May 28.2001

INTRODUCTION
So what's it like to live in Japan? I'm sure most people are too lazy to answer that question. The question is too general and could be answered in so many ways. Some people might say the place is horrible, some people might adore it. Some might describe the temples and rice fields and another might describe the city. Most people get confused and don't really know what to think of Japan after people describe their version of Japan. This section makes landmarks out of convinience stores, vending machines and shopping areas. No temples will be introduced here. Just the daily stuff. It's usually the little things that help describe what it feels like to live in a country. You can talk about Sushi all you want but this is the info that will make you feel like just another local. Folks who are going to Japan for a trip, hope this info helps to make your trip less "touristy."

:: TAXI TAXI!
Riding on a taxi? If so beware of the doors! The taxi doors in the back seats open automatically so don't get hit by one! Once you get in I don't think you can ever get on another one back in the Canada especially since the Japanese ones are so clean! You will also notice the plastic and lace covers on the seats to keep them clean and the gloves the drivers wear. Oh but be careful you cheap people out there! Taxi rides are extremely expensive!

:: ITSY BITSY JAPAN
Once your on the road, you will notice how compact things are. The buildings never stretch horizontally but will always go up and up. Cars will seem extremely small especially if you come from the Canada. This is probably the only country where you can use the adjective "cute" to describe a truck.

:: FIRST CLASS GAS STOP
Stoppin' for gas? Well wait and see and you'll find out that the gas pumps usually hang from the ceiling in Japan and not much from a box thing. When you enter the station, men and women in uniforms will bow with a smile. One will pump the gas for you and another will clean your windows and even ask the driver if he or she needs to empty the ash tray or have some trash to throw away? Then when all is done the workers bow and shout out "arigato gozaimashita" meaning thanks (for coming) and wave good-bye. Now where can you find this kind of first class service at a gas station? (For those of you who don't think you'll like this, well there are still "normal" gas stations so don't worry!)

:: COMBINI HEAVEN LINK ADDED
Getting hungry? Go run to your nearest 7 11, Lawson, Sunkus, Circle K, or one of them convenience stores or in Jap-lish "combini" and your needs will be fulfilled. No need to run to a supermarket or drugstore. Japan's convenience stores are actually what I would consider one of the seven wonders of this universe and would love to bring one home to set up in my house. Delicious tightly packaged food line up the aisles. If your having a busy day and don't have time to cook, grab some nifty "instant" food. Although it isn't four star restaurant quality, you will be amazed at how yummy they are! So get your self into a "combini" and start hoggin'!

Also a little addition to the "combini" phenomenon. All you girls on the run that are having some last minute problems covering up those ugly zits? Well "combini"s aren't just for food! You can get your hands on some good cheap makeup! You can even find cute little nail polish by Shiseido too! Still if you really want to get the read deal, goto a place called "Matsumoto Kiyoshi". It's like a drug store made for teenagers with all kinds of stuff. Go check it out girl!

:: WONDER VENDERS
Walking? Just glance around and every second you will find a vending machine. In Japan, vending machines can do magic. When the drink stumbles down, you'll hear it say thanks! Cold or Hot drinks, snacks, ice cream, CD singles, rice, cup noodles etc. The things that come out of that little outlet at the bottom are amazing these days.

:: BUNBO-GU
Most Japanese girls love their "Bunbo-gu" or in other words, school supplies. If you go to any "bunbo-gu" shop in Japan, I think you will understand. I myself became a victim of bunbo-gu fever and when you go to Japan, I think you too should join in the fun. First of all if you're an artist or is just craving for a damn good eraser that can erase (opposed to those terrible pink Canadian erasers) get a hold of a Japanese eraser. They are just amazing! They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, smells etc. Yes I'm serious people! See for yourself! ha, ha. Oh and I must not forget! Everyone has to get a cute little pencil case. They are absolutly everywhere and I'm sure you will find the right one just for you.


:: HARAJUKU
Harajuku, a district in Tokyo, is the ultimate culture shocker. You will see some funky fashions that might inspire you or make you throw up. There are also foreigners there selling stuff and performing on the streets like in NYC. Once I saw a guy painted in bronze acting as a statue. You can find stores selling lots of retro-Japanese or American stuff, a variety of clothing, accessories and footware etc. I remember going into a Beatles store, a HMV store (a music mega store like virgin or tower) and eating crepes and ramen. Oh and don't forget to take a peak inside the stores that sell Japanese celebrity & band posters and goods. I'm not much of a celebrity fanatic but you can get a taste of some pop culture.

:: KARAOKE
Japan is karaoke country! Even though you don't know Japanese, you can try it out. I think you have more of a chance of getting a glimpse of this part of Japanese culture without the help of a plane. But, if you've never set a foot in a karaoke box, I think it will be fun to try it out. No previous training in Japanese is needed. I'm sure there are English songs you can sing, although they might not be new.

