Outdoors In Japan

If you think that Japan is all about sushi and shopping - boy ! are you wrong.  My girlfriend who is in Japan permanently is doing more outdoor stuff than when she was in the West - and she had photos of her going for white water rafting, atv rides, snowshoeing and hiking and camping outdoors as well.  Just the other day - she wrote to me asking me to look for atv winches for her - as well as hiking stuff.  So if you are heading to Japan - you may want to try doing one of these sports if you haven’t - they are quite fun.   As for myself - I haven’t done any of it in Japan - like most people we go shopping and eating in Japan - and enjoying the scenery - but I would love to go for an atv ride - or white water rafting sometime.

Missing Japan’s Food

I have been missing real japanese food for months now - and been thinking of visiting Japan again.  But as you all know - going to Japan is going to be really expensive - so some savings need to be done.  And after checking on my insurance quote on  Wholesaleinsurance.net and saving some on my insurance this year - I might just have enough to go - for a week.

I would definitely  not mind eating all these again.

A visit to my favorite sushi bar is a must - and like I said - it’s not going to be cheap - so I’m glad I’m paying less for insurance and have more money for food hunting in Japan for my Japan vacation.

And of course - a visit to the longest sushi bar in Japan is a must - Kaitan I think that was the name.  You see what I mean by needing to spend more money than most places I’ve been to?  The spouse told me - you can do whatever you want - but make sure our insurance is intact and that it is paid before you go anywheres.  So yes!  I luck in - by finding Wholesale insurance - I get to compare rates before buying my insurance - that way I can get the cheapest - why pay for more when you don’t have to right?

Wedding Gifts For Japanese Weddings

Many people asked me about wedding & anniversary gifts for their Japanese friends when they were once upon a time working in Japan - whether in the hotel industry like myself - or teaching English in Japan.  We all encouraged friends to give lucky money - but Japanese loved any gifts that you send to them all the way from the West.  From a nice silver photo frame - to a Mr & Mrs cooking apron - or even a memory frame.  Japanese folks are very grateful for anything you give them as an overseas friend and they will always remember you - on Christmas - and birthdays when you become friends.  I always send gifts to my Japanese friends - because they always send all sorts of Japanese gifts to me.

Traditional Hotels In Japan

There are many kind of hotels in Japan - but even the most expensive ones will not give you the exact traditional feel of Japan till you’ve stayed in a Ryokan - a traditional japanese hotel - also known to as a B & B in the West.  Each ryokan is unique in their own ways - but most are beautiful with flowers, trees and shrubs all around the property  - some hanging on iron s hooks - while others are just potted around the ryokan.

Some even have an open air spa - like the Asaba Ryokan in Shuzenji Izu Japan - but this is a luxury ryokan and of course - it’s not cheap.  But most ryokan like the Asaba are pretty old and handed down for generations.  All of these ryokan - or traditional hotels are very personable and clean and comfy and all of them served breakfast - lunch and dinner.

Most ryokan have hot springs - not all but most - and I loved it so much - it was definitely an experienced for me.  The hot spring water is so good for your skin - so I’ve heard.

This is another Ryokan in Hakone  - it is called Hotel Senkei  - this place have a very nice hot spring.  And in all the ryokan that I’ve been to - they always provide you with a yukata.

I’m not very good sleeping on a tatami mat - truth be told - I rather a modern bed - that’s my only dislike of a ryokan.

Driving In Japan

I learned very quickly that driving in Japan is quite different from driving in Canada -  for one - it’s very busy in Japan and the roads are quite packed and jammed up during peak hours.  I don’t know how truck drivers in Japan do it - but they sure know how to maneuver the truck - for I’ve seen a couple do it so well.  In Canada, it’s easy to find a  trucking gps system and even though in Japan they have some gps system - they are all in Japanese.  So if you are thinking of buying a GPS system in Japan - you better check about the programing.

