My Life as a Foreigner "Living in Japan"

[Vlade]

Sizzle it's interesting that you mention an experience at a sport circle, since I'm actually planning on joining a badminton circle after Golden Week haha. We'll see how I get treated

 

[Teran]

Congratulations on winning, gaijin.

 

[KoopaTroopa895]

I remember hosting a student from Japan. It was only for a week, this blog has me thinking on whether he would have a different opinion on America but it was only for a week. He wants to be an English teacher in Japan so hopefully one of these days he does come back. Still though really cool blog, very informative

 

[Mota]

Really makes me wonder what the Japanese Smashers think when they come to the USA.

 

[GwJ]

Well, from what I saw in the Apex live stream during finals, there was a bit of division between the two. Of course, it would be the same if it was East Coast vs. West Coast so I doubt that really means anything.

From what I hear NORMALLY, Japanese smashers get along very well with western smashers. I've never heard of an issue in hostility between Japanese and western smashers.

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

Sorry for being absent. I was on vacation and didn't have much freetime save for occasionally checking the forums. I'm working on a new blog post but things such as taxes, driving license tests, and other annoying life things always seems to hinder me at every turn.

GwJumpman - I assume that Japanese Smashers are more familiar with Westerners and vice versa.

Sizzle - I recently tried joining a tennis group with some foreigner friends just for exercise. It went well but I could tell we were pushed off to the side throughout the groups course.

This is just a thought but I have fun joining a group/club as the lone foreigner creates more openness between the foreigner and the Japanese people. Foreigners do have a tendency to form clicks when in a foreign country (as do Japanese when they are abroad). Once the novelty of being a foreigner wears off, most Japanese will just see you as a "person", not strictly "a foreigner". But....you'll still never be Jspanese how many times you bow, how much kanji you know, how perfect your local dialect is, or how well you hold chopsticks.

 

[Sizzle]

At the smash tournament I went to, I was treated very well. Everyone seemed eager to play me, even though I was really rusty and kinda sucked, the fact that I could speak Japanese made it easy for me to talk with them and have a good time.

I'm glad you decided to join the tennis group. It doesn't surprise me based off of my experience, but hopefully you are able to integrate with them well. In general, I was treated really well, it was just those few weeks that kinda sucked.

I definitely know the feeling of "novelty" that you describe. People always seemed amazed by even the ability to read hiragana, which was so simple to me way before I got there, it seemed to blow their mind that I could read and write kanji =x Chopsticks was another one they always complimented me on too, which I thought was kinda silly. I realized they were just trying to be friendly and compliment you on those things, which was nice. I guess since I lived in a place without many foreigners, they didn't really know what to expect, or perhaps maybe they were still shy around me so they wanted to be nice. Sometimes I just felt annoyed too, that doing such a trivial thing like using chopsticks was seen as so amazing lol.

As a foreigner though, you could be the first American or (insert nationality here) that some Japanese have ever met. I realized that you really do represent your country while you are abroad and unfortunately, some people got bad first impressions of some of my classmates from other western countries. That is something I think even tourists need to take into consideration when travelling around. Just because you are new somewhere, doesn't mean you should be ignorant. That bothered me a bit while I was there.

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

At the smash tournament I went to, I was treated very well. Everyone seemed eager to play me, even though I was really rusty and kinda sucked, the fact that I could speak Japanese made it easy for me to talk with them and have a good time.

I'm glad you decided to join the tennis group. It doesn't surprise me based off of my experience, but hopefully you are able to integrate with them well. In general, I was treated really well, it was just those few weeks that kinda sucked.

I definitely know the feeling of "novelty" that you describe. People always seemed amazed by even the ability to read hiragana, which was so simple to me way before I got there, it seemed to blow their mind that I could read and write kanji =x Chopsticks was another one they always complimented me on too, which I thought was kinda silly. I realized they were just trying to be friendly and compliment you on those things, which was nice. I guess since I lived in a place without many foreigners, they didn't really know what to expect, or perhaps maybe they were still shy around me so they wanted to be nice. Sometimes I just felt annoyed too, that doing such a trivial thing like using chopsticks was seen as so amazing lol.

As a foreigner though, you could be the first American or (insert nationality here) that some Japanese have ever met. I realized that you really do represent your country while you are abroad and unfortunately, some people got bad first impressions of some of my classmates from other western countries. That is something I think even tourists need to take into consideration when travelling around. Just because you are new somewhere, doesn't mean you should be ignorant. That bothered me a bit while I was there.

Yeah, I usually try to not let the staring bother me since I figure I may be the first foreigner they have ever seen. You do truly represent your nationality and, doing stupid **** that paints it in a bad light, will cause many Japanese to have misconceptions concerning that country/nationality.

I finally have some free time so here is my 4th blog post. i hope you enjoy it. It is a very interesting topic that exists solely exists in Japan.

"Partying in up in Japan: Office Worker Style"

This is a fairly big topic and I hope I don't/didn't clump everything together into one riddled, hideous mess. I apologize in advance if I did.

Drinking in Japan is a very interesting and complex issue that takes quite a while to get used to. For starters, when I was in America, I didn't do too much drinking. I just drank at random parties, events, and when I went out to dinner. However, before I left for Japan 2 years ago, I mostly drank alcohol at the clubs, parties, and at dinner but never enough to get really trashed and have a “The Hang Over” experience..

However, after coming to Japan, I have noticed I have an increased tolerance of alcohol...and an increased amount of times of being out-right trashed. There is a reason for my sudden increase in consumption of alcohol: Japanese people drink alcohol like its water. They just drink and drink and, when you think they might barf, they drink some more. However, many Japanese don't drink to get drunk, but they drink socially. Meaning they use the effects of alcohol as an excuse to open up to one another. And it works.

College frat/house parties do not exist here in Japan (at least as we know it). Of course, Japanese college students and such do have BBQ parties and get-together's (Konpa) for drinking and fun. However, I want to focus more on the Working Man parties. The type of parties that white collared/blue collared workers go to for fun, drinks, and craziness. I am employed by my Board of Education and teach English at two middle schools and two elementary schools. Therefore, I am invited to various drinking parties or "enkai" for various reasons such as to celebrate the end of the Sports Day Festival, to celebrate the end of the year, or to welcome in new teachers in April. However, what does "enkai" actually mean and what does it entail?

In Japan, the word "enkai" basically means "party". The first kanji for en (宴）means "banquet" and the "kai"　(会) means "meeting". There are many "~kai's" in Japanese society such as the:

"bounenkai" (end of the year party)
"wakrekai" (farewell party)
"shoukai" (tea party)
kangeikai (welcome party)
"nomikai" (drinking party)
"Undoukai" (sports day)
etc etc etc.

They all vary from one another but they follow a similar formula and customs in preparing and executing the enkai. The first part of the enkai planning process is to secure a particular place to meet; which is usually at a restaurant, a Japanese-style restaurant/bar called an "izakaya", or at a hotel. The more casual enkai's (to celebrate the Sport's Festival) is usually held at a restaurant or izakaya while the more formal enkai’s are at a hotel. The "End of the Year Party" or "PTA Party" are typically formal.

