Gift ideas for my Japanese host family?

Question:

I am going to Japan soon for a couple of weeks, and for some days I am staying with a host family. They have a 10 year old son and an 18 year old son, and there is also a Mum and Dad. I am from Australia, so was thinking about an AFL football for the younger son, and a Holden V8 super car model for the older son. I am also going to make a short DVD presentation about my life for the whole family. I'm a bit at a loss though as I have no idea what special thing I can get just for the mum and dad. Does anyone have any ideas? And what do you think of the ideas I already have?

Answer:

I was in your position last year too, except my host family was in China.

I gave them a packet of Australian Pens that you can pick up from Australian Geograph store.
I also gave them 2 packets of Tim tams, (Which are great if you're going to like a japanese school you can hand it out to the kids, they just eat them up in a few seconds.

Also gave them things like some plush kola toys. Maybe a boomarang which you can get at Australian Geographic

A economic reform of the Meiji restoration in Japan was to?

Question:

a) make japan a multiparty democracy
b)extend japanese power in asia
c)encourage formation of zaibatsu
d)make everyone equal before the law

Answer:

Things were not that simple, but I should say a) to c) are wrong,

Out of all these foods, which one is the most "ethnic" to you?

Question:

Chinese Food
Italian Food
Mexican Food
Japanese Food (Sushi)
Indian Food
Greek Food
French Food
Fast Food (American)

Answer:

I presume you are American, so any food on your list apart from "American fast food" would be considered "ethnic". Ethnic food refers to food from a country other than your own.

Was the Tokugawa Shogunate also the Emperor of Japan?

Question:

Title says it all.

Answer:

No, the shogun was the de facto ruler, the shogunate was the government but neither were Emperor

What does this Kanji read? Help?

Question:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150433834129577&set=o.233931429981586&type=1&theater

I know it says "____, suki desu"

What is the first kanji??

Answer:

It's "Gai"

Two boys are 恙神 (Tsutsumi ) 涯 (Gai) and 桜満 (Ouma) 集(Shu).

Do Japanese people differentiate between Okinawans, Ainu, and other Japanese?

Question:

Do people classify themselves into categories like "Okinawans" "Ainus" etc. or do all these people consider themselves as part of the same larger group (namely Japanese) and that's that? In the US, for e.g., African Americans, European Americans, Latin Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans might all feel American but they also often times have a special affinity for their own group or they might see themselves as being "a part" of a more specific subgroup (or subset) of the American population. Is this true in Japan as well?

Answer:

Yes, they do.

Can you help me invent a recipe?: Japanese Christmas cake trifle?

Question:

A traditional japanese christmas cake is a sponge cake with a filling of whipped cream mixed with strawberries, frosted with whipped cream and topped with fresh strawberries.

The cake itself just seems a little light for Christmas dessert so i thought it would be fun to turn it into a trifle.

I'm thinking sponge cake or pound cake cut into cubes, topped with strawberry jello, custard or pudding, whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

Any other ideas or tips?

Answer:

I've checked for a Japanese Christmas cake trifle. However I cannot find any. But I found this

Ingredients
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 (9 inch) angel food cake
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
3 kiwis, peeled and sliced
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
3 bananas, peeled and sliced
1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 sprig fresh mint
Directions

In a medium bowl, fold sour cream and unprepared pudding mix into the whipped topping.
Cut the cake into thirds, horizontally.
Line a large trifle or other glass serving bowl with kiwi and strawberry slices, reserving two whole strawberries and two kiwi slices. Place one layer of cake in bottom of bowl, top with 1/3 of bananas and pineapple, and 1/3 of whipped topping mixture. Repeat layering until all ingredients are used.
Make fan garnishes of whole strawberries by slicing from just below the stem. Garnish assembled trifle with fanned strawberries, reserved kiwi slices, and a sprig of mint. Refrigerate until serving.

Gay japanese celebrities?

Question:

hi :] okay so who are some japanese celebrites and singers who are gay or lesbian? don't say something like razor ramon hard gay, because he is a straight comedian.but anyway , who are some gay celebrities in japan?

