erinscrapbook

A View from the Top

2008-08-25T19:11:00.022+09:00

Last weekend I climbed Mt. Hakusan, thus completing my climb of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains "(along with Mt. Tateyama and Mt. Fuji). This was by far the most beautiful climb, although it was the most difficult. The weather was good for the entire climb, and despite the serious muscle pain I'm now feeling, it was a worthwhile experience.

The torii gate at the beginning of the trail.

This is the trail near the top of the mountain. It took around 5 hours to climb (that's out of shape asthmatic speed for those keeping score).

This is the lodge where we stayed near the top before the final ascent to see the sunrise. The tiny bump in the middle of the mountain is the shrine at the very top.

Unlike the vast nothingness surrounding Mt. Fuji, Hakusan is part of a mountain range.

The clouds looked like the ocean at sunset.

Sunset near the top.

Sunrise at the peak.

Will, Yuka and I at the summit.

Me at the top around 5am.

Unlike the lazy, disgruntled monks at the top of Mt. Tateyama, two monks climbed to the top of the mountain for sunrise to say a prayer.

The shrine and prayer at the top.

Me perched atop a precarious rock on the way down.

The view from atop the rock.

The kind of beauty God must look at every morning.

Two weeks ago I had a week's vacation and traveled around the island of Shikoku. When I have some time, I'll post some of those pics and anything else I find from the last month or so.

"What are you anyways?"

2008-07-23T23:23:00.015+09:00

I've been asked by several people, as all travelers are inevitably asked, "Why did you came to Japan?" And for the most part, the answer is mood dependent. It runs the gamut from "I like sushi" to "I want to find myself, and become more independent". I suppose the second answer is more to the point. Recently I came across an animated short that really sums up the true answer for me.

What are you Anyways?

Although I can't say I identify with all of the themes in the film, the title alone struck home for me. When I was 10, a girl a little younger than me approached me on the street and asked me, word for word, "What are you anyways?" I replied "human". She didn't understand, decided for herself that I was Native American, and walked away.

Being here has answered a lot of questions, some of which I never thought to ask before, but most importantly it has answered the question posed in the above film.

What am I anyways?

Canadian. 110%

Things I've Mounted Lately...

2008-07-10T00:54:00.021+09:00

Last Weekend, myself and a few brave souls climbed Tateyama. This is the second of the three Holy Mountains in Japan I've stood on the peak of (after Mt. Fuji) . That tiny bump slightly right of centre is over 3000m high and the goal of the climb. It also has a shrine and a place to spend money.

This is the early trip optimism shot while we were on the trolley going up the mountain. We started our climb around 2400m up.

The journey begins...

We had to stop several times on the path to let people pass. It was barely wide enough for one. That kid up there slipped and fell right in front of Graeme, and so we did what any good person would. We laughed at him.

This is the section we climbed in the dark. On the bottom right is the lodge where we stayed the night. The hump in the middle is the tease that makes you think you're at the top, but you're so not. The top left is where the monks were surprisingly unappreciative of us dropping in at 5am.

Although we woke up at 3am and climbed in the pitch dark to see the sunrise, there was nothing but gray fog at the summit. So this beautiful sunset shot will have to suffice.

The shrine at the top. It looks like we're about to pass through the gate from purgatory into our respective destinations.

Me and Will at the very very top. Looking cold.

Gaijin in the mist

Although it's early July, there's still 2m of snow on the ground. I climbed all of this in running shoes.

Onward to Hell. After we came back down the mountain, we decided to trek through hell. It's actually a large sulfur pit called Jigokudani (Hell Valley). It smelled like rotten eggs and the clouds were strong enough to tarnish my silver ring.

Graeme and Will, go to hell.

There were sirens on all of the paths to warn you if you were about to suffocate from all of the gas. There were also several warning signs, such as this one telling us not to punch the clouds...

But Graeme did it anyways.

I call this the devil's chimney.

