Question about Koreans in Japan?

Question:

Do ethnic Korean-Japanese (Korean heritage born in Japan) people tend to keep Korean last (family) names, or adopt Japanese ones?

What about first (given) names?

Does this differ depending on whether the Korean-Japanese is affiliated with North Korea or South Korea?

What percentage of Korean-Japanese go to special Korean schools in Japan?

Do those Korean school students all have Korean-style dress uniform for the female students? Or is that just North Korean schools in Japan?

Answer:

The first generations were reluctant to use their original names because of fear of possible discrimination, and they either changed their names altogether or added another Kanji to make their names sound like Japanese names. Examples are: Kim (pronounced Kin or Kane in Japanese) plus some Kanji, and the results were Kaneda, Kanemura, Kanemoto, etc; Choo is pronounced either Shoo or Aki in Japanese, so lots of Choo added yama to their names and now they are Aki-yama; Rin (pronounced Korewan way) is Hayashi (in Japanese), which does not need anything added. But third or forth generations are increasingly going with their names unchanged, like the one in Japan's national soccer team. It seems like times have changed for them.

I don't know the exact figures about how many of them go to non-Japanese schools, but it seems like a more than expected number of them are attending Korean schools.

North Korean school girls used to wear chima jeogori, but not anymore, because wearing it made them vulnerable to racist attacks on trains and in public places.

Sorry I don't seem to have answered what you want to know. I think you already know everything I said.

Can I travel from Kobe to Osaka and from Osaka to Kobe without using JR Pass?

Question:

I am a foreigner but I wish to use a private railways. and it's a bit loss if i purchase both jr pass and private railways for this 2 weeks. I thought of purchasing JR East in Kansai Area. But it is stated it is only available for 3 days of maximum. So, how about traveling in Kansai area with the private railway? And my question also is that, does Shinkansen belong to JR company?
Thank you

Answer:

First off, the JR Regional passes are not the same as the full JR Pass, so the other post has her info wrong. But regarding the question, you can't use a JR East pass in Kansai - you need to get a JR West Pass, and the Kansai area pass can be used for a max of 4 days and costs 6000 yen - a steal compared to buying tickets piecemeal. The shinkansen are run by JR - you can ride them too on the West pass if it is the Sanyo area pass, but not for the Kansai area pass...but for the distance it's not worth the extra cost.
You can also use non-JR trains and get where you're going on a Surutto Kansai Pass, which includes subway lines, but the max validity is 3 days. So it's up to you. But there is no rational reason why you have to exclude JR trains from your travel - especially if you want to ride on the bullet train.
By the way, the JR East Pass, if you wanted to use in eastern Japan, has a 5 day, 10 day, and flex 4 day variety.

How long does it take to fly from japan to arizona?

Question:

just really cirous

Answer:

This depends on the season - it takes less time flying east in the winter since the jet stream is stronger and there is a better tail wind. There is also some difference according to the airline, air traffic, weather, and other factors. But right now Tokyo to LAX is about 9 hours 40 min to 10 hours, and LAX to Phoenix is about another 90 minutes or so.

Hyogo, Nagasaki, and Wakayama?

Question:

If you coulf live in any one of these cities in Japan which would you choose? Why would you choose one over the other?

Answer:

I live in Wakayama prefecture, which does indeed have a lot of nature. Wakayama city is a very boring city, though, probably because of its proximity to Osaka, which siphons off all the good stuff. If you want a somewhat cheaper city with excellent access to Osaka's scene it might be a good option.

In Hyogo prefecture I've lived on Awaji Island, which, in my mind, is about the best that Japan has to offer--it's quiet with lots of good things to do, and offers great access to Kobe and Tokushima. Other places in Hyogo are very nice too. Another benefit of Hyogo is that it's a fairly wealthy prefecture, which means greater beautification (but more concrete) and nicer public infrastructure.

Nagasaki is a wonderful city with good access to the rest of Kyushu. If you don't mind not being centrally located in Japan, as in near Osaka or Tokyo, it would be a great option. Being further from Osaka will probably mean cleaner air, but with so much blowing over from China these days I can't be sure it would be too different.

