Sunday, July 24, 2011

Vending Machines


Wherever you go in Japan you will encounter vending machines. They seem to sell almost everything under the sun including hot and cold canned drinks, alcohol, cigarettes, food items and even small clothing items. Vending machines grace almost every corner as you are walking or driving around.

The Japanese people seem to enjoy their snacks and although they are many traditional snacks and foods available, many North American stores and chains have made it to Japan. You will often come across MacDonalds, Starbucks and 7-11. Although at those locations you might find foods similar to what you would order in North America like french fries, each chain has added Japanese style foods and snacks to their menus.

I walked into a 7-11 the other day after visiting a tourist area near the Pacific Ocean. Not only does 7-11 here sell many of the items we would expect to see in a convenience store (drinks, chips, chocolate etc) they also sell many traditional foods. This includes dried quid and fish, alcohol, Japanese candy and sweets, and raw fish.

Probably the strangest items the Japanese have seen in a vending machine would be a car. In 2008, a Smart Car vender put a Smart Car in a vending machine at the Shibuya Station (a station in Tokyo). The vending machine held a full-sized car with two choices, coupe or cabrio. It was not a true vending machine in the sense that you could purchase a car from it on the spot but was used as a marketing tool to promote the car. Pushing the button on the machine provided you with a tube containing information and pamphlets on the models, available features and colours as well as purchasing information such as dealers.

I am not sure if purchasing a car from an venting machine will become become an option in Japan but with the number of other items you can already purchase through this method, I would not be surprised if it will be seen in the future!








Nice to Meet You! Douzo Yoroshiiku!


Greetings and Expressions....

When meeting someone in Japan, shaking hands is very unusual instead people bow. It is called ojigi and is a way of showing respect and affection. The degree of the bow, from just a little nod of the head to deep and low, depends on the relationship between the two people and the situation. People bow all the time from coming in and out of stores to while driving as well as to thank someone for stopping.

Banzai is a form of celebration in Japan. It is similar to us saying “hip-hip-hurry” three times. Banzai literally means “ten thousand years:. It is done by raising both your arms straight above your head and shouting “BANZAI”. It is generally done three times.

Kashiwade is done when visiting a shrine. It is clapping your hands clapping your hands together prior to entering or at the main area of the shine. It is done to get the gods' attention as well as to focus your own mind.

In North America if we are taking about ourselves, we might place our hand or finger on our chest. In Japan, when people are talking about themselves, they place their finger on the tip of their nose. Also, in North America when we are calling for someone to come to us, we place our palm up and bringing our fingers up and towards us, motioning them to come here. When the Japanese are calling for someone to come, the place their hand out but place the palm of the hand down and then bring the fingers down towards the feet and to the body to tell someone to come.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Move....

Today I am moving families. Although the students from Canada stay with the same family for their entire stay in Japan, the chaperones have their stay broken down between two different homes. For the past two weeks I have been staying with the Suzuki family and they graciously welcomed me into their home. Last evening I cooked them supper and cleaned up the kitchen. My host mother laughed that I probably know better were the dishes go then her husband does. My “job” has been drying dishes since arriving so day by day I learned were everything belongs. Last night I cooked baked pasta and cheese with tomatoes, salad and garlic bread – all eaten with chopsticks. I has previously made pancakes and some cookies.

Part of my time with the Suzuki Family has been assisting Mari with her Labo Parties. Over the past few weeks I have had a great time getting to know some of the students and will miss chatting with them. Mari hosts a group of students between the ages of 14 and 22 on Wednesday nights at her house. It is amazing to watch this group work and play together, all while looking after each other. You can see the respect they have for one another. This past Sunday, Mari hosted her special party. Many Labo tutors will hold a special party just prior to summer holidays. The students just finished school for the summer holiday yesterday, July 21st.

The older students helped organize this special day. We started by singing English songs and played some games, everyone took part – even the 21 year old boys (Mari's older youth group has an equal number of boys and girls attending). We played “duck duck goose”, “London Bridge”, and “Old MacDonalds' Farm. Each English song also has actions to go with it. From there we did introductions and the students presented a story that they had learned through the year. This was followed up with food – shaved ice, cotton candy and Okonomiyaki. After food it was back upstairs for more games – a rely race and then a shooting game using guns a few of the students had made out of chopsticks to shoot elastics at cans setup. I was amazed how much all the students jumped in (with enthusiasm) to play the games and sing the songs. I can not remember the last time I saw a teenage play duck, duck goose.