:: J-MUSIC TV UPDATED
Suppose you're kinda bored in your hotel room or just plain bored. You have a tv somewhere and a pillow handy. If this situation might ever apply to you, get that remote control and go get some more Japanese pop culture into you! I personally think just watching commercials is a great past time when your in a different country, but if that doesn't satisfy your hunger find a random variety show or food show! Japan should be famous for their Oh-so-many-food-shows and random variety shows! The variety shows and food shows can range from random people trying to finish up a bucket full of coffee milk, a guy hitchhiking across China learning how to make various types of noodles, helping chefs of small restaurants that aren't getting good business through training, celebrity game shows etc. The shows are fun even though you can't understand Japanese. If you don't like this, try music shows! There are plenty of them too!

:: JAPANESE PIZZA
This might sound a little odd, but while your in Japan eat some pizza. Although it's really expensive compared to the typical American delivery pizza, it's worth a try. You can find anything from seafood to mayonnaise (of course mixed with something. never on it's own) on your pizza. I personally like what the pizza places provide and I hope everyone that's visiting will try it out! (oh. but if you're too scared for the challenge, "normal" pizza exists too so don't worry.)

:: JAPANESE SPAGHETTI NEW
Japanese spaghetti is unique! They do have normal meat sauce but if you are adventurous try "tarako spaghetti!" It's basically fish egg spaghetti. It tastes better than it sounds! If you find a plastic food display of a spaghetti dish with pink dots all over it, order it! Another common option is spaghetti with mushrooms! I'm not talking about normal mushrooms you'll find in the states! I'm sure you'll find a plastic food display of this one too! Try it out!


:: AKIHABARA UPDATED
The techy section of Tokyo. If you're the ultimate techie, this is the place to go. It is not a place to find discounts. It's for people who want to get a better selection. The only thing that's really cheap is cellphones that can't be used overseas. Shopping here is famous but not famous enough for the little techie maniac meeting spots. For now I have no idea where they are but they are out there! Go to "Akiba" and search for 'em!

:: BRACES
Many Japanese people have the case of bad teeth. Well why not use braces you say? Well they are expencive and everyone is not as paranoid about teeth as people are in the Canada. Celebrities have bad teeth so why worry? Life will go on.


:: IS IT A DUMP?
In front of many subway stations you will probably see rows and piles of bikes. At first you might think it's a garbage dump of some sort but really the bikes are there because that's what many people use as transportation.

:: TELEPHONE CARDS UPDATED
Telephone cards used to be a good thing to have when you were in Japan but not anymore. There are less and less vending machines for telephone cards, and there are less public phones that have telephone card slots! I think because of the sudden increase in cellphone use, people don't use public phones anymore. Just make sure not to put a 100yen in some public phones because they won't give you change! Just stick a 10 yen in and call! Be prepared to say what you want quickly because you'll get cut off quickly! Maybe putting a 100 yen instead is better after all?



:: SILVER SEATS
When riding on the subway beware of the silver seats. If an elderly person gets on and your sitting in the silver seat, you're supposed to offer your seat to them. Well, you should offer your seat anyway even if your not in a silver seat. If your nice that is.

:: PLASTIC FOOD EVERYWHERE
Usually when you look around in the top floor of most malls, or walk around near a station in the city there are halls and halls of restaurants. How can you tell? With the window displays of plastic food. When people try to choose which restaurant to go into, instead of looking at a menu they go window shopping. They just look through the windows to see all the food the restaurants serve. They have rows of plastic ramen bowls, spaghetti etc. If you become a really big fan of these plastic foods, you can even buy them in stores! Bon appetite!



:: TRIP TO THE BAKERY UPDATED
In your trip to Japan make sure to stop by a bakery. You're thinking . . . "Wait a sec! Bread in Japan? What happened to the rice?" Well it's not like Japanese people only eat rice. First of all if you visit a Japanese home and eat breakfast, besides the traditional Japanese rice and miso soup, people eat toast, salad, coffee and milk. Besides breakfast you can eat all kinds of bread as a snack or whenever you're hungry. Just stop by a bakery like the one shown in this picture. Grab a tray and start hogging. There are all kinds things you can pick from. Some standards are "melon pan" or melon bread which sounds better than you might think it is. It's just sweet bread. Just try it and you might fall in love. There are others that taste like pizza, curry, hot dogs, chocolate etc. So on and so forth. Check it all out.


:: COWS AND BEACHES
So you're planning on a trip to Japan and where would everyone assume you would be going? What? Did you say temples? Did you say Kyoto? Of course EVERYONE has to go to Tokyo because you just HAVE TO. So what else is there? I'm sure there is nothing else in Japan. How about checkin' out some cows in the country and relax in the beaches? Ever thought about that? I'm sure most people don't. Despite the fact that many beaches are covered with people, if you happen to be near the coast I think it is worth a try to check out what the waters are like in the land of temples and anime. If you go to the country and see cows, there are usually stands nearby where you can buy fresh icecream or milk. Take a rest and enjoy a snack and the cool breeze. Experience an unexpected Japan. How about that?