Greetings from the stinkiest place on earth. Wish you were here.

More Tateyama fun at Graeme's blog

Happy Canada Day!

2008-07-06T00:07:00.001+09:00

Poutine in Japan!

Those of you reading this comfortably in Canada can’t appreciate how difficult it is to make poutine in Japan. First off, the gravy came to Japan in dried packet form from Canada, because it’s next to impossible to find gravy in Japan. Secondly, cheese is 3 – 4 times as expensive in Japan, and you can’t get real cheese curds. We had to settle for pizza cheese. We also opted to cut the fries ourselves because no one has an oven, so a cookie sheet of McCain crinkle cuts is out of the question.

Our previous attempts had been a combination of frozen McDonalds style fries, demi-glaze sauce (which, although brown is definitely not gravy), and convenience store cheese snacks (which, to our chagrin, were not actually cheese, but some sort of processed fish cheese substance). Needless to say when we attempted to consume it, somewhere a Canadian flag spontaneously burst into flames.

But with this triumph, we have spread the joy of poutine and restored out Canadian honour.

A blog for all seasons 1

2008-06-23T03:02:00.004+09:00

The rainy season is now upon us here in Japan, so naturally, I’ll be spending the next week holed up in my apartment building an ark. And in true Japanese style it will be small and fuel efficient. I thought in honour of the crappy weather, and my having been here for over a year, I’d show you Kanazawa in different seasons.

This is the lantern at Oyama Shrine.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Bread

2008-06-18T00:14:00.003+09:00

In general, when people think of Japanese food, rice and fish come to mind. However, European bakeries are very popular in Japan, my two favourites being 'Vie de France' and 'German Bakery'. Since most people don't have ovens, these are the places to go for baked goods, and due to their unfortunate convenience, are an easy way to gain 10 pounds.

This little guy is a meronpan (melon bread). They aren't usually shaped like turtles, nor do they taste like melon. They have a hard outer layer that makes them look like a cantaloupe, hence the name. They're slightly sweet and easy to eat, and occasionally adorable.

Tea for Two

2008-06-16T01:46:00.009+09:00

Last weekend I attended a tea ceremony at Seison-kaku, a villa built in the 1800’s for the mother of the reigning lord at the time. The building is located in Kenrokuen, the garden Kanazawa is famous for. The room is seldom used in order to properly preserve it, and this historical consideration is said to improve the ceremony.

I decided to wear (and purchase) a kimono for the occasion, since it was on my to-do-list while I was in

Japan

The type of kimono I’m wearing is a Furisode (translation: swinging sleeves). These kimono are made of brightly coloured silk and are worn by young, unmarried women, usually at their coming of age ceremony when they’re 20 years old. These kimono can cost as much as a small car (around ¥1,000,000 or $10,000 US), but I bought mine at a used kimono shop, so it was considerably less. I also bought the embroidered obi (sash), and the tabi (split toed socks) for the occasion.

A special thanks to Kazuyo’s mother for dressing me. It’s a lot more involved than it looks.

Japan = the patch

2008-06-05T22:51:00.007+09:00

According to David Sedaris (who writes hilarious short stories by the way) the best way to quit smoking is to move to Japan and learn Japanese for 3 months. He also discusses the hilarious ashtray pictures from my previous post with Jon Stewart, who finds them just as funny as I do. Enjoy.

Smoke baby pt. 3

2008-06-04T01:08:00.013+09:00

Recently in Japan, cigarette vending machines have begun to require special age verification "Taspo" cards to purchase cigarettes. It turns out they're a pain in the ass to obtain, so a Japanese company is planning to use face scanning technology to determine age.

Cigarette machines may get face scanners

So in honour of this new technology, here's more advertisment poetry to get lung cancer by.

(I carry a 700C fire in my hand with people walking all around me.)

