Kurisumasu.

Yes, I am aware that it is not yet Christmas, but I thought I would report on some cultural things I have noticed since I have been here. Lots of people back home asked me if they celebrate Christmas in Japan. Yes if you are a christian. It all sounds exactly the same as a western christmas, including tree, pillowcase full of presents and Santa Crause. The only difference is that Father Christmas climbs in through the window because they don't have a chimney for him to come down or get stuck up. I have no idea where the how the Easter Bunny gets into the house though... Apparently 1% of Japan is christian and the other 99% may celebrate Christmas a bit but more with friends and do something fun (hopefully Karaoke!)

Something else I am now involved in is this programme of going into schools to be stared at by the children. I did it for the first time last Friday. I was really scared but the school staff were so nice and the kids were really cute and friendly. They gave us presentations on things about Japan, including a demonstration of Sumo. They told us the average heights of British, German, Chinese and Japanese people. British men are apparently the tallest on average but German Women. I am 2cm under the average. Afterwards we played some traditional Japanese games with them which was fun and then I gave a presentation on England and English culture. In Japanese. It was ok...

There was also a Chinese guy and a German girl doing it on the same day. Afterwards the office staff at the school asked for our bank details, but due to Japan's love for bureaucracy my account still hasn't been processed yet, but I was also puzzled as to why they needed this. I had just done this as a volunteer and to meet some more Japanese people (not the kids, the students who organise everything for it.) It turned out they wanted to pay us 2000 Yen which is about £16 to say thank you. This was very nice because it was in addition to the presents and letters we received from the children- my letter was in English and I got an origami crane, an origami ball and some paper sushi. Cute.

I Want to Ride my Bicyle

Blog posts are like buses it seems. About 4 in a row whoops.

Everyone seems to ride a bike in Japan which is very good because you can get places much more quickly. People still ride their bikes when it rains but they all hold an umbrella in one hand and the bike in the other hand. At first I thought this would be a bit too crazy for me but then decided I'd give it a go.

It was fine. To start with. I was getting the hang of only using one hand to steer and brake etc, but then the hedge started sticking out too far and I didn't realise I needed to move the umbrella out of the way a bit. The result was too embarrassing to photograph, but basically I ended up with a very wrecked umbrella. Luckily I was very near to a 100 Yen shop (about 80p) and bought another which I decided not to hold whilst on my bike.

Last night it was raining again and me and my flatmate decided to go on a late night supermarket trip (One of my hobbies here.) And it was raining. I managed to get there and back and remain in once piece with an umbrella in one piece. I think when I am back in the UK I will be very annoyed at having to get wet if I'm on my bike in the rain.

Kampai!

Something I forgot

Gomen-nasai. I forgot to add something to the Karaoke post which just adds to the amazingness of Karaoke.

On our way out of the Karaoke place there was a massive crowd of Japanese people and the second I came out they started cheering and calling me a champion, then they all high fived me. I have literally no idea why because I'm sure my singing was not that loud (or that good to be honest) but I think it will remain another of Japan's many mysteries.

Baibai.

A Few of My Favourite Things

On Friday we decided not to go to badminton practice and go to Karaoke instead. It was definitely a good decision because it was the most fun I have ever had I think. You basically sit in a darkened room with some friends, have a few drinks and sing to songs as loud and badly as you want. Everyone seemed to agree that 90s cheesy music was the best so we did classics like S-club 7 and the Spice Girls.

We also did 2 japanese songs but I couldn't read the lyrics quickly enough. Probably for the best.

Afterwards we went through Tokyo, trying on masks etc, just the usual Friday night stuff. Then we went to do Purikura which is short for "print club" which is basically a massive photo booth and you go in and take lots of photos which are then enhanced to make your eyes look massive and skin really smooth. Then you can decorate it with drawings, writing and all sorts. I put a picture of a poodle on one photo about 4 times.I hope we do this quite often because it was so much fun.

Ooh, I forgot to add this to my other post, but at the temple in Asakusa there is a massive pagoda which is amazing!!!

Sight-seeing

Hello Minna-san (that means everyone, it's not a girls name haha.)