I saw this group last night for the last time and had a short question and answer period with them. The questions could go in either direction, I could ask them questions and they could ask me. Although I have only knew them for a few weeks, they have fun to be around and very welcoming. Today I am moving to a new home for the reminder of my stay in Japan. I can only thank the Suzuki's and her Labo students for a fantastic few weeks.

Labo and Labo Summer Camp

While staying in Japan we are under the Labo organization. Labo is a youth organization that is available to children as young as 2 until the age of 18. There are also many college and university students involved in the program assisting as college mates. Labo is our sister organization for the exchange program and hosts us while in Japan.

The mission of Labo is to provide Japanese youth with a place to improve their English language stills as well as learn about other cultures and gain an international understanding. Language learning is done through songs, stories and drama.

A Labo tutor hosts a Labo party. Labo parties can be held in the tutor's home or at a community hall or location. Tutors may have one or more group they are looking after in different locations. At the host I am currently staying, the host mother is a Labo tutor. In my fourteen day stay at their home, there is only two days that she is not overseeing a Labo group or activity. This time of the year is especially busy for the Labo tutors as there are send off parties for those students going to Canada, America and Australia for exchange as well as many parties hosting a special day. This special day is like a party were the students demonstrate what they have been doing and learning. This often includes the students acting out a story they have learned. There are no props but the students themselves act out any props they might need such as a tree, house etc.

During the summer time, Labo students also have the opportunity to attend Labo Summer Camp. Labo has five different camps located throughout Japan. All the students in Japan with me this summer will be attending one of these camps with their host sister or brother. I will be also attending a camp. The camps are four days in length.

Camps

Niseko – this camp is located on Hokkaido island.

Zeo – this camp is usually held at a mountain ski lodge.

Kurohime – this is the main camp and can host over 1,000 students per session. Many of the students on exchange this summer will attend one of the sessions at Kurohime.

Daisen – this camp is located in the Chugoku region and is held at a ski resort.

Yutsubo – this camp is located at the foot of Mt. Kujyu, a live but mostly dormant volcano.

The Japanese do not view camp as a time to relax and have free time but to stay busy and make the most of their camp experience. Attending summer camp is very expense so they want to have many different experiences. Camp is very busy with a strict schedule. Some of the activities we will be enjoying while at camp includes mountain climbing and nature hikes, crafts, looking at the wildflowers and local historic attractions.

While staying at camp, everyone will be placed in a lodge. We will also be taking part in lodge based activities.

Camp lodge
In each lodge, there are about 20 to 30 children. All meals are eaten in the lodge. Everyone helps with duties including getting the food, cleaning up and keeping the lodge neat. Sleeping in the lodge is on futons. These are pulled out of the closest in the evening and placed on the tatami mats (the room we sleep in is our activity area during the day). Bathing at the camp is using the public bath with time set aside for different groups to access the bath.

Camp can be an interesting experience for those on exchange but will provide some great memories of the activities they did and people they met. This summer I will be attending the main Labo camp, Kurohime, from July 25th through to July 28th.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Kore wa nan desu ka? What is this?

Probably one of the biggest changes for the students visiting Japan this summer is the food. As I had mentioned in a previous blog, meals are generally eaten at the same time each day and consist of many small dishes. Generally there is always rice and a type of soup served with the meal. The types of foods eaten at a meal can vary depending on the region you are visiting. Here are some typical Japanese dishes:

Rice Based

Domburi
Rice – rice is the base to all meals. It is often served in the morning with a raw egg and soya sauce. For lunch, cold rice will be packed for lunch.

Sushi – this is a rice based dish that uses rice cooked in a sushi vinegar. There are many different ways of making sushi and different toppings.

Domburi – this is a bowl of rice with other cooked foods placed on top. Toppings might be tempura, egg and chicken (oyakodon, also know and mother and chick), or beef.

Onigiri – This is something that you often find at convenience stores and people purchase for a quick snack. Onigiri are rice balls made with cooked rice that are then wrapped in nori seaweed. The center of the rice ball generally contains another food such as umeboshi (Japanese pickled plum), tuna or salmon.

