Blogs from Kagawa, Japan, Asia - page 5

Real quick, you'll notice that the latest blog entry contains a bunch of words written in Japanese. Please let me know if you find this new development interesting, annoying, pointless, or otherwise. Second, you can get a short break from Japan blogs, as the next time you hear from me will be from Thailand! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!... read more

In a previous episode, I exposed the wonderful, efficient, and classy world of Japan’s capsule hotel industry. I found myself asking the question: Why aren’t these in America? This week, I will be delving into the underground society of guilty pleasure…aka KARAOKE!!! First off, I know what you’re thinking, and yes I do know that there are karaoke bars and other opportunities to sing your favorite song off-key in America. I’m here to tell you that no one takes karaoke more seriously than the Japanese. Every town bigger than my own has a karaoke place (I’m struggling to find the word to describe the venue…Karaoke “Bar” does not do it justice. I’m settling on Karaoke Heaven). They are usually multi-storied complexes, nicely decorated (yet cheesy), and featuring rooms of various sizes. Your typical karaoke room ... read more

Hello Faithful Readers, Remember when I told you last week how exciting, dynamic, youthful, and crazy a big city like Osaka can be? Well, I’m here to shed some light on the flip side of the coin, the side of Japan that gaijin living in Osaka would never see—welcome to MY ‘hood. As I’ve told you before, Kotohira (the town I live in, pop. 10,000) is quite small with not a whole lot going on except for a major Shinto Shrine that attracts tons of Japanese tourists by day. By 5pm, it’s back to normal (read: dead). This week, I got to see the side of Japan that can only be described as “boonies”. Saita-cho, or Saita-town (pop. 4,500) is a town nestled in the mountains and sprawls out across the expansive valley. It is dotted ... read more

It’s been 2.5 months and I have to admit that I’m already stuck in a routine. I’m disappointed to report that my life hasn’t taken on the kind of exploits that you would expect from a typical world traveler making a stop in the Great Orient. I work a freakin’ 9-to-5, get my jollies out on the weekends, and get out of town every few weeks. Sound a bit like your life back home? Me too, except I’m doing this in JAPAN! Therefore, I will be doing this blog in list form—broken down into 3 categories: things I have become accustomed to, things I’ve yet to do so, and things I really miss from the U.S. Without Further ado… Things I have become accustomed to: Taking my shoes off before entering a room or building. Bowing ... read more

This month flew by like it had wings. I blinked and it disappeared. August was my month of fireworks and dance festivals and September has been my month of bridges. Sounds strange, but it is true. ~Sakaide~ August 31st ~ The last day of August we went to the beach in Sakaide near the Seto Ohashi Bridge. It really is something living next to the sea. Sometimes I don’t notice, but it is always there outside my windows, on my bike ride to work. The Seto Ohashi is the worlds longest two tiered bridge system and connects Shikoku to Honshu with highway and railway. We chilled all afternoon near the base of the structure eating Bar-B-Q, drinking beer and playing Frisbee & volleyball - just a relaxing afternoon with friends. After sunset we set off fireworks ... read more