There are areas in all three of those prefectures that are extremely far from what you might know as civilization, so plan accordingly depending on what kind of job you're going for.

Kochi is much more rural than the others, very beautiful but also with difficult access in and out. It tends to have good roads due to its politicians' connections in Tokyo.

Upon what points does manga or anime exagurate Japanese culture?

Question:

I've never been to Japan but I have watched Japanese anime and read Japanese manga. Right now, I think that this is what Japan is like. What are the differences between the culture showed in anime and manga and the real Japanese culture?

Answer:

EVERYTHING is different between manga and reality. Don't confuse them. And it depends on each manga because there are so many from Japan.

Addition:
I told you that it depends on each manga because there are so many. You need to tell us which part or episode of manga you are talking about.

Addition2:
>Well for starters why in manga do the kids always seem to lack their parents. Is living alone at a young age considered normal?

This is VERY unlikely in real Japan. That's why I said "Don't confuse manga with reality". Please tell me more if you want.

Addition3:
>Well what about school life. Do Japanese kids really have a giant festival every year?

Giant or not. Yes, each school has a school festival, most likely in fall.

>And are do the girls really wear skirts that go as low as the ones in anime do?

Low? You mean short? Well, it depends on each girl. Some of them wear a very short skirt. Some others have longer one.

Addition4:
>What about religion? Is it true that it is highly unlikely that Japanese people participate in any religion. Is atheism common in Japan?

Yes. Japanese people do not care religion so much. It's not even "atheism". Just not interested.

Addition5:
>Is it common to die hair these radical colours in Japan

Not at all.

>is that just anime making stuff up for the sheer hell of it?

Yes.

But it's common to have brown hair. Blonde is rare. But possible. Maybe less than 5% of people. People are just dyeing. Nearly 100% of Japanese people have black as natural hair color.

Living: Korea vs Japan?

Question:

Hello! I'm considering moving to Asia when I grow up and I am wondering:
Which place would be better for me to live as a foreigner?
I happen to enjoy each culture very much but torn at which language I should study!
Which place is more accepting of foreigners?
Which language is easier to learn?
Which place would I have a better chance of living a good life?
and Which place would I just have an overall better experience?

Please no bashing other countries or telling me to " just stay in your own country" !
Thank you very much!

Answer:

1. Which place would be better for me to live as a foreigner?

- it depends on what you look for in a new environment.

2. I happen to enjoy each culture very much but torn at which language I should study!

- usually people prefer either language due to the appeal of the culture/soft power (J-pop/K-pop/Japanese or Korean dramas/manga, etc.); so it depends on whether you prefer the Japanese or Korean culture and soft power in general

3. Which place is more accepting of foreigners?

- both Japan and Korea are pretty nationalistic and defensive of their own culture and identity; certain cities like Tokyo and Seoul are more foreigner-friendly though; But if you're talking about "accepting" of foreigners who intend to stay for a long time, I think its Korea (partly because the Japanese will always treat foreigners as a gaijin)

4. Which language is easier to learn?

- for me, I think Japanese is easier to learn but it might not be so for others. But that's because i'm more interested in learning Japanese than Korean, hence easier for me.

- so pick the language that interests you more

5. Which place would I have a better chance of living a good life?

- what do you mean by "a good life" ?
- if you mean by being able to save up a lot for entertainment and other personal expenses, i'd say Korea because the cost of living there is way lower than Japan's

- but then again, there might be other factors in Japan that might offer you a better life

6. Which place would I just have an overall better experience?

- For me personally, i'd say Japan.
- but for you, it might be different because you might have a different preference from mine.

Advice on School Trip to Japan?

Question:

My university is starting a new program where Japanese language students go to Japan over the summer, taking some courses while we're there. We'll be staying in Kanazawa City, which they say is near Kyoto and Osaka. We'll also apparently be staying with a Japanese family on the weekdays, with free weekends.

Anyway, I've just started studying Japanese this summer, and I'm getting a basic grasp, just need to increase my vocabulary. Do you think it's possible for me to be able to speak it functionally by this June? I'd love to go there and try to speak no english whatsoever. The organizers were also unclear about the costs, claiming only that we'll have to pay a "GREAT DEAL LESS than similar programs". Does anyone have any idea what the costs are for similar programs? I have some money saved up, but I planned on spending quite a bit of it. I just want to know if I have enough now or I'll need more.