Sorry I haven't written for a while, I have been very very busy with work which is not good fun but then this weekend I have been able to do more things. Yesterday I decided to finally do some sight seeing, so I went to Tokyo's "old town" which is called Asakusa. It's where there's a massive temple and it's very touristy. In fact, it was so touristy, I had to buy a japanese style headband. I got the one which says Kamikaze on it hahaha. The others were not as good.
At the station in Asakusa, there were lots of people just wearing Kimono so I thought I would ask someone If I could take a photo of her. Unfortunately due to my bad Japanese I said "because you are such a beautiful Kimono, can I take a picture." She very kindly agreed.

Then we saw somewhere I should have bought a Kimono from. Or a Yukata (like a one layer Kimono- I want one because they're much cheaper than Kimono.)
It's basically a massive temple with lots of big buildings and gates and huge lanterns. It was really nice. There was one bit with loads and loads of incense sticks which you have to sniff and waft onto yourself to make you healthy and clever.
I also prayed here which was my first time at a buddhist temple.
When we first arrived at the temple, this group of Japanese people was like "do you speak English? Can we give you a tour in English around the temple?" and we were like "yes please that would be nice." They basically wanted to practice their English on some genuine aliens.
So basically we made some new friends, and hopefully we will do something again. Maybe they can guide me round the whole of Tokyo.


There were so many touristy shops which I didn't buy anything from but I did like the hilarious geisha inspired things, like dog accessories. You are actually supposed to put this on your dog. Amazing.

Explore Cute Japan

Hello. So Yesterday I had my first field trip on my Explore Japan seminar which is basically sightseeing for free (yesss!) First of all we went to shrine quite near the university.

It was for the god of Academia and people come from all over the country to pray to get into the university I'm at here (although it was a lot easier to get in as an exchange student.) As it all seemed so relavent, I decided I would pray to this god. First of all you chuck a coin into the big box (mine bounced off the back whoops) then bow twice. Then clap twice, slowly. Then make your wish, bow once and walk away. Apologies some of the photos from this trip are not so great, this is because we didn't have time for me to hang around checking exposures etc haha.

At the shrine they sell all sorts of commercial things like little charms to protect you from very specific things (a car crash!?!) and also something which tells your fortune which I just couldn't resist. You shake this box and a certain stick with a number falls out and then it corresponds to a slip with your fortune on it. I haven't translated it all yet but in the section about birth it said that giving birth would be safe for me- what a relief!

Then we went to a Japanese garden which was very nice- very mini, kind of like a scaled down landscape.

At the top there was a Japanese style building which had lots of old people eating their lunch in it. Food tourism is MASSIVE in Japan. If you ask anyone why they went on holiday to anywhere, especially within Japan, they will say because of the food. We have done grammar exercises which say things like "I d

o not really have any hobbies other than eating food..." and one of my teachers introduced her hobby as food and another as making Italian food. They are literally obsessed. In a good way though. I do like the way that the bullet train is designed to stop in each station long enough so you can nip off and buy some local delicacy then continue. Speaking of food, I remembered to photograph my noodles from when I met up with my friend the other night. It was udon noodles with seaweed, some other spinachy thing, an egg, soupy stuff (I don't know what it is exactly- like soy sauce but different.) and some batter sprinkles. It was oishii! (delicious, although this should be oishikatta because it is past tense.) I am just getting used to using chop-sticks but they still hurt my hand a little bit after a while.

Today I needed to go and pick up something from the post office (my health card, correctly stating I am a man, along with a badly translated apology letter) Then I went to the city hall to make sure they say I'm not a woman on my alien card. The man bowed VERY low because it was their mistake. On my way there I did see a bus designed like a dog. Please all google image Neko bus (Neko means cat) which is a thing from a very famous Japanese cartoon film. It was very similar. Just as I took the photo, a hello kitty bus went past in the opposite direction. Then I realised they were school buses. Shame.

By the way, here is my shiny new phone on which I can watch TV, scan barcodes (why?!?!?!) and do all manner of things.
Well I need to do some work now, so byebye.

I Love Tokyo!

Hello. I went to Shinjuku last night to meet a friend from Newcastle but I also took some photos which I think sum up Tokyo at night quite well. There are more but these were my favourites.