Kara Raisu – Curry is very popular in Japan. Kara Raisu is a curried rice. Curry is not a spice that is native to Japan but has become a part of their diet. Kare Raisu can be served with additional toppings.

One Pot Dishes


Shabu-Shabu
 These types of dishes are call nabe and are often cooked and served in the winter months. They are often cooked and served right at the table. Typical ingredients used in nabe include negi (Japanese leek), hakusai (Chinese cabbage) as well as mushrooms and meat.

Oden – this dish often contains fish cakes, boiled eggs, seaweed and boiled in a soya sauce based soup.

Sukiyaki – this dish contains thinly sliced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu and konyaku noodles. Prior to eating, the foods are dipped into a raw egg

Shabu-Shabu – this is like a fondue, Japanese style. Thinly sliced meats, vegetables, mushrooms and tofu are served. Each item is then dipped into a hot soup and then a vinegar or sesame sauce prior to being eaten.

Noodle Dishes

Omuraisu
Noodles are very popular in Japan and many meals will contain some type of noodle.

Soba – Soba noodles are a traditional Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour. Soba noodles are thick and can be eaten hot or cold with a variety of toppings.

Udon – Udon noodles are a Japanese noodle made from wheat flour. Udon noodles are thicker than soba noodles and can also be served hot or cold with a variety of other foods and toppings.

Ramen -Ramen uses a Chinese type noodle that is cooked in a soup. It can be served with different toppings. Although ramen was traditionally a Chinese based dish, it has been adopted by the Japanese and very popular.

Somen – Somen are also a Japanese noodle made from wheat flower but thinner. This type of noodle is generally eaten cold and served in the summer time.

Yakisoba – Yakisoba is a deep fried or fried Chinese noodle that is ofter served with meat, vegetables and ginger.

Meat Dishes

Meat is generally a part of each meal but only in small amounts. Popular meats include pork, chicken and seafood. Beef is served but is very expensive.

Yakitori
Yakitori – this is grilled chicken pieces on skewers. Most parts of the chicken are used.

Tonkatus – Tonkatsu are deep fried pork cutlets. It is over served with shredded cabbage and topped with cooked rice or curry.

Nikijaga – this is a popular way of cooking meat and potatoes.

Other Dishes

Miso Soup – this soap is served with most meals. It is made by dissolving miso paste into hot water and adding other ingredients such as seaweed and tofu.

Omuraisu – this is like a omelet. Cooked rice is wrapped in a thin omelet and then generally served with gravy sauce or ketchup.

Hayashi Raisu – this is a type of beef stew. The beef is sliced very thin and cooked with onions in a sauce and served over rice.

Okonmiyaki
Hamubagu – this is the Japanese version of a North American hamburger. The burger patty is cooked and served on a plate with a sauce and vegetables. There is no bun.

Tempura – This is a deep fried dish. Piece of seafood, vegetables and mushrooms are coated with the tempura batter and then deep fried. Tempura was not a dish native to Japan but is very popular.

Okonomiyaki – This dish is one children often learn to make. It is a mixture between a pancake and a pizza. Pork, cabbage and seafood are mixed together with a type of dough. The mixture is then spooned into a pan and fried.

Gyoza – Gyoza are dumplings that fried. They contain mined vegetables and generally some type of ground meat.

Chawanmushi
Chawanmushi – This is a steamed egg custard that generally contains pieces of seafood, chicken and ginko nut mixed inside.

Tsukemono – these are Japanese pickles. There are lots of different kinds of pickles. This dish is generally served as a side dish with meals.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Freedom

Coming to Japan this time I thought my transition into Japanese culture and life would be easy. I had lived in Japan previously and was knowledgeable and comfortable with both Japanese culture and daily life. Although my Japanese language knowledge was burned deep in my brain, day by day it started to emerge with words and phrases beginning to make sense. The one thing I was not quite prepared for however was my lack of freedom and almost total dependance on those around me.

While in Japan I have no cell phone, no access to vehicle (not that I would even try driving here), not even my own schedule. Where I go, what I do, what and when I eat is all decided by someone. This has been a bit of an adjustment for me. In Canada I work, volunteer in the community and oversee a busy household of three children and numerous pets. I am always busy, packing as much as possible into each day. I have access to a truck and many times decide what I doing with my day and where I go. I am able to make decisions for myself. If I am hungry, I can make a snack, if I want to go out, I can go. While in Japan I have surrender myself to those around me, very much like a young child again, allowing them to decide where, when, who and how.