Most eating establishments have various courses at flat fees. Some of these courses are geared towards a particular event such as a birthday course, a congratulations course, or, as a mentioned earlier, an end of the year course. However, the most important aspect is if the course includes an all-you-can-drink (nomihoudai) for two or three hours. This is the most important aspect and an enkai isn't an enkai without the all-you-can-drink. The course varies place to place but the general fee for restaurants and izakaya's is between $30-50 while hotels usually are $50-80. The most I have ever spent on an enaki was $80 and it was at the prefectures best hotel for my Prefectural Board of Education enkai. What can be troublesome in certain times of the year (particularly in April and May) have more enkai’s than usual. This is because the fiscal/academic year ends in March and starts again in April. For me, my students graduation ceremony was at the end of March and the first day of school was two weeks later in April. So, because of this, all of my schools and my Board of Education had Good-Bye enkais, end of the school year enkais, Welcome Enkais, PTA Enkais, Start of the Year Enkais, etc. I was invited to at least 15 different enakis but I only went to five of them (some of them were on the same dates). However, it altogether came to be $300-400 for the enkais. That is a lot of money to sink into less than a month. But they can be a blast and a great way to talk to people so I consider it as an investment.

Moving on, he location is established and it's time to start asking co-workers if they will come or not. Of course, you can decline an invitation (and I have several times) if you have a previous mandatory obligation, low on cash, or other reasons. However, when this may be the first enkai of the year, this reflects on you poorly. In general, you should attend at least 3 enkai's throughout the course of the year. You won't be punished for not going (though some are mandatory) BUT some of your co-workers might think you are not of the "group" anymore. This is attributed to Japan's "group" mentality.

Ok, so how do you dress for the enkai? I always have this problem of either dressing to casually (shirt and jeans) or too formally (suit coat, dress pants, dress shirt, and tie). Always go by the type of enkai and where is it located. If it is an End of the Year Enkai at a nice hotel, where you best because some of the co-workers will be in tuxedos and other formal outfits. However, if it is non-important enkai at an izakaya, casual is the best way to go.

Once you get to the location, you will be escorted to the room by one of the establishment’s staff. In most of my experiences, one of the co-workers is in charge of marking you as "in attendance", another co-worker gives you your seat number, and the last takes your money away. These three are usually the ones who are in charge of planning and putting together an enkai.

I would like to take a little bit and side track a bit. Planning an enkai is hard ****! Another English Teacher and I had to plan an enkai event for the Board of Education. So we had to invite 50+ people, get all their responses (took 3 weeks), call the establishment and book the restaurant, select the course, tell how much it is to everyone only to find out 10 people canceled. Then we have to call the establishment AGAIN to tell them the number dropped. This was in a 4 week period. We were changing our reservation up to 3 hours before our actual work party. My friend and I had to mark everyone down, collect money, and give out seating numbers. We have had to do this three times throughout the course of this year (my final one will come this summer thank god).

So, when everyone is present for the enkai, a representative (or MC) from the group who planned the enkai usually does a short welcome speech. If it is a formal enkai, there is usually a schedule written on the board or on a projector. The person then explains the schedule briefly. He or she then (in most cases) introduces the person who is third in charge. This person does a short speech which usually brief and quick. The MC then introduces the second in charge (vice,president, vice-principal, administrator, etc) who does a longer speech and commends everyone for working hard and to continue to work hard. After the 2nd in charge's speech is over, the MC introduces the principal/president/superintendent/head honcho. This particular speech is the longest and most important. The head honcho usually makes mention of particular people who worked particularly hard, past group achievements, and to continue to work hard together in the future.

In a usual enkai, this is the end of the speeches. However, there are two types of enkai's that I want to highlight on that differ after the head honcho's speech. The Farewell (Okarekai) Party usually has those who are leaving/quitting/changing jobs to introduce themselves and do short speeches. Tears are usually in attendance since it can be an emotional time for some. After the speeches are done, the party can commence.

In the Welcome Party (Kangeikai), the new employees will do a short speech where they introduce themselves, where they are from, a brief description of their career, and then closing remarks such as "I look forward to working with all of you", "Let's have a good year!", etc. As before, once this is all finished, the party can commence.

The people in charge then start taking drink orders. The most popular choice among partiers is:

The Nama Beer (Draft Beer)

It is a cold, refreshing draft beer from usually the primary Japanese beer manufacturers: Asahi, sapporo, and Ichiban. Asahi is the most abundant.

Asahi Draft Beer​

However, there are other choices such as red and white wine, whisky, rum, rum and coke (jack and coke), and, on occasion, foreign beer. However, besides wine, most Japanese order Japanese drinks. The most popular is umeshu, sochu, and chuhai.

Umeshu (my particular drink of choice)

Shochu

Chuhai​

Other establishments may offer foreign drinks, mixed drinks, soda, and juice but, regardless of the place, you can order any of these. Nama Beer though will always be brought to your table; regardless if you want it or not.

The next stage is the quintessential "Kanpai". Kanpai in Japanese basically means "cheers". But as always, there is a system for this. Once everyone is supplied with a beverage; alcoholic or not, the MC asks the head honcho to lead the kanpai. Everyone stands up with the un-driunk drink in their right hand. The head honcho will stand up and scream with as much emotion as he or she can manage "KANPAI!" The rest of the audience will reply in kanpai.

What happens next is hard to describe in words but, a massive cluster**** occurs. Everyone bolts for once to the nearest person and clinks glasses while saying "kanpai" to the other person. People will seek out the head honchos or important persons in particular. It is actually one of the few times I talk to some people because, as it so happens, I never talk to them at work.

However, this moment is brief and allows for ten or fifteen kanpais to occur before everyone sits down. This is when the banquet starts. The waiters/waitresses then begin bringing out the food that was in the course menu. Some restaurants have an enkai course where customers can order food from a menu. However, more often than not, it is a set course and you should eat what you are given.

This is a horrible situation for those who are either picky or shy away from crazy food. Luckily, I have a iron-class stomach and will readily accept anything as long as it doesn't smell or look like **** (which I have had to turn down once).

I recently had a Welcome Enkai two weeks ago. Here what was brought to the table:

Sashimi
Karage
Chahan (Fried Rice)
Jelly Fish Soup
Spaghetti with Meat Balls
Takikomi Gohan
Tempura (fried food....shrimp, scallops, and even a maple leaf!)
Chawanmushi
and an assortment of other foods that I forgot.

However, some other things I remember chowing down to an previous enakis were:

A whole large fish with eyes and head intact.
Half dead shrimp (they were still slightly moving)
Tori-Sashi (Raw Chicken)
Basashi (Raw Horse)

The Tori-Sashi floored me and, while I would eat it again, it was hard to eat both initially and after swallowing. I was conditioned to not eat raw meat but, besides sashimi, Japanese people eat many things raw such as eggs, chicken, horse, and beef. However, my girlfriend (and Japanese people in general) are unable to eat broccoli raw and will always cook it before eating it. I prefer it raw personally and many people were surprised to hear that.

However, I LOVE BASASHI! God, the way it melts in your mouth after eating it. Combined with the right sauces and spices, it is extremely good. However, it is a bit expensive and you only get to eat a little bit. My friend and I paid $30 for a medium sized platter of basashi. But it's good...sooo ****ing good.

There is a saying among foreigners in Japan. "What does on in an enkai stays in the enkai." It's 100% true. I have seen the nut sacks of firemen as they stripped off, I have seen a fellow teacher pull out her bra, and I even had a (creepy) co-worker try to get me to touch said girls ****. Guys get naked and girls cat whistle. I have seen a fellow teacher truthfully sing Phantom of the Opera in a gorgeous opera voice.

