Mottekaero jDonuts

No Tattoos Allowed

2008-07-26T09:00:00.002+09:00

Anyone who knows even the smallest amount about Japanese culture knows of the connection between the Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) and tattoos. It has always been an easy way to determine who is a regular person of good character and who is a Mafia member.

Thus rather than directly refusing entry to the Mafia, it's easier to simply ban tattoos in general.

I was a little surprised when I came across this sign at the station recently.

It reads (taken from the Summerland Website)

As a general rule, people affiliated with mobsters or criminal organizations are not allowed to enter the premises. The same applies to people wearing tattoos. This rule will become effective on 1 July 2008 and applies to the entire premises of Tokyo Summerland. Any people found to be ignoring the above rule will be asked to leave.
※Tattoos: including body sticker and body paint.

While to some this may be a surprising form of discrimination, to me it's a part of Japanese culture. In the west the idea of getting a tattoo is an expression of rebellion, the freedom to mutilate your body in any way you see fit. You are free to call it "art" and I am free to call it a "tramp stamp".

Here in Japan tattoos are a mark of criminal association or bad character. Just because it's tolerated back home, don't expect it to be tolerated here.

What A Lovely Day

2008-07-25T21:00:00.000+09:00

What a lovely Japanese Summers day!

First start off with a quick dip at the local pool. ￥150 for an adult, children under 3 are free. My son really enjoyed himself.

Next, a simple lunch at Saizeriya. I made sure to fill up on caffeine at the drink bar.

And then off to CostCo to pick up some essentials like the National Geographic & a big, bright beach towel.

Wrap it off with a new Lilo & Stitch bag from a local store and being able to watch the evening thunderstorm roll through from my balcony with my Son in one arm and a beer in the other.

Today was a great day.

Just a perfect day,
Drink Sangria in the park,
And then later, when it gets dark,
We go home.
Just a perfect day,
Feed animals in the zoo
Then later, a movie, too,
And then home.

Oh it's such a perfect day,
I'm glad I spent it with you.
Oh such a perfect day,
You just keep me hanging on,
You just keep me hanging on.

Just a perfect day,
Problems all left alone,
Weekenders on our own.
It's such fun.
Just a perfect day,
You made me forget myself.
I thought I was someone else,
Someone good.

Oh it's such a perfect day,
I'm glad I spent it with you.
Oh such a perfect day,
You just keep me hanging on,
You just keep me hanging on.

Engrish T-Shirt, Manic Affairs

2008-07-25T09:00:00.003+09:00

Friday Engrish for you: Manic Affairs
I don't want to go anywhere near this guy!

WTF!

A Thursday Affair

2008-07-24T09:00:00.000+09:00

Over the past week I have found a number of really good posts about Japan, I'd like you to check them out. If you leave a comment, please say that "Uncle Contamination" sent you. :-)

Mel received some seriously sexist remarks from her students in Why I like Fridays but not Mondays. Personally I didn't think she was fat (from the photos I have seen) but some of the things that those kids said to her would make me consider corporal punishment as an acceptable option.

I have to question the border between the innocence of youth and the ignorance of adults.

Kirk brought it to my attention that Japan was No1 for blogging. But I must admit that I am not surprised. In such a technologically advanced society with mobile internet so freely available and wired internet so utterly fantastic & cheap, I'm not surprised at all that these results have come out.

Then again, just so long as many Japanese people read this blog too, then I am happy.

I couldn't go past the Test of Engrish for Offensive Communication. For anyone who teaches English or studies English in Japan, you will know about the TOEIC test (if not, do you live under a rock or something?) and this parody that incorporates the various sections of the test had me laughing quite hard.

Tom questions how green Japan is. Like him, I am concerned about the environment and Japan's impact as a country upon it. I feel the need to add my own 2￥ here. CoolBiz is a waste of time, there is NO way I am prepared to put the AC on at 28 degrees, I'm still sweating at that temperature and it's next to impossible to work. Plastic bags need a tax upon them to convince teenagers that they don't need a bag for the single drink that's in their hand, but it's true that McDonalds over bags in the way described.

And Lina shared her collection of cool stamps that her son had gathered during various Japan vacations. I must say that even though I live here, I am in complete awe of the places and things she and her family have found to do here during their brief vacations.

I am thinking of making A Thursday Affair an ongoing event to showcase posts I like on other Japan related blogs. I read many Japan blogs but special consideration will be given to those who have had an interview with me. Contact Me if you'd like to be interviewed.

Gatchapin Dancing Video

2008-07-23T09:00:00.000+09:00

This is one of my sons favourite video clips, enjoy!

Genocide Mascot

2008-07-22T13:01:00.001+09:00

I just had to show you this.

Okinawa Sun Set

2008-07-22T09:00:00.000+09:00

After an early dinner we walked outside to catch a glimpse of one magnificent sunset.

The lone lifeguard's chair makes this picture look a bit spooky for me.