Thanks.

Answer:

>Do you think it's possible for me to be able to speak it functionally by this June?

It's all up to your efforts. There are 7 months to go. So you can improve it a great deal if you work hard.

BTW, Kanazawa is not so close to Kyoto and Osaka.

Do you consider this rude: Japanese waiter opens door and just says "how many"?

Question:

My friend and i were having this discussion and i would like to invite you to give your opinion:

Someone i know went to a Japanese restaurant in England and the waiter opened the door to let them in - and the waiter just said "how many" as in he wanted to know how many needed to be seated - to which the customer said "just one" as she was alone. The waiter didn't have a nice welcoming smile on his face or anything.

Do you think it was rude to just say "how many" - as opposed to "how many please".

Answer:

I don't think all restaurants in the world would ask you "how many please?". I have visited restaurants in English speaking countries and they said "how many?" So was that so unusual for you?

Anyway, there is no equivalent of "please" in Japanese. So it's no wonder he did not say it.

Thinking about moving to japan. Need advice, Where do I start?

Question:

I'm currently in Venezuela, it's hard to just up and leave because the Venezuelan currency is controlled (which i can't exceed a curtain limit, 1200 usd). Also I'm just 15. Luckily my father is an architect and know English (has a classic foreigner accent but he can speak it. His strong part is writing.) also knows Spanish and Italian, perfectly. Although he might not want to go (haven't asked him, haven't had a shot and he's telling me to stop dreaming) I think if he had the chose he would think twice. I do want to go and I know English and Spanish perfectly, fluently and can write them both. I'm think about being a doctor and i'll probable have to study here (which I hate here. it blows) if I'm planing to move to japan should I learn Japanese or am I good with English? Should I learn to speak or write first, should I learn both or just one, which? Any help?

Answer:

You can't move to Japan at 15 unless your parents move to Japan and take you to Japan.

Or you may move to Japan at 18 to join a college. If you want to become a doctor in Japan, you must go to a medical college for 6 years at first. And it will take about $150,000 for a public university and $400,000 for a private one, tuition and living cost together.

Is it possible to roast sparrows or other small birds?

Question:

I never ate a sparrow but my vietnamese friend eats them all the time if he can catch them

Answer:

Such dish do exist. Japanese suzume-yaki is grilled sparrows. Other than the feet, they were pretty much served whole and they looked like this: http://moderncrisis.com/knoxgardner/wp-c…

The looks might be a little disturbing and most first time eaters were shocked that you should eat the whole thing including heads and beaks (not kidding). The taste is actually pretty nice. The price per skewer might not be that nice because it could cost more than one Big Mac. :)

Added:
Chinese also have something rather similar.

What adventure/extreme sports do they do in japan?

Question:

im heading over there in 6 months time for a holiday but id like it to be more than just a sight seeing holiday which tend to get abit boring. So what are some fun activities do they have available to do over there?

Answer:

Surfing, hiking, snowboarding, skiing. There are a lot of similar ones that are out there in other places. Japan is famous for having lots of mountains and lots of beaches. You should be set to do whatever your heart desires.

What adventure/extreme sports do they do in japan?

Question:

im heading over there in 6 months time for a holiday but id like it to be more than just a sight seeing holiday which tend to get abit boring. So what are some fun activities do they have available to do over there?

Answer:

I don't think there are many "extreme" activities inherent in Japan.

What we have is what you have there, like skydiving.

Or you can go to caves like this.
http://www.syonyudo.net/

If Vinnie Jones went to Japan, would people run away screaming Gojira?

Question:

It's well known that Japanese people, men and women, get scared very easily and Vinnie Jones is scary as hell. His accent makes it cooler.

Answer:

A soccer player? It's well known that soccer is a sport for little girls. So the answer is no. They would more likely scream fag*ot because a scary fag*ot is still a fag*ot.

Can I please have a Mixi invite?

