Mottekaero jDonuts

Gatchapin Dancing Video

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

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

Genocide Mascot

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

I just had to show you this.

Okinawa Sun Set

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

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

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

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

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

A Room With A View

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

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

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

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

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

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

Engrish T-Shirt, Smiling

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

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

WTF!

I love Summer Fireworks

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

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

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

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

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

How to use Chopsticks

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

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

False Advertising at KFC

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

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

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

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

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

Sorry Colonel, please try harder next time. OK?

Heading To Okinawa

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

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

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

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

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

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

And.... I'm Back!

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

Hi, did you miss me? :-)

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

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

Regular postings will begin from tomorrow.

And thanks to everyone who sent messages of support!

Time Off From Blogging

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

This is not a test.

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

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

Sorry.

I love Japanese Pocket Tissues

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

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

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

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

Enrgish T-Shirt, Tone Of Luck

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

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

WTF!

No Summer Bonus

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

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

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

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

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

Japanese Electronic Toilets

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to use a Traditional Japanese Toilet

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

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

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

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

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

Take Off

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

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

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

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

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

Suitcase, Camera, Sunscreen? Check!

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

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

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

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

Back to the Future, July 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking For Totoro

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fire!

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

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

This is the whole scene

One of the many fire trucks parked outside the hairdressers.

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

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

A Family Dinner Out

2008-07-03T09:00:00.000+09:00

Recently we visited our favourite local restaurant. Previously I have written about Dinner there and Lunch there too. It had been a while since I popped my head in there, so I felt I needed to show that I hadn't forgotten about them. My wife often meets there with other members of the family, but I can only go on my "weekend".

In Australia Ice Coffee means milk, chocolate syrup, ice cream, whipped cream and coffee. Here in Japan it means Coffee on Ice! Of course they give you a tub of UHT milk & Gum Sugar to adjust the taste. My son LOVES to pour in the milk and stir to watch the colour change.

The soup and salad that came with my dinner. While I am usually a fan of the Goma (Sesame) dressing (left) I went with the Italian dressing (right) this time.

I had the Cheese Chicken Cutlet with steak and bacon & demiglasse sauce. The chef knows that I love his spicy potato and often changes my order to include it. But tonight I think I'd have preferred the vegetables that come with this meal.

On the left we have some fried calamari pieces. Probably the best that I've had since I've come to Japan.

My wife had the hamburg grill.

This was a difficult photo to take, anyone who knows me in real life will know how I hate Banana. Even the smell is enough to make me want to throw up. But with the way this dessert for my son was prepared and presented, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to show you.

More Bicycles

2008-07-02T09:00:00.000+09:00

On my way back to work the other day I noticed some illegally parked bicycles. A bit like my Bicycles Everywhere post back in May.

Here we have the carefully placed Bicycle exclusion chain near the fire escape. This area is meant to be kept clear in the event of an emergency like fire or earthquake. I don't look forward to having to stumble past these bikes if the worst were to happen.

Also behind the building are a couple of vending machines. I'm sure the owner doesn't get a lot of business out of them as it's next to impossible to reach them!

There weren't any Flower Bicycles nor Bicycles with Baby Seats this time.

Nova Chief Arrested

2008-07-01T09:00:00.000+09:00

Nozomu Sahashi, former president of bankrupt Nova Corp., was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of misusing some ¥320 million of the company's funds held in reserve for employee welfare programs.

Read: Former Nova chief arrested

It's about time! It's interesting how someone who steals ￥300 of fish from the supermarket can be arrested immediately, while someone who steals ￥320,000,000 can roam free for the best part of eight months. It was eight months ago that I wrote my post about the possibility of Nozomu Sahashi going to jail, why has it taken so long for the Japanese Keystone Cops to do anything about it?

Anyone who was half awake would have seen that Nova was going to go down in a tower of flames. The beginning of the end for Nova was back in April 2007 when they were punished for their illegal cancellation policy. In July 2007 things were looking shaky and they were looking for partners to bail them out. In early October Nova was in really deep trouble and by the end of the month it was all over for Nova.