Getting a bit closer, now you can make out the light house in the distance. I love the zoom on my camera.

What a fantastic sunset. I wish I was still in Okinawa to see another. Sigh....

A Room With A View

2008-07-21T09:00:00.000+09:00

So many good photos from our trip to Okinawa, I don't want to share them all at once.

This is the view that greeted us from our room on the 6th floor of the resort.

WOW! After escaping from Rainy Season Tokyo, the clear blue sky & ocean was completely mind blowing.

With the soft clouds in the distance and the horizon even further, it was easy to get lost staring at this vista.

And looking down into one of the two courtyards. This resort was huge! On the left you can see people putting out the beach equipment for guests to rent.

Engrish T-Shirt, Smiling

2008-07-18T09:00:00.003+09:00

Friday Engrish for you: The Smile makes everyone happy. Smiling you of smile the usual.

WTF!

I love Summer Fireworks

2008-07-17T09:00:00.000+09:00

Ah, Summer in Japan. The sound of the cicadas, the smell of the mosquito coils burning and the sight of fireworks in the humid night sky.

I am looking forward to going to as many Summer fireworks festivals as I can!

It's always free entertainment with the opportunity to buy overpriced beer (￥500 a can!), electronic light toys for the kids or stall food of questionable quality. Summer is an expensive time to come to Japan for a holiday, but it's worth it as there are so many free festivals to check out.

The only problem is that they are often on a Friday or Saturday night and I always have to work the next day. Sigh...

How to use Chopsticks

2008-07-16T09:00:00.000+09:00

Here's one of my favourite video guides, how to use Chopsticks.

False Advertising at KFC

2008-07-15T09:00:00.000+09:00

Recently Kentucky Japan released a new boneless chicken using their original recipe batter, so I thought I'd try it out. What a shock I was in for, they were so small!

Their advertising makes it look big, juicy & tasty, right? ￥180 a piece or ￥1000 for six seems good value, right?

When in reality it's only about 3x bigger than a chicken nugget!

While the batter is their own original style, you would get better value and taste with McDonalds "Shaka Shaka" chicken with a seasoning pouch for ￥100.

Sorry Colonel, please try harder next time. OK?

Heading To Okinawa

2008-07-14T09:00:00.002+09:00

As regular readers will know, we went to Okinawa recently. It was a holiday away from work & from blogging. However scheduled posts kept everyone entertained. Now I'm back, here are some pictures.

Here's the view out the window, just a sea of white fluffy clouds. It's so much better being this side of them.

The first view of the Okinawan sea. It was beautiful and clear even from this height.

The Okinawa tumbler from Starbucks. The caffeine addict in me couldn't pass up an opportunity to snap a picture of this.

That's all for now, more pictures and reports to follow!

And.... I'm Back!

2008-07-13T23:00:00.000+09:00

Hi, did you miss me? :-)

Things have been taken care of and all is well once more.

I have had a chance to put a few things in order and all is well once more.

Regular postings will begin from tomorrow.

And thanks to everyone who sent messages of support!

Time Off From Blogging

2008-07-12T23:00:00.000+09:00

This is not a test.

Due to personal time considerations, I am taking an indefinite break from blogging for the near future.

I can't say if or when I will continue writing, but for the time being I have more important matters to attend to.

Sorry.

I love Japanese Pocket Tissues

2008-07-12T09:00:00.000+09:00

These things are so handy! I noticed them on my first trip to Japan in 2002 and brought back a big bunch as souvenirs.

Usually Mobile Phone companies like Docomo & Au as well as lending companies & pachinko / slot parlours are giving these tissue packs away. There has been a rumour that companies will stop giving them away soon due to the cost of tissues rising recently, but I believe that this is typical TV scaremongering to drive people into a panic and watch their program more.

I believe that they will continue to be a dominant form of advertising for a long time to come and a key point of any trip to Japan.

Enrgish T-Shirt, Tone Of Luck

2008-07-11T09:00:00.001+09:00

Friday Engrish for you: Tone of Luck, The person who hears it is made happy. We ring the bell of happiness for everyone.

WTF!

No Summer Bonus

2008-07-10T09:00:00.000+09:00

One thing that has upset me recently was students talking about their Summer Bonus and how they were going to spend it. When the question came to me there was nothing but shock when I told them that we don't get a summer bonus at our company.

Japanese workers can expect to get at least 2-3 months salary in a one off Summer Bonus. Often many companies have an end of year bonus also. You can forgive me for looking on enviously at them.

So I guess you can understand why I went on strike recently, joined a demonstration and changed my tie.

Sure I could vote with my feet and find other work, but I really like my job and the students. I have never had a job where I've consistently enjoyed my work for as long as this, ever. So I can easily see myself doing it for a long time and thoroughly enjoying it, but things could be (and should be) better.

Japanese Electronic Toilets

2008-07-09T09:00:00.001+09:00

Now for the nice Electronic Toilets that Japan is famous for.