You might say this trip to Japan as forced me to relax and slow down. To relay on others in a way I have not done for years. It has taught me that it is all right to give up control and allow others to decisions for you. Have I missed my freedom – of course but I am here to learn and experience the life and culture. To do this, I also must surrender I bit of who I am in Canada and accept each day as a new adventure just waiting to happen.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Gohan desu yu! It's time to eat!



Meals in Japan are eaten on a regular schedule. It is said that “in order to increase one's energy, one must eat meals regularly.” In Japan, young people are not often given a choice of what to eat. At meals, the mother serves the children what she has cooked, including what they drink. It is considered polite to not give you a choice but instead provide you with what has been prepared. In North America if we are hungry or thirsty we would simply go to the cupboard or fridge and get what we would like to eat. In Japan this would be considered very rude. Children almost never help themselves to something to eat but instead wait and eat only what was prepared and served.

Since I am visiting Japan in the summer time, much of the food is served cold since it is very hot in the summer (often in the mid 30's with high humidity). This includes cold rice, tea, soup, meat and noodles. A typical meal would have a number of items served including rice, a soup, a meat that might be chicken, pork, fish or beef (beef is very expensive) and then different vegetables, fruit and other smaller dishes. Everything is eaten with chopsticks. Chopsticks are used for picking up food from communal serving bowls on the table and for pulling food apart. Rice is served at lunch and supper and can also be served at breakfast.

Since arriving in Japan last week I have been eating a lot of vegetables. Twice we have ate meals that consisted of only vegetables. Early in the week we visited Karakura. Karakura is located about an hour outside of Tokyo. We ate at a vegetarian restaurant and our lunch had eight different courses, all vegetable based. We started with a tomato based soup, then a plate of seasoned cucumbers, then seasoned spinach. Next was a HUGE plate full of big and small tomatoes (not my favourite food!). After this we had some small dark green hot peppers, then squash, sweet potatoes and mushrooms. This was followed by a flat bread with basil leaves and tomatoes. Dessert was a melon slice. You can see why the Japanese people are generally healthy and thin. You hardly ever see an individual that overweight or on the heavy side. This is probably due to the healthy diet they eat and the amount of exercise they get on a daily base. Since most people walk or bike to the local train station, they are always on the move.

Prior to eating your meal you say “itadaki-masu” which means “I gratefully receive this food” and after eating say “gochi-sou-sama dishita” which means “thank you for the delicious meal”. This is said before and after each meal, even when eating out.

I have been in Japan for over a week now. We have yet to go to a grocery store. Most foods are delivered directly to the home. The family I am currently staying with is also a part of a cooperative buying group. There are seven families in this coop. On Mondays, all the food is delivered to my host families home and placed in the carport (one of the cars had to be moved down the street to provide enough room). All the food and products were in bins and coolers. There was even a scale for weighing amounts of vegetables and products they are taking.

Throughout the day, families involved in the food cooperative stopped by with their shopping basket and picked up the items they had ordered, sorting these the buns and weighing things on the scale. The food included everything from fresh meat, frozen products, vegetables and eggs. There was also a lot of visiting that took place as the neighbours came by to pick up their groceries. One of the neighbours was a single gentlemen. He said I was very beautiful and asked if I was available. Upon leaving with his food, he forgot to take his order form for the next weeks delivery. My host mother had to call him later that evening asking him to swing around. She laughed and said that he had probably forgotten it on purpose so he come back and see me again. I just smiled and continued cleaning up and putting the bins away.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

In the Kitchen

Kitchens in Japan are not equip with an stove top and oven like you would find in North America. Instead they generally consist of a two burner gas stove top, a small rack under the burners for grilling fish or meat, a rice cooker, microwave and fridge. Most meals are cooked on the stove top with meal grilled.

There a a few different ways food to prepared here -  grilling, frying, deep frying, simmering, steaming, dressing, pickling and then raw. With it being summer, most of the food is cooked and then cooled, so you are eating is cold or cooler. Some items are still served hot.


Rice cooker

The majority of the food is cooked on the burner stove top. Rice is made daily in the rice cooker and left over rice is rolled into individual rice balls and wrapped. These can then be eaten cold or warmed up for another meal.