(click to enlarge)

A little, law mentor

2008-05-28T01:14:00.031+09:00

People who translate professionally require a great deal of training because each language has differing grammar and syntax, nuances and slang. This is why, if you run webpages through the Google translator, they often don’t make any sense. Similar mistakes are often made by students who attempt to express themselves using only an electronic dictionary, often to amusing ends.

This principle was applied to a classic Japanese fairy tale, “The Inch High Samurai”. The text was translated from old Japanese, into English, and then back into modern Japanese. So here’s the story of “A Little Law Mentor”

It is ancient times. The close couple who was not blessed with child treasure lived in a certain village of Osaka. "God, even a child like a fingertip doesn't mind. Please give it if you please." Every day, the married couple put together and did a hand prayer in God of Sumiyoshi grand shrine. Then, 2 peoples are surprised because the baby of a fingertip limit is really born. The baby was named A little, law mentor, and it was very loved.

Whether they're some years has passed. However, A little, law mentor doesn't grow at all. Such certain day and A little, law mentor said. "Father, mother, and I want to become a respectable adult in the capital. I will go out to travel in the future." "It was wrapped hard." A little, law mentor pricks the waist with a sword of a pin, rides in a boat of a bowl, uses chopsticks as a paddle and takes a travel. Day of rain and of wind rose, pool river finally to arrive to the capital of the capital, they were possible.

When I walked with the brassiere, brassiere, it came out to the very big Mister's mansion. "Hello hello, as for me A little law mentor. I want to meet the Mister by all means." When A little law mentor was found, the Mister liked him by a look. "Ho-ho, this is he who seems fascinating. The favorite just is be here."

The mister had a princess of one. "Charming one" The princess likes A little, law mentor very much, compose and study a song and any time collaboration. A little, law mentor is also frantic in meeting the expectation of a princess.

A matter of a certain day, the princess was accompanied by A little, law mentor and went for the worship to the Merciful Goddess. Then I am a thing of the return road.

Large two bogles showed suddenly and attacked the princess. "Oh dear, this is a beautiful damsel. I will monopolize it."

"Rude bad bogles, this A little, law mentor is a partner, preparedness margin!"

"A little, law mentor extracts the sword of a pin from the waist and is skipping to the bogles.

"It is an impudent boy. Your something eating. The bogle picked up crib, A little, law mentor and has swallowed it. But, A little, law mentor runs intensely while the sword of the pin is being stuck in the stomach of bogle. "Ray and ray hi!" The bogle cannot bear. " I am painful, and this is a Japanese syllabary bowl. "The bogle escaped at full speed, when A little, law mentor was breathed out.

After the bogles escaped, a mallet rolled. "Oh, this is a dollar spinner that everything says a desire is realized." "The princess, please enlarge my back with this dollar spinner." "That the height of that which is big Kiku, A little, law mentor is big Kiku." Ton Caroline Ton Caroline. In the degree where the priness shakes the dollar spinner, the back is extended rapidly.

A little, law mentor became overnight a splendid young man. Afterwords, A little, law mentor was to call parents in the capital, and to have lived happily with the princess indefinetely.
A Happy ending.

Scoreboard: the Japanese Workplace

2008-05-18T22:08:00.007+09:00

Since I began working in Japan as an English teacher around 1 year and 3 months ago, I’ve taught approximately 1400 classes (wow, I’ve never tried to calculate that before).

A government employee in Kinokawa city, in 9 months of work, managed to access 780,000 porn websites while at work. That’s around 1 porn website every 30 seconds.

Japanese worker's three-quarters of a million porn hits

The man wasn’t fired… NOT FIRED, but demoted with a $200/month pay cut.

I have yet to receive a promotion.

Engrish: Digestive tract edition

2008-05-18T14:23:00.014+09:00

The Japanese above “Collon” says “cream”. I was told the name came from the Japanese sound effect for the action of rolling a tube.

But at the end of the day, it’s still a large cream filled tube called a “cream collon”. It was also delicious by the way.

