Konnichiwa-t time is it? It’s time for Blog Post #52. My wife and I just returned from a near two-week excursion to Japan so prepare yourself for a whole lot of Japanese themed content. We thoroughly enjoyed the food in Seoul, checking out the markets in Bangkok, and touring around Hanoi. Japan 2019 is a trip I won’t soon forget.

Japan Impressions

Being that we were in Japan for less than two weeks, I’m certainly no expert on the country. I saw a very small sample size and have a few first impressions to share. Emperor Naruhito was adamant that I show his country in a positive light and focus on its many wonderful qualities and that is what I intend to do. He also asked me not to make any jokes or sarcastic remarks when blogging about Japan. I told him that I would not be able to honor that request. He said that was ok…at least that’s what I think he said. My Japanese needs some work.

I took this photo at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.

Thai Food and Haggis

Before departing for Japan, I had seen a lot of stories on the news about Thai Food and Haggis coming to Japan. I even thought about cancelling the trip. Then I learned that it was not Thai Food or Haggis but actually a typhoon called Hagibis. Oh, ok, then we’ll still go.

Surviving

Typhoon Hagibis was one the largest typhoons to hit Japan since 1958. Fortunately, we were staying in an area of higher ground. While we heard the wind howling through, we also experienced a small short earthquake. I thought it might be the houses foundation giving way as we get picked up and whisked away. I was ready though…

“Yoko, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansai anymore.”

On the day we left Japan, news reports had two more typhoons heading towards Japan. Just as you leave when the house says to ‘get out’, you leave the country when it says ‘get out.’

Quote of the Month:

“You should seek approval from yourself.” – Ichiro.

Words of Wisdom

1. If you go to Japan, be warned that it’s very expensive. Craft beer and coffee are quite pricey although that may have just been a price hike after the Japanese heard I was coming to visit. It made me wonder, “Yen did Japan get so expensive?”

2. Know that taxis, bullet trains, transit trains, and buses are all quite reasonably priced in Japan. Many people in Tokyo don’t even have or need a car. The one great thing, if you were to have a car, is that it’s easy and free to keep sparkling clean… as long as you can find parking near the local karate studio.

3. If you go to Japan, it can be very helpful to learn a few Japanese words and phrases. My friend Corey who showed us around Tokyo (and speaks 5 languages) told us, “A hello in the local language and a smile goes a long way.” I found that ‘arrigato’ and ‘sayanara’ got us pretty fara.

It’s time for the ending jokes. These may or may not have happened as described. Enjoy.

Karaoke is big in Japan. Walking by Karaoke Bars in Tokyo, I thought I recognized some songs but as I listened closer, it wasn’t quite the same. There was one where I thought it was The Beach Boys but upon further review; “Akita, Nagoya. Ooh I wanna take ya. To Yokohama, Tsushima. Come on pretty mama. Far from Komaki, there’s a place called Kyoto. That’s where you want to go to get away from it all…” There was another bar where I heard Mike Posner but it was also different; “I took a pill in Ebisu to show Akihito I was cool. But when I finally got sober, felt ten years older…” There was also one I went by where they were singing, Mr. Roboto. Not really a joke but funny.

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My wife and I had an elementary school teacher and her students approach us and ask if we had time for them to speak with us and practice English. We agreed and answered their questions. They spoke quite well. One question they asked was, “What other languages do you speak?” I said, “We speak Norwegian and I speak some Spanish… oh and I speak Japanese!” They looked at me puzzled for a moment as I added the essential travel – Japanese I knew, “Konnichiwa (Hello/greeting), nama biru (draft beer), Konpai! (Cheers!), and Arrigato (Thank you). The teacher scowled, quickly gathering the students and corralling them away.  “Sayanara! (So long/good bye).” Languages are fun. 

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I didn’t know that Japan was hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup at the time we wanted to be in Japan. We met a lot of British, Irish, Australians, South Africans, and New Zealanders on our trip. I asked them, “What brought you to Japan?”

They mostly responded, “For the Rugby World Cup.”

My Response, “There’s a Rugby World Cup?”

I did not make many friends on this trip. ““Sumimasen. (Sorry)”

 

P.S. I like Thai Food.