Question:

Hello :) me, my mother, and my dad are moving to Japan soon. I'm currently in High school, sixteen, and I would love to learn about the Japanese culture before I get there. I also want to join the Social Network Mixi. It seems like a very nice website, but I don't have Japanese cell phone. Is there anyone out there that can please send me an invite? Thank you so much if you do, Here's my email: WeAllWinRight@yahoo.com
Thank you!

Answer:

You don't need an invitation to join Mixi any more. You can join on you own. But you need a cell phone address as you say.

Addition:
I told you that you don't need an invitation from others now. So if you can't join it, you are not doing it in a proper way. Check how to join Mixi again. I have nothing more to say.

Recreational activities in Japan?

Question:

I need some popular activities in japan, preferably anything but sports.

Answer:

Just like what you have there, music, movie, shopping, etc.

What kind of food do they eat in switzerland?

Question:

Answer:

No, the whole country doesn't eat german food, it depends on which part you are referring to. In the german part, more german food, in the french part, more french food, in the italian part, more italian food.

We have the traditional dishes like fondue and raclette, and almost each county has its special one. Like in Vaud, the specialty is le papet vaudois (pa-pé vo-doua), and it's a sausage, called la saucisse aux choux, with leak and potato.

And of course swiss people eat also international food, like chinese, japanese, mexican, there are Macdonald's, Burger Kings, and other stuff like this.

Cheap flights from St.Louis to Okinawa Japan?

Question:

I'm looking for the cheapest flight I can get from St.Louis, MO to Okinawa, Japan. It really doesn't matter what time of year. The lowest I've been able to find is 1,500 round trip. Any deals or good websites to find cheaper tickets?

Answer:

www.fly.com

Try to surprise your boyfriend in Okinawa, don't tell him you're coming. You might catch him with his Okinawan girlfriend.

What is it like to teach English in Japan?

Question:

I'm considering entering the J.E.T. program when I'm out of college (where I'm majoring in Secondary Education [teaching high school] and minoring in English or Literature). I would love some first hand accounts of what I could expect from the J.E.T. program. How are the living conditions? How much freedom are you given in your teaching? What is teaching in Japan like? I'm taking a few basic spoken Japanese courses, and although it's fun, I'm afraid that I'm not picking it up very well. Did you find picking up Japanese to be easier in Japan?

I'd highly appreciate any and all information you could give me! Thank you, and God bless!

Answer:

I highly recommend it. I lived and taught in Japan for over 10 years and it was a great experience. I started out in the eikaiwa field (conversation schools). Eikaiwa mostly teach conversational English but we were also required to explain grammar and teach grammar to higher level students. The students usually range in age from about 2 years old in kids classes to 90 years old. Typical working hours will fall somewhere in between 10am to 9pm and the classes are usually around 45-50 mins long. The most famous eikaiwa schools are NOVA, ECC, GEOS and AEON.

After that I moved on to become an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher). ALTs mostly work in Elementary and Junior High School as an assistant to the main JTE (Japanese Teacher of English). I recommend teaching in Elementary or JHS with an ALT company as this was the most rewarding experience for me and you get the chance to participate in real school life with real students.

In most cases in order to work full time in Japan you need to have a University degree and you also require the backing of a company in Japan to sponsor your visa.

Most recruiters for English jobs in Japan will require the following:

1. Native English Speaker
2. Full Bachelor Degree (in any field)
3. Basic Japanese Ability

The market is really competitive now so they also prefer teaching experience and qualifications such as ESL, TEFL or CELTA.

Salary is usually around 240,000 - 255,000 yen per month depending on experience and qualifications.

Working in Japan
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

What's an ideal Christmas gift for a japanese girl?

Question:

Christmas is coming soon and I'm in need of some gift ideas for a japanese girl. She's 18, and outgoing, not my girlfriend but I do fancy her a bit. I want to give her a unique gift as Christmas would mean a lot to her, but not too expensive but as we are just friends for now. thanks. :)

Answer:

There are 2 good choices for you: one, since you are not Japanese, pick something for her from where you come from, and not readily available in Japan. Or two, something that she really likes and wants; clothes, cologne, a decoration, etc.

Be careful though, Christmas in Japan is like Valentine's Day in the West - if you give something very romantic she might get the wrong idea.