Answer:

Following people agreed themselves that they are gey or bisexual
はるな　愛 (Haruna Ai)
楽しんご (TanoShingo)
IKKO
カバちゃん (Kaba Chan)
尾木直樹　（尾木ママ） (Ogi mama)
クリス松村 (Cris Matsumura)
前田健 (Maeda Ken)
ピーター (Peter)

There are many rumor and goships regarding following people, but not very sure:
http://matome.naver.jp/odai/212804752555…

I want to sent a package to military apo from usa mail to Japan?

Question:

It's a big package for my son, it weighs 18 pounds. 61 inches tall and 31 in lenght.
I was wondering if there was a way to send it?

Answer:

Take it to your post office and mail it. It will be domestic rates but you still have to fill out the customs form.

Here's all the rules.

http://www.oconus.com/ZipCodes.asp

Help on International Custom Forms? (USPS)?

Question:

Hello, I am planning to send a gift to a friend in Japan. (From US)
On one part of the custom form, it asks to to specifically specify what's inside (ITS A GIFT. D:)
What should I write? Or is there another form I could use? Please Help!

Also: Is there a certain...date on when I have to send package? Since I'm not sure as to how Japan's Postal system works....

Answer:

There are 2 customs forms. You need to fill out one of the 2. Use the customs forms calculator to figure out which one. There are customs forms PS Form 2976 and PS Form 2976-A. Weigh each item and list them by what the item is,it's value and it's weight,then add the value of all the items and weight it down where it says to. Then put the items in the box what what you will ship it in and weigh the whole thing. Write the total weight where it says to. Write your address and the address where it's going to. Sign and date it.


http://ircalc.usps.com/CustomsFormsCalcu…
http://pe.usps.gov/

What do native Japanese think of Weeaboos?

Question:

Answer:

Most of Japanese don't know the term "Weeaboos", but most of Japanese know many foreign people are very interested in , or almost addicted in, Japanese "sub-culture" such as anime, manga, J-pop, etc.
As far as I know, Japanese people like to see foreign people love Japanese stuff and fully welcome Weeaboos.

Does rosseta stone really work? ( i want to learn japanese)?

Question:

ok yes i know there are tons of free websites that can help me learn japanese. but it seems like its a complete package that will keep me structured. and yes i know its expensive but i could always save up. so is rosseta stone for japanese any good and is it fun?

Answer:

I wouldn't suggest Rosetta Stone unless it's your last option. It literally just says a phrase, and shows you four pictures. You have to click the picture corresponding to the phrase. This eventually turns into a "click till you get it right" game that you've payed a lot of money for.

What's worse is that the hardest thing to learn about Japanese for a native English speaker is the differences in sentence structure; which Rosetta Stone doesn't address at all. I wouldn't ever suggest Rosetta Stone unless someone else was picking up the tab. Myself, I've been taking Basic Spoken Japanese courses at my college, which offers free access to Rosetta Stone for the language you're studying. I tried it out, and found it to be complete rubbish. It's just a guessing game. At most, you'll learn some basic vocab, but for $500 dollars I'd of expected more...

I'm going to highly suggest two books. The first is the text book we use for my Basic Spoken Japanese course. The second is a work book I''ve bought at Barnes and Noble that is helpful with some basic vocab and structures. They are both very helpful at the spoken language, and neither is very expensive.

"Japanese for Busy People". The romanized (english alphabet) version teaches you how to speak basic Japanese, and if you keep up with it it works very well. Make sure to use the version publicized around 1994 as this was the best version of the book released. (Yes, there were later, "updated" versions released, but my Japanese professor says they are flawed in too many ways). Plus, since it's an older book, you can get it online for under $5! There's also a workbook that is made to complement this textbook, but I haven't tried it (although my Japanese professor suggests it).