Last but certainly not least, we went up the Metropolitan Government Building up to the 45th floor (my ears popped but then, you don't need to pay so I won't complain.) There is a restaurant, some shops but best of all a brilliant view. I imagine in the day it just looks ugly, although I will still go up it some time.

Ice cream, bike and lessons, Oh my!

Hai, Mina-san!

Yesterday I went for ice cream at this place near my uni which does fresh creamy icecream- The weather is so hot so we thought we deserved it. It was coincidental that I was wearing my Japanese Aisukuri-mu t-shirt on the same day. Of course this resulted in much hilarity, but mostly not in the ice-cream shop. Most other shop keepers were amazed. I just th

ink it is a cool T-shirt.

I had Matcha green tea ice cream and apple ice cream.

They were both really nice and the green tea one was not disgusting which surprised me. Apparently the next one I should try is black sesame which is apparently delicious. I will let you know.

Then I tried to find a bike but got confused about which station the good shop was near and thought it would just be better to take a long walk to the bedding shop of my first night which also sells bikes. The cheapest they had was about 11800 Yen which I think is around £100 but I figured that was much better than buying a non commuter train ticket (as an exchange student I'm not eligble) which would cost 10300 Yen for one month. I think I got the better deal because my bike is a beautiful shiny red bike and will last me all year round. I tried to put a picture of it here but if you go on this link you can see it I hope - https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8CtF9lw5MbKXKU-9TD1JbAadPEMWgSM6kqv2vVYlDrzfsFYvwJ-XYtto6eEMYpw2czQTtBjeDgXs8SZVqsWkAhkumlL8u47GtglGAx6iTv2_wUmswuhshvpdYMFbN5T3ZCMRljRpJqE/s320/IMG_8812.JPG

It came with a lock and lights which is nice. Today I rode it to uni and back which was very nerve wracking as I had never been that way before (I'd only looked it up on Google street view...) but with much riding on the pavement and on both sides of the rode - That is the Japanese way - I got there safe and sound. It took me 5 minutes less than walking + train would. Nice one.

I've just realised I haven't written anything about my first lessons. My first two were on Friday- grammar and Kanji. It is a lot of work but will be very good for me. Yesterday I had a conversation class which was great until it was my turn to speak but again, it will be good for me.

Today I had Reading and Kanji followed by written style which I may have to drop if it is too much work, although it is a good course I think. The teachers so far are all actually really nice and quite laid back, despite some being slave drivers. One module is definitely going to be good- it's called Explore Japan and we go on trips to places and have fun I think. On Thursday we are going on a coach tour and stopping of at a brewery. Excellent ne!

Today I saw evidence of our cleaner! She had tidied up our shoes in our shoe area. (No shoes inside the flat, only slippers. It's very hygienic really. Anyway I should go now because the rice cooker is singing to me (I'm making kare-raisu) and then I'm going to try somewhere for a phone again...

Ja ne!

Tokyo a-go-go

Today I went into the centre with my flatmate. It was AMAZING-desu. It actually blew my mind.

We went to Shinjuku first (where the skyscrapers are) It is so busy and the atmosphere was crazy. There is music everywhere and people everywhere. We tried to get a phone but still no luck. Then we decided to go to Akihabara to get some electronics because that is the best place for good deals.

I still haven't got used to it getting dark so early, but once it did, all the lights came on which was brilliant. Unfortunately we still couldn't get a phone but I did find where to buy a cheap electronic dictionary and a kettle. I spent most of the time walking around with my mouth open in a daze. There are people everywhere shouting to come into their shops and telling you what offers they have. We went into an electronic superstore which was like 7 floors tall and HUGE. I have never seen so much stuff. We watched the new 3D TV which was pretty cool and apparently going to be stamdard in Japan very soon.

There were lots of people dressed up as french maids, handing out flyers for "Maid Cafes" where the waitresses dress like maids and treat you like their master but play games with you and sing songs with you. I will definitely go at some point and report how it is. Apparently there are also nun cafes. Amazing.

Anyway I should probably go, I need to do my Homework and go to bed.

Baibai!

Happi-Raisu.