Is there a casino with holdem poker in Sasebo, Japan?

Question:

I am visiting my brother in the Navy and wanted to play some cards over there. I have seen a few "hotel/casino" places listed on hotel sites, but I can't find out what they offer. Thanks!

Answer:

Casino is illegal in Japan. So there is none.

Is it still unsafe to go to japan?

Question:

You know since the nuclear power plant was destroyed in the earthquake that happened a year ago?

Answer:

*sigh*

It NEVER WAS unsafe to go to Japan. As long as you stayed/stay away from Fukushima (and really, why would the average tourist have any reason to go there anyway?) it was and still is safe.

What is the typical Japanese bedroom for teenagers, boys and girls?

Question:

I know how traditional Japanese bedrooms look like, and I am aware that not all teenagers in Japan will have the same bedroom style
But I'd like to have an idea of the typical bedrooms in Japan now a days
If possible pictures to have a better idea, it would be great,thank you!

Answer:

Each person has a different room. So there is no "typical".

Check this one for an example.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/bunbun_minamiaiz…

I need help learning Japanese?

Question:

Okay, I am really trying hard to learn Japanese, I started with Hiragana, and Katakana. But I've been told that to actually live decently in Japan, I have to learn Kanji, But I can't really find anything. Also I need help with word order, starting sentences, etc. Anyone can help? By the way, I've tried many Japanese tutorial sites, not really helping. And, when I try to like, translate anime, somethings are Kanji, and there are so many, I can't even find a full list, and how they are pronounced. Also, What is Katakana used for, and Hiragana, and Kanji? I've never really had that question in my mind. But If i forgot anything to ask, I'll update the details. Thanks.

Answer:

Japanese is not a hard language to learn if you are fully motivated and use the best possible resources.

The best way to learn Japanese is by taking a class, enrolling in a course or investing in a good textbook. If you can't take classes then the self-study method with the correct resources is a good way.

The key to learning Japanese effectively is to work on your grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing. Its best to think of these as separate categories and focus on each specific category as these require different methods and techniques.

Start by learning the basics through grammar. These books really helped me.

• Shin Nihongo no Kiso I & II
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

• An Introduction to Modern Japanese by Osamu Mizutani & Nobuko Mizutani
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

• Japanese Demystified by Eriko Sato a self-teaching guide
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

These books cover both polite Japanese, which is extremely important to learn in order to speak Japanese effectively and causal Japanese, which is great for everyday conversations.

I also recommend trying to learn a certain amount of vocab or kanji each day as this helps you build up your vocab and kanji ability. I tried to learn 5 kanji per day or about 20 a week and did the same with vocab.

Watching Japanese anime or any Japanese TV program is a good idea for improving your listening skills and also your vocabulary. Keep a notebook and jot down any new words you hear. Then look them up and find out the meaning.

Websites are not always the best way to learn Japanese. Most websites are run by people with no teaching credentials and are not even native speakers of Japanese. Some of them are just interested in making money and not in helping you in what you need to be successful in learning Japanese.

How to Learn Japanese
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

How popular are the gazettE in japan?

Question:

Answer:

They are fairly popular. But not the best one in Japan.

Age of Exploration: Japan?

Question:

What was the impact of Europeans In Japan?
Analysis?
Warfare, Religion, etc
Thanks 10 points to best answer
Please help

Answer:

Well, besides obvious modern Westernization of culture and technology, European impact is actually pretty limited.

- There are a couple hundred (if even that) cathedrals from when Catholic missionaries came to Japan with the intention saving souls - they had very few takers and now most of them are pretty much abandoned. The vast majority of Japanese are non-religiously Bhuddist/Shintoist/Taoist.
- Just about every young Japanese person knows a few random words in English and can read it, but very few know what they're reading and overall profeciency is low.
- After WWII, the American government occupied and controlled the Japanese government for awhile. Since they refused to get rid of their emperor, they eventually worked out an agreement to where Japan would work unger a system more like Britain (which is why they're now a constitutional monarchy).
- And most Japanese doctors follow German and Dutch medical training, rather than their own.

At Fushimi Inari-Taisha in Kyoto, there are 12 lanterns with western zodiac signs. What are those?

