Kichijoji, Tokyo

If only I lived in Kichijoji area - i was telling my spouse - i wouldn’t need to look for treadmills because of Inokashira Park - Kichijoji is a really beautiful place.  With such a large park and its surrounding lake - i love when the cherry blossom comes to full bloom during spring time and even during autumn - you can see many artistes setting up and doing their painting quietly.  Of course Kichijoi is not only about the park but they have many small eateries there as well - for the ladies they have little boutiques to large departmental stores that attracts the young and old.  They also have a museum and a theatre there and a wonderland during mid October.

Teaching In Japan

Just about everyone I’ve gone to school with had either been to Japan or Korea for a teaching job - some even married someone over there and is currently living there.  There are still many who are exploring the idea of teaching in Japan and wonder what kind of  employment screening they need to go thru’ before they can officially teach in Japan.

I think it is a wonderful experience to have to be given a chance to work in Japan as someone from the West  - the Asians love the Westerners and the Westerners can learn a thing or two of their fascination of the East.  Most people before going to Japan thinks that Japan is all about the cliche looking Japanese girls and skinny looking asian man who keeps bowing at you.  But truth be told - one has to look beyond all that if you want to teach and live in Japan for a period of time.    Soak in the culture and enjoy but remember - while doing all of it  - respect the place and its people.

Japanese Magazines

You can find wrinkle serum in all the departmental stores in Japan but finding an English magazine - now that’s a hard one.  And if you are in Japan looking to find some girlie magazines - note that they are not sold openly either.  Well, not that i found it in the ordinary magazine stands in Tokyo but big bookstores like kinokinuya have some but not a lot either.  It’s kinda hard some 20 yrs ago - when i first arrived in Japan and just couldn’t find anything in English to read except the hotel’s copy of USA today - but I wasn’t interested in USA today !  i was interested in reading about where to get around in Japan and the best places to eat and to shop.  But my best friend who lives in Japan now  - tells me things are a lot different now.  I hope to visit Japan once again but this time armed with more info to carry with me to get the best outta Japan.

Japanese Boys Fashion

The new japan trend for the boys in Japan?  wearing skirt is the in thing i supposed these days and the skirts ain’t cheap at all from what i read.  So skirts are not for girls only in Japan they are for the boys too.  These “skirts” are not the ordinary skirts and not even brand new I heard - they are made by JP Gaultier..?? and Vivian Westwood.  You can see these Japanese boys wear them in Tokyo like Harajuku and Aoyama.  Now whats next eh..?? day cream for boys too..?? i wouldn’t be surprised at all.

Snoopy Stamps In Japan

There we go again!  the Japanese have the cutest things !!!  they do come up with just about everything and anything to please the massive population eh.  If there was something cute or innovative you can trust the Japanese to come up with it - be it to rid belly fat or some bento mold or even a different ice cream flavor - they have it in Japan.   Endless of cute and strange stuff to get - if you want gadgets you get it there too - but be warned their electronics may not fit your voltage back home - so make sure you check it out before buying them.  Oh yes! you can get the Snoopy stamps from the local post office in Japan.

Career Advancement

I don’t know if you know this but I hear that getting into the University of Japan is darn difficult - I also hear that lots of students in Japan commits suicide if they don’t get a place in the University.  The culture is pretty harsh and the expectation of a child can be quite torturing. There are so many Asians that goes overseas to continue their studies and we in the West are definitely a lot luckier than the Asian who are so involved in competing with each other - it’s terrible.

In the West if you want to change your career or make a career advancement - taking a Masters of Science in Information Security for example is not difficult at all.  Do your studies online - take your time or complete the program in 2 years.  The courses are flexible and you don’t have to give up your job or sacrifice your personal life to make this career choice.  You also gets lots of help and it’s affordable because of the financial aids provided and Lewis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  And it doesn’t matter if you are 20 or 50 yrs of age, you can make a career change if you choose to, like my mother used to say - it’s never too late - as long as you want it bad enough.

Sightseeing Buses Hello Kitty Style

In the land of the rising star is also the land of Hello Kitty and Sanrio Land - so when the girlfriend showed me tour buses with Hello Kitty theme - it didn’t surprised me at all. Car insurance cheap is also one reason why people can afford a car and turn them into Hello Kitty theme too - I’ve seen one myself - and it wasn’t even a Japanese car  - it was a Volkswagen. There are several buses in Japan with Hello Kitty themes now and some even have a Hello Kitty next to the driver seat - cute or corny - it’s up to the ones who likes and dislike them eh.

Nature Walk In Tokyo

Many friends asked me where to go shopping for  external hard drive when they are planning for trips to Japan or where the best Ramen or sushi places they can go to, but rarely do people asked about taking nature walks or going hiking in Tokyo.  For those who are planning to stay in Japan for longer than a month - you must not miss taking in the sights and scenery one of the most beautiful nature walk in Tokyo - Mt Takao.   I was told that going during the late spring is the best because of the fresh and bright greenery and the many different kind of flowers you can find there.  It is also the best weather to go for hiking.

Homes In Japan

Most commonly seen item in any Japanese home is a rice cooker - and you can imagine the Japanese having one of the most high tech kind of rice cooker or any kind of kitchen gadget you can find.  Not only are the makes of things in Japan consumer friendly - they are all designed to suit the individual taste of the different age group of Japanese ladies and men.   The other common item seen in a Japanese home are   wall sconces, the Japanese are the most meticulous people I’ve seen, they can certainly make their home look really pretty without spending too much money.  But having said that - they would rather buy 1 good quality furniture than 10 which are inferior in quality.

Making Japan Your Home

Japan is one of the most beautiful place that I’ve lived in but it had to be one of the most expensive too.  A friend who is currently in Japan asked if it was feasible to invest in a house since he just got married to a Japanese girl.   He wanted to know if he needed a  credit report to buy a house - so I wrote back to let him know that it’s a tricky thing when it comes to investing in a house.

First, it’s expensive if you don’t know by now to live in Japan - and it is not the house that is expensive - it is the land!  Unlike here in Canada or the States where land is aplenty - it’s a rare commodity in Japan. Getting a loan is not impossible - I think a certain bank does good on the loan for permanent resident. Houses however depreciate over time. The key some believe is to buy land and house which is a little older – perhaps one which has a zero yen value on it but also one which is in very good condition – you must afterall live in it.  The myth about needing to get the wife to own the house is not true - so don’t let the outlaws make you believe that.  Good luck!