A typical Japanese refrigerator is different than what you would find in North America. It has six doors: two French doors for the regular fridge compartment on top, two small drawers, one for ice cubes and a fast-freezing drawer for fish, a large zero-degree vegetable drawer and, on the bottom, the freezer drawer.

The kitchen are is generally very small. All the storage and appliances in the kitchen are compact, making the most of the small space.

fridge
stove

Friday, July 15, 2011

Obon or Bon Festival

Takahata Fudoson Temple
Takahata Fudoson Temple
Yesterday, prior to going to English lessons we stopped by the Takahata Fudoson Temple. This is the temple for my host mother's family. The temple has a graveyard beyond the large public area. My host mother met her sister and niece at the temple and left flowers and an offering on the grave. It is currently Bon or Bono Festival in Japan.

Japanese graves
This festival is celebrated in July or August depending which calendar the family follows. In Japan Obon is one of the most important Japanese traditions and many companies provide their employees with time off to allow them to travel home and celebrate with their extended families.

Family alter
Obon Festival is a Buddhist tradition. According to them, the souls of people's ancestors return back to their homes and reunite with their families for a short period of time. During this time, homes are generally cleaned and a variety of food offerings such as vegetables and fruits are provided at the spirits of the ancestor's at the Buddhist alter. Most families have a small altar in their home. At my host mother's bother's home yesterday there were many items left at the alter including oranges, melon, Japanese pastries and cucumbers made to look like horses. Since her brother is the eldest child, he is the heir to the family and items are left to their parents at his home and alter.

On the first day of Obon, paper lanterns are often light outside homes and people travel to their family's grave at the temple to call their relatives spirits back. It is call mukai-bon. Depending on region in Japan, you might see small fires being lite and burning at the entrance to the home. This is called mukei-bi and is done to guide the spirits to the home. One the last day of the festival, spirits are led back to the grave by hanging paper lanterns with the family crest painted on them to guide them back. This is called okuri-bon.

Paper lanterns
During Obon, the smell of of incense (senko) can be very strong as it is being burnt in homes and at the cemeteries. The floating of paper lanterns (toro nagashi) can also be seen during this festival. People send off their ancestor's spirits with the lanterns. The lanterns have a candle inside and are floated down the river to the ocean. Many traditions during Obon Festival can variety from region to region with some regions have a special style of dance.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Shoes off please..

An entry way into a home
Shoes are never worn inside a Japanese house but removed at the entry way. This area of the home is called “genkan” and is found in all houses, apartments and many public buildings and schools. It is a combination of a porch and a doormat. This area is used for removing your shoes prior to entering the main part of the house. The floor in this area may be dirt, tile or concrete. It is often lower than the rest of the house, allowing you to step up into the home once shoes are removed.

Shoes are always left in this entry area. In a home there is generally a shoe closet close by for additional pairs. When removing your shoes in the home, you place your shoes with the heel against the step and your toes pointing towards the door. This is done so your shoes can be easily stepped into again when leaving the home (having shoes you can step into and off out in Japan is a bonus!). You never step or stand on the genkan or entry area with just your socks or bare feet. This is consider rude and would bring dirt into the home. Once shoes are removed, slippers are wore in the home except in rooms that have tatami mats in them or when using the toilet room. In the toilet room you remove your house slippers and put on the toilet slippers.

Entry into a public building
Shoes are often also removed in many public buildings and schools. When visiting the public recreational center the other day, we removed our shoes prior to entering the main building, leaving them in some cubbyholes at the entrance way. Shoes are removed in schools and exchanged for inside shoes. The removal of shoes in the home cuts down on dirt coming into the home or business.

When visiting or going to a Japanese home, you would never enter a the home without first ringing the door bell and being invited in. Door bells in Japan at not at the front door but on the front gate and wall. Most homes have a wall and a gate around the outside, making the main front door inaccessible without first entering the private yard area. At the gate there is a door bell that when rung, activates a camera inside the house. This whay those inside can not only talk to you but also see you. Prior to entering, you would wait for a response and the invited in.