Question:

It's funny that you can see 12 western zodiac signs in n8th century Japanese shrine complex. you can see Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, but no Gemini, and there are other unknown signs. What is the meaning of those signs?

Answer:

Much of the land around Fushimi Inari Taisha is actually not owned by the shrine and they have no control over what goes there. In addition, many of the items are placed there by individuals or groups and have no connection with Fushimi Inari.

Taurus could be used as the sign of the ox, and cancer and scorpio could be used as a substitute for dragon or snake (it's a stretch, but economics might have played into this).

Can I be accepted in AKB48?

Question:

Well, here goes: I'm white and I can sing good. Can I get in akb48?I know about plastic surgery and it's not problem for me. What would be your reaction if you see white girl in akb48?
I can't speak English well, and I know basic Japanese.

Answer:

No. sorry. Basic Japanese does not work. You have to sing and talk to fans in Japanese. And singing well in English does not work, either.

Basically, they want Japanese girls for AKB48.

Are Japanese names written in Katakana as well?

Question:

is it usual to write people's names (Japanese origin) in Katakana

Answer:

Japanese names are mostly written in kanji and hiragana. Katakana is used for foreign names.

Can anyone translate this text to Japanese,please?

Question:

I wrote a speech in Japanese,but I'm 15 and I've been learning Japanese for 2 years only,and instead of posting my version and asking you to correct all my mistakes,I would just like someone to write it in Japanese,so that I can correct my text later. Please,don't use online translators. I would appreciate it so,so much.



Japan and Serbia:
Despite the distance between Asia and Europe,Japan and Serbia,each one in the cradle of its own culture,full of differences,are two beautiful countries.
Japan is filled with colours,morals,politeness.Japan is a country with unique culture,country of geisha's,samurai warriors,tea ceremony,sakura,festivals,kabuki,art,
honour,and very developed technology. Serbia,on the other side,is a small country which maybe doesn't have that fascinating history,myths,it's not technologically developed,but the people here are very special and interesting.
The Japanese and the Serbs have completely different points of view,and I think that they can often consider each other weird.
The similarity between both of them is their pride and the fact that they constantly follow the tradition.
Japan itself is a travel through the time and history,while the roots of Serbian history can be found in art,customs and the conscience of the Serbs.
The truth is,Japanese people are way more hard-working and disciplined,but the Serbs put a lot of effort into their goals ,and they are also always willing to help.
Another difference between Japan and Serbia is that Japan still has an emperor,the writing system consist of many kanjis,which Serbian people consider complicated. Also,religions are different; while in Japan there are Buddhism and Shintoism,in Serbia there is mainly Christianity.
Serbian cuisine has many influences from different cultures,it's various and spicy,while Japanese cuisine is unique. Also,there are several sushi restaurants in Belgrade.
Although Japan has its national sports like sumo,judo,karate,kendo,etc.,just like in Serbia,tennis,volleyball,football and even baseball are also very popular.
Since Serbian pop culture isn't very interesting,many young Serbs watch and love anime,manga and video games.
For us,Japanese language students,Serbia is the country where we grew up,that we got used to,but most of us live and study in order to go,work or live in Japan someday. We will give our best to try to bring these two cultures closer,because they are both beautiful and worth knowing.

Thank you in advance. :D

Answer:

It is a long text. Not a lot of true bilinguals. An online translator might be your best bet.

Can you recommend a best Japanese grammar guides e-book (with english explanation) where I can download it?

Question:

Please give a specific link. ARIGATO

Answer:

If you are looking for a concise and thorough book of Japanese grammar (not one that will guide you through the learning curve but where you can look up grammatical expressions) then I can only suggest:
A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar by Seicihi Makino and Michio Tsutsui.

This is not for beginners but for, as its title implies, someone who already knows the most basic stuff (The 7 conjugations of a verb, the basic applications of particles and the basic knowledge of how adjectives, adverbs, nouns and verbs work in Japanaese).

Where to download, I don't know, but it shouldn't be that hard to find it on the internet.

What does jana mean in japanese?

