Will my tattoos be allowed at an Onsen?

Question:

I am planning a trip to Japan (likely Tokyo) later on in the year. I have been told that tattoos are forbidden because of the Yakuza. However, I'm obviously a foreigner.
I have 7, to be exact. A small flower on my left ankle, a biohazard symbol on my left calf, a small cross on the left side of my chest, a sakura blossom and petals on the right side of my neck, my name in runes in a band on my right arm, a broken heart and cross chainsaws (like a skull and crossbones) on my left shoulder, and a large black tribal dragon on my entire left forearm.
These are all obviously not concealable, since the majority of them are covering birth marks and scars.
Would these still be permitted? IF not, how will I still be able to enjoy an Onsen while being myself and not offending anybody?

Answer:

It depends on the place. I have heard of foreigners with tattoos being asked to leave. It largely depends on the place. You would be best advised to get a private bath with your friends, if possible.


Threeday; Private (or family) onsens are very common in many onsen resorts. I have probably had more than half a dozen, although i normally go to the public baths.

Gay foreigners in Japan?

Question:

Hi! I'm a bit curious. Is there a population of, like, caucasians that are gay and are living in Japan (Tokyo)? I'm interested in doing JET for a couple years, but I'd like to know if there are other gay Americans in Japan (so I'm not alone for that long lol).

Answer:

There is in Tokyo a population of non-Japanese gay guys. But not so large.
As others say, Shinjuku 2 chome is the largest gay quarter in Japan.
You can see white guys there.
Some bars or cruising space are known for their foreigner-friendliness.
And there are a lot of Japanese who want to make friends with foreigners.

On Gaydar, you can see white people searching for their friends on the net.

Legal to have Knife in Japan?

Question:

I am hosting a student from Japan who is into swords so I want to give him a Ka-Bar as a souvenir before he leaves. So my question is: If the knife is wrapped and in his suitcase, can he bring it back to Japan and take it home?

Answer:

1- They won't stop him at the airport. Knives are okay in check-in luggage. Bombs are not.

2- Don't know about the law regarding bringing them in but I know you can buy knives just like the one you are talking about in many sporting goods shop.

EDIT: Just went into a DVD/magazine shop. Saw a magazine devoted to knives. All kinds of knives. Big knives, small knives. Real knives. Not like the magazines devoted to fake guns.

How come Japan has had 5 Prime Ministers in the last 5 years?

Question:

and now the current one just resigned?? What is the deal?

Answer:

The politicians of Japan are as stupid as Americans.

What are the rules on Japanese tabi socks?

Question:

how tall are they what are they made from can you tell me the rules when putting on Japanese tabi socks can you help me

Answer:

Tabi are very form-fitting and typically do not have any stretch or give to them. They have a split between the big toe and the next toe to allow them to be worn with zori, which have a thong that goes in between the toes (like on flip-flops). They generally come just past the ankle and close with metal tabs that are hooked through looks of thread. They have a slightly padded rubber sole. For women, white versions of this type of tabi are the most formal but also the most versatile, because they can be worn with any style of kimono (except yukata). There are stretchy versions of the white tabi, and you can also find stretchy multi-colored or even lace tabi. Those can be worn with informal kimono and the colorful ones can even be worn with yukata, though of course that isn't traditional. Men also have the option of black tabi. Though not really a strict rule, it's a good idea to put your tabi on first, because it's hard to put them on after you get the rest of a kimono ensemble on.

There are other kinds of tabi as well that are more similar to boots or shoes than anything Westerners would consider socks, but when most Westerners talk about tabi socks they mean the kind worn as socks with kimono.

Is the ferry fare of 9000yen for one or two persons?

Question:

I'm looking at Kampuferry, the ferry between South Korea and Japan. Please, if you know Japanese, can you tell me whether the 9000yen is per adult or per room?? I read the translated version but I just don't get it.

http://www.kampuferry.co.jp/unchin.htm

Answer:

I think 9,000 yen is the fee for one adult, one-way.
it can't be room charge because 9,000 yen is rank of 2nd class.
2nd class guests look like to sleep together in a huddle. Room charge is available at 1st class and upwards.