I think you’d be hard pressed to find an advertising firm in North America that would advise you to put the words “gastronomic pleasure” on a food product. I think it would sooner pop up on a fetish site.

Going, going, Guam

2008-05-12T21:09:00.019+09:00

This year for Golden Week (my 1 week of vacation time at the end of April) I went to Guam. Why Guam you ask? Because it was half the price of staying in Japan and going to Okinawa. Guam is kind of like Japan's Cuba. It's tropical, beautiful, and caters mostly to Japanese tourists. I spent 2 of my 5 days SCUBA diving, and the other 3 swimming, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, shopping, getting sunburned, and enjoying North American style food (Guam is an American territory). It was nice to get away and have some English conversation that I wasn't being paid for. Everyone in the tourist areas were really friendly (and somewhat flirty), and I even had a conversation with a man who spoke mostly Chamorro (the native language of the island).

Also, SCUBA diving is the greatest thing on earth, and I highly recommend it to everyone. I saw far too many fish to list here, but it included clown fish, parrot fish, and butterfly fish, but the highlight had to be the sea turtle I chased around.

This is Gun Beach, where I went SCUBA diving and saw the turtle.

This is the gun after which Gun Beach is named. It's from World War II and was used by Japanese forces to protect the bay from the Americans.

This is the hotel I stayed at. It was small and quiet compared to most in the area, but it was still on the beach.

This is the view from the hotel at sunset. The bay was shallow enough during the day for me to walk out to that island and snorkel around it.

This is Underwater World, the world's longest tunnel aquarium.

Festival-us for the rest-of-all-of-us

2008-04-20T09:49:00.011+09:00

I spent last weekend at the Asanogawa river festival. It’s an annual event, and even though it was overcast and drizzly, I still had my fill of meat on a stick. It featured performances by geisha, food, cherry blossoms, food, beer, food, and like all of the best events in Japan, food.

Happy Hanami!

2008-04-18T00:03:00.012+09:00

Hanami is the custom of viewing cherry blossoms. For one week every year, Japan explodes into a wonderland of delicate pink and white clouds, such that you feel like you are wandering through heaven.

For this fleeting time, people gather with family and friends to enjoy the scenery and even the most hardened of corporate drones can be caught smiling. Although many writers and poets have attempted to share this season, the true power of hanami can only be appreciated when contrasted with the oppressive Japanese work week and the depressing winter weather that precedes it.

Although neither words nor pictures can capture the beauty or spirit of the season, here are a few anyways.

“The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.” – Katsumoto, The Last Samurai

Not just sake

2008-04-04T00:36:00.011+09:00

I've recently realized my blog is sorely lacking in one of the most interesting curiosities Japan has to offer. Food. As with cellphones, Japanese people have little patience for consistency in regard to drinks and snacks. That's why you have to buy a years supply of the delicious fruit flavoured Kit Kat balls that you discovered last week, because they'll be discontinued by next week. So let me introduce you to two beverages that had a one week engagement at my local convenience store.

Pepsi Ice Cucumber. Why did it take so long for someone to think of this? I was asking myself the same thing when I came across it. I can't count the number of times I've longed for a drinkable cucumber on a hot summers day, but to my despair, only lemonade presented itself to quench my thirst. And nothing says potable quite like bright green. I think this beverage may contain the secret of the ooze. It actually didn't taste bad. That's not to say that it tasted good. It had a generic carbonated beverage taste with a mild hint of cucumber, kind of like chewing gum with chlorophyll or the grass flavoured Harry Potter Jelly beans. I'd drink it again, but I doubt I'd ever crave it.

Canada Dry Sakura Mist. For those wondering, sakura means cherry blossom, and is highly revered in Japan. They blanket the more fortunate areas of Japan for a fleeting week, and with them signal the beginning of spring. Sakura are harvested and used in many traditional Japanese sweets as well as more contemporary confections, like Kit Kats. This is however, the first time I've seen them put in pop. This drink is admittedly better than the cucumber one, and has a light cherryish taste without any suggestion of cough syrup. As with most pop, it's mostly sugar, but it's not very strong tasting, and I'd buy it again.