http://www.abebooks.com/9784770018823/Ja…

The other book I'll suggest in "Japanese in 10 Minutes a Day". I'd really suggest using it as a compliment to the first book I mentioned, since it's less detailed. "Japanese in 10 Minutes a Day" comes with cut-out Japanese flash cards and stickers with Japanese words and their pronunciations on them to stick onto the item they represent around your house (the Japanese word for "light" is on a sticker that you'd stick onto a lamp, for example). It's got great visuals and exercises that are easy to relate to (like a family tree to learn the names of family members). Again, I'd really suggest if as plus to "Japanese for Busy People". It's not too expensive online, but I'd only buy it new to be sure it still has the flash cards and the vocab stickers.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1…

Japanese is one of the hardest language to learn for a native English speaker, and it's not something to take lightly. If you're serious about learning it, you have to treat Japanese as a serious class or even a job, and give it a lot of time. I'd suggest at least a solid hour or so a day to really start grasping it. You'd be surprised what a good text book, a pack of flash cards, and a bit of determination can get you!

What are the ten most common foods eaten in Japan?

Question:

top ten foods eaten? like, staple foods? rice etc :)

Answer:

Ramen
In America, ramen is often a meal that appeals to people only for its low cost. However, it is an extremely popular food in Japan. Ramen restaurants serve ramen topped with meats and vegetables for a healthy meal. The type of broth used in ramen soup varies by region, with soy sauce-, miso- and salt-based broths being the most popular. In addition to ramen restaurants, you can also purchase cup ramen in most convenience stores, which also provide free hot water for a meal on-the-go.

Donburi
Donburi is the Japanese name for a rice bowl. It starts with a simple bowl of rice to which you add cooked meats and vegetables on top. One version of donburi is called "oyako-don," which features chicken (parent or "oya") and egg (child or "ko"). You can also top the rice with beef and onions (gyudon), tempura or fried pork (tonkatsu).

Sushi
Sushi consists of thin slices of raw fish served with rice mixed with vinegar. In some cases, the fish is served lying on top of small rectangles of rice, while in others it is rolled into a tubular shape with seaweed, then cut into circles. You can also find sushi made with vegetables and egg, as well as cooked fish.

Onigiri
Onigiri is a popular lunch box dish in Japan and is widely available in convenience stores when you need a quick meal. Onigiri consists of a ball of rice with a small bit of fish or plum in the center. The whole thing is then wrapped in seaweed. Traditionally, onigiri is shaped into a triangle and filled with salmon or tuna.

Nabe
Nabe consists of a large pot of meat and vegetables boiled in a broth. Some convenience stores sell oden, which is a nabe with a soy sauce-based broth. Sukiyaki, shabu shabu and chanko are other forms of nabe.

Chahan
Chahan is fried rice and comes with many different ingredients. Typically, chahan includes rice, onion and egg fried with a dash of soy sauce. However, you can also purchase chahan flavor packets in Japan, which allow you to make fried rice with different flavors, such as shrimp or salmon.

Curry Rice
Though not a native flavor for Japan, curry rice is still a popular dish. Japanese curry is somewhat sweeter than Indian curry. It features vegetables and meats soaked in a thick curry sauce, which is then served over rice. Don't confuse this with "dry curry," which is the Japanese name for fried rice made with curry powder.

Tempura
Tempura is vegetables and seafoods dipped into a batter and then fried. Tempura is typically served with a tempura sauce made of soy sauce, mirin, sugar and fish stock. Shrimp tempura is the most popular seafood tempura. Vegetable tempura may consist of green peppers, potatoes, onions or bamboo.

Grilled Meats
"Yaki" is the Japanese word for grilled. Yakiniku, is grilled chicken that is usually skewered before it is grilled. You can eat it off of the stick at yakiniku restaurants or at outdoor festivals. Yakizakana, or grilled fish, is a popular dish in Japanese homes---the typical Japanese stove does not have a full oven, but does have a small area where you can grill fish.

Udon
Udon is a thick, flour-based noodle served in a fish broth along with seaweed, other vegetables and fish cake

Do Japanese people use other silverware besides Chopsticks?

