Japan Kicks Ass... (stores, to move, Japanese)

[Full-Blooded American]

I assumed that since Japan isn't very diverse, that it's a weak country without diversity to make it strong and a desireable place to live.

[tada]

Originally Posted by poxonyou

Just to play the other side:
1. It gets unbearably hot and humid here during the summer.
2. It's crowded everywhere. On vacation? So is 3/4 of the country and they all want to go the same places as you.
3. If you want a career here outside of teaching English, you must become near fluent in Japanese. However, be prepared to work 50-60 hours a week, 6 days a week with only 1 week vacation and some national holidays.
4. Most people do not know /any/ English here. What is known has been katakana-ized and often shortened.. I was a bit surprised.
5. It's too introverted. Like the clerk at the store? Well, good luck chatting with him/her when they can only speak polite phrases and you have 5 people in line behind you. Talking to anyone in public usually gets a weird/startled look; Japanese don't do it. So, make many friends or go to bars often (clubs are way too expensive to go often)
6. The beaches around Tokyo are horrible. Dark, grainy sand, massive rocks everywhere, and cold water.
7. Every spring, when the temperature is perfect, it rains, or is cloudy, almost everyday..."rainy season".
8. Architecture in most of Tokyo is dull.

1. Not to some people...
3. For some jobs like IT, their work is done in English. Also, you don't need to be "near fluent". I have an interview with Konami coming up next month. They need business-level Japanese ability, which is where I would consider myself. I've come a long way (I can read ~1200 kanji, and am at roughly JLPT 2-kyuu), but I'm nowhere near fluent yet. The hours are sane, something like 8:45 to 5:30 with a 1-hour lunch break, and the work week is 5 days.
4. So...? You expect them to? It's taught in school, but do you remember a lot of the stuff you're taught in school?
5. I like not having clerks talk my head off.
7. Rainy season isn't until June, which most people would consider summer.

[nickels]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

i like japan. of course it took me awhile to figure out politeness & hospitality are a social obligation and not an expression of personal feelings. in japan, gimo (obligation) is everything.

Exactly. They have to say irrashaimasse, etc. (Ironically, being the only white person in the store, many places haven't said it to me).

And asking a person for directions, once they agree to help, they take total responsibility, its just another facet of the gimo phenomenon. Conversely, oftentimes you'll see Japanese people walk right by a person in need and totally ignore them.


There are a lot of good things about Japan, but I have a feeling aznboy has been there for less than a year, is still in his honeymoon phase, and has never gone outside Tokyo....

[mrgrape]

what can i say native born though raised in SD CALI
though its chill and free up here and the beaches and the chicks are fine
JAPAN is where its at.. dont need to worry about whos behind ur back bc crime rates are down. Nature all around even in cities.. Sophisticated lively. As soon as I get my bachelors from UC im headin straight down Japan teach English drive a Skyline chomp down on sushi and live life!!!

[minniemouse]

I visited Japan, 2 weeks ago and WOW!!! It's very beautiful!

you are right!

[nickels]

Originally Posted by mrgrape

dont need to worry about whos behind ur back bc crime rates are down. Nature all around even in cities..

Not to keep bashing, but:

Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion



Also, about the nature. I guess you're referring to Tokyo, which has to keep up its international image, and has a good number of parks. But it's obvious you've never been to other big cities there, like Osaka.

[DaJerk]

I assumed that since Japan isn't very diverse, that it's a weak country without diversity to make it strong and a desireable place to live.

Yet another example of American arrogance and 'our way is the superior way' attitude. Multi-culturalism is America's culture and only exists because there are still countries that have their own unique cultures.

[CityPolice]

Originally Posted by DaJerk

Yet another example of American arrogance and 'our way is the superior way' attitude. Multi-culturalism is America's culture and only exists because there are still countries that have their own unique cultures.

that doesnt make any sense

[firebll31]

Originally Posted by internat

It's refreshing to read a straightforward politically incorrect post.

Do you recommend particular places to visit in Japan?

We had the good fortune to spend 2 weeks there in May 2007, with our good friend who was born outside Tokyo as a guide. We loved:
1. Tokyo for nightlife,food, museums
2. Kyoto for history, architecture
3. Nikko National Park for waterfall, lake, beautiful scenery
4. Any of the National Gardens
5. Kanazawa temple
6. Hiroshima Peace Park-if you think we should ever drop an atomic bomb again, you need to go here first!
7. Todaiji Temple for the Great Buddha Hall
8. Miyajima Island for the "Floating" temple and torii gate
9. Any festival at a temple
10. Himeji for awesome castle, open marketplace, my favorite city

Don't be afraid to try the street food, it is wonderful! and try to stay at least a couple nights in a traditional ryokan (inn). This often includes a meal, and always has a bath. Wear your yukata around the hotel and enjoy the heated toilet seats!

[At1WithNature]

Japanese people are very unique, creative, and crazy in their designs and what they find enjoyable. for example:

Crazy japanese at gameshow*Video

i love japanese girls like these:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/3...25b123.jpg?v=0

so sexi...too bad there aren't many like that in chicago (plenty of hot asians but they don't dress like that and i think most of them are from china).