Cellphone cameras: The good, the bad, and the uncalled for

2008-03-28T23:06:00.005+09:00

As many of you know, or at least assume through stereotype, technology in Japan is better than that in North America. Now that I’m here, I’m not sure that it’s entirely true. Having a larger, electronics savvy market I think results in some advances, but globalization is decreasing the gap. My North American bought (but it’s a Sony) digital camera doesn’t put me to any particular shame here, but I will say that cellphones in Japan are far superior to their North American counterparts (iPhone excluded).

Cellphones here are pushed ever forward by highly demanding market forces. Japanese people, it seems, don’t believe in owning anything over a year old, and buy new cellphones more often than I buy new underwear (which in my defense, is not that infrequent). Unfortunately, the technology isn’t transferable, so I’ll have to buy some Motorola piece of crap when I get home, but for now here’s a picture of my baby in all of it’s 103 x 49 x 11.4 mm glory:

(mine's the red one)

It turns out that one of the more useful functions of a cellphone in a land where you don’t speak the language is the camera. This allows people I can barely communicate with to show me a picture of their dog/child/sister’s new baby so I can squeal kawaii (cute) in my best nasal Japanese girly voice, and we can both feel satisfied that we shared a moment of sorts.

I’m generally comfortable with this arrangement, but today it went a step too far. I was at the local international center when a Korean woman walked in with her 1 year old son. He was covered in lotion covered dots, and it turns out that he had chicken pox. Some smaller than small talk was exchanged, and then the woman pointed to the kids crotch and said what I can only assume was Japanese for “itchy”. She then proceeded to pull out her cellphone and show me a picture of that which the diaper is meant to cover. This woman was specifically, dare I say purposefully, carrying around a picture in her cellphone, of her son’s be speckled privates, just incase random strangers were curious. Really, there’s nothing quite like childhood herpes on baby junk to make a real show and tell event.

Incandescent Kobe

2008-03-21T00:36:00.005+09:00

Last weekend I went to Kobe with the guys. It's a very modern, and very shiny city.

Harborland

Kobe Tower

How things looked after I'd had a few.

Obama rama

2008-03-10T15:57:00.007+09:00

I’ve tried to keep this blog Japan-centric, but now allow me to digress into American politics. Mostly because that’s what many of my students have opted to do recently. Over the past month or so, many people here in Japan have been swept up in Obama-mania. I’d like to claim it’s because of an astute interest in international politics, but it’s actually just an issue of nomenclature.

Down the coast, in my neighbouring prefecture, lies the city of Obama, Fukui.

Recently, this obscure fishing town, previously famous for chopsticks, has been pumping out merchandise (including sweet bean cakes in the man’s likeness) and holding rallies to support the Democratic nominee.

The most enjoyable aspect of this situation however, is that all of my students are convinced Obama will definitely be the next president, and it seems no one has ever even heard of John McCain. I’m sure it mirrors my own ignorance of Asian politics, and I appreciate their willingness to discuss the American election. Besides, no one here cares much about the war in Iraq either. So for those of you who are still wondering, America’s influence may be far reaching, but it isn’t the center of the universe.

More: Obama, Japan, roots for accidental namesake

Dueling Shamisen

2008-03-03T23:02:00.019+09:00

Last weekend I attended my friend Remi’s shamisen concert. It was his third and most impressive concert to date, as he has become very adept at a difficult instrument.

Here’s Remi looking dapper in his kimono.

The shamisen is a traditional Japanese 3 stringed instrument that combines the slim elegance of a violin, with a sound and playing style closer to that of a banjo. The instrument is often, in Western countries, related to Geisha, however it can be played by anyone. You also may recognize it from the Nintendo Wii commercials.

This is a picture from the first concert I attended, featuring some local Geisha (and the backs of many people’s heads).