Question:

I'm doing a project on a certain place for school and I chose Japan. I thought I'd do a small part on my presentation on the different types of silverware the Japanese used (Forks, knives, etc.) because I thought people would be curious about that, but I'm not finding anything!
So, do you guys have any info on the subject? How often these utensils are used and what not?

Answer:

In Japan, we mostly use chopsticks but also use knives, forks and spoons when at home or in a restaurant. The type of food we eat will determine what we use to eat it with. For example, most western style dishes will be eaten with a knife, fork and/or spoon. We also use a Chinese spoon called a "renge" when eating chahan (fried rice) ramen and nabe (hot pots).

Do Japanese people use other silverware besides Chopsticks?

Question:

I'm doing a project on a certain place for school and I chose Japan. I thought I'd do a small part on my presentation on the different types of silverware the Japanese used (Forks, knives, etc.) because I thought people would be curious about that, but I'm not finding anything!
So, do you guys have any info on the subject? How often these utensils are used and what not?

Answer:

In Japan, we mostly use chopsticks but also use knives, forks and spoons when at home or in a restaurant. The type of food we eat will determine what we use to eat it with. For example, most western style dishes will be eaten with a knife, fork and/or spoon. We also use a Chinese spoon called a "renge" when eating chahan (fried rice) ramen and nabe (hot pots).

What does "ー" and "私" mean in japanese?

Question:

for example: "I am robert smith" in japanese is" 私はロバートスミスです"
I'm a little confused as to what the dash means, but also whether the symbol I'm assuming means "watashi" is kanji or something different. Thanks for the help

Answer:

yep that's right. the watashi character is kanji. and the dash is to prolong the vowel like in your name the "ba" sound would be "baaa"

What does "ー" and "私" mean in japanese?

Question:

for example: "I am robert smith" in japanese is" 私はロバートスミスです"
I'm a little confused as to what the dash means, but also whether the symbol I'm assuming means "watashi" is kanji or something different. Thanks for the help

Answer:

yep that's right. the watashi character is kanji. and the dash is to prolong the vowel like in your name the "ba" sound would be "baaa"

Getting married and want to take a trip to Japan, best way to do it?

Question:

I would like to take my future husband to Japan as a wedding present. He has been there before but I haven't, so I'm trying to find out the best time of the year to go. Not just for attractions but also prices, yes I would love to see the cherry blossoms but don't have much money. Can anyone help with this information and the best airports to go through. ty

Answer:

with all due respect to the other responder, he is absolutely wrong

prices will vary greatly by region/city and by time of the year/around the holidays. A hotel room in Kyoto costs a lot more than a hotel room in a suburb of Nagoya. Traveling around Golden Week is significantly more expensive than 2 weeks earlier (or after)

For cool places to visit, especially for the cherry blossom, the location matters little since you will have the beauty of nature to enjoy. Inexpensive places (nothing in Japan is inexpensive but in comparison), I would recommend flying into Osaka and heading to the Nagoya area or further West(e.g. Hiroshima or Fukuoka). Alternatively, you might want to try Hokkaido. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka (and by extension Yokohama, Nara and Kobe) will be expensive in comparison no matter the time of the year

BTW, cherry blossoms hit around the late March/early April timeframe depending on locations (it starts in the South and gradually advances to the North - it's all about temperature)

Since you will be on your honeymoon, you may want to do couple stuff (rather than the partying all night variety). You should try an onsen or two, a nice hike up one of the many hills/mountains, sampling the variety of foods, dropping by one of the minor islands (e.g. Miyakojima), etc.

I wish you all the happiness in the world and congratulations in advance

Do Japanese not like foreigners speaking their language?

Question:

I'm currently learning Japanese and I hope to go their within the next couple of years. I'm a caucasian male. I have heard stories about Japanese people treating foreigners coldly because they are proud of their language and do not like others speaking it.

Is this exactly true?

Answer:

You heard wrong. Many Japanese are impressed if a person takes the time to learn their language.

How do you make chicken wing sauces?

Question:

okay so im like a chicken wing sauce fanatic. i am looking for the best of the best recipe to make its sauce. im thinking soemthing exotic like taiwan or polandish. maybe even japanese..(i was always fond of them) okay so please leave some recipes or a link.