These creations are truly a blessing of modern life in this country. I might complain about the humidity in Summer, the dry air in winter, the crowded places on weekends and inconsiderate smokers, but the toilets make everything good.

The spray will make you feel nice and clean, there are usually options for heated water and seats. This is very important when it's -2 degrees in winter! Also there are models with water sounds and drying fans. Who'd have thought going to the bathroom could be such a high tech experience!

Of course I have a gripe, people who leave the heating function left on during summer and those who put the water pressure up to maximum deserve a thorough beating!

Yesterday I wrote about how to use a traditional toilet, now you can watch instructions on how to use a regular one. With English subtitles.

How to use a Traditional Japanese Toilet

2008-07-08T09:00:00.000+09:00

Traditional Japanese Toilets are scary.
I have asked many Japanese people why these are still in existence, hygiene is the answer. People don't want to place their fleshy parts where other people have placed theirs.

Seriously?
The chances of passing on disease by contact with a toilet seat is next to zero. Can you catch a disease from a toilet seat? But also consider the questions of Aim & Spray. The directed material doesn't always make it into the desired spot, which can create an unpleasant affected area. Anyone who has eaten one curry too many the night before knows about "spray". Enough Said.

But there is always the possibility that you are desperate and need to use one of these primitive facilities. Here's how to do it.

1 Drop your pants / underpants to the floor / pull your skirt.
2 Grab onto the provided pole in front of you. Imagine you are holding onto a rollercoaster bar / the arm rest at the dentists, this is the level of strength you want.
3 Lean yourself backwards, slowly, and do your best to aim towards the toilet.
4 Relax and let gravity do it's work. Hopefully you won't need to clean your shoes.
5 With one hand continue to maintain your death grip on the bar and with the other proceed to clean up using supplied paper.
6 Drop used paper directly below you into the toilet.
7 Pull yourself forwards / up, slowly. You don't want to loose your grip!
8 Fix your clothing, flush, exit, wash hands and pray to your respective deity that you made it through the experience.
9 Resolve to never avoid the warning signals in future so you have more time to find a Western Style toilet.

Take Off

2008-07-07T09:00:00.001+09:00

Right now we are on our way to the Airport. Only hours away from touching down in Okinawa for a much needed vacation.

Now I know what you are thinking, Uncle Contamination is on holiday so I don't need to read every day? Wrong!

Even if I'm not here, my blog will still update in my absence. You needn't worry about withdrawal pains for your daily life in Japan fix.

If I can, I'll post from the field but that will be separate from the daily 9am update.

Suitcase, Camera, Sunscreen? Check!

2008-07-06T09:00:00.001+09:00

The countdown has begun.
Tomorrow I'm going to Okinawa and quite frankly, I can't wait. University classes are over for a while and I can take a short break from work.

With the way that fuel prices have been going recently we decided that a domestic trip would be cheaper than taking a longer flight to a cheaper destination. Also it meant that I don't need an exit visa and my son doesn't need a passport.

So now it's time to start packing bags, checking things off lists and getting everything ready for the big trip. We all need a vacation, so we are going to have a great time in Okinawa.

Back to the Future, July 2007

2008-07-05T09:00:00.000+09:00

In July 2007 I bought my own Apartment. It was a very stressful period as there was a question about the home loan. But in the end I was able to get the loan in my name. W00T!

The McPork was released in Japan. Still a good burger, still ￥100.

I bought a SO903i. Considering that the life of a mobile phone is two years, I guess I'm now halfway through with this one.

Also I bought a SP510Uz digital camera. This camera is responsible for my fantastic photos of Mt Fuji. (Mt Fuji at Sunset. Mt Fuji in Daylight)

I Chose Richard from LFG as my avatar and laughed as an iPhone was blended.

Looking For Totoro

2008-07-04T09:00:00.000+09:00

Yesterday I wrote about how we went to a local family restaurant. Here are some more pictures I took while we were there.

I love this place because of the very kitsch decor. Tonight it wasn't busy, so I was able to photograph some of the corner ornaments. As you know, I love Totoro so I was happy to be able to photograph these for you to see.

Here we have the white and blue Totoro playing on their ocarinas.

Here we have Totoro playing his, along with Chip & Dale. These were found next to a window.

And here we have a little diorama fishing science where Totoro is trying to catch some fish. This was found next to the cash register.

While I'd love to own all of these things and I've been sorely tempted when I went to Donguri Kyowakoku. But we don't really have the space for cute little things, especially with a cute little monster running loose in my apartment, so I enjoy looking at them every time we go to the restaurant.

Fire!

2008-07-03T10:46:00.005+09:00

There's a fire in an apartment across the street.

This is the whole scene

One of the many fire trucks parked outside the hairdressers.

Our brave Fire Fighter doing what he does best. Though while watching this I thought that the apartment and shop below are screwed, because the volume of water going in is going to damage anything that the smoke didn't destroy.

I wonder what caused it, but more importantly I hope no one has been hurt.