Here's an example of dueling shamisen.

And here's an example of something a little more contemporary. I think I like it because the start reminds me of hockey night in Canada.

Enjoy!

Smoke baby pt. 1

2008-02-18T23:20:00.010+09:00

Japanese warning signs tend to be less direct than those in Western nations. Whereas "Keep out!" is a staple in North America, the English version in Japan might read "Please do not come in." Although smoking is largely banned at home, non-smoking signs usually have a threatening quality, by stating potential fines or punishment. Japan however is a place of subtlety and beauty. It's also a very clean place, which may be due, at least in part, to the poetic requests of ashtrays.

Sloth

Greed

Gluttony

Smoke baby pt. 2

2008-02-18T22:18:00.016+09:00

Pride

Lust

Wrath

Envy

On the topic of tobacco, I pass this sign every day on my way to work. It reminds me of simpler times, of sock hops, poodle skirts, and segregation.

Found in Translation

2008-02-12T22:56:00.001+09:00

Teaching English in Japan is a highly competitive business. One of the biggest English schools in Japan recently went out of business and forced a lot of hardworking gaijin (foreigners) to pack their things and go home. Each company is looking for an edge, that extra creativity that will separate them from the competition. The following television programs have definitely found a way to stand out from the crowd.

This one combines the allure of the geisha with the idioms of a prostitute. "Come on Toshie!"

The glasses and suit jacket give the instructor credibility, but the sexy sensei are really just Russian call girls whose English is worse than that of their students. The skit at the end is beautiful though. "You are good at blowing job aren't you?"

There are several videos in this series, and it's so ridiculous that even CNN showed it.The glasses on the two men scream intimidating.

Here's my other two favorites from the series:

When you gotta go...

I'll be back

Companion

2008-02-08T02:15:00.002+09:00

Japan is forever linked with the image of Geisha. As living art, they embody a beauty and precision that has long captured the world’s attention.

Although Geisha have seriously declined in numbers, hostess clubs and their prostitution based counterparts are commonly available for similar, though generally less artistic entertainment. Generally speaking, in Japanese society, mistresses and extramarital female companions are a less stigmatized concept than in Judeo-Christian cultures.

Over the past couple of days I’ve encountered this cultural aspect in three separate people, one of whom I have grown to expect this from, one of whom I had no preconceptions of, and one of whom I least expected it from. I’ve listened to a blend of justifications, philosophies, anecdotes, and how time can make all of these moot. I don’t know if I feel my faith in monogamy has been shaken, or my faith in people. But something is unbalanced. Maybe it’s me.

Boys gone wild

2008-02-04T23:02:00.002+09:00

I'll always have a soft spot for the boy bands.

Probably the biggest one in Japan is SMAP. They're not so much a band (their singing is far from stellar) as they are a brand. Each member appears in commercials, movies, several variety shows each week, and my personal favourite, on vending machines.

So what happens when East meets West? An unstoppable harmony machine? Sex on 20 legs? Or is it merely a watered down version of a syrupy love song? I'll let you judge.

This one's goin out to Paola

There is no spoon

2008-02-04T17:04:00.001+09:00

I saw the craziest thing today. I was walking home from Kanazawa Castle and it was simultaneously raining and snowing. Since the snow was falling more slowly than the rain it looked like time had actually slowed. It was like being in a video game, or a music video, or perhaps... the Matrix.I'm gonna go follow the white rabbit.

From the Makers of ‘Haiku’

2008-02-01T23:11:00.001+09:00

The wonderful thing about incorrect English is that it sometimes lends itself to such art forms as music and poetry. Where it might take a skillful artisan to create the perfect sonnet or an upbringing in an impoverished neighborhood to develop first rate rapping skills, sometimes non-native speakers create beautiful lyrics completely by accident.

I have one student, who I would describe as a sensitive and artistic soul, who is especially skilled (or accident prone, depending on your interpretation). Let’s just call this found art.