I attribute this to the rigid and stressful work environment I mentioned in my first blog post. There are some many rules, customs, and etiquette to follow in the work place that it's no wonder why so many Japanese people get crazy at work party's. Working 6:30 am to 8 pm does that to you. So, once the drinks start coming out and everyone gets red, that is when you see the true faces of our co-workers.

Bearing that in mind, the enkai is the best place to get to know someone. Friendships are born through this. For example, I sat next to this science/judo teacher for half a year without so much talking to him. He is a quiet guy and is usually not found at his desk in the teacher's office. However, two weeks ago, we ended up sitting next to each other and chatted for a hour and half about random ****. He was plastered. I was plastered. It was great and I learned a lot about him and who he is and vice versa. That Monday, I came into work and we both said "Good morning" to each other and struck up a conversation.

Enkai helps lighten up people and become friendlier. Of course, we don't say to each other "Ahh, remember what happened Friday night?!" because we do remember (or not). However, what happened Friday night was meant for pleasure and relaxation. Relaxation and leisure do not mix in with business and work. The two are separate and, while connected, should never be brought together in the same room. For example, work is not mentioned at the enkai and what happened at the enkai is not mentioned at work. However, when something crazy happens at an enkai, it is always hilarious to walk into work the next day and....you can just feel everyone is in on it and knows. It is really fun. It makes work much more enjoyable.

So, after all the craziness, talking, chatting, getting naked is out of the way, the enkai is, sadly, finished. This usually happens when the "Rasuto Oodaa" (Last Order) is called out. People scramble for a final drink. Usually 15-20 minutes after the Last Order is called, the MC comes back to the front (usually plastered) and makes an effort to close up the party.

In most cases, the head honcho or the second in charge is called up to perform the "final greeting". This varies in most cases but the "Ipponme" is the most popular. The "Ipponme" or "single clap" is as it sounds. The head honcho/2nd in charge explains the I-pon. Everyone prepares themselves in a clapping stance. Then, lead by the head honcho/2nd in charge, everyone yells "Ohhhhh ahhh!!!" and does one single clap or “pon”. It is than followed by several seconds of silence before **** breaks loose with clapping and whistles.

However, another version I see is the famous "banzai". The head honcho/2nd in charge stand sup in front and starts it off by raising his arms in the air and yelling "Banzai". The audience repeats with "banzai" and holding up their arms. The head honcho/2nd in charge repeats this two more times before it ends and people clap.

So, sadly, the enkai is at an end. Time to go home, sober up, and go to bed, right?

**** NO!

There is the nijikai! (second time party). Everyone is not expected to go to this and it is entirely optional. I have skipped many nijikai's due to having to wake up early the next morning, low on money, passed out, or just not interested.

I would like to sidetrack and highlight on a really interesting institution in Japan. Daiko is a service provided nation-wide where two drivers will come by taxi to the place where you are at. One guy will drive the taxi with you inside of it while the other will drive your car back to your home. This is an excellent way to get home when you drank waaay too much. It is expensive ($50-60) but, if you split it between three people, it is manageable.

This is one of those Japanese institutions that I think America could use. It would significantly reduce the amount of the drunk-driving incidents as well as bolster the taxi/cab industry. However, I hate to say it but taxi/cab drivers in Japan are much more trustworthy compared to America IMO. My girlfriend as done daiko more than she can count and never was her car stolen or anything from her car (she even had her laptop, wallet, and iPhone in there while she was in the cab). You could consider her being lucky but many taxi drivers in Japan have an image of being honest, hard working and professional.

It kind of says something about Japanese honesty and work ethic. However, it would be nice to see this implemented in the States. Anyways, back to the party scene...

The nijikai differs from the enkai. Usually, most people go to a bar, karaoke, another izakaya, or, if only guys, a snack bar or strip club. A snack bar or hostess bar is where men go, pay a entrance fee of $20-25 to eat bar snack food, sit in plush cushions with a girl on his lap and to talk to her. However, to keep the girl sitting next to him or his lap, he has to provide her with snacks and alcohol. This can lead to a $300 night if the guy is so inclined. However, the ending prospect is, if the guy buys this girl enough drinks and "woo" her enough, she might be more inclined to have sex with him at nights end. However, that is totally up to the girl and, in most cases, never happens and just empties the wallet of the patron.

Oh, god, another side track is coming...

Host Girl​

There are also host bars with guys entertaining girls but, in most cases, sex is not the goal for the girls but to feel like princesses. However, it is a hard life of heavy drinking at night, throwing it all up, de-toxing and sleeping during the day, and doing it all again the next night.

Host Boy​

This is a subject I would like to explore further in future blog posts. There is a great documentary about the life of host boys called "Great Happiness Space". Personally, I have never seen it but two friends of mine have and they said it was an extremely educational but sad documentary about the underbelly of Japanese Host Clubs.

Back on topic, men usually go to the Hostess Clubs, Snack Bars or Strip Clubs (if there are any...and yes, most of them are married). However, if women are in attendance and not interested in going there, the best options are bars/clubs and karaoke. I have gone mostly to karaoke ( I usually decline to go to Hostess Bars).

Karaoke with co-workers are extremely fun because you can see just how bad/good your co-workers are, what kind of music they like, and just how crazy they can get! Of course, being a foreigner, they are always interested in seeing what music/songs you like/can sing.

Interestingly enough, every Japanese person thinks every foreigner knows and can sing all the songs from The Carpenters. Why they do I have no idea but they were literally shocked when I announced I have no idea who they are and their songs. My foreigness was even brought into question because of it. They automatically assumed that: Me (foreigner) + The Carpenters = I am a huge fan. However, to ease the pressure, I usually sing "Linda Linda Linda" by the Blue Hearts. This has become almost a tradition with some songs because they find it interesting that I can sing it correctly. Some others I like to sing with co-workers is Bon Jovi, Gorillaz, The Darkness, The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, and other rock-like songs. No MGMT as of yet

So, it's 1:30 - 2:00 AM and 2 hours of karaoke has come to an end. Time to go home?

HELL NO! It's time to hit up another bar! This is the sanjikai (third time party).

While this doesn't always occur, some individuals will insist on a sanjikai...and a yonjikai...and a gojikai. (3rd...4th...5th respectively). The highest number I went to was a rokujikai (6th party) and we (4 of us) finished it on a park bench at around 5:30 AM...just three of us while downing alcohol until we passed out until woken up by the cops.

So, I have outlined what a enkai typically is. It varies from situation to situation and, obviously, the people involved usually dictate what happens. If they are serious partiers, there may be a rokujikai but, in most cases, it ends at a nijikai with everyone returning home.

So why do enkai's exist? Why do the Japanese people feel the need to pay a large amount of money or party and have fun? I touched on it earlier but the Japanese work environment is so stressful that they need an outlet to just relax and unwind. A typical Japanese office worker (salary man) may work from 7 am to 10 pm Monday through Friday. Typically, Saturday and Sunday have shorter hours. In crunch and busier times of the year, some employees live in their office/cubicles and work 24/7 to get a project done. While recent laws and awareness for safety (Karoshi) have begun to punish corporations/businesses from forcing their employees to work longer hours; it often happens and often its voluntary.

When I ask one of my fellow teachers "What do you do on your free time". I often get "I relax and drink until I am drunk." I then drop the subject there because it goes downhill. Therefore, enkai's become a place where Japanese workers can unwind, drink, and talk with fellow co-workers and creates a happier and connected working place.

This institution has been around since the 40's/50's and in different form in the pre-war years. It has remained relatively unchanged since then and will remain a facet of the Japanese drinking culture for many, many years after.

So, if you meet a Japanese person or come to Japan and are invited to an enkai, be prepared to not only fork over a lot of money but also come prepared to meet a lot of people, eat delicious food, drink delicious drinks, and also have one hell of a time. While my wallet won't miss enkai's when I leave Japan, my heart will because it is the one time that I feel connected to the group and able to form a bond of friendship, without the language + culture barrier, with the Japanese people.


OOOHHHHH AAHHHHH!!!!! :ON::

I apologize if my grammar is ****ed up/spelling mistakes. I tried to correct it as much as I can and edit it but, sadly, I actually have work here to do. Something about creating answer sheets for questions like:
"Ken ____ in Yokohama" (live)
"We _______ English hard" (study)
"They go to school by bus"
"Do they go to school by bus?"
"Yes, they do/No, they don't."

Anyways, please let me know what you think of this blog! It was something I was looking forward to writing for a while now. I will try to be more timely in my blog posts.

 

[KoopaTroopa895]

This was really interesting. I knew a little bit about enkai but I didn't know there was a nijikai sanjikai e.t.c. I am pretty picky, so I would probably have a hard time at an enkai.

 

[Morin0]

Good read. Those parties sound like an absolute blast.

 

[standardtoaster]

It's very interesting to read about your life in Japan. I can't wait for the next one.

 

[#HBC | ZoZo]

Once again a subject I knew about, but some great bits of info I didn't know. rokujikai sounds fun hahaha

 

[#HBC | Joker]

I doubt it's extremely commonplace throughout the entire US, but where I live in Michigan, I hear ads on the radio for taxi services like the Daiko one you described all the time. We definately have them here, but yea, it should be a more common thing.

Anyway, those enkais sound like a ****ing blasty blast! I've always heard that the japanese are usually wound up so goddamn tight from work that they go absolutely nuts when they let loose. But that **** is all from movies and TV, so I didn't know how much stock to put in it. Now I know, totally legit.

That's really funny that they think all Americans know and love The Carpenters, that is some dated **** right there. I'm 25 and I barely know anything about them. They sing that song "On Top of the World". I'm pretty sure Karen Carpenter sings that song that they jam to in the movie Tommy Boy. "Don't you remember you told me ya love me baby!" I also know a Christmas song she did called "Grownup Christmas List". Honestly though, I think I'm an exception for even knowing who the **** they are, it's not like they're still popular and going on tour.

If they asked me about it I would lie and say that I dunno who the hell they are but I'm a huge fan of Hikaru Utada. Watch them go O_O

 

[Claire Diviner]

I have to say, I knew the Japanese were great party goers, but I never knew exactly what they did or how they did it. As for the taxi service over there, it's sad to say that here in America, there's never trust like that.

 

[Sizzle]

Drinking and karaoke was like the only thing to do on weekends in the town I lived in. It was so much cheaper than in the big cities I travelled to. The cheapest I ever paid for nomihoudai was $10

 

[ndayday]

Interesting read once again!

also congrats on BotM.

 

[Ramen King]

In your first blog you talked about how the Japanese society/culture was influencing the population the whole post but then concluded with recession being the main cause ;_;. I get it though. I don't think there is really much chance of the race/population declining to significant enough levels to worry much about. I have to say that the marriage lives you have described though appear very sad. It makes me want to force the might of western values upon their lives.

The racism bit is quite interesting. I never really expected that to be the case in Japan, but I can definitely see how many Japanese might have a lack of understanding for other cultures and places outside their country. Japan has historically been a collective society rather than an individualistic society such as with America. i.g a person represents their family name, company name, etc. So it's probably more likely for Japanese to generalize and stereotype with so much practice of one person representing the whole. The parents confusing you with the past teacher is very extreme. I get offended just reading that. For me to call every Japanese person I knew Hero Nakamura would be very racist. I doubt that's a mistake that many Japanese people would make but was probably specific to those parents, because I could just not see the mass as being as inconsiderate as that.

I think you should try applying your solution to the ignorant racist to the curious racist. And give them examples of silly questions, rather than asking them silly questions without any reason for why you're doing so. Nah mean?

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

Talking about drinking parties....

I just finished a enkai (drinking party) that was to celebrate today's Sports Festival. And....wow....my co-workers got me hella drunk.

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

This was really interesting. I knew a little bit about enkai but I didn't know there was a nijikai sanjikai e.t.c. I am pretty picky, so I would probably have a hard time at an enkai.

Yeah, they can get fairly crazy. However, most everyone peaces out by the sanjikai (third time party).

Good read. Those parties sound like an absolute blast.

They can be! I had a great one last Sunday!

It's very interesting to read about your life in Japan. I can't wait for the next one.

I appreciate the feedback!

Once again a subject I knew about, but some great bits of info I didn't know. rokujikai sounds fun hahaha

I knew a little bit about it before coming to Japan but, when I had my first one, I was floored (both surprised and passed out on the floor). I'll never forget my first one. I saw a fire fighters nutsack get hit by a whip ><

I doubt it's extremely commonplace throughout the entire US, but where I live in Michigan, I hear ads on the radio for taxi services like the Daiko one you described all the time. We definately have them here, but yea, it should be a more common thing.

Anyway, those enkais sound like a ****ing blasty blast! I've always heard that the japanese are usually wound up so goddamn tight from work that they go absolutely nuts when they let loose. But that **** is all from movies and TV, so I didn't know how much stock to put in it. Now I know, totally legit.

That's really funny that they think all Americans know and love The Carpenters, that is some dated **** right there. I'm 25 and I barely know anything about them. They sing that song "On Top of the World". I'm pretty sure Karen Carpenter sings that song that they jam to in the movie Tommy Boy. "Don't you remember you told me ya love me baby!" I also know a Christmas song she did called "Grownup Christmas List". Honestly though, I think I'm an exception for even knowing who the **** they are, it's not like they're still popular and going on tour.

If they asked me about it I would lie and say that I dunno who the hell they are but I'm a huge fan of Hikaru Utada. Watch them go O_O

Oh really, I didn't know it was in the States. I known they had like some services where they are designated drivers or something but, I have been out of touch in the states. By the way, I am from Ohio.

I never listened to a Carpenter's song in my life and explained that to my co-workers. I guessed they learned something new that night: not all foreigners know The Carpenters.

Drinking and karaoke was like the only thing to do on weekends in the town I lived in. It was so much cheaper than in the big cities I travelled to. The cheapest I ever paid for nomihoudai was $10

I live in a fairly big city and my favorite bar overs nomihoudai for $20. However, another bar I frequent is fairly expensive at $8 a drink (the lowest price). He is a great bartender though so i dont mind.

Interesting read once again!

also congrats on BotM.

Thanks

In your first blog you talked about how the Japanese society/culture was influencing the population the whole post but then concluded with recession being the main cause ;_;. I get it though. I don't think there is really much chance of the race/population declining to significant enough levels to worry much about. I have to say that the marriage lives you have described though appear very sad. It makes me want to force the might of western values upon their lives.

Ahhh, yeah I see. I tried to allude to that. I think the main cause is the current global recession but Japanese social issues help accelerate the problem. Sorry if that was vague.

The racism bit is quite interesting. I never really expected that to be the case in Japan, but I can definitely see how many Japanese might have a lack of understanding for other cultures and places outside their country. Japan has historically been a collective society rather than an individualistic society such as with America. i.g a person represents their family name, company name, etc. So it's probably more likely for Japanese to generalize and stereotype with so much practice of one person representing the whole. The parents confusing you with the past teacher is very extreme. I get offended just reading that. For me to call every Japanese person I knew Hero Nakamura would be very racist. I doubt that's a mistake that many Japanese people would make but was probably specific to those parents, because I could just not see the mass as being as inconsiderate as that.

I think you should try applying your solution to the ignorant racist to the curious racist. And give them examples of silly questions, rather than asking them silly questions without any reason for why you're doing so. Nah mean?

You can definitely tell when a foreigner has any connections with foreigners by the way they talk and interact with other foreigners. For example, three of my friends and I were traveling from Kumamoto City (the prefectures capital) to the city we lived in. In my cases, most Japanese people do not sit with us or interact with us unless we initiate it or they have some level of English conversation or experience with foreigners. In a lot of cases, sitting next to a Japanese person on a non-crowded train will cause they to get up and move to another available seat.

We were coming home when I spotted a previous teacher I thought a sixth grade with. He was transferred to the Prefectural Office in Kumamoto City. He has had 20 years working with foreigner English teachers. So he came and sat next to us and talked to us during the 45-minute train ride (mind you this was 13:30 am). He even skipped his station and went to the last station with us and took a taxi back home. It was very pleasant and my other friends enjoyed the conversation.

Likewise, sometimes I get people who don't even know where America is on the map and shrug off their ignorance. Granted, there are people like this all over in America so it's not too surprising to find it here. However, the Japanese government is currently trying to transform Japan into a more global, English enriched society. They have a long road ahead of them. Oh, and I remember some airhead broad yelling "A foreigner, A foreigner!" at me in a loud and crowded bar. I turned to her and said "An Asian! An Asian!" She then got grumpy at me and said she was "proudly Japanese, not Asian." So I said "I am American. Maybe next time just ask me where I am from instead of lumping me with a huge collection of people." That got her to leave fast and allow me to enjoy my drink.

---------------------------------

Alright guys, first I'd like to apologize for my drunken post without addressing everyone's posts. It was unprofessional of me and I hope it never happens again (it may in the future so I apologize in advance). Secondly, it is time for a new post! This blog entry has been in the works since last week and I hope it proves interesting to people.

Driving in Japan: Third Time's a Charm...Truly

Since my first blog post, I have written about various aspects of Japanese society that tends to irk/frustrate/worry me. I hope I have been more fair and balanced then what Fox claims to when I criticize the country. In truth, I love living here and find the Japanese people to be one of the most interesting and loveable people I have had the pleasure to meet. That being said, much of Japanese society can be some what frustrating. In fact, it's surprising I have hair left (or any sense of mental stability). I apologize if this post in heavy handed, accusatory, or filled with such rage that your laptop bursts into demonic flames but this has been a series of self-inflicted torture carried out by myself but it all for a good reason.

As of right now, I have tried to get my Japanese Drivers License once. I will be going in for my second try next Monday at 11 am. Naturally, of course, I have to take my dearly loved vacation time to do this. I took my first Japanese Drivers test a week ago exactly (last Wednesday). So how does one go about getting a drivers license in Japan? I hope I can explain what the process is like and shed light onto how the driving situation is like in Japan. Be warned I do get angry because, well, this test as been in a pain my *** for 5 months now.

In this post, I want to detail the convoluted process of getting a license here. Since I am a foreigner, I have to transfer my American drivers license to a new Japanese drivers license. However, the process differs from nationality to nationality and, unfortunately, Americans are the ones who are boned the most.

For those of you who live in these countries, congrats and **** you! No, seriously. You are saved some of the misery that other foreigners have to endure in order to get a flimsy piece of laminated paper that shows that you can legally drive in Japan. I will be going by American standards since, well, I am American and will be taking these god-awful tests as an American.

What You Need

The first thing one needs to get in order to begin the process of transferring the foreign license is to make sure you have all your **** together. This includes the following:

- Your foreign drivers license
- Your Japanese Foreign Alien Registration Card
- A paid translation of your foreigner Drivers License (roughly takes a week, costs $30 (3,000 yen, and a headache at the post office). Here is the application form you need to get your foreign drivers license translated.
- your foreign passport.
- a certificate of employment or voucher from a proxy. Thus meaning most foreign exchange students, unless it comes from from the school office, will not be unable to obtain a Japanese drivers license.

The hours varies from city to city but, when I first called back in March, the hours to schedule a Foreigner Driver's Test was from 10:30 to 11 am, Mon-Fri. This, of course, was a small window of time that didn't allow me much elbow room. I was able to secure that time frame and made sure I didn't have any classes so I could make the call.

Well, the first call proved disastrous. I had a guy who said he couldn't understand my Japanese, refused to slow down when I asked him, and asked me several strange questions (Have I ever driven in India? Have I had any international arrest warrants? etc). He then proceeded to say I should have a Japanese friend or someone who speaks fluent Japanese call to schedule my appointment. My Board of Education refused to make the call and said I should be able to do it. No dice.

So, I made the call again and got the same guy the next day. This time though, instead of just hanging up (though he sounded irritated), he handed me to a lady who spoke fairly good English. She was much nicer, slowed down when I asked her to slow down, and seemed to know her stuff. It was then I realized I didn't have all of my **** together. In fact, I was missing the last piece of the puzzle and was never told I needed it until now. In addition to the previous mentioned articles, I needed the following:

- a copy of my American drivers record (which can be obtained at the BMV)
- a copy of ymy school transcripts -OR- a letter of reference from your previous foreign employer.
- and while not needed, a list of my past oversea trips in last 10 years would be helpful.

This is because in order to transfer the foreign drivers license to a Japanese one, you must be physically present in your home country for 3 months or more. For example, I have a Canadian friend who is driving under a International Drivers License. Because she is Canadian, she doesn't have to take any of the tests. All she has to do is go to the Drivers License Center (Menkyou Center) and get it transferred with no headaches. However, she visited her boyfriend in Ireland for 3 weeks a month before she left thus making her un-eligible to legally drive in Japan. She would have to go back to Canada, stay for 3 months, and then come back in order to get her license. Kind of messed up, right?

The Driving License Center is very strict and will look at your documents you brought thoroughly before letting you take the test. It's not a simple "look and stamp a big OK on it" process since it has to be reviewed, circulated, and authorized before a clear sign is given. They need to make sure you have been in your country for three months before coming to Japan and even if you didn't leave the country but it can't be proven; tough luck. No driving in Japan for you.

So, I was missing those last bits; in particular the Drivers Record. My problem was before I left Japan, I renewed my Ohioan Drivers License within that 3 month period before I left for Japan. So, technically, without my Drivers Record, I wasn't in the country for 3 months. Even my passport failed to show this in their eyes since some countries don't stamp your passport anymore.