In Canada - the roads may be uneven - but at least you don’t need to worry about having no space to turn around or stop in case of emergency because in Japan - if your truck breaks down - or you need to rest - there is absolutely no space for you to stop your truck or car.  Driving in Japan is certainly not easy - I’m just glad I’m not in Japan - but in Canada with my GPS system.

For The Love Of Flowers

Japanese friends of mine love sending flowers to me - whenever we are celebrating a special occasion.   But they sure know where to save a lot on flowers here - because I feel so bad every time they send me flowers - but they told me of these coupons that you can get online.  So now whenever I want to send flowers I know where to get good and cheap ones - delivered on time and awesome looking gifts.  Now I know the secret of why Japanese friends love sending flowers to me on special occasions - they do put a big smile on my face every time i received them.

Japanese Friends Crazy About Golf

My Japanese friends are crazy about golf - so when they came for a visit - they had asked for a few days in a nice resort to play golf since it is so cheap to play golf here as compared to being in Japan.  They were thoroughly please with my recommendation at Sluice Point and it was interesting how one of them even had a special gps for golf course when he was playing.  I learned a lot from them that week - and can see how serious and how much they enjoy the amount of land we have here in Canada and United States.   So from then on whenever my Japanese friends come to visit me - I just book them into a golf resort here and we are all set.  They seems happy enough and don’t really want to leave the resort at all.

Holiday Shopping

While they don’t have  Long Weekend like we do have it here in Canada - shopping seems to be the country’s past time as well.   While we have long weekend sales here in Canada - they don’t really have the same kind of sale in Japan.  Most time during holiday shopping - it’s more crowded than usual - but you have to know that tourists are a plenty in Japan.  My Canadian girlfriend told me just the other day - that she really missed the long weekend sales here in Canada - in Japan even when there is a sale - most people are very orderly.  Therefore, most Canadian store chose to have their sale online as well - so that people don’t have to rush out and knock the other person down just to get what they want.  Holiday shopping can be scarey but not in Canada - therefore when it comes to discount prices - nothing beats shopping in Canada - but for those like myself who loved anime and Hello Kitty - you’ll have to still go to Japan because they do have to widest selections.

Drinks @ Izakaya Tokyo

There are not many drug rehabilitation centers in Japan but Izakaya - there are plenty, and it’s a wonder that there isn’t more rehabs because the amount of alcohol consumed by the Japanese is horrid.  Did you know that all Japanese men visits the Izakaya on a daily basis?  not for the food alone of course but more so for the drinks.  And seriously, how they show up for work sober the next day - is truly amazing to me - I know so because I’ve worked with some before.

The japanese work hard but drink just as hard - and how they don’t end up being alcoholic - I cannot understand but I bet they cannot do without a drink - and some I have to say - may just need more help than others.  And whether or not they have a rehab center in Japan  or around Japan - I say - that if I had the money - I would definitely have a alcohol rehab center in Japan.

Working Abroad

Teaching English in Japan is a big thing for people from the West going to the East - but did you realized that there are many Japanese going to the United States to work too.  Ironic ?  some - but it’s true - I have a girlfriend who is a Japanese and her spouse works in United States - I think in an oil rig.  While teachers teaching English in Japan may not have much insurance for any kind of accidents - it is totally different in the United States.   Plus in United States they have injury lawyers - just for people like my girlfriend’s spouse - lucky him !  so why is there no injury lawyers in Japan as much as they have in United States?  Does it mean that in Japan - you don’t get into as much accidents?  afterall, they do have huge construction company in Japan too and fishing is also a big part of Japanese lifestyle?  so how come they don’t have lawyers like the  Texas Work Injury Lawyer ?  who specializes in helping those who are injured at work that could have been prevented and the same for death at work.   So no wonder we see so  many Japanese working abroad while the Westerners flocked to Japan to teach English - the Japanese on the other hand - works in the West.   Interesting to note.