American Gaijin in Japan

Akihabara

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:24:13 GMT

So recently while in Akihabara I was looking for a few certain stores but couldn't remember where they were. So I pulled out my cell phone and browsed the internet but still couldn't find where they were were. So I've decided to make my own guide of Akiba. Now, first of all a clarification. I am not into anime, I don't go to Maid Cafes, etc. I go to Akihabara for electronics, computers, and video games. So therefore don't expect to see anything about the best anime stores, so about 50% of Akihabara will be excluded right there. This guide is a work in progress. If anyone reading this has any suggestions of places I missed, let me know.

First, upon arriving at Akihabara take the "Akihabara Electric Town Exit". After passing through the gates you'll have a choice, go out the left side
If you go out the left side and head towards the main street, that's Chuo Dori. Chuo Dori is the main street in Akihabara, just walk down that street and you'll find plenty of stores, including Retro Games , however the best stores are the shady stores that are hidden away. Anyway though, if you head down that way you'll come across a store called Gamers With a name like gamers you'd expect to see games! Yet all I can find in there is anime... Very disappointing. But you might like it if you like anime and manga, I guess...

If you take the right side from the station you'll see Club Sega dead ahead Club Sega is also located on Chuo Dori, so ultimately both the left and right sides will take you to the same place.

Continue straight down the road to the left of Club Sega to find the "first section" of Akiba. Down here look for Messesano . Messesano sells mostly American games. A little pricey though. Next Look for Game Hollywood Game Hollywood sells import games mostly from the US. Extremely expensive though. Whats really cool though is that they sell lots of shady stuff as well (jigkicks, R4s, EZ Flash, cases, etc.) Another cool store is Trader 2 There are quite a few Trader stores in Akiba, this one is my favorite though. Used Games and DVDs but don't go to the second floor... Then across from Trader 2 is Hamada First floor has good cheap PC accessories like external hard drives (and enclosures). Second floor has PC parts, good deals on hard drives. Outside you'll find bargain bins with keyboards, mice, SD cards, USB flash drives, as well as whatever else they can get their hands on and sell for cheap. Also a good land mark. Hamada is located on a corner of a street, take that street.

Eventually you'll come across the infamous Super Potato Super potato is all about retro games. You'll find Atari's, NES, SNES, Genesis, Game boys, etc. as well as the games for them. Even if you don't buy anything it's like walking through a video game museum.

After Super Potato you'll come to a street on the right side, take it. You'll come to a large street, cross at the cross walk (a little to the left).

Down this street is the second set of stores in Akihabara. You'll find a lot of the shady electronics parts stores down here. First you'll find T Zone Which is the best PC parts store... EVER! They have stacks of used and new parts with motherboards on display and excellent prices. Best selection of used CPU's I've ever seen. Also, not far from it is a Sofmap (ソフマプ) that specializes in PC parts. And finally way down this street is Sellsta Small little store, sells PC parts, used laptops, and video game parts and mod tools.

Been a while

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:31:08 GMT

OK, so everyone keeps asking me why I don't write anymore... Well I've been busy, very, very, busy. But it turns out I have a reader that I didn't even know I had, Hi Nattalie! But anyway...
Japan is the most resourceful and wasteful countries that I have been to out of my huge list of three. Recycling is huge, in fact everyone everywhere in Japan recycles. