I have returned from the Land of Godzilla! And what a trip it was! 
First of all, my dad used his frequent flyer miles to upgrade our seats to FIRST CLASS. Sweeeeeeet! I now know that's the ONLY way to make a intercontinental flight.
Here are some random general impressions on my Japan experience:
-- the Japanese like to keep their butts warm and clean: heated toilet seats (except in the "Japanese-style" toilets which have no seats and are vile...) and "shower toilets", which I found BRILLIANT (btw they cost $5600 here in the US...)
-- however they like to keep their hands cold (ALL public sinks have only cold water, and you have to wash your hands in a huge freezing cold trough before entering a temple; this is symbolic, since you don't touch anything once you're inside)
-- the sushi is divine!
-- women are NEVER seen in public without full make-up
-- most young women in Tokyo have taken a page out of Carrie Bradshaw's fashion book and are dressed to the nines at all times
-- smiling is never encouraged
-- there are a LOT of Japanese youth with serious skin problems
-- Tokyo is TEEMING with schoolgirls in plaid skirts and kneesocks
-- you do NOT want to get arrested in Japan, which is why taking pictures of the previously listed item is basically a bad idea
-- while having an amusement park in the middle of the city, complete with roller coasters going around office buildings, may seem like a weird idea, it's actually a very good way to relieve stress during your lunch hour
-- ancestors are household dieties, complete with shrines and daily worship ceremonies
-- if you don't like tea, you're buckwheat
-- shopping in Tokyo makes NYC look like a bargain basement
-- the Shinkansen (bullet train) is totally rad
-- Japanese rap isn't so bad
-- karaoke is SERIOUS business, yo... if you don't cry during your song, you don't deserve to be up there
-- when in doubt, just bow your head and mutter something unintelligible; this gets you out of any awkward situation
-- the club scene is not so very different from NYC's
-- all the tall buildings have serious earthquake/disaster-prevention engineering; this generally consists of a huge counterweight system located on the middle floor of the building, which is triggered by seismic activity; it's pretty damn impressive
-- little dogs are very popular pets in Japan, while cats are considered culturally superior and are revered, but not kept as pets as often as dogs
-- Hello Kitty mania runs rampant! you can get Hello Kitty anything and everything!
-- anime runs a very close second to Hello Kitty
-- cell phones: everyone has one, some have more than one, all are bedecked with cute little charms
-- you can find sumo wrestling on TV at any time of the day or night
-- while Kobe beef is exquisite, even the regular beef in Japan is excellent
-- like your bacon thin and crispy? forget about it in Japan!
-- ninja bikes are everywhere, but everyone still wants a Harley!
-- tatoos are a sign of the mafia; if older ladies are laughing at you while shopping, just flash them your tatoo and watch them turn white with fear
-- rickshaw drivers are hot!: lean and buff, smooth-skinned Asian boys in cute little frog shoes...
-- pachinko is practically a national pasttime; I just don't get it!
-- Denny's, Mickey D's, TGI Friday's... every popular American chain restaurant is well-represented in Tokyo
-- Mt. Fuji is truly as impressive as it looks in photos
-- electronics shops are heaven: from credit-card sized digital cameras to matchstick MP-3 players, there are scores of high-tech, expensive toys to be had, many of which are not available in the US (but are sold w/ US-compatible power sources and English instructions upon request); I had to buy a ton of film for the camera I bought since it's not sold outside Japan, not even over the internet
-- padded bras and silicone inserts (not implants) are all the rage
-- Valentine's Day is HUGE in Japan; traditionally men buy presents for women, mostly expensive chocolates, and there is another similar holiday in March for which women buy men presents
-- vending machines are everywhere! you can get hot coffee or tea in cans from the same machines that sell cold coffee and tea; you can even buy beer from vending machines; they even have long rows of vending machines that sell little anime characters in plastic bubbles
-- "fast food" noodle shops do not handle money; you buy "coupons" from a menu vending machine outside the shop then hand your "coupon" to the chefs inside, and hope that what you get matches the picture on the vending machine button that you pushed
-- when sung, Japanese sounds a lot like Spanish
-- everyone surfs, most people golf and a lot do wind-surfing as well; beach life is popular though oddly formal compared to our beach life
-- shaking hands is rare; bowing is the preferred greeting
-- "snacks" consist of little dried sardines, dried seaweed "crackers", little ginger/soy-flavored nuggets... you get the picture
-- there are hundreds, no, thousands of kinds of sake... it's as complicated as the science of wines
-- the Japanese are much more into wines these days than sake, esp red wines
-- benihanna style restaurants are grossly overpriced
-- Toyota makes 52 different car models in Japan; in the showroom, you select a model and a platform descends to a lower level, then reappears with the chosen car on it! like magic!
-- to buy a car in Japan, you have to provide proof of either citizenship or a current work visa, proof of residence in the country AND proof that you have either a parking spot or a garage
-- miso soup is often eaten at every meal
-- misu is the word for water
-- the Ginza district is indeed quite similar to Times Square, but even more high-tech, while Shibuya is a smaller version
-- the all-directions crosswalks at these two places are fascinating; seen from above, it's like watching ants swarming
-- the "Lost in Translation" dinosaur appears regularly on the screens above Shibuya's main square
-- napkins are a luxury in Japan; however, it is standard to wipe your hands with a warm wet washcloth BEFORE eating
(which makes total sense)
-- if you spill miso soup on your lap at breakfast, you will smell like tofu all day long; the scent never fades
-- the Japanes have one kind of salad dressing, which is delicious
-- the subway systems of Japan are quite efficient
-- recycling is a way of life in Japan; everyone participates w/ no qualms
-- geishas are not allowed to smile, primarily b/c their teeth inevitably look yellow next to the white make-up; if they talk at all, they do so very softly so they don't have to open their mouths very far (and thus don't show their teeth)
-- Kabuki theatre is overrated
-- traditional Japanese kimonos are one size fits all, since they are basically yards of fabric that are elaborately wrapped
-- these kimonos cost big bucks; one of my dad's colleagues has one that cost more than $20,000!
-- Japanes textiles are exquisite and the prices reflect the work that goes into making them
-- Japanes manhole covers are frequently covered with lovely designs
-- two of the Japanese women I met (Maki and Ruriko) gave me a Japanese name: Sakura, which means cherry blossom and is pronounced "Sakuda", which I suppose is better than being called "Lobin"
-- Ruriko's name is pronounced "Ludiko", since the Japanese really can't pronounce "r's"; I remembered this pronunciation by thinking of Ludakris
-- Maki's American name is Gina, and she insisted on being called Gina; Ruriko's is Lily but she never answers to Lily so we call her by her Japanese name
-- most of my dad's Japanese colleagues have American names (some of which were given to them by my dad, upon request) and most prefer to be called these names rather then their Japanese names
-- flea markets in Japan are identical to flea markets here: old clothes and household items mixed with handmade items
-- samurai warriors must take off their swords before attending a tea ceremony; to ensure this, tea houses are entered via crawl-through square trap doors, through which a sword would never fit; however, there is a special area for disrobing and sword removal in front of the door
-- traditional Japanese homes had no permanent heat cource but relied on coal lanterns for heat
-- gardens are of utmost importance in Japan and are even scattered throughout metropolitan areas
-- the teahouses of the emperor's palace grounds are still used regularly for formal tea ceremonies; the gardens are closed to the public a couple of days a week just for this purpose
-- National Foundation Day is a big deal in Japan, analagous to our Independence Day, complete with parades in which every local college, high school and even elementary school(!) has a marching band, but no fireworks (due to the time of year)
-- koi are found in every Japanese garden; I just don't get the fascination with these giant goldfish!
-- there is much politcal unrest during Foundation Day and terrorist threats from radical political groups are common; roads are closed and the military is out in full force and dressed in riot gear; it reminded me of the RNC here in New York
-- Japanese gardens are truly peaceful and beautiful year-round, regardless of the season
-- having an interpreter, or at least a bilingual friend, with you is definitely advantageous and cuts down on embarassing moments!
-- French-Japanese fusion cuisine is scrumptious!
-- in the spring, it's all about the cherry tree
-- spending 8 days with my dad wasn't so bad after all! we actually had a great time!
I definitely want to go back! (I would love to find a way to live in Japan for at least a few months. Any suggestions?)
But it's good to be home! I missed everyone! Once I transfer my pics to my computer and make sense out of them, I will try to post a few. This may require some guidance from someone less computer-ignorant than me!
--l*P
First of all, my dad used his frequent flyer miles to upgrade our seats to FIRST CLASS. Sweeeeeeet! I now know that's the ONLY way to make a intercontinental flight.
Here are some random general impressions on my Japan experience:
-- the Japanese like to keep their butts warm and clean: heated toilet seats (except in the "Japanese-style" toilets which have no seats and are vile...) and "shower toilets", which I found BRILLIANT (btw they cost $5600 here in the US...)
-- however they like to keep their hands cold (ALL public sinks have only cold water, and you have to wash your hands in a huge freezing cold trough before entering a temple; this is symbolic, since you don't touch anything once you're inside)
-- the sushi is divine!
-- women are NEVER seen in public without full make-up
-- most young women in Tokyo have taken a page out of Carrie Bradshaw's fashion book and are dressed to the nines at all times
-- smiling is never encouraged
-- there are a LOT of Japanese youth with serious skin problems
-- Tokyo is TEEMING with schoolgirls in plaid skirts and kneesocks
-- you do NOT want to get arrested in Japan, which is why taking pictures of the previously listed item is basically a bad idea
-- while having an amusement park in the middle of the city, complete with roller coasters going around office buildings, may seem like a weird idea, it's actually a very good way to relieve stress during your lunch hour
-- ancestors are household dieties, complete with shrines and daily worship ceremonies
-- if you don't like tea, you're buckwheat
-- shopping in Tokyo makes NYC look like a bargain basement
-- the Shinkansen (bullet train) is totally rad
-- Japanese rap isn't so bad
-- karaoke is SERIOUS business, yo... if you don't cry during your song, you don't deserve to be up there
-- when in doubt, just bow your head and mutter something unintelligible; this gets you out of any awkward situation
-- the club scene is not so very different from NYC's
-- all the tall buildings have serious earthquake/disaster-prevention engineering; this generally consists of a huge counterweight system located on the middle floor of the building, which is triggered by seismic activity; it's pretty damn impressive
-- little dogs are very popular pets in Japan, while cats are considered culturally superior and are revered, but not kept as pets as often as dogs
-- Hello Kitty mania runs rampant! you can get Hello Kitty anything and everything!
-- anime runs a very close second to Hello Kitty
-- cell phones: everyone has one, some have more than one, all are bedecked with cute little charms
-- you can find sumo wrestling on TV at any time of the day or night
-- while Kobe beef is exquisite, even the regular beef in Japan is excellent
-- like your bacon thin and crispy? forget about it in Japan!
-- ninja bikes are everywhere, but everyone still wants a Harley!
-- tatoos are a sign of the mafia; if older ladies are laughing at you while shopping, just flash them your tatoo and watch them turn white with fear
-- rickshaw drivers are hot!: lean and buff, smooth-skinned Asian boys in cute little frog shoes...
-- pachinko is practically a national pasttime; I just don't get it!
-- Denny's, Mickey D's, TGI Friday's... every popular American chain restaurant is well-represented in Tokyo
-- Mt. Fuji is truly as impressive as it looks in photos
-- electronics shops are heaven: from credit-card sized digital cameras to matchstick MP-3 players, there are scores of high-tech, expensive toys to be had, many of which are not available in the US (but are sold w/ US-compatible power sources and English instructions upon request); I had to buy a ton of film for the camera I bought since it's not sold outside Japan, not even over the internet
-- padded bras and silicone inserts (not implants) are all the rage
-- Valentine's Day is HUGE in Japan; traditionally men buy presents for women, mostly expensive chocolates, and there is another similar holiday in March for which women buy men presents
-- vending machines are everywhere! you can get hot coffee or tea in cans from the same machines that sell cold coffee and tea; you can even buy beer from vending machines; they even have long rows of vending machines that sell little anime characters in plastic bubbles
-- "fast food" noodle shops do not handle money; you buy "coupons" from a menu vending machine outside the shop then hand your "coupon" to the chefs inside, and hope that what you get matches the picture on the vending machine button that you pushed
-- when sung, Japanese sounds a lot like Spanish
-- everyone surfs, most people golf and a lot do wind-surfing as well; beach life is popular though oddly formal compared to our beach life
-- shaking hands is rare; bowing is the preferred greeting
-- "snacks" consist of little dried sardines, dried seaweed "crackers", little ginger/soy-flavored nuggets... you get the picture
-- there are hundreds, no, thousands of kinds of sake... it's as complicated as the science of wines
-- the Japanese are much more into wines these days than sake, esp red wines
-- benihanna style restaurants are grossly overpriced
-- Toyota makes 52 different car models in Japan; in the showroom, you select a model and a platform descends to a lower level, then reappears with the chosen car on it! like magic!
-- to buy a car in Japan, you have to provide proof of either citizenship or a current work visa, proof of residence in the country AND proof that you have either a parking spot or a garage
-- miso soup is often eaten at every meal
-- misu is the word for water
-- the Ginza district is indeed quite similar to Times Square, but even more high-tech, while Shibuya is a smaller version
-- the all-directions crosswalks at these two places are fascinating; seen from above, it's like watching ants swarming
-- the "Lost in Translation" dinosaur appears regularly on the screens above Shibuya's main square
-- napkins are a luxury in Japan; however, it is standard to wipe your hands with a warm wet washcloth BEFORE eating
(which makes total sense)
-- if you spill miso soup on your lap at breakfast, you will smell like tofu all day long; the scent never fades
-- the Japanes have one kind of salad dressing, which is delicious
-- the subway systems of Japan are quite efficient
-- recycling is a way of life in Japan; everyone participates w/ no qualms
-- geishas are not allowed to smile, primarily b/c their teeth inevitably look yellow next to the white make-up; if they talk at all, they do so very softly so they don't have to open their mouths very far (and thus don't show their teeth)
-- Kabuki theatre is overrated
-- traditional Japanese kimonos are one size fits all, since they are basically yards of fabric that are elaborately wrapped
-- these kimonos cost big bucks; one of my dad's colleagues has one that cost more than $20,000!
-- Japanes textiles are exquisite and the prices reflect the work that goes into making them
-- Japanes manhole covers are frequently covered with lovely designs
-- two of the Japanese women I met (Maki and Ruriko) gave me a Japanese name: Sakura, which means cherry blossom and is pronounced "Sakuda", which I suppose is better than being called "Lobin"
-- Ruriko's name is pronounced "Ludiko", since the Japanese really can't pronounce "r's"; I remembered this pronunciation by thinking of Ludakris
-- Maki's American name is Gina, and she insisted on being called Gina; Ruriko's is Lily but she never answers to Lily so we call her by her Japanese name
-- most of my dad's Japanese colleagues have American names (some of which were given to them by my dad, upon request) and most prefer to be called these names rather then their Japanese names
-- flea markets in Japan are identical to flea markets here: old clothes and household items mixed with handmade items
-- samurai warriors must take off their swords before attending a tea ceremony; to ensure this, tea houses are entered via crawl-through square trap doors, through which a sword would never fit; however, there is a special area for disrobing and sword removal in front of the door
-- traditional Japanese homes had no permanent heat cource but relied on coal lanterns for heat
-- gardens are of utmost importance in Japan and are even scattered throughout metropolitan areas
-- the teahouses of the emperor's palace grounds are still used regularly for formal tea ceremonies; the gardens are closed to the public a couple of days a week just for this purpose
-- National Foundation Day is a big deal in Japan, analagous to our Independence Day, complete with parades in which every local college, high school and even elementary school(!) has a marching band, but no fireworks (due to the time of year)
-- koi are found in every Japanese garden; I just don't get the fascination with these giant goldfish!
-- there is much politcal unrest during Foundation Day and terrorist threats from radical political groups are common; roads are closed and the military is out in full force and dressed in riot gear; it reminded me of the RNC here in New York
-- Japanese gardens are truly peaceful and beautiful year-round, regardless of the season
-- having an interpreter, or at least a bilingual friend, with you is definitely advantageous and cuts down on embarassing moments!
-- French-Japanese fusion cuisine is scrumptious!
-- in the spring, it's all about the cherry tree
-- spending 8 days with my dad wasn't so bad after all! we actually had a great time!
I definitely want to go back! (I would love to find a way to live in Japan for at least a few months. Any suggestions?)
But it's good to be home!
I missed everyone! Once I transfer my pics to my computer and make sense out of them, I will try to post a few. This may require some guidance from someone less computer-ignorant than me!
--l*P
VIEW 25 of 30 COMMENTS
My guy is Japanese and even though he has always lived stateside, he has heated toilet seats on every toilet in his house, koi in his garden, shrines in his home, etc..
I really had to laugh at the Valentines day comment. No other American holiday moves him to buy something, not even Christmas. But V-day he is out buying for me, and his mother.
So much of what you have written I see in him everyday. It's like I have my own mini version of Japan.
Sounds like your trip was awesome. Hope you find your self back there soon. And maybe even living there.