Door bell on outside gate


Japan is a very formal society with expressions of welcoming used when entering and leaving a home. When you enter a home you say, “tadaimai” which means “I'm home” and those in the home would respond by saying “Okaerinasai” meaning “welcome back”. On leaving the house you say “Itti kimasu, meaning “I'm going now” and those in the home would say “itte rasshai” in response saying “have a good day”.
Video screen in the home

Laundry...

In Canada I tend to leave the laundry a day or two (and sometimes longer) often resulting in a large pile to sort and wash. In Japan laundry is done on a daily base. Most homes only have a small washing machine and no drier. If the laundry is not done each day, the pile will be too large to fit into the washing machine. Nothing seems to be sorted with lights, darks and towels all going in the same load. In most instances laundry is done first thing in the morning.

Houses in Japan do not have driers but instead everything is dried outside, over railings and off the small deck on the second floor. Most homes are fitted with poles running the length of the deck area. The laundry can then be hung off of this either using clothes hangers or clip racks for smaller items. Special clips go over the coat hangers to ensure if a strong wind comes, you will still have clothes and the hangers at the end of the day.


Japanese Washing Machine

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Faking It....

It takes a lot of skill to look like you really know what is going on when really you have no clue. This has been me since arriving in Japan. Faking it all comes down to making eye contact, smiling and nodding your head at the appropriate time (or those you think are appropriate!) It does take great skill to fake it well because you particularly do not want to look you know want is going on too well or these around you might expect you to do something and be waiting for you. You know this has happened when the room is suddenly quiet and everyone is looking at you.


City Hall
Having to fake it has been happening a lot to me over the past few days. Yesterday I was invited to the City Hall to meet with the major of Hachioji City. Hachioji is one of the cities that surrounds greater Tokyo. It is an annual event for those students heading overseas on exchange for the summer to meet with the major prior to going. This year there are four students from this area going to the states. I was told the major was very busy so we had only a half hour of his time. He talked and talked, I smiled and smiled, and then he talked some more. He asked the students questions and they shared were they were going and some information on their host families and I just kept smiling. Then, since the major had talked so much we had run out of time and had to leave before he was able to talk to me. Now...in this instance smiling and faking it worked in my favour!

Today I was not able to fake it very well. The mother in the family I am currently staying with has been studying ballet. She invited me to attend her ballet class. Now, not only have I never done ballet before but I could not understand the instructions from the instructor very well. I kept trying to stay at the back of the class but the difficulty with this was the ballet studio had HUGE mirrors on all the walls so it did not matter how much I tried to hide or stay at the back of the class, it was pretty obvious I had no idea at all what I was doing. The class was an hour and a half long so don't think I would have been able to fake it for that long even if I knew more Japanese or even a little ballet.

Being over in Japan, you kind of surrender yourself to those around you. They tell you where you are going, when you are going, what you will eat, when you will eat and sometimes even who you are going with. The other day I was passed from person to person. It does sometimes feel you are just a ball being passed but it is all done out of respect. Many of the individuals I have come in contact with want to talk and visit with me, practice their English or tell me about a personal visit to Canada or America. Now....for those of you who know me, I am generally quite talkative. Well it is hard to be talkative when you can only pick up the odd word here and there. So, over the past week I have been pretty quiet. Oh, I have been having very detailed conversions but they have all been with myself so far. I am understanding more words each day so hopefully my comprehension will increase. I can not guarantee my spoken Japanese will improve but I will keep trying. Until then, I will fake it all with a BIG smile!


Left Not Right

Average roadway
Driving or being a passenger in Japan is not for the faint of heart. Although on the local roads speeds are generally only set around 30 to 50 kms the roads are narrow and are not only busy with vehicle traffic but also people walking and lots of bikes. Most of the roads we have been driving on we would not consider wide enough for one vehicle much less two. The narrow roads and blind corners make for some interesting moments when getting around. Yesterday when coming back from a meeting at City Hall, we were about to go around a sharp corner only to find another vehicle coming at us doing the same thing. The other vehicle had to continue forward a little on the previous road so we had enough road to get past. With a guard rail on one side, a drop off on the other and one narrow strip of road, there really wasn't another option. The second driver than had to reverse to make the turn once the road was clear.

Mirrors to see oncoming traffic
On the narrow roads there are mirrors at the end of the road or on tight corners showing the road leading off in the opposite direction. This allows you to see if there is a oncoming car or if the road is clear to drive. Turns are tight and the vehicle we have been using has scraps on the sides from getting too close to the side of the road or a guard rail on a few occasions. At the intersections the road is also painted with lines letting you know if you are turn left, turn right or go straight. Some intersections may only allow you to turn one way or another.

