Chi Chi Island

Well, it isn’t really called the Chi Chi Island.. but that was what my co-workers in Japan called it..  we all worked with some term life insurance ppl and they had brought us out to Chichijima Island for a tour.  Sitting at the entrance of Futami Ko - you see a Welcome rock near the harbor of Chichijima.  The Ogasawara Islands are currently being evaluated for World Heritage status, and if its granted (a decision will be made in 2011) an increase in tourism, particularly by non-Japanese, is expected.

Chichijima Island has one of the most spectacular scenery.  Most ppl don’t visit or rather not because the ferry is the only way to get there.  It’s a 25hrs ride on the ferry and about 25,000 yen - nope, no airport and no high speed Cat to get there either.  Well, you can take a private cruise or a helicopter i guess - but those must be a lot more expensive.

Well, the Thais have their Phi Phi Island which is just as beautiful and so here the Japs have their on Chi chi island.

One can go snorkeling or walk around the quaint looking town and shop and eat.  There is more to Chi Chi Island.. and you shouldn’t miss it if you are there for some time.

Hiking In Japan

When people think of visiting Japan - they first think of the shopping and the electronics they can buy or visiting DisneyLand and Sanrio Land but it is only folks like us who’ve stayed in Japan for a good number of months who wants to do the outdoorsy stuff like hiking and my g/f who had spine surgery Mexico is one of them.

There are many places to hike besides going to Mt Fuji - temples are a plenty in Japan - besides the usual tourist places that your travel agent brings you and one such place is Kamakura. Kamakura is located in Kanagawa, Japan about 50 km from Tokyo.

Depending on the day you go for your hike, it can get quite crowded but overall, it is a good experience and lots of fresh air.

And of course, one can do away with the souvenir shops eh.

Schools In Japan

Many of my friends in Canada had asked me about the school uniforms in Japan and if it was true that schools are aplenty in Japan.  What was the education system like in Japan as well.  Well, first off - there are lots of IT Jobs in Japan being the leader of electronics and anything IT.  So you would think that there are lots of schools teaching about IT right..?? but nope not so - in Japan i hear that there isn’t many universities.  I think there are only like 3 if i am not wrong - don’t quote me now.  Every year - we read about how some Japanese student committing suicide because they can’t get into University.  Yes.. pretty dramatic eh..??  and yes Japanese student wears uniform like the above.

Modern Kimono

Modern Kimono or lingerie type of Kimono was the controversy that was caused by Japan’s representative for the Ms Universe Pageant.   Representing the national costume in leather - one would have thought Ms Emiri Miyasaka was representing an anti aging product instead eh.

The costume was designed by Yoshiyuki Ogata, the designer/owner of the designer brand “Yoshiyuki.”

Kimonos are supposed to be the symbol of the “Modest Japanese Woman.” But ,this is reminiscent of the costumes worn by the girls from “Soap Land” in Yoshiwara. Yoshiyuki Ogata has gotten more than 1000 protests over this all leather kimono costume and is albeit reveling in the publicity. The biggest complaint comes from the company in Ginza that donated the “obi” belt for the kimono without knowing the designer’s full intentions.

Chinese Food In Japan

Someone asked me the other day - if there were any Chinese restaurants in Japan and if there were some - to please give him the address.  Well, lots of ppl are mistaken that in Japan, you can only find Japanese food - but it’s not true.  There are over 200 chinese restaurants in Japan - and they are easier to spot and find in Japan then under eye cream.  My friend had also asked me if they were authentic chinese food and I’m pleased to report to you that some of these restaurants are owned by folks who were from Hong Kong and China.  So yes - if you are migrating or going to work in Japan for a long time - like i did once upon a time - head over to China Town in Japan and you will find just about anything there.

Japanese Girls Are Trendy

I’ve always been asked by friends here in Canada if the Japanese girls are as cute  and trendy as they see in magazines and tv shows and how they stay so slim - do they have some sort of  natural diet pills for women or are they are just super kawaii.Japanese women are super nice - but they have a wild side too - if you think for a minute that all of them are demure and sweet and you want to bring them home with you - because of that - just remember .. that a lot of Japanese girls are well - traveled and it’s only because they are in Japan - they have to act the way that is expected of them - but when they are outta their country - they certainly are wild and fun.  Of course, having said all that - i’m not saying that Japanese girls are not good nor trendy - they are - but make sure you really know them - even before thinking of bringing them home.

Nabana-No-Sato Park

The annual winter light up at Nabana no Sato theme park at Nagashima Resort is very exciting - many people travel just to see the lights.  The annual light show in the winter runs till March if i remember correctly.   The water illumination is out of this world. Here the beautiful sound of the river with vivid color changing-the-art LED technology enables a production of 64 billion colors.  So while i was reading about the  side effects of diet pills a friend in Japan sent this picture over  - how sweet of him eh.  So if you are anywheres near Nagashima Resort don’t forget to see this - starts at 5pm - i heard.

Way To Go Japan!

I’m sure you all know by now about the Haiti earthquake right?  Yes! what a disaster ! with more than 100,000 death so far and counting.  I know so because we have 8 volunteers who were there when the earthquake happened.   And the Japanese Red Cross is now on their way to an island in Haiti to help as much as possible.   We over here in Canada are collecting anything we can to help the people in Haiti, any kind of   diet supplements will be of help.

Snow Fest In Japan

The annual snow fest in Japan is held in Hokkaido this year.  My best girlfriend who works with the Toronto hotels would love to travel for the show and was afraid that she couldn’t get a room because of the snow fest.  The snow fest is one of the biggest show in Japan and given that it is entering it is entering its 61 yr - it is an overwhelming experience for even the Japanese much less a foreigner like you and I.

The snow fest will take place from Feb 6 to Feb 11 and if you haven’t booked your hotel yet - you better do it quick because it not only attracts the local but it’s well known internationally too.  I hear that more than 2 million ppl visits during these shows.   One can look forward to ice sculptures, stunning snow decoration and fixtures/buildings, lots of entertainment and of course sample Japan’s most wonderful and delicious cuisine.

The Sapporo Snow Festival began in 1950 by a group of high school students who sculpted six statues along the Odori Park and over the last 61 years, has grown into an international phenomenon rivaled only by Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and the Quebec Winter Carnival!

Azuki Taste Pepsi

Last year a friend who was in Japan told me about this red bean flavored pepsi - yes - azuki beans if you must know the traditional word for it.  So i told her to get me some for Christmas if she was so inclined to get me something as a gift.  So what do you make out of it - red bean flavored pepsi - LOL!   be prepared to get some accutane my girlfriend had teased me about it.  I can’t imagine anyone liking it - i never liked the cherry flavored ones - but one should be adventurous right ? and try it at least once even though it was kinda expensive.