Question:

i asked my friend why he was being such a douche one day and he said "jana" before facepalming me;
...
not the nicest guy on earth but he's good looking enough to get away with it

Answer:

It is the same as "jaa ne" - see ya/bye

I'm speaking to a girl who lives in Japan.Is there anything I should not say?

Question:

I don't know much about Japense culture and do not want to say anything offensive.Anything I shouldnt say?

Answer:

Just use common sense. What you should not say there, is what you should not say in Japan, too.

Questions about Traveling to Japan?

Question:

I am traveling to Japan in early December and staying through the holidays. I am going to visit my Japanese boyfriend for the first time. He currently lives in Yokahama and is moving to central Tokyo. I was wondering if anyone could give me a few tips on the culture and anything that I should specifically know such as:
1. Fashion styles
-I'm very up to date here in America but would anyone be able to give fashion advice about Tokyo? I am in my early 20's.
2. Any cultural tips that I should keep in mind
3. The weather in December and early January
4. "Do's and don'ts" of the culture
And anything else that is important to know :)
I have been using chopsticks and learning a few phrases in Japanese.
Thank you in advance!! :)

Answer:

There's a web site for street fashion styles.
Tips, don't use your cell on the train. Always remove your shoes when you enter someones home. Don't tip in a restaurant. It'll be cool / cold in Dec / Jan.
Youtube has some cool videos to teach you Japanese.

I am bit confused about Japan transportation. Is there any difference between subway and JR Railway.?

Question:

And what is the best transportation to go through Kansai area (Kobe-Osaka- Kyoto) and Tokyo.
As a foreigner, what options is the best and cheap; early buying JR Pass in my country or buy it on the spot in Japan.

Answer:

It depends - you don't say how much you are going to ride. The difference between JR and subways is that they are separate companies. You can only use a JR Pass on JR run trains, buses, and ferries. You can't use them on city subways. But most city subways have a day pass that costs about 1000 yen or so. You can't buy a full JR Pass once in Japan, but you can get regional JR Passes after you arrive, and may or may not be more economical for you. The Kansai area JR West Pass might be very
good for you. The Icoca card is essentially a prepaid card that doesn't save you much - it's only more convenient than constantly buying tickets.
So again, it depends how much time you're spending in each place, and how much you will ride the rails. If you are going by train from Kansai to Tokyo and back, plus doing a lot of travel within Kansai, a 7 day full JR Pass is probably worth it; maybe not for a 2 week pass though. Otherwise you could look at the JR Regional Pass along with a Tokyo subway day pass. There are also air passes you can get that might make it more affordable for you; take a look at
http://www.jal.co.jp/yokosojapan/
http://www.staralliance.com/en/fares/reg…
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/wws_common…

You don't give enough info on your travel plans to give a definitive answer; but you have enough info to find what is best for you.

Do japanese idols come and go really fast?

Question:

I am scottish and i really wanna become a japanese idol ^_^
I was reading something and it says that idols only usually last until they are 20 (im 14) and sometimes not even as long as that :O I was wondering if you actully do have a talent (not just dancing in your bedroom or having the kawaii look) will you still be kind of famous?
Also do the japanese like scottish/british people better than americans? i read that somewhere too...
Or is it just the same as some people dont like people who are black, white, chinese blah...and it really just depends on the person.

Answer:

Just like anywhere, they come and go. And a few last forever. Like Shonen Knife, an all girl trio. They've been around for over 20 years.
But the chances of a Scot being a Japanese idol, are slim to none. Sorry. You would have to be well
known in your own country first.
Japanese are like most everyone else, each person will have special groups they may or may not like.

How can i make invitation letter to my turkish botfriend who wants meto guide him here in japan?

Question:

Answer:

You cannot make an invitation letter because you are not Japanese or even a permanent resident. You need a Japanese citizen whom he knows to write a letter for him.

Does it Snow in Tokyo area in December...?

Question:

I'm planning a trip late December to early January...

Answer:

We have only a few snowy days in one winter in Tokyo. So it's unlikely. But you may have it if you are lucky.

Ideas for a Japan themed party?

Question:

I'm having a Japan themed party for my birthday (5th of december) because I love Harajuku, fairy kei, kawaii, anime...
I know a lot of people have Japan parties know, so I've searched on google, but mostly it comes up with oriental japanese decorations and fancy dress. I want my party to be more modern, with fun harajuku and fairy kei style ya knooww...