Many visitors to Japan are often surprised how small and compact the vehicles are here. It is like everyone is driving a version of the Northern American Smart Car. You only need to spend on day driving around and realize why. The smaller the car, the easier it is to get around on the narrow roads and also find parking. The compact car also is more efficient to gas. The use of a small car also explains why most products (including groceries) are often delivered directly to the home since there is minimal room for items in the car.

Parking infront of a home
Parking is at a premium no matter where you go, even at the house so having a small car allows you to tuck it away in a tight location. Due to how tight much of the parking is, the mirrors on the car automatic fold in. The car we have been using is equipped with a UPS system and a TV! In North America we have an option of listening to the radio or music from a CD or portable devise while driving, in Japan, many cars have a TV in the front dashboard. When you are driving, you can listen to the TV and when you stop, the TV screen is engaged where the GPS screen is and you can watch. It passes the time while you are waiting at traffic lights. The Japanese love TV – the TV in the home I am staying is on from first thing in the morning until the end of the day.

Although purchasing a vehicle in Japan would be considered cheap, owning and operating one is not. Most of the highways are toll road cost those driving on them pay about $0.50 per kilometer for the expressway and $1.00 per kilometer for crossing long bridges. Japan has an extensive public transit system of trains and buses. The majority of people use public transit for getting around. With cars being driven on the left side of the road, the narrow streets and multiple traffic and road signs in Japanese – public transit works for me!!
Stop sign

Monday, July 11, 2011

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Fukuoka-Across Building - Tokyo
On Sunday July 10th in Japan we experienced another larger earthquake. These small quakes are not unusual since the devastating quake in March. Since that time Japan has been continually hit with large and small aftershocks. Sunday's quake was 7.3 richter scale and hit at 9:57 a.m. in much the same area as the previous quake. It was not very strong at the location I am currently staying but made the office towers in Tokyo sway. The March quake and tsunami are still very much on the Japanese people's mind today.

If you watch the news or TV in Japan, the TV personalities are visiting many of the areas impacted by the tsunami. The news reports from the area are not only highlighting the challenges the areas are facing but also promoting tourism. They are promoting the regions, showing that it is safe to travel and encouraging people to help the economy and visit the previously impacted regions. Yesterday on the morning news a young TV personality was shown exploring different activities in one such area, eating the food and highlighting different opportunities for visitors to explore.

The government has been questioned publicly about how they handed the March quake and aftermath. The Ministry of Energy is young by Japanese standards (he is in his late 30/early 40's) and has been appearing on many of the morning news and talk shows. There seems to be many questions not only around the previous quake and tsunami but also about planning for the future. One problem in the impacted area is currently experiencing is they have been overrun with flies and mosquitoes. Due to the tsunami there are huge piles of garage and rotting fish. These piles have become a prime breeding area for the flies. People living in the area building home-made fly traps to try to overcome the problem. They take a bottle and cut a hole in it, placing a mixture of sake, vinegar and sugar inside. The flies are attracted to the odor and enter the bottle but then are unable to get out. These are being hung around the impacted area but have little impact due to the size of the infestation.

Home-made fly traps
The areas that are mainly impacted are Kesennuma, Ofunato and Rikuzentakata districts. These areas contained large fishing ports and the insects are breeding on the rotting fish stocks. There are also health concerns as the flies that feed on these fish can become carriers of 0-157 E. Coli strain and could further infect the food system. The Kesennuma area has already disposed of over 30,000 tons of rotten fish but there are still huge piles of debris. Many of the sewage pipes in the area are still ruptured and the sewage precessing facilities are out of service in the three areas providing a breeding ground for the mosquitoes.

The impact of the March quake and tsunami reached throughout Japan. Tokyo is still on revised train schedules although most commuter trains are now running on a regular schedule. Power is also a huge concern and everyone in the country has been asked to conserve power and reduce their energy consumption. You are able to log onto a site on the computer to see how much energy your home is using and make adjustments if necessary. The government has asked everyone to reduce their energy consumption by 15%, including large companies. Some companies has changed the hours of their staff, asking them to work on Saturday and Sunday when energy consumption is much less.