There is a lot of rice here. I bought 10kg the other day and so did my other flatmates. Unfortunately I ruin the pan when I try to cook it which is why it is so good that Yoshi brought a rice cooker with him from home. Perfect rice every time.

This rice cooker is special though and produces happy rice. The machine sings twinkle twinkle little star when you start it and sings another song when the rice is ready. Everything seems to sing a song in Japan. The road crossings on the way to uni sing a funeral dirge and the trains play a little tune when they arrive in the station. Everything is happy desu.

Late late late!

So we arrived and the very next day we had a horrible test which I actually did pretty badly on and am in a low group which is probably the best thing for me. Maybe I would have done better if I had had time to settle in and get used to Japanese. Most other international students arrived a week ago or earlier. I was told not to come until the 5th and then missed the orientation at my halls on the 4th. Very helpful. Classes started last week... I was fed up of waiting to go to Japan, so really it would have been nice if they had informed me that I could actually come much earlier.

Never mind, I am here now and getting used to hearing Japanese everywhere and having to try and speak it all the time despite being incapable.

The good thing is, they are very caring about my mental health. (Not just mine, everyone's.) We have done multiple questionaires to check we don't want to commit suicide etc and were given a leaflet to explain the correct procedure. The important thing is to call the helpline after 9am. It seemed a bit over the top but I suppose Japan does have the highest rate in the world and the following health check also seemed a bit much... we had to do all sorts but the best bit was going into this weird mini bus for.... an X-ray. The X-ray bus seemed very random at the time but now I have seen so many crazy things it all blends into normality.

My course is going to be mostly Japanese but with extra Japanese classes and an elective called Explore japan where they go for a picnic in Yokohama and lots of trips. I can't wait until I get to see places. I am starting to feel a bit more confident with speaking to people but my listening skills have certainly improved. I feel particularly Japanese when I respond to any sentence with ah so so so so. I do it in English a lot... but also in German. There are loads of Germans here (only 3 English) so I can practice loads. It got quite confusing at the welcome party last night though because I was mixing German and Japanese which I didn't realise was possible. I also think my accent has changed and is more American/Japanese.

I know this post was a bit rambling, sorry. I am blaming Jet-lag and just the fact my brain is addled by Japan in general. Jap-lag?

Bai bai desu!

Touchdown desu!

Hello! I have arrived. I got here safe and sound with no problems apart from no sleep on the plane.

That was a few days ago now because sorting out the internet has been a pain.

The first thing I did in the airport was of course to check out if the stories of Japanese toilets are

true. They are. The one in the airport wasn't actually one of the fancy ones. They wash, dry and massage you. The one thing you can't do with the touch of a button is flush which i

s very old ashioned. I would have screamed with excitement if there hadn't been someone in the cubicle next to me.

The friendly limousine bus was so friendly it decided to take us on a mini tour of central Tokyo which I didn't fully appreciate because I was so tired/jetlagged. Anyway, eventually we arrived at the dorm and were given keys and information and had to speak Japanese. My room is really nice and new and the kitchen etc too but unfortunately no amazing toilet here. I would put a photo up but I have still not fully unpacked and my room is a mess.

Then we went to get bedding because although it felt like I should have been in bed a while ago, it was only 2 in the afternoon. I chose my duvet cover for its fluent English phrase.

In my flat there is Yoshi, a very nice Japanese guy who I think we would all be lost without. My other flatmates are all very nice too- there is someone else from England, someone from France and someone from California. Everyone I have met so far is really friendly- students and the Japanese people. I do get stared at and talked about quite a lot when I'm out and about which is amusing at the moment.

Ok I need to go now because there is a party somewhere but I have a lot more to blog about so that will all be coming now that I have got the internet.

Ja ne!

BANZAI!

OK I just looked up what Banzai means and they use it for three cheers- so you shout BANZAI! three times.

I think that is a suitable way to begin this blog. I know I said I wasn't going to write anything whilst I'm in England but I just couldn't wait any longer and I needed to share with the world that I had scrambled egg and beans on marmitey toast at 4.30am for breakfast this morning.

I am pretty much packed and ready and we're leaving the house at 7. Argh.

I will update this as soon as I can but who knows when that will be, I have been told it may take up to 3 weeks before I have the internet!