“But All people very kindly so I doing full complete every day.”

“Now I have sensitive making because of grow native place life.”

“Happy is drawing so that various tool and color touch and it spend creation every day.”

Instruction manual

2008-01-28T17:45:00.001+09:00

... IN BED! Chopsticks aren't usually this dirty. But they do make a good point about practice, remember that it makes perfect.

For those of us who are unable to operate gum. Yes, Chewing! But remember ladies, no swallowing. Not without expensive jewelery first.

Good Eats

2008-01-28T13:36:00.002+09:00

So it's been a while since I've had an overpriced, stereotypically Japanese meal. It was delicious, it was awesome, and it was totally worth it. Sushi, tempura (not photographed), and 4 pieces of something delicious.

Note to Canadian sushi, the fish should be twice the length of the rice. That's how the Japanese roll. And on that accidental pun, I bid you adieu.

Samurai Winter

2008-01-22T02:08:00.002+09:00

I thought I should start showing you around my town.

This is the Nagamachi Samurai district, about 2 blocks from my house. It's winter, and it's dusk and the walls are covered in straw to protect them from the snow, even though there isn't much.

It's usually filled with Japanese tourists during the day, but at night you can walk through and pretend it's still the Edo period. It's the kind of wonderful stereotypical historical japan that most people yearn to see but never do.

Osaka Engrish

2008-01-21T02:34:00.002+09:00

Unfortunately, there's not a lot of high quality engrish in Kanazawa, and after being here a while you become desensitized to the more subtle mistakes. I did however find these in Osaka a while back.

For the philosophical gambler, who might be aware he is squandering his fourth dimension privileges.

All of this was written beside a vending machine on a door that I think led to a storage closet.

Food & Bar & Happy!! My three favourite things with my two favourite exclamation points!!

Wakura Onsen

2008-01-15T02:30:00.003+09:00

Ok, as is evident from my single, previous post, I really did intend to start this blog. But then the rest of 2007 happened and my blog didn’t. I figured New Year’s resolution season was a good time to dust it off and give it another go, so here goes.

I spent last weekend soaking at an onsen (hot spring), and as expected it was incredibly relaxing.

Visiting an onsen is like visiting a resort, and it really is a testament to the many things Japan does well. Food, hospitality, wearing robes in public, non-sexual nudity and futons.

Soak, eat, soak, rest, sleep, soak, eat. Lather, rinse, repeat. Literally.

Never have I felt so clean. As an added bonus, the outdoor bath has a seaside view, which makes being outdoors naked in winter absolutely perfect.

Engrish connection: The bottles of face scrub in the showers said “Remove horny layer and dead skin.”

First Day in Japan

2007-02-17T17:53:00.001+09:00

Hi everybody!

Well, I made it to Japan in 1 piece. It took about 22 hours from airport to apartment, so I followed that up with about 14 hours of sleep. I’m lounging around in my cousin’s gigantic apartment right now (a good size by North American standards) watching random Japanese television. All I’ve been able to catch so far is ‘thank you’, but I’ll work on that. Everyone went to a wedding, so right now I’m hanging out with the little robotic dog. They sell a lot of fruit on the shopping channel here, and strawberries are much more exciting here for some reason. It seems blueberries are supposed to bring families together or something. Oh and music videos are the same everywhere, and thus so are boy bands, but as far as I can tell, all of the members are ‘the asian one’.

Tiff will appreciate this: remember that project we did in grade 9 computers with the Japanese toilets? Well, my cousin has them in his apartment, heated seats and all sorts of “cleaning functions”. You just can’t make any sudden moves or you’ll have to change your pants… and that’s how Erin, through necessity, learned what a Japanese off button looks like.

Anyho, haven’t ventured out into the world yet other than a half successful taxi ride, but when I do, I’ll tell you all about it. I’m off to some comedy show (in English). I’ll try to be shorter and more interesting next time too.

Sayonara from Tokyo!