When I visited Tokyo 1-2 years ago, I saw a new kind of vending machine. The vending machine looked like a very large smart phone. Immediately, I took a photo. People must have thought “Why is she taking a photo of a vending machine? She must be from the country side.” Haha. (Photo Via Acure) According to the company, Acure, that makes this smart phone … Continue reading Vending Machine Heaven
(Via travelbook.co.jp) A common basic love hotel room I thought Love Hotels were everywhere. All over the world. Until I live outside of Japan. A Love Hotel is a hotel for making love. Usually, people can choose to stay for as short as 2 hours, “Free Time” (Happy Hour) or stay a night. When you check out, guests just pay through an ATM-like machine in … Continue reading Love Hotels in Japan
I was looking for something interesting about Japan. I googled “Why Japanese”, and I found a video on BBC News “Why don’t Japanese drivers buy U.S. cars?”. The video explains why very well. Here is the link to the video As the video shows, many streets and parking lots are so narrow in Japan. Cars from the U.S. are too big. It’ll be very hard … Continue reading Why Japanese people don’t buy U.S. cars?
The morning of January 13th 2017, Hawaii residents and visitors got emergency alert on their smartphones, “A ballistic missile threat is inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill”. First of all, my husband screamed when he read that a missile was heading inbound to Hawaii. My U.S. mainland friend who lives in Hawaii called his family to say “I love you”. … Continue reading Reactions towards the inbounding missile
According to Nishinippon Shinbun, there is an island that having a dog as a pet is a big taboo. The island is located in Saga prefecture, it is called Kakarashima (???). About 130 people live there (2015). A journalist who works for Nishinippon Shinbun has visited the island. The journalist has asked residents about having pet dogs. People said “No one can own a dog, … Continue reading An island where nobody can have a dog
When I lived overseas, I was surprised that Japan is famous for being a Hentai (pervert) country. Some guy talked me about Japanese porn or anime. I’ve never thought that Japan is a perverted country, but after I lived outside of Japan, I realized that there wasn’t any porn displayed in stores. However, in Japan we can see porn being sold, even in convenience stores. … Continue reading Convenience stores should sell porn?
It’s the holiday season! I’ve heard “Happy Holidays!” a lot. Japan is a Buddhist and Shinto country, but they celebrate Christmas Day, have wedding ceremonies at church and wear costumes for Halloween. They are very open minded about accepting other cultures in this regard. Even though Christmas Day is not a holiday in Japan, it is a very big event for them. Christmas Day in … Continue reading Christmas is the “Couple’s Day” in Japan
I’ve been in the U.S for 2 and half years. I go back to Japan once or twice a year. When I back to Japan, I was realized that people are taking photos with sound of a shutter. I was kind of annoyed by it. Also, Japanese travelers take photos with the shutter sound even outside of Japan. I was also doing same thing when … Continue reading Taking photo with the sound of a shutter
Last month, something happened that it must happen only in Japan. One train left 20 seconds earlier. The train supposed to left 9:44 40 seconds, but the train left 9:44 20 seconds. The rail company, Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company, MIR, released a apology. (BBC, 2017 http://www.bbc.com/japanese/42023075) When train arrives or departs 1 minute too earlier or has delays, it is a big issue for Japanese … Continue reading Apologize for 20 seconds early departure