So, I had to get my parents to send me a application form from the Ohio BMV, receive it in the mail, fill out the application, send it back to my parents so that they can send it to the BMV. Then, the BMV had to send the Drivers Record back to my parents who in turn had to send it to me here in Japan. In all, it took little over a month or all of April in order to actually get my Drivers Record.

So I got all of my documents and **** together and made the call. I got the nice lady again and, without too much hassle, I scheduled my first Japanese Drivers License test. I heard you have to schedule it 2-3 months in advance but I did just fine a week ahead lol. The actual scheduling wasn't as painful as I thought but, getting my **** together was a nightmare.
But hey...

Horray! The torture has just begun!

I had driven in Japan a little bit under my international drivers license but I never owned a car and just used my friends car. However, despite getting my license back in 2005 back in the States, the Drivers License Center still viewed me as a new driver who knows jack **** about driving. I felt like I was 18 and getting my license again!

Fast forward a week later and I was getting up at 6 am to take the test. My girlfriend stayed with me and, since she is currently unemployed, was fine driving me to the Drivers License Center. Thing is that it's a hour and half drive from where I live so it was quite the trek up. My test started at 9:30. I first consisted of me getting lost in the immense building because, naturally, the Foreign Transfer Office (Gaikkokumenkyokirikae) was hidden with no clear markings so I was 10 minutes late. The entrance was down a long hallway and then down a smaller hallway and then through various other offices. It was like a maze. I had to stop and ask the Information Office for directions.

Authorizing my ****

The first process was filing out several forms, some in pen and some in pencil, while the office authorized my **** and went out trying to figure out if I was in America for 3 months. I had to fill out one form twice because I made a kanji (Japanese character) mistake. However, it was pretty straight-forward and a lot of horrible hand cramping.

I then had to get my picture taken which consisted of me going to a photo booth-like thing, inserting $10 (1,000 yen) and getting a picture taken. I then had to take it back to the office who glued it on the back of my exam ticket. It showed my general information, exam ticket number, and the authorization I needed to sit this stupid test/exam.

However, I then had to go Window 12 which was located on the opposite side of the building. Again, had to get directions. I was getting good at that! It basically consisted of giving a bored, old man my ticket to be stamped and the amount to take this self-torturous test (amounted to $46 (4,600 yen)). This was my first payment though and later tests will only cost me $22. He stamped it and I went back to the previous office.

The Testing Begins...

They stamped it as well and told me to wait for a few minutes so I can take the Eye Exam. I didn't know I was getting my eyes checked. I am not new to Japanese eye exams but they are much different than what's in America.

I had to tell the lady which side the opening to the circle was (top, right, left, and down). She did a few of these at different sizes. She then had me read the Japanese characters at various distances. The last portion of the exam consisted of flashing colored dots and, then, I had to tell the proctor of the exam where they flashed and what color.

When the exam was finished, I was wisely advised never to drive without my glasses on. I thanked her and she then escorted me to the next portion: the Paper Test. After all the rigorous red tape and loop holes I went through, I expected the Paper Test to be fairly difficult. However, everyone I talked to and all the "Driving in Japan" websites said that the test is a joke.

And it was.

It was 10 questions, all true or false questions. Each one had a picture and asked a question in English (sometimes hard to understand English). Some of them would be:

"You are driving and there are a police officer directing a traffic. You speed up in your car and drive dangerously past him." True or false.

"While driving the expressway, the maximum speed limit signs are not enforced where they are not posted." True or false.

"You should always drive cautiously when approaching a four way stop." True or false.

The first two were the only False answers while the rest were all True. I usually double or triple check my answers or re-read questions when I am taking any test so it usually takes quite a while for me to finish. However, it took me 5 minutes tops to finish the Paper Test.

Next was the driving portion but, as usual, I have to wait.

Intermission

I finished the test roughly at 11:15 am. So I had free time until 1 pm to take my driving portion (the hardest portion). I was then informed between 12 to 1 was when I could walk the driving course outside. I wanted to spend the entire hour making sure I knew it but my girlfriend said it only takes a 30 minutes to walk it. I always try to make sure I understand 100% of what I am doing but she insisted I didn't need that much time.

But regardless, we went to a nice cafe that has nice sandwich sets with french fries. I had a BBQ chicken cut sandwich and she had a fried shrimp sandwich set. However, we also ordered one of their waffles (which are amazing). By the time we go our waffle, it was 12:10 and I really wanted to start walking the course. So we wolfed down the waffle and rushed back to the Drivers License Center.

The Course

There are two courses: Course 1 and Course 2. Most foreigners take Course 1. It varies prefecture to prefecture so I can't say for like Kyoto's drivers test or Osaka's but this is how mine was like. Mine was different from the one I posted. Maybe it was older but it's the same structure. Keep in mind that Japan drives on the opposite side of the road compared to America. It is a thing that many Americans and Canadians have problems with.

The course I did is outlined in blue so ignore the red marks. My favorite color is light blue just so you know

You pull out to the right and merge into "imaginary" traffic. The course curves to a right, goes down the long stretch of road, and then curves to the right again. The course turns right on the second street; next to the large two-laned street with traffic lights. It then goes past the first S-curve road. The course then turns left into the last S-curve road. After that, the course turns right into the main intersection/road. The course goes past the set of traffic lights and turns right across the big intersection. Immediately, it turns left and then left again. It then navigates a very blocky street with sharp corners that have large, cement walls on the side to obstruct view.

The course then turns left onto the main intersection road and then, again, immediately turns right at the traffic light. The course goes past the first roadway and then turns right into the straight through road until you come to a stop sign. Stop signs are much different in Japan. The course then stops and merges to the right. It continues a short way until it turns again to the right into the main intersection road with the traffic light. It goes straight down the road, past the traffic light, and and then does a right hand turn onto the looping road that is outside of the course (the one I started on). It curves to the right and it finds itself going towards the start. However, right before the right curve is a construction zone to the left so drivers have to merge to the right to get around it. The course then goes back into the parking lot and into the car stand where the other practice cars are parked.

Needless to say, it's a pain in the butt. Too many curves, traffic lights, and pure craziness. So my girlfriend and I walked this course and tried our best to imagine driving it. It was blistering hot, bugs, and we both had to use the bathroom. However, after 40 minutes of arguing, debating, and trying to walk the course according to the map, I felt like I understood the course. By the time we got back, went to the bathroom, and returned to the main room, it was 1 pm and ready to start the test.

Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god......

There was another guy taking the test, a bearded man from the Philippines. He was married, has kids, and a job and needs his license. It was his second time taking the test and he offered me some pointers. The proctor, a middle aged portly man, came out and explained the rules in Japanese with English words sprinkled in to add emphasis. Later on in the test, I would realize I missed an important part of his explanation.

So, we descended a flight of stairs from the observation deck and the bearded man was up first. He got into the drivers seat and I went into the back. That was when the first set of panic started to sink in. I said I would take the Automatic test. However, we got into a Manual Car. After looking at the car, I was told the second-time bearded man is taking the Manual Test and, after he is done, we will switch cars. I eased up a bit. In order to drive Manual in Japan, you have to take a separate test. The bearded man had to take a "victory lap" or so the proctor said. Just to check the engine is running alright. The bearded men then took off and went through the course. He didn't hit any of the curbs but went fairly fast from what I could tell. I spent the entire car ride trying to memorize the course and how the car would feel. Before I knew it, he finished and it was my turn to get behind the wheel.