Is Yoshino Town a place you can live in quite!?

Question:

No I am not moving in Japan or anything else, I am just asking! :)
Also is Nara beautiful and quite place to live?
IF you have a chance to live there(Yoshino Town or Nara) would you go and stay!? :)

Answer:

Nara is a very beautiful city, as is the entire prefecture.

Yoshino is a very small town in Nara Prefecture. I used to live in the area, but not in that town.

It's in a valley, and is about as far away from Osaka as it is Nara. Nara City is directly north, and Osaka to the Northwest.

I'm busy right now, so I wouldn't want to live in Yoshino. I'd have to know your situation to say yes or no to you about living there. If you do want "quiet", then chances are you'll get it there, unless you're stuck in a small Leo Palace type of apartment. (That's a company that runs thousands of tiny apartments around Japan. The rooms are small. The walls are thin. Your neighbour will hear most of what you do, and vice-versa.)

The benefit of living in Yoshino is that you're in your own little unique town, it's going to seem far away from civilization being surrounded by mountains, yet really, you're quite close to Osaka, one of the largest cities in the country, and also close to Nara, the ancient capital of Japan. It's kind of like you can have a bit of everything there.

What are some pro's and con's of living in japan?

Question:

I'm an American college student who plans on studying abroad in Japan in the field of computer graphics and animation. Honestly this kind of scares the hell out of me because I've never even been there. I'm currently in classes for the language and culture in an attempt to not be the ignorant foreigner. but I would like to know (preferably from people who have stayed in japan before) what's it actually like?

By the way I'm sure some of you are going to give me answers based on Anime you have seen; however, Anime is fictional and therefore probably not relevant to what I'm asking.

Answer:

Sorry to tell you this, but I don't think you will be studying abroad in Japan for those subjects. I work at a Japanese university, and I am not aware of any university in Japan which will offer those in English. You will need native level Japanese to tackle the courses. Expect to spend 8 hours a day, 6 days a week for 18 months to 2 years studying Japanese intensively before you can tackle those types of courses.

Japan itself is a nice place to live overall. Where I am is a bit out in the country, and is very peaceful, but central Tokyo can be intense. Very safe, and if you find a social group, very fun, but also expensive, hot in summer, and it can be stressful.

How do you say this in Japanese?

Question:

"Please don't torture your dog. We can hear him whining all the way down at the other end of the hall." it's a note for the neighbors.

Answer:

犬をいじめるのを、やめてください。
廊下の反対側まで、泣き声がひびいてきます。
inu wo ijimeru no wo yamete kudasai
rouka no hantai gawa made, nakigoe ga hibiite kimasu.

What Age Does She Go From America To Japan?

Question:

In Movie:What age Mizuki go to Japan from Hana zakari no kimi tachi he: Ikemen paradaisu?

Answer:

When she was 15 years old.
She became 16 one month after entering the school.

Whats the Gaming scene in Japan like?

Question:

I am an Avid gamer and when I finish College in the next year or so I plan on getting into the gaming field as a career as a producer or something fairly close. I know the gaming scene in America and Europe is rather large but and even in Korea SC2 is very large but I never hear anything about Japan. Living in Japan is one of my goals one day but I have never heard of any competitions or competitive gaming companies or tournaments that are located in Japan. Can anyone enlighten me on the scene going on over there?

Answer:

I am confused by your question. As was mentioned about Nintendo and Square Enix are huge. There is also Wii which came out of Japan. Final Fantasy......Seriously? I just don't know where you are coming from. A ton of games are released in Japan, translated, and released in the U.S. Maybe you just don't know that when you play them.

Anyway, as for living in Japan, there is a saying that gets thrown around a lot on these forums. If you are good at what you do in your own country, it will be easy for you to move to Japan. This is true especially of video games. Move to Seattle or California and get into the business in the U.S. then work on getting to Japan from there. There is no way Nintendo or Square Enix Japan will hire a foreigner without an N2 JLPT and a lot of experience.

Why would i recommend Hiroshima to another student?

