a loft) and none of the appliances were included...

No, just because nearly all Japanese have studied English in some way/shape/form, it doesn't mean they speak English. At all. But they really do like to learn it.

No, you can't just hop on a train and go wherever here. You really should plan your route ahead of time because sometimes the simple route on a map is considerably more expensive than you've planned for.

No, the ramen isn't a cheap eat. Real ramen will usually run you around $8-$10 a bowl on the cheap side. Top ramen or cup ramen is usually at least $1.25+ at every store I've seen in Tokyo.


Do you have a myth you want debunked (or proven true?) Leave a comment below and I'll add it to my next post.

Japan - The Land of Service

I find it terrifically interesting that businesses here are all about the service. For instance, there is a huge gas station nearby (huge as in it could secretly double as an airplane hanger for 747s). Every time a car pulls in, a group of workers run out of their waiting bay and filling the tank turns into a Nascar pit stop. When you purchase anything from a convenience store, they almost always ask you if you want your meal heated or a straw with your carton of juice.

When I go to the government office, there are several workers on hand to help me fill out the forms. When there is construction going on that's blocking the road, a construction worker escorts/guides you safely through the mess. Oftentimes, they have a carpet thrown down to keep your shoes from getting muddy.

I find the Japanese people seem to be immune to this. It's how it is, it's their job, etc...but I always thank them.

Japan - The land where "no one" has a car

It's actually a myth, in all honesty. I see cars all the time and I think I might live around rich people. Nice houses, nice cars.

However, I should clarify that it's only the wealthy and middle class that can afford to own a car. Because they're the ones that can also afford a house. Houses here are phenomenally expensive, particularly in Tokyo. I rent a small, studio apartment for 57,000 yen a month (roughly $750). But I've seen small, single family homes nearby go for around 25 million yen (about $320K) and it doesn't have a yard.

But if you own a house here, you likely own a car. Because to furnish your house and buy supplies to maintain it, you will need a car. (Although I have seen people try to bring 2x4s, shelves and all sorts of other things home on a bicycle...) Apartments, on the other hand, are maintained by the landlord and USUALLY have major appliances. Apparently mine was weird and didn't include any appliances...I have hook up for a washer and oddly, there is an outlet for appliances on the ceiling (which the refrigerator cord just barely didn't reach....).

It is true that to get around the city, most people take the trains. Why not? The longest I've ever waited was abut 5 minutes. And with commuters passes for the subway, it doesn't get much cheaper (other than walking, of course).

Japan – the Land of Technology (but forget certain common ones)

                Everyone I know says that Japan is the land of technology. It’s very true that they have mastered some the art of convenience. If you’re in Tokyo, you can usually go 10 minutes in any direction and come across a convenience store. The trains are prompt and efficient. The toilets do indeed have buttons for music and a variety of functions I’m terrified to try.

                But they don’t have the same concept of Wi-Fi as the rest of the world. When the Japanese refer to Wi-fi, it usually means you can access the internet, but to actually use it you must log in through your Japanese internet provider. The only true exception is internet cafes. The country itself has just hopped into the 4G market, where a monthly 4G plan for one phone is around $100 a month. My university campus only has wi-fi available in certain classrooms (usually only a few in each building) or the loungers and for whatever reason, I’m only able to access the library’s e-resource website. Someone told me I need to go to the technology building and ask for access codes, but all the teachers just point me to the “wi-fi” hotspot and say I need to just use my Waseda ID, which doesn’t seem to work.

                They also don’t have the same ideas when it comes to computer efficiency. They use programs that aren’t designed for what they use them for. My prime example is a company I worked with briefly. They acknowledged that the system was confusing and difficult to use, but after listening to my suggestions, they haven’t changed a thing 3 weeks later.  I eventually just refused the project because I refused to work with such an inefficient system.

                They also love redundancy. The land of convenience enjoys making you sign your life away for an apartment – you have to sign about 10 times per packet and there are two.  I have a university ID, but it’s not used for everything. I need to have separate accounts for each University site.

                Where are the designers for this terrible system of systems? I understand the one-login-fits-all security problem, but we’re bloody students here. It’s not like we have copious amounts of important data that needs to be secured properly.

Sick and Moving Day Fail

I have been ridiculously sick the past 14 hours or so. It's this weird nausea that comes in waves. It started as heartburn, but after the first 3 tums didn't work within an hour and a half, I ate 2 more and then the heartburn died down...but this terrible nausea set in. Not sure what it stems from, but I think the only thing I can do is wait it out. If it gets worse, I'll consider going to a doctor.

I would be moving to my apartment today, but it's raining on and off - which means carrying my stuff half a mile through the rain. I would take my bike, but I don't have a rain poncho and considering I'm battling some weirdness already, I just figure I'll do it tomorrow.

In addition to the rain, I went to my apartment and they hadn't turned the water on. It sort of surprised me, but I know they're coming tomorrow afternoon to turn on the hot water anyway, so I'm guessing they'll figure out something is amiss.