Six months to go from court case to collapse and Eight months to go from collapse to arrest. Can anyone explain to me why it took the police investigating this matter SO FRIGGING LONG to bring Sahashi in?

Interview with Mel

2008-06-30T09:00:00.000+09:00

Today I'd like to introduce you to a fellow Japan Blogger, Mel of mylifeasagaijin.blogspot.com

1 Tell jDonuts readers a little bit about yourself.

Mmm.. myself… well, I’m an Aussie living in Japan for the second time, both times I’ve taught English here. I love to create, be it with my camera, with paper or textiles. I’m completely obsessed with vintage kimono fabrics and Japanese design. I’m married to a wonderful man, who for the most part, keeps me sane and somewhat grounded.

2 Why did you start blogging about Japan?

I was actually working on a manuscript that I have to confess, is sadly neglected these days. The blog was a reminder to myself to write. I have to confess though, it was very dry in its early days.

3 Why have you continued blogging about Japan?

Because of the fabulous community I’ve met through blogging. Somedays I write to connect, others to share and some days, just to rant.

4 What Anime character are you most like and why?

When I first read that question quickly, I thought it said “What Anime character do you like most?” – well that would be Astro Boy. I’ve had a real crush on him since I was five.

As for an Anime character that I am like… umm.. that’s hard. I would love to say that I was like some fabulous female superhero with a dark, secret past who wore a fabulous black leather outfit. But I’m not. Are there any female characters who are a bit spacey, a bit of a dreamer, slightly crazy (though tries very hard to hide it), yet sometimes extremely focused, loves to create and often needs a good lie down?

5 If you only had one day in Japan and ￥10,000 what would you do and why?

Only one day in Japan? How cruel! (I know it's tough, that's why I ask it! C.) If it was me, me – I’d spend the time catching up with my dear friends over some yummy Japanese food, maybe unagi with ichigodaifuku for desert, do a spot of shopping in Tokyu Hands, Loft and a kimono flea market (of course I would have timed my trip to be here for a flea market) and spend what ever I have left in a 100 yen shop.

If it was tourist, never been to Japan me, I’d go to Kyomizudera in Kyoto soak in the atmosphere, sample lots of yummy Japanese foods that I’d never tried before, wander the streets around Kiyomizudera and buy some lovely little things for myself and friends back home.

6 What are two of your favorite posts (on your own blog) and why?

That’s another hard one.

I like Love Triangle not because of what I’ve written, but because of the funny love triangle (or rather square?) the student imagined between myself and the teachers I work with.

The other I’ve chosen is Love Hotel Letdown

Because it tells of a time I tried to check out something so uniquely Japanese, but had no way how to go about it. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, but it certainly was something to write about – even my father commented on it!

7 What are two of your favorite posts (on other Japan blogs) and why?

I’m going to cheat here, and list three. (OK, but only this once. C.)

I love this one because of the humorous take on a rather strange Japanese news item
Hatch Cometh

This one because I really enjoy reading about the antics of Badaunt’s students
Salvage

And this one, because it teaches me how to make my favourite Japanese sweet
Park Adventures

8 Go crazy after this, say anything you like! (but please keep child safe)

Hehehe.. well, I could do some shameless self-promotion for my stores (sure! that's why I do these interviews. C.) That Japanese Feeling , Kimono Reincarnate and Ki creations , but I wouldn’t do that would I? Instead, I’ll just say, drop by and say hi on one of my blogs sometime, they are mylifeasagaijin.blogspot.com and kimonoreincarnate.blogspot.com

9 Who would you like to see interviewed next? (Max 3)

I picked a few people that I don’t know much about, yet regularly read their blogs

Bloggy Brad @ blue_moon.typepad.com
An Englishman in Osaka @ anenglishmaninosaka.blogspot.com
Transcendental Drifter @ transcendentaldrifter.blogspot.com