Question:

Answer:

You could help her by telling her to read the book and think for herself. She passed the buck on to you, and now you're passing it on to us?

Where is the best place in Japan to try Whale meat?

Question:

Answer:

I, a resident of Tokyo, recommend a Restaurant called "Kujiraya" ( Whale Restaurant) in the thorough fare of Shibuya, its web site is:
http://www.kujiraya.co.jp/storeguide.htm…
Or, whale meat is found occasionally on the shelves of super markets meat section from time to time.
Whale meat needs a bit different cooking from pork or beef to taste, so how to cook see this site (though all in Japanese):http://ww7.tiki.ne.jp/~yosizen/tabekata/…

Where can I get kpop boys the Japanese magazine?

Question:

I live in American and I've always wanted to buy this but all the stores I went to never seem to have it and I can't find any online websites that sell it >< Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. Help :x

Answer:

You can order it on Amazon Japan. They ship internationally.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%97%A5%E7%B5%…

What do the Japanese think of Mexicans?

Question:

I'm curious, my friend who has family in Japan suggested we go to Japan sometime to visit. But I don't know what they would think of me you know? Since I'm Mexican.

Answer:

Japanese people do not have specific opinion on Mexicans. Mexicans are seen as just one of "gaijin"

Kuroshitsuji II question?

Question:

I was watching Kuroshitsuji II episode 9 (I dont think it was though) but its about them trying to take Sebastians picture with a camera that shows the persons most important thing. I think its an OVA....... but I cant find anything about it.

Answer:

No, it's not OVA. It's from episode 9 of Kuroshitsuji season 1. They fail to take Sebastian's picture, though. It was a really funny episode XD

here you go
http://www.animecrazy.net/kuroshitsuji-e…

hope this helps :)

Can someone tell me more about the African diaspora of Japan?

Question:

Answer:

Try here:

http://www.africandiasporatourism.com/in…

Can you read Japanese? Can anyone tell me about this 1971 Japan Kid's Baseball Box?

Question:

Hi: I found this Japanese baseball box from about 1971. It's empty, unfortunately. Can anyone identify it? What did the box hold? Is the team depicted a generic or real Japanese team? Thanks! Here's a photo: http://www.looncreative.com/japanbaseball.jpg

Answer:

It's not a real baseball team, but dramatized one.
To answer the question, "What did the box hold", I guess there was a pencil case inside because the words in the top left reads "筆入", literally pencil case.
For more on this check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tNGGRa4r…

Cruize from japan to us with dog?

Question:

I want to study abroad in Japan. The only thing is no one will watch my dog for 4 months is there a pet freindly cruise. I'm super scared to put my dog on a plane because I heard alotof pets get lost in transit on international flights

Answer:

Passengers on some cruises operated by Cunard are allowed to bring dogs, but those dogs are required to remain in the onboard kennel. The fees are significant, and the dog must meet all requirements as to health and temperament. Cunard will NOT act as a pet-transport service -- the owner must be a regular passenger on the cruise.

Service dogs with the proper certifications are allowed to accompany the disabled person on a cruise.

I suggest you find a good kennel or family member to give the dog a temporary home.

Do Japanese men sexually touch the women in Japan?

Question:

So my girlfriend is going to Japan with her family. And I've been doing some research that groping happens a lot in Japan. Now, I'm just gonna give her details but no names. She has large breasts, they're about H-Cups. And she tries to cover up her cleavage a lot. But I hear that they just touch her out of no where and they rape people there. I tried telling her this, but she just won't listen to me! It makes me sooooo pissed off! What should I do?

Answer:

110 % non sense !

Train travel in Sapporo?

Question:

What train paths are there in Sapporo, and do any have stations near suburban areas?

Answer:

To get to Sapporo South High, there are two lines.
Subway and Streetcar.

Get off at:
Horohira-bashi Station (Namboku Line, Subway)
Seishugakuen-mae Station (Yamahana Line, Streetcar)

Could Serena be a Japanese name?