We switched then cars. I did my pre-start checks:

- I checked to see if kids or cats were under my car
- To see if any traffic was coming at me
- Check the condition of the car.
- Adjust my mirrors and seat.
- Ask the proctor if it is OK to start the car.

All the while, I was saying "Hai" or yes in Japanese to show I was checked the mirrors and seats.

I was told those are all important and things the proctor looks for when evaluating would-be drivers. So, I put the car into drive...but due to my unfamiliarity with the car, I accidentally put in into Neutral. I then started getting nervous. I drove up to the street, checked for traffic and merged right. I proceeded through the right curves, long stretch of road, and the last right curve. I switched lanes and turned right and then left to go to the S-Curve street. The proctor was telling me where and when to turn or go straight so, while it was helpful, I knew the course in my head.

I turned into the S curve and made my first mistake. I was doing fine until I go near the end where I hit the curb. I flinched and continued though quite nervous. I then made my biggest mistake, I turned right into the left hand lane. It was the lane I would normally turn into if I was America. I could hear him "tsk"ing at my mistake and marked something off on his sheet. I corrected it, rolled up to the red light and waited. I then proceeded forth, checked for traffic and pedestrians and then proceeded forward. I turned left and then left again into the block-like road. I started feeling a bit better but still nervous as hell. The scratching didn't ease me one bit.

On the pamphlet my Board of Education gave me, it said the S curve was the easiest while the block curves was the hardest. But apparently I did very well during this section because I was never marked down or hit the curb. I then turned left and stopped at the red light. I then turned left and right to go down the long stretch of road to the stop sign and turned right. It was like the diagram so you get the idea.

The rest of my test went without incident. I changed lanes to avoid the construction sight and then pulled into the car stand.

The Results

We proceeded up to the main floor and went into a special meeting room in the Foreign License Transfer Office. We were given tea and waited for what seemed like a long time. We chatted casually but not for long. He said he took a drivers practice test the day before at a driving school close by. But besides that, we sat in silence.

The guy finally came into the meeting room and addressed us individually. He turned to the bearded man and went on things he did right: Good control of the car, checking to see for traffic, and stopped nicely but marked him down for driving dangerously. He then proceeded to tell him he passed the driving test and will spend the next 2 hours (by now it was almost 2 pm) to make his license and get the paperwork done.

It was then my turn. He told me that I seemed too nervous, I didn't turn on my blinker soon enough, and I drove too slowly at times I didn't need to. He then highlighted on me hitting the curb and said "If I hit the curb, I have another chance to back up and try again." Apparently, I missed that in his explanation. He then went to the wrong-side of the road portion and said, under any circumstances, don't do that again. He said he should of failed me right there and stopped the test but didn't. But he did say, though, I took the block curve section well, the construction site, and the traffic lights which I found odd. So, all in all, I failed.

So I failed my first test and then had to fill out my earlier paperwork once again and make another appointment to take the test.

If I passed...

From what I have heard, you have to stay 2 more hours to do some paperwork and get your drivers license finalized after you pass the test. I put up a picture earlier of what it looks like. They take the picture you took earlier for the main license picture. You then have to cough up another $50 (5,000 yen) for the actual license.

I will make a short blog post about it when (or if I ever) pass.

The Bearded Mans Advice

I failed and will retake on the 28th. However, I took the bearded mans advice. From 9 until 10 am, I will be taking the practice test at the driving school. For 50 minutes, they will let me have a run at the course no matter how many times and provide hints and suggestions on how to pass the test. They will then give me a paper to then give to the Driving License Center saying I practiced the course before hand. The officials says it doesn't have any sway in deciding if you will pass the test or not but it totally does. It's just a way to make more money in my opinion:/. They see you took the drivers practice test and this is your second time and then decide to pass you.

So, from 9 to 10, I will pay up $70 (7,000 yen) to drive the course for 50 minutes so I know how to take the test. THEN, I will go to the Drivers License Center down the street and pay $22 for another test and, if I pass, $50 for my drivers license. What I am actually getting is a smaller wallet each time i go to the Drivers License Center.

So Why Am I Taking This Test

Sadly, I wish I could say I am taking these tests because I want my license, my girlfriend wants me to get it, or because it would be much easier to travel but they are not the main reason. When the schools come back into session after Summer Break, my three schools will increase to five of them. I normally bike to all of my schools since they are all 15-30 minutes away by bike. However, with my two new schools, I would have a possible hour and half to two hour commute back and forth; both in mountainous terrain and inaccessible by bikes in the winter months. Therefore, I technically have to get my license in order to get my work. The bad part is that the Board of Education, besides getting me the proof of employment, is refusing to help me get my license.

For example, my girlfriend used to be employed at another cities Board of Education until her contract ran out. She was the buffer between the foreign English teachers and the Board of Education. Every BoE has one. So she would help take the English teachers to the Drivers License Center and help translate for them if they needed it. My supervisor (A guy from Hawaii name Ray) said I can do it on my own. Which I can but it would to get some kind of support from them since they are the ones tacking more schools onto my schedule. As well, normally the BoE's schedule their foreign English teachers at the BoE instead of the school so they don't have to take vacation time. But, in my BoE's case, anyone trying to get their license has to take off vacation time.

What Does the Test Test For?

The Driving Test is a pain the ***, annoying, expensive but necessary. Many foreigners say the test doesn't test you in your driving ability but, instead, in how well you memorize ****. Yes, you have to memorize the course in order to feel comfortable driving it but the course itself is designed to challenge the driver in driving within Japan. In particular, the S curve and the block curves.

There are many of these type of streets in Japan and, a lot of times, they are busy. Drivers should be prepared for these type of streets and should drive very slowly when taking them. In many cases, there are homes on these streets so you may never know a car is coming the other way....unless they have these erected up.

Please notice how thin the streets are! As well, you have people walking, biking, and running all over the place. In many areas, pedestrians walk in the middle of the road unless a car comes.

In addition, many Japanese homes have large cement walls and can block the view from oncoming vehicles and makes driving in Japanese streets a fairly tedious and slow. I have noticed driving what would be 30 minutes in Ohio would amount to a hour of driving due to slower moving traffic, increase of traffic, and curvy roads due to mountainous terrain. It was much easier to kind of space out when driving in Ohio because...well...it's flat but it's much harder in Japan. You always have to be on your toes because some kid is running out, someone is backing, or, in some cases, another car is coming right at you in a one lane street.

I want to highlight one particular dangerous intersection right by my junior high school and elementary school. It is a two way stop. However, because of businesses and schools located near by, it becomes extremely congested in the morning and afternoon. As well, cars come by really fast and I have seen several accidents happen here. Not to mention that I have seen both school kids, old men and women, and business people biking or walking to this intersection and just...blitzing right though and disrupts traffic. Old men and women, in particular, don't give a ****!

So, while the driving test does seem torturous and a waste of time, it actually does test you in driving in Japan and how to assess certain situations. Hopefully, when I am done with my practice test and forking over well over $100 in a single day, I hope I can get the damn flimsy laminated piece of paper with my ugly mug on it. I would think I have earned it for all the BS I have put up with since I started.

