Wrap up
As of today I've been back in the States one full week. I should point out that being unemployed in Japan and in America are both equally boring. The days continue to slip by in uncounted numbers. I think the root of this particular issue lies in not having a set schedule to work with. Back in Japan I would be called a NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training.)
Anyways, this will be the last post for this blog before I archive it. The following are things that I wanted to cover but A.) didn't fit with other posts B.) I didn't have time to write up properly. So, in no particular order...
Bowls full of yen: The one yen coin has the monetary value of about penny and is about as useful. Instead of carrying around pockets full it's not uncommon to have a yen jar/cup/bowl (like a penny jar.) I adopted the practice of saving my yen. Unfortunately there are no "coin-star" machines to be found and banks were oddly reluctant to give me bills when I went to change my 1 yen coins in. I ended up leaving maybe 500 yen behind when I left.
Mopeds in Japan: Through talking with one of my students I found out that you can't actually buy mopeds in Japan! Because mopeds use 2-stroke engines. While being good on gas, they don't burn fuel very cleanly. So, due to strict emissions standards, there are next-to-no mopeds to be found in Japan. Instead you see a bike called the "Honda Cub" or "Super Cub" EVERYWHERE. After a little research, it seems that the Cub is the best selling motor bike in all Asia. It's a scooter that runs on a 4-stroke, 150cc engine. In Japan, the police and the post office both use Cubs as their bike of choice.
Shopping or eating out: Department stores and most shops don't open 'til 10am and close by 9pm. Most sit-down restaurants don't open until late afternoon and are only open 'til 11pm. It took a while to get used to not getting things done early in the morning or late in the evening. Planning needed to revolve around going out mid-day if any shopping was to be done (even the grocery store didn't open 'til 9am.) Also, EVERY TIME you enter a shop or restaurant in Japan you are greeted. Without fail at least one, if not all, of the staff will say "welcome" (in Japanese of course.) 90% of the time when you leave a shop staff will say "thank you", even if you didn't buy anything. This custom seems to transcend the occasional cold shoulder you get as a foreigner (even if they ignore you afterwards, they will at least say "welcome".)
Adventures not yet had: There are some things that I have yet to do in Japan. I know one day I will return to Japan, even if it's just on vacation (heck, my last two trips were like long vacations anyways.) When I return I'd like to climb Mt. Fuji, go to a comic-book convention at Tokyo Big Site, ski in Hokkaido, and surf the Shonan coast (the beaches near Fujisawa.) ...and since skiing and surfing require different seasons more than one trip will be needed!
That's it for this adventure. Hope you found it interesting. Until next time main blog can be found, as always, at http://dockett.blogspot.com
Jaa Mata Ne.
Anyways, this will be the last post for this blog before I archive it. The following are things that I wanted to cover but A.) didn't fit with other posts B.) I didn't have time to write up properly. So, in no particular order...
Bowls full of yen: The one yen coin has the monetary value of about penny and is about as useful. Instead of carrying around pockets full it's not uncommon to have a yen jar/cup/bowl (like a penny jar.) I adopted the practice of saving my yen. Unfortunately there are no "coin-star" machines to be found and banks were oddly reluctant to give me bills when I went to change my 1 yen coins in. I ended up leaving maybe 500 yen behind when I left.
Mopeds in Japan: Through talking with one of my students I found out that you can't actually buy mopeds in Japan! Because mopeds use 2-stroke engines. While being good on gas, they don't burn fuel very cleanly. So, due to strict emissions standards, there are next-to-no mopeds to be found in Japan. Instead you see a bike called the "Honda Cub" or "Super Cub" EVERYWHERE. After a little research, it seems that the Cub is the best selling motor bike in all Asia. It's a scooter that runs on a 4-stroke, 150cc engine. In Japan, the police and the post office both use Cubs as their bike of choice.
Shopping or eating out: Department stores and most shops don't open 'til 10am and close by 9pm. Most sit-down restaurants don't open until late afternoon and are only open 'til 11pm. It took a while to get used to not getting things done early in the morning or late in the evening. Planning needed to revolve around going out mid-day if any shopping was to be done (even the grocery store didn't open 'til 9am.) Also, EVERY TIME you enter a shop or restaurant in Japan you are greeted. Without fail at least one, if not all, of the staff will say "welcome" (in Japanese of course.) 90% of the time when you leave a shop staff will say "thank you", even if you didn't buy anything. This custom seems to transcend the occasional cold shoulder you get as a foreigner (even if they ignore you afterwards, they will at least say "welcome".)
Adventures not yet had: There are some things that I have yet to do in Japan. I know one day I will return to Japan, even if it's just on vacation (heck, my last two trips were like long vacations anyways.) When I return I'd like to climb Mt. Fuji, go to a comic-book convention at Tokyo Big Site, ski in Hokkaido, and surf the Shonan coast (the beaches near Fujisawa.) ...and since skiing and surfing require different seasons more than one trip will be needed!
That's it for this adventure. Hope you found it interesting. Until next time main blog can be found, as always, at http://dockett.blogspot.com
Jaa Mata Ne.
posted by Dockett @ 4:17 PM
0 comments