Green Curtain
This summer there are still concerns about rolling blackouts. As a result in most families are trying to reduce their energy impact by watching how they are consuming power. Fans in homes are being used more than air conditioners and everyone in Japan was encouraged to grow a “green curtain” this summer. In one area in Tokyo, the government provided 1000 residents a “green curtain” kit which consisted of 2 goya seeds (a Japanese bitter gourd) a piece of netting and a guidebook. In other areas the government provided workshops on how to grown their green curtain and the effectiveness of the plants at decreasing the temperatures inside a home during the summer months. It is very hot and humid here in the summer. The last few days we have been experiencing temperatures in the mid 30's and a relative humidity rate of 80 to 85%. The home I am staying in has a green curtain growing up the house on three sides. Water, fans and a towel are a necessity when leaving home for the day or a few hours.


To Go or Not To Go....


Western style toilet with hand washing sink

Japan is different and unique in so many ways I have to keep jotting down notes in my journal so I will remember before the difference become something you hardly notice any longer. One area we really talk to the students about prior to coming to Japan is the toilets and taking a bath. I know on my first visit to Japan I was amazed how something as simple as going to be toilet and having a bath become a process of having to learn all over again.

In Japan you will come across two types of toilets, the traditional squat style and a westernize model. The westernize toilet is similar to what we have in North America with a few extra features! This included a heated seat , a washing feature for women and one for men as well as a pile of buttons that generally I do not touch. On the back of the toilet there is a basin for rinsing your hands. This is due to the fact that in Japan, the toilet will be found in a small room by itself away from the sink and bath.


Extra features on the toilet

Most bathroom doors do not have locks on them. There is a pair of slippers outside the bathroom, these are the toilet slippers. If the slippers are missing, the toilet is being used by someone. If not, you should be good to go. You do not want to make the mistake of forgetting to either remove your “house” slipper prior to entering the toilet room or wearing the “toilet” slippers around the afterward. If either happens, you beg forgiveness and say “sorry” many times, sorry is a word you learn very quickly and say often.


A traditional squat toilet

Most homes today will have a westernized toilet in them but squat toilets can still be found in many places across the country including most train stations and public locations. I was in a new highrise office tower yesterday in Tokyo and the toilet room was equipped with both squat and western toilets. Public bathrooms can be a little dirty and generally do not have toilet paper or anything to dry your hands with after washing. In Japan, you always carry a little package of tissue paper in your purse as well as a small hand toilet. Whether or not you chose to venture into a public washroom while you are out and about might depend on one – how bad you really need to go and two – where the facilities are located. Using a public facility at a train station would be very different than a highrise office tower.

Now that we have covered the “toilet room” lets move onto bathing. In Japan, the purpose of the bath is to relax. In a Japanese house, the bath is often location off of a small laundry room. This room will generally have a sink and a washing machine (no drier) and provide a area for changing. The bath itself is in a self-contained room, often divided off with sliding doors. The room contains a large and deep bath and then a separate tap with an hand held shower head. You will also find a stool, a basin, generally a mirror on the wall (at sitting height) and some shelves for shampoo, conditioner and soap. The floor in this room is made to get wet and all drains out to a central drain generally under where the tap is. Once you undress in the area outside the bathroom, you enter and wash yourself. This is generally done sitting on the stool and using water in the basin and the hand-held shower head. You wash yourself completed and removed all the soap from yourself prior to entering the tub.


The "bath room"

The tub itself is a shared facility. At the house I am currently staying, the tub is controlled remotely and is programed to fill at a set time to a set temperature. Once this is complete, a song plays on the programming box to let you know the bath is ready to use. Everyone uses the same bath water and generally who gets to go first in the house is based on seniority. Being a guest in a home, you are often given access to the bath first, when the water is the hottest. Once you are done, you remove yourself from the bath, placing a cover over it to contain the heat and dry off, leaving the water in the tub for the next individual.

Public bathing is still very much a part of Japanese culture with public bathhouse found throughout the country. When using a public bath house the process is very similar with washing prior to sliding yourself into the large communal water. Generally when entering and leaving the bathing area, you have a small towel that you can chose to cover the part of yourself you are most concerned about. Generally for women, the towel is not large enough to both areas so you need to decide top or bottom.