Question:

I have an English name that is very hard to pronounce in Japanese. I'm in Japan and people keep asking what nickname they can call me, so I am thinking of going by the name Serena. Would a Japanese person have any problem pronouncing this?

I think it would be even easier if I spelled it "Sarina" because that's more phonetic, but the native English speakers I know here would find it odd because it's an unusual spelling. What do you think?

Answer:

I think Japanese people can pronounce Serena. But they don't see it as a Japanese name. It's a foreign name after all.

Shinjuku or Shibuya? which would be better to stay for two 21 year olds for 12 days?

Question:

Answer:

There is virtually no difference because those 2 places are very close and you can go to another easily by train.

Best suburbs to stay in Tokyo(close to Tokyo)?

Question:

That have lots of shops and tall buildings??????????? I am staying there for 13 days staying at backpackers.

Answer:

Suburbs do not have tall buildings. So you can't choose suburbs if you want them.

Every neighborhood has some shops.

A Mount in Japan with four names?

Question:

おはようございます。

From a too pleasant Japanese culture one hour documentary film, I did learn that there stands a mountain which is known by an unique wonderful name every single season, only I cannot truly remember which Mount it is, but I would like it very much to. Thus, I would appreciate it very much if you could just help me to.

ありがとうございます。

Answer:

It could most probably be Mt. Fuji.
This world famous mountain is revered and loved by the Japanese from ancient times and surrounding locals they affectionately call the mountain different names according to season and time of the day.
Off hand, the other names for the mountain are "Aka Fuji" (Red Fuji),　"Sakasa Fuji"(Mirrored Fuji on a lake), "Ura Fuji" (Fuji as viewed from Yamanasi Prefecture).
The links below will give you detailed information about the mountain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Fuji
http://image.search.yahoo.co.jp/search?p…

What to do in Japan for a 13 days??????

Question:

My partner and I who are in our early 20's are going to Japan in November for a 13 days, we are arriving in Tokyo (Narita airport). Do you know any must - go places? we want to see some culture, maybe stay in the country for a a few days, eat food, markets etc.

Answer:

The must see cities in Japan are Tokyo and Kyoto. Attractions in Tokyo include the Asakusa district famous for Sensoji temple and Nakamise shopping street; Meiji Shrine; The Imperial Palace; Ginza and Harajuku.

Read more about Tokyo here
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

Kyoto attractions include Kiyomizudera; Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion); Ginkakuji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion); Nijo Castle; and Heian Shrine.

Read more about Kyoto here
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

Other places I highly recommend include:

Nara - ancient capital and full of history and old temples
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

Takayama - beautiful city known for its traditional architecture and crafts
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

Hiroshima - beautiful city in Japan that reminds me of my home town of Melbourne in Australia with its green parks and trams
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

Things to do in Japan

Visit an Onsen
Stay in a Ryokan (traditional inn)
Watch a Sumo Tournament
Try some real sushi
Check out the various and unusual vending machines
Try out a high tech toilet
Visit the Temples and Shrines

Can anyone suggest a nice/cheapish backpackers in Tokyo?

Question:

Answer:

Hmmm, thought you said you wanted to be out in the suburbs? Just Google 'hostels in Tokyo'. I'm sure you'll find enough to keep you busy.

Are Laboratory technician jobs available in Japan for foreigners?

Question:

In the near future I am looking to move to Japan with my wife who is Japanese - and I'm wondering whether Laboratory Technician roles (particularly in pathology) are commonly available (well as much as any job in Japan). I can speak the language, and I will be able to get a spousal visa.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Answer:

No job is easy to get in Japan. Even for a Japanese. You would also have to read write and speak Japanese at a native level...

Anyone live in japan please answer?

Question:

Are there Muslims in japan? Are they all sunnah or are there also Shia?

Answer:

I have Muslims housemates. They pray 5 times a day, they fasting in Ramadan (this month) and they go to their mosque every Friday afternoon for their religion ritual. They read Koran everyday with other Muslims friends. They all from Malaysia, and they said they can't touch, eat or serve anything that contains alcohol, pigs and dogs.

I'm not sure what sunnah or Shia is, but that's what I know from the 2 years living with them.