Da FunkFest!

Last Thursday, December 6 I went to see Daft Punk in Kobe. I had never been to a concert in Japan before, so I thought that 'Da FunkFest' tour would be good one to experience here.
There were some things I noticed that were different from the concerts that I go to in my home country. First of all, when I got to the hall where it was held, there was a line that went all around the building and no one even tried to cut in. It was very well organized. The show was sold-out, but to me it looked like that there was enough room for a couple hundred more people. Maybe because of safety..? Another remarkable thing was that it actually started on time, at 19:00! It ended early for my standards, but this is because trains in Japan stop riding after a certain time. That didn't matter because the concert was awesome!

Umbrella...ella...ella

All the umbrella's you can imagine, you can find in this umbrella store in Hiroshima. When in Japan you will need to get yourself one of these....especially during Fall.
A lot of districts in Japan are known for their specialization in something, whether it is food, electronics or fashion, it can be anything (...like umbrella's).

Bowling Pins & Candy Slots

It seems that everyone can bowl here. This place in Makino (Hirakata) only closes for two hours in the morning so the truly serious bowler can take a nap from 7 to 9 before starting on their day of knocking down pins. Of course if bowling isn't interesting enough there is always the crane and slot machines where you can win yourself a pile of candy. That is, after you have wasted ¥2000 trying to knock down boxes of kit kats. Similar machines can be seen just about anywhere because you never have to go far before you run into an arcade full of them.

Survival Tips

I do have to warn you that things in Japan cost money and you are going to have to have a grasp on the currency. The currency exchange rate is always changing but it is a safe bet to say that ¥100 is about $1 US dollar.
In Japan, I spend money a lot more then I do when I am back in my home country because of the difference in physical differences. The most common coin the in US currency is the quarter, which is worth a quarter of a dollar. The quarter is very similar to the ¥100 coin and I find it very easy at times to just use my ¥100 coins because, I don’t have to take my wallet out as I would a US dollar to spend and I feel like it’s just like a quarter so it’s easy to spend. Spending ¥100 like that adds up to a lot more then you bargain for. Please be careful about your spending while in Japan.

The best way to get around during your time in Japan is a bicycle. If you constantly take the bus or a taxi, the fairs will definitely add up and the bus doesn’t always run when you want it too. You can buy a used bike form anywhere around ¥5,000. A bicycle tremendously reduces you daily travel time and gives you the greater ease of travel. There are tons of bikes everywhere in Japan. Everyone from children to older men and women uses bikes every day. A mother uses the bike to pick her children up from school or to carry her groceries home, the business man uses the bike to ride to the train to get to work and the student uses it to commute to and from school.
There are laws in Japan for bicycles that you should be careful to observe. Such as, a bicycle is a one person vehicle and you cannot do anything that would impair your ability to drive the bike such as holding an umbrella on a rainy day, talking on a cell phone, and riding under the influence of alcohol.
Be sure to take care while riding your bicycle because the streets are very narrow and traffic can be heavy at times. As the Japanese would say: “きをつけて”

Garbage or art?

So I took a little trip to the Osaka Kaiyukan (Aquarium). The outside of the building was an exhibit made by high school students made out of only recycled items. There were many display cases along the way with different themes. After the Aquarium closed, the students took their own creations apart and threw it all in garbage bags.

Blog Essay #2

My second blog essay is about a posting from Anthropology Judged From Pictures. The posting is entitled A Rest Room in Japan. As for the subject of this posting, I was immediety drawn to the post because I absolutely love, love all these super toilets. Even though I love these toilets this post is not really about the toilets themselves.

The posting is more about the function of the rest room in Japanese culture. The public toilets in Japan are different from those in America. Most toilets in America are not like a separet room but have a flimsy half door enclosing you in your small space. It is one of my most dreaded times when I am forced to use a public restroom in America but in Japan its a different story. I know that I will be alone and free to do what must be done with almost no outside interfernce. I do like the idea of having alittle time away byself self especially during the time I would to do my business alone. Sometimes I even sneak in a little nap in a rest room and these wonderful Japanese rest rooms with the warm seats make it ooh so nice. Thank you Warmlet!

Go for a ride!

In a little canal in Akiahabara there was a group of people about to take a ride on these speed boats. It was a little cold, but it didn't seem to bother them. I wish I could have gone with them...instead I went shopping for electronics, that is what this area is famous for after all.

Salvation in Tokyo

Tokyo is known for many things, but I don't think churches is one of them. Considering that less than 1% of the population in Japan is Christian, the amount of churches that I've seen in Tokyo was an unexpected surprise.
Unfortunately it was closed when I got to this one, so my soul couldn't be saved...better luck next time.

Only in Harajuku...

Pimps have them in their shoes and this guy wears them in his ears....live goldfishes.
You can only get away with this Harajuku.
It is a must see area if you go to Tokyo, no matter how you look it is never too crazy for Harajuku.

Condom Heaven

Once again a discovery made in Tokyo. This little 'condomania' store provides you with the most original condoms ever. Alle the flavors, sizes, shapes and colors you can dream of. This store should be named, 'condom heaven'. ..
If you are ever near one, check it out. And...always remember: don't be a fool, wrap your tool!