 

[KoopaTroopa895]

Great post Venus, I didn't think anything was worse than the DMV/BMV until now XD

 

[Elyssa Xey Hexen]

Your time spent on this has been well worth it. I have enjoyed reading everything. I guess one topic that interests me is perceptions between the young and the old. I am pretty sure that in the USA, most families tend to become separated as everyone ages. As in the 30 year old child no longer has much interaction with their parents and other family members except a few times a year. I think in Japan its a bit different, but I am not sure.

 

[ndayday]

Is there not a parking portion?

I ask because that's the bit I failed in my test, lol.

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

Koopatroopa - I'd say it's on level with the DMV. More politeness but more BS.

Xeylode - It's similar but many families stick together. My girlfriends mother has sisters down the street and my girlfriend is expected to take over the house when they pass away.

Likewise, my friends grandmother lives with him and all ofhis cousins live within a 3 minute walk of each other.

But as more and more families have to move for jobs, the family becomes more stretched and dissipated. It's considered a good thing for more modern advancement but also as a bad thing because it destroys the traditional family nucleus.

Ndayday - oddly no unless you consider having to park a foot away from the curb when you are finished as parking lol.

 

[#HBC | ZoZo]

I've yet to read that monster post, I'll do so later.

I do have a question.
Do Japanese take bartending very serious? The question stems forth out of me starting with the Bartender anime and they seemed to take it to an extreme, haha. Then I hear about how these parties with booze are very important, thus the question.

 

[Morin0]

I'm already a bad driver. I dont think I could handle driving in Japan.

Spoiler

Maybe.

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

Xonar - Hmm, yes and no. I have been to quite a few bars and I imagine it's like any job. Unless it's a side job for them, they take it fairly seriously. I would take what you see in anime/read in manga with a grain of salt because most likely, if it's taken to the extreme, it is most likely over-exaggerated. My own bartender buddy, Makoto, works Sunday through Tuesday, has a day off on Wednesday, and then starts back up Thurs to Sunday every week with little time offs. Also, there are no closing time at bars here. They can stay as long as the bartender wants to. For example, Makoto stays open until 8 am and I have been there until 8 am. Sucks. They can also drink if they want. Most don't since it dulls their wits as they work. But they will have a beer or two during the night. In the States, bartenders are not allowed to drink on the job.

Morino - I tend to space out when I drive so I got to work on that. Too many cats/dogs/children/old women and men running across the street all willy nilly.

I took the driving test again yesterday and, once again, I failed... He got me for stopping slightly on the stopping white line. He showed me what I did wrong and said I failed the course. When we went back in, he said my entire car was over the white line and if a car would of hit us, we would have died. However, my bumper was just slightly over the white line, not my entire car. \He said he would of passed me if I hasn't done that.

However, the other guy (a guy from Florida) who was taking the test was taking it for the 6th time and he failed it. he started arguing with the proctor so the proctor kicked him out of the office. I was like o____________________o

So I gotta go back and spend $130 for my class (practice run through and actual test) to get this stupid license.

 

[#HBC | ZoZo]

Interesting.

Sucks about the failed exam. They sure keep you busy, haha.

 

[Ussi]

Those guys sure love making money of people who need a lisence.

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

Interesting.

Sucks about the failed exam. They sure keep you busy, haha.

Yep! It builds character. I am trying again next week.

Those guys sure love making money of people who need a lisence.

They sure do. I am pretty sure that it is just a way to get extra money sadly; under the guise of trying to make you into a better drivers. It all goes into the same coffer anyways. Most Japanese consider the test as stupid and ridiculous so only the cops/driving instructors take it seriously. Oh yeah, forgot to mention I had a hard-*** cop proctor my test when I took my test last week. Fun stuff.

I hope to crank out another blog post this week.

 

[Ussi]

How many days is it gonna take for it to pay itself off from not using a taxi?

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

Taxis ar hella expensive here! A trip to the train station (roughly five mins) costs me $12 one way. It's much cheaper to have a car in the long run. Then again, I mostly just bike everywhere.

 

[Ussi]

Now how expensive is gas?

 

[DontStay]

I stumbled upon this blog of yours on google, don't even remember what was I looking for there.. But I have to thank you mister a lot! For pointing out the bad sides of Japan I guess, especially the first 2 entries.

The thing is, I always hear and see (maybe that's what I want to hear and see) stuff about how great and different and unique Japan is, about oh how I wish I could live in there.. They got drifting and many cars, many tracks for it and just about easier to get around doing it (easier than here anyway). They have beautiful women, yes I always found asian women more attractive way before I knew anything about Japan.
Asian fetish? Yellow fever? You call it, I don't care. But I don't go as far as hitting on a girl here in UK just because she's asian. Not the point I'm trying to make.

The point is, I like many things about Japan, and I sometimes feel like some creepy japanophile.. And readings like yours Venus helps me turn a little bit more normal everytime I read "behind the scenes" of all those goodie cutie things out there in Japan lol

Another thing I dislike and wouldn't want to be a part of is this:

A foreigner living in Japan? Oh he must be an english teacher.

If you like and always wanted to be a teacher that's great and good for you. But it sure sounds like it's the ONLY way to go about living there. You see, I was born and lived most of my life in Lithuania (explains my bad english huh). I only finished high school and the jobs I had were either being a driver or a mechanic. Then I moved to UK some years ago and I successfully started a new life by getting a drivers job here as well. I love cars, I can be a mechanic, a driver or just about anything as long as it involves cars. But Japan doens't want people like me unless I've got 10 years experience in a specific industry, or so I've heard.
So really, english teacher is the only way to go.

Once again, I didn't know much about japanese sexless couple lifes and about racism there, and I thank you for that. Of course I know that's just your opinion and experience and I probably shouldn't think all japanese people are like that, but it sure proves not all of them are lovey-dovey bunny-wunnies either lol! A very good, informative blog to read. Keep it coming.

 

[Ussi]

Its not sexless... Its just one night stands. No sex between spouses though

 

[Fuujin]

These weeaboo blogs keep getting blog of the month, yet when I write a Lady Gaga blog it never gets blog of the month.

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

@DontSay: thank for the feedback! I am glad you find this blog helpful and educational. I want to help expose the more grittier and "real" aspects if Japan that I dont think a lot of people see or understand.

I want to focus on the idea of jobs for foreigners in Japan. Obviously, the best job for a foreigner is teaching
English or a first language like French or Chinese.

However, I know a feel foreigner that work in offices, model agencies, or televised talent. Heck, I've even met a guy from Florida to washes dishes in a hotel. The type of job you get depends wholly on your level of Japanese.

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

Sorry guuys, I have been pretty busy as of late both in and out of work. I hope to write a blog post by this weekend.

However, on Monday, I successfully passed my Japanese drivers test! So I have an official Japanese drivers license. However, the car I was going to buy from my friend got totaled on the same day...

My friend is fine and wasn't hurt thank god but his car had to be scrapped. It wasn't his fault though so I don't think he has to pay a fine or damages done to the other car. So I have to start searching for a new car to buy :/

 

[KoopaTroopa895]

Congrats on passing the drivers test, and I am glad your friend is safe.

 

[Ussi]

I say what luck you have. If anything you'll find a better deal hopefully.

 

[DontStay]

Or you can always look for these abandoned cars, think there was an R34 sedan in another of his videos lol Kidding aside, congrats on passing the test. Looking forward on what subject you're going to write about in your next blog post.