So if you have any anime,video game, harajuku, japanese style related ideas for decorations, costume activities.. help!

Thanks! x

Answer:

For the meeals, how about potluck Bento!
Young Japanese girls and even boys like kyaraben!

What do these kanji mean? 連取?

Question:

Answer:

It generally means "taking (something) successively". It does not tell you what it is without context. Usually used for sports games.

Why is uncensored porn illegal in Japan?

Question:

In the country of Utamaro, there are not any religious taboos about sex things though.

Answer:

Believe me, this question has been asked by lots of Japanese people for quite some time. While there are no religious taboos about sex for the most part, there are however plenty rules in Japanese society dealing with public morals.
Utamaro is considered Art, and therefore acceptable to be uncensored...however you wont find it out in the open and publicly displayed. The borderline between "art" and "porn" however is an extremely frustrating topic and controversial...especially for western movies.Is the nudity in the film "art"? or is it just nudity to enhance the story? The real problem is, that the laws governing public morality are pretty vague and deciding what is showable or not is pretty subjective. You would think that in this day and age they would stop censoring movies especially since the illegal porn market is pretty big.
In my opinion, since there is no real public outcry, the Japanese government doesn't find the need to do anything about it. Plus it makes the Japanese look morally superior...."we don't have that kind of dirty porn in Japan like they do in the USA". Sound stupid? Yeah it is.
What is even stranger is that about 7-8 years ago a poll was done concerning Japanese men and weather they would like uncensored porn or not. Surprisingly, a large majority said they preferred the censored stuff because "it forced them to imagine what they couldn't see", therefore making watching porn more exciting.
The sick thing is that Japan has by far worse porn and stuff that goes beyond morals....and yet they cover it up? Trust me, even the Japanese are confused by the whole thing.

Difficult to fit into Japanese society?

Question:

Is it really that difficult to integrate into Japanese social circles?

I often heard that they are friendly and polite when they first get to know you, but subsequently, it is hard to fit into their circles and to get to know them better. I meant GENERALLY of course. Is it true?

Answer:

If you want, you can participate in a variety of community activities in Japan. However, whether or not you can be accepted is not certain. It is totally up to your common sense, comprehension of Japanese culture and language.

But why do you want to get into Japanese community? If I was a foreigner in Japan, I would never try to do that by compromising myself. I would keep a certain distance; it would be more comfortable to you and the Japanese people around you.

How much is a round trip ticket from Arkansas to Tokyo Japan, Economy class?

Question:

How much money would I need to stay two weeks at a 2 or 3 star hotel.... Thanks

Answer:

Depends a LOT on when you are flying, which you didn't say anything about. The high price of oil is making things costly now though.
Try looking at sites like www.kayak.com and www.mobissimo.com for some cheaper fares, as well as looking at some of the airline websites directly, which may have some bargains going.
Just remember that you get what you pay for - the cheap-o tickets often have the most restrictions, like no refund if you must cancel, no chance or high costs to make a date change, and so on. And if you book through one of the online agencies like Expedia, Trouble City, Orbitz etc, pray you don't have to make a change - they just try to foist you onto the airlines where you can waste half an hour on hold just to have them tell you the change must be done through the issuing agency, which is correct. You also might consider getting the Tokyo or Osaka flights to Okinawa and back separately; especially if you plan a stopover in Tokyo or Osaka. You can avoid a stopover charge, and there are special air passes for people not living in Japan. Try looking at
http://www.jal.co.jp/yokosojapan/
http://www.staralliance.com/en/fares/reg…
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/wws_common…
Don't just book them though, compare the difference in fares to make sure.
For hotels, you might want to look at:
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
http://www.superhoteljapan.com/en/
http://www.kid97.co.jp/~jeh-group/jeh-gr…
http://www.jcha.or.jp/english/
If you have never stayed in one, then I recommend a Japanese inn (ryokan) for at least a night for the experience. You might want to look at:
http://www2.dango.ne.jp/kimi/ryokan.html
http://www.tamaryokan.com
http://www.libertyhouse.gr.jp