Answer:

Teriyaki:
Ingredients
2/3 cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
1 cup soy sauce
4 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/3 cup white sugar
7 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 dash red pepper flakes
black pepper to taste
Directions
Bring mirin to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour in soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar. Season with garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, and black pepper; simmer an additional 5 minutes. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.

Lemony sauce:
Ingredients
1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
Stir the chicken soup, water, lemon juice, butter, and garlic powder together in a pan and place over medium heat. Cook until hot, about 5 minutes.

Tangy mustard:

Garlic cloves
Chicken broth (fat-free, less-sodium)
Dry white wine
Maple syrup
Dijon mustard
Fresh rosemary

Do Italians feel like food is a work of art?

Question:

I am doing a project for school and I need to know why food is important to Italy. I know that one reason is because it brings the family together. I am 1/4 Italian and I feel like Italians view food as a work of art, but I want to make sure that my info is accurate.

Thanks!

Answer:

It all depends on how you define "a work of art." Italians, as in other culture, consider cooking as a work of art - by that, there is a right way of cooking. If you define "a work of art" as to how food should be presented and look (like an art painting), other culture like the French and Japaneses have the handle on that. As a culture, Italians consider the "work of art" as into making the dish (there is a certain way of making/cooking them) and eating. It doesn't mean stuffing ones face but taking time and enjoying the food and companies. - Family mostly.
Here's a site on culture and Italians view of food. I would cut and paste, but the length might turn you off, and besides it is a better reading.

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles…

Japanese pastries~! !!!~10 POINTS~!!!?

Question:

I was looking up a recipe for some chocolate cornets (pictured right), and I came across this yummy looking picture. What are those yummy looking flower shaped pastries on the left? They're so cute, and I would also enjoy making them.

Picture:

http://www.akiba-station.com/blog/wp-con…

Anything appreciated, thanks a bunch. ^w^

Answer:

They are called "kurimu pan" which means Cream Bread in Japanese. They are very common in Japanese bakeries and usually contain a thick custard cream.

体に気をつけて、いつも元気で居て下さい -- English Meaning?

Question:

What does this mean? :o I've been told it means something along the lines of take care, but I'd like to make sure.

Answer:

Yes, it means "take care." It's used in the same situations that "Take care" is in English. It's just a little more formal.

Literally, it means "pay attention to your body, always stay healthy, please."

体に気をつけて、いつも元気で居て下さい -- English Meaning?

Question:

What does this mean? :o I've been told it means something along the lines of take care, but I'd like to make sure.

Answer:

Yes, it means "take care." It's used in the same situations that "Take care" is in English. It's just a little more formal.

Literally, it means "pay attention to your body, always stay healthy, please."

How much do I need for a 5 month internship in Tokyo, Japan?

Question:

I'm aiming for € 9000 (includes internship fee) which is around ¥ 930700 or $12000.
Will this be enough? Rent will be around €700,- per month.

Of course I want to do some sightseeing and stuff. Let me know your thoughts.

Answer:

I think it's more than enough if you don't have to pay for rent.

What are some cute japanese gifts?

Question:

please post a link to any cute little anime things

Answer:

There are many anime related stuffs sold in Japan. I think you need to be more specific.

Saying should in Japanese?

Question:

I just want to clear this up for myself, how would I say "should..." in Japanese? I learned base ta + hou ga ii desu. And to say, "should not..." Base 1 + nai hou ga ii desu. How would I conjugate this? I was thinking:

ochitsuku- to calm down. So, ochitsuita hou ga ii desu. You should calm down.
Ochistuita hou ga ikatta- You should have calmed down, ect.
Conjugating the "ii" since the desu is just there for politeness because "ii" is an i- adjective. Same for "should not.." right?

I've also seen this translated to other ways, like njya? Is that even a word? I don't know, you guys tell me. Or beki? Theres probably a bunch of other ways too?


Help is much apprectiated, thank you very much. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your consideration in answering if you chosen too.

Answer:

When you heard the following (advices);

- ochituita houga ii (desu).
it sounds humble (less imperative ≒ 'd better)

*"～(verb/past tense) + houga ii" is almost an idiomatic expression ('d better ...), regardless of whether you have other options to compare with.

- ochitsuka nakereba dame desu, ochitsuiku beki desu
it sounds more imperative (= should/ have to/ must/ need to)

*....(verb/ imperfective form)-nakutewa dame desu yo, ...(verb/attributive form) -beki da/desu.
*In colloquial: "....(verb/imperfective form)-nakya dame" is wedely used.
e.g. benkyou shi-nakya dame dayo, hon o yoma-nakya dame yo
----------
Ochistuita hou ga ikatta --> grammatically incorrect
--> ochitsuite iru beki deshita "you should have been calm."

should not .... "...(verb/attributive form) -beki dewa nai"
e.g. ima sonna koto o iu beki dewa nai ("you shouldn't say such things at the moment"

Do Japanese people dislike or hate immigrants?

Question:

And I do not mean those gajin loving girls. Just the general people in Japan.

Answer:

Depends on the person. Some do, some don't. What they really dislike is people who don't know how to act civilized.

Travelling to Tokyo for the first time in January, advice please?

Question:

Two of my best friends (ages 20 & 19, I'm 21) will be travelling to Tokyo together from January 11-20.
We chose to stay in Shinjuku, seeing as that seems to be a central location.
We have a general idea of what we want to explore (temples, nightlife, fish market, Hakone hot springs, etc) but I would really appreciate some advice!
For example, how cold do you think it will be? I'm flying to the Philippines for 5 months as soon as I finish my vacation in Japan so I'm going to need help packing my bags... haha
As for nightlife, which areas should we stick to?
And for temples, I know we want to check out Meiji and Akasaka temples but are there any others we should check out?
Foodwise, I'm not really worried because I'm sure there will be plenty of options available..
My only other real concern is the nightlife.. will we have a hard time finding places to go since one of my friends is only 19?
If there's anything you feel I absolutely must do/check-out, please let me know! The same applies if you have any tips for noobs like me haha
I'll have about $1,000-1,500 for personal expenses during my nine days there.. should that be enough?
I really appreciate it, thanks!

Answer:

It won't be balmy, that's for sure. Expect the 40s F or a few degrees above freezing for Celsius.

Take a good digital camera and if you can a camcorder with you. There is so much to see, but a few places to see are:
Harajuku/Meiji Shrine on a Sunday to see the bizarre fashions
Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa - one of the famous temples every tourist goes to see
Odaiba at night for a real trip - try the ferris wheel and don't miss the Statue of Liberty and Venus Fort
See Love Hotel Hill in Dogenzaka near Shibuta Stn. at night for something uniquely Japanese
Tsukiji Fish Market at the crack of dawn.
Akihabara for the electronics.
Shinjuku and Shibuya at night for the endless lights and neon.
Ginza for the overpriced shopping.
Yasukuni for a real experience of NIhonjinron.
Tokyo Metropolitan Gov't Building in Shinjuku (better view from the top than the Tokyo Tower, and
all free!)
Roppongi for the ex-pat environment

Better still, get out of Tokyo when you can and take some day trips to Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone, and the Fuji 5 Lakes.
And to save money you can get a Tokyo subway day pass for all lines for about 1000 yen.
See www.jnto.go.jp for other info, and for some places to stay, try
www.wix.com/astroflight/accommodations

Does anyone know any affordable apartments in Shinjuku or near it?

Question:

I am planning to study Japanese in Japan and I am planning to stay there for at least 6 months. I have been trying to look for apartments or spaces for rent where I can live during my stay. I will be with my boyfriend (who is a local). He has a house in Japan but we do not want to impose on his family. Any apartment that is affordable would be fine and we do not care if it is small or not. We just need a place to stay. I was hoping someone who can recommend me an inexpensive place. Thank you!

Answer:

You can't live in Japan for more than 90 days without a visa.