Delicious deliciousness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally some real pizza without mayonnaise!!! Yes people it's true...at Shakey's you can find it. And it gets better...it's all you can eat pizza!!!!!
The Shakey's I discoverd was in Tokyo, but I have heard rumors of one being right here in Osaka.

Writings on the wall

This picture was taken in Umeda, in front of a host club. These writings don't make any sense,
and is therefore a good example of how the English language is being (mis)used in Japan. Just like T-shirts and adds that have English slogans on them and have no meaning at all.

Blog Essay 1 - Japan doesn't want you...

This recent development in Japanese Foreign Policy only adds more to my personal feelings that Japan is very anti-non Japanese. I always wanted to come to Japan and experience all I've seen and heard about, but I also saw that foreigners weren't the most welcome bunch in Japan. Foreigners wishing to come into Japan already have to jump through hoops and those wishing to stay for an extended period of time have a much more difficult procedure.

All signs in the Japanese government point in the direction that foreigners are not wanted. At first long ago, I believed that it was because Japan is a small country, heavily populated country and the government didn't want the extra stress of more people living in Japan. This could be true on some level but this move shows me that the case is that Japan doesn't want you.

When this goes into affect, once you enter Japan you will be fingerprinted and photographed, this reminds me very much of oh.. being arrested. As soon as you enter the country you are treated like a criminal.

Relatively Japan did not come out of isolation too long ago and it is my opinion that if given the opportunity the Japanese government would return to isolation. I feel that that period of isolation and a general mindset that someone who isn't born Japanese can never be Japanese or at least a normal citizen has hurt Japan in its diversity and view towards foreigners.

In America for example if you were born in America you are American. If someone has been in Japan for an extended period of time and even holds property in Japan or a foreign family has many generations in and born in Japan, they are still and forever will be foreigners. These feelings of unwantedness and negative feeling/images of foreigners arise once again when I read of this new policy. I feel sad now..

Original post:

Visual Anthropology of Japan: Information for Foreign Nationals Entering Japan

Summer Festival in Makino

During my first week in Japan this year, with my new found friends from the seminar house, we explored the areas around the dorm we found a summer festival down a side street. There were a ton of street food and drink vendors side by side up and down the entire street selling various Japanese finger foods and beer. My friends and I immediately picked up some beers and continued down the street deeper into the festival. A bit further there was a small stage that was the center of the festival. I took this picture while they were setting up for a performance that was to happen later that night. Everyone at the festival was very nice even to the large group of foreigners.

We all scream for Ice Cream

I took this picture of a Baskin and Robbins because I thought that it was interesting that an American company for ice cream was so prominent in Japan. I supposes its not a problem that there isn't a large Japan company isn't satisfying the populations ice cream needs. Everyone loves ice cream and when you have 31 flavors, I suppose you know what the people want. Ive seen a couple Baskin Robbins in my journeys in Japan and even stopped in to grab myself some tasty creamed ice. I don't see any difference in the product from America. My advice if you come across a B&R would be to stop n get yourself some frozen tasty treats!

Higher and Higher

At the top of the seventh floor of the huge mall in Umeda called Hep 5, there isn't a roof but instead a Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel rises a couple of more stories above the already tall building. In America, I have seen Ferris wheels in buildings and malls but never on the outside of the roof. Since I hate Ferris wheels I decided not to try this out. A decision I feel very good about!

Kiddy Casino?

While in an arcade in Hirakata-Shi, which is half arcade - half slot machines, I was astonished to see two young boys playing the slots. These boys were definitely not anywhere near any gambling age I know of. I decided to take a picture of the scene so I took a candid camera shot and quickly pretended to be making a phone call right after. I thought to myself that it was pretty obvious that these boys shouldn't be playing these games. My feelings were sad that instead of playing the video games these kids were being taught/programmed at a young age to spend their time and money on gambling. I'm sure that when these boys grow up they will have working there way to the pachino parlor next door to spend more of there money on.

Mexican Festival

Here's something you wouldn't expect to see in Japan. I went to a Mexican Festival in Umeda the other day that my Mexican friend informed me about. The festival was in Umeda. A friend told me that the festival was free and that the food was going to be free food! With the promise of free tacos I was quite excited and decided not to eat the entire day until the festival. When we arrived I found it to actually be a pseudo festival! The food was slim pickings and extremely expensive. There was only about four small tent shops selling various Mexican items. The best part of this "festival" was the main stage. On the main stage was an assortment of Japanese people, in traditional Mexican clothing, some white foreigners and a few Mexican people. The people on stage were dancing to the song "YMCA" by the Village People.

Okonomiwhat?

Its Okonomiyaki time in Osaka!
While taking in the sights in Namba, I went with some friends to a Okonomiyaki restaurant.
Okonomiyaki, which I am told literally means "Cook what you want/like", is a pancake like delicious creation that can have various ingredients such as cabbage, eggs, carrots, peas, and well anything else you would like to throw in there. The Okonomiyaki batter is like a pancake batter. The most common toppings for Okonomiyaki are, shrimp, squid, pork, and egg. I strongly suggest trying Okonomiyaki at your nearest opportunity!