On apartment, Shinjuku is very expensive area. I don't think you and your BF can afford it, given the fact that he still lives with his parents, meaning he can't rent his own apartment right now, even a cheap one.

Is "gaijin-san" impolite?

Question:

I'm studying abroad in Japan and recently visited a pretty small city called Onomichi for a day trip. They almost never see foreigners so I got a lot of stares and a few people randomly saying hello to me and stuff. One thing that bugged me was that a few people called me "gaijin-san." For example, one person asked me to take a group photo for them and when one Japanese person said he could do it, they said "Oh, it's okay, gaijin-san can take it." and afterward they had a short conversation with me. I heard the term gaijin-san a couple other times that day too. I never hear it in the larger cities, so it caught me off guard.

I had heard that gaikokujin is considered to be more polite and that gaijin is considered to be rude. However "-san" is respectful. So, were they being condescending or not?

Answer:

It's like saying "Mr. outsider ". Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Impolite or not depends on how it was said.

Is it still winter in japan on 23 february 2012 until 28 feb 2012?

Question:

Answer:

Any country in the Northern Hemisphere has the same seasons.

Is there a problem to stay in Tokyo on my way to another country?

Question:

My final destination is Taipei, but my itinerary includes a stop in Narita. I bought this ticket a while ago, and I am now thinking to stay in Japan instead of going on to Taiwan. Could there be any problem with the Japanese immigration to stay there, given that my final planned destination was another country? I don't remember if the immigration ask the itinerary.

Answer:

Lots of people make connections and layovers through Narita Airport, it's a major airport hub in Asia. So a lot of people with tickets showing final destinations outside of Japan make layovers inside of Japan, they make a quick visit to Tokyo or nearby Narita City.

So as long as you have a visa-waiver passport (what passport do you have?) immigration will generally not question you much at all. You poccess a ticket that is leaving Japan to Taiwan.

However your MAJOR problem is this:

If your final destination is Taiwan and your return ticket is from Taiwan then you have a major problem. Not with immigration, but your entire ticket will be cancelled by the airline if you do not make your connection at Narita, in return you will have no way to return unless you purchase a brand new expensive ticket to get back to your home country or out of Japan.

This is a well known tactic called "hidden city" ticketing, and the vast majority of airline fare rules prohibit it.

So lets say you were flying from A City-Narita-Taipei but you only few A City-Narita and skipped your flight to Taipei (eg you terminate your trip at Narita), that means your entire ticket is cancelled after (including your return trip). Now you are stuck with needing to purchase a brand new ticket to leave Japan, so you probably end up paying MORE money in the end.

Nuclear power stations in remote areas of japan a good or bad idea?

Question:

Is the building of nuclear power stations in remote areas of Japan a good or bad idea, Long paragraphs please :)

Answer:

Japanese people will not build any new nuclear power station in the next decades.

Japanese people have lost trust on nukes in the wake of Fukushima Plant disaster on March 11 this year. No one wants to have a new one.

What are some good Japanese male songs?

Question:

Answer:

There are millions of songs in Japan.

What is it like to Live in Japan?

Question:

Hi, I'm looking into working for the Jet program in Japan in a few years to teach English.
I think my salary would be ¥3,360,000 a year and I would be provided a house in the program but I would have to pay for it. which would be about ¥30,000 to ¥60,000 per month. I read in another ask post that utilities usually cost ¥2500 a month. With general living expenses excluded, (emergencies, personal expenses, entertainment etc...) I approximated that I would be left with ¥2390000 left for other things. Is this amount decent enough to live without too many problems?

Answer:

Good idea to go with the JET Programme. That's quite a long time ahead to be thinking about it though. You know you need a university degree, right?

You won't necessarily be provided a house. In fact, that's quite rare. The JET Programme is known for a little catch-phrase: ESID - Every situation is different.

For most people on that programme, you're paid the same amount, but you pay for accommodation out of that salary. Usually a place will be found on your behalf (same apartment others on JET have used in the area), and it's usually a decent apartment. Sometimes you may even be put up in subsidized housing with other teachers (separate apartments of course).

It's the luck of the draw. On your application, you're given the chance to name a few areas you would like to live in, but that isn't guaranteed. It just gives the coordinators an idea of where you could go.

Those are pretty cheap utilities. Again, it depends on your set-up. I would expect to pay at least: gas - 5000/month, electricity - 2500/month, water - 1500/month, internet - 4000/month. That doesn't include your phone. Depending where you are and your lifestyle, electricity and gas can go up to around 10,000/month each in winter.

Anyway, on JET, you are making good money, and if you watch your money, there's no reason why you can't save money and still pay for these expenses and an apartment on the expensive side, living a comfortable life.

There are all sorts of perks associated with JET too: free Japanese correspondence course (high quality), free local conferences, free re-newers' conference (free transport and hotel in another part of Japan), free initial orientation in Tokyo (hotel, conference, some food), free transport to your new place of work from Tokyo orientation, free airfare to start and finish JET, tons of stuff taken care for you by the authorities (visa, accommodation found, bank account opened, local orientation, etc.), help lines, teaching resources, ...

Considering some people just go to Japan, look for work, and have to take care of everything on their own, I wouldn't worry about money on JET. It's such a small issue. You've got people just barely getting by just for the chance to live in Japan, then you've got JET people who sometimes have no idea how good they've got it.

Good luck!

Where can i buy chicken necks in Tokyo japan?

Question:

not online

Answer:

Just necks will be difficult

There is a butcher/supermarket in Azabu-Juban, about 400 meters heading to Tokyo Tower from the train station right on the main road (blanking on the name now - can't miss it though). When I lived in Hiroo, I used to shop there all the time. Best prices on meat in all of Tokyo and they have a true butcher shop where you can actually talk to a live person and ask for what you want

Are the Japanese really creative and innovative?

Question:

Yes I hear stories about how they have all this top notch technology and crazy cool stuff...is it true? don't they work with the USA? hm or can't they think for themselves?

Answer:

Some are, some aren't. Yes, it's true.

Do Japanese people like Arabs?

Question:

I love japanese people and their culture, to me everything about japan is amazing!
My friends and I are thinking about going to Japan for spring break, but I dont know how the japanese in general view arabs and hijab ( I am a muslim girl).

Any insight would be appreciated
Thanks

Answer:

Actually, Japanese people don't have much feeling on Arabs. So like or dislike does not matter.

Japanese people basically welcome tourists.

How early can I check in to my flight at narita airport?

Question:

Answer:

For checking in your bags, it can be done only on the day of your flight. But you can get there whenever the check-in counter is open on your flight day and check in. Or you can do a web check in on most airline websites.

In Japan, what is the difference between a "retired emperor" and a "cloistered emperor"?

Question:

I'm currently making a story where a fictional empire (in another world) where the land is in the middle of a civil war because of the feud between the retired emperor and the cloistered emperor for the line of succession. in my second version, it's an argument between the current emperor and the cloistered emperor.

but i really need to know the difference of a retired emperor to a cloistered one. like which one still has or more power compared to the other.

Answer:

Maybe, you are talking about retired emperor 上皇 and cloistered emperor 法皇.

It depends on each ear. The role emperor has change over time in Japan.

As another says, emperor does not retire until his death in current Japan.

On the other hand, emperor did not rule Japan for long medieval period like 1200-1868. Samurai had power at that time. So it's not realistic to talk about emperors' power struggle during that time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloistered_…

Does Shibuya-Ax have age restrictions on entry?

Question:

I'm going to Japan soon, there are a few gigs on at the Shibuya-Ax (in Shibuya, Tokyo) that I was hoping to go to. Does anybody know if this venue has any age restrictions for entry?

Answer:

Hi,

I am from UK and I have lived in Japan for four years.

It actually depends on which band is playing live! Sounds stupid? Get used to it if you are coming to Japan!!!

So, best advice for you is to check online and see what band is playing and if you wanna see them mail them to ask the age, or it will say the age. You do need ID if you intend to buy alcohol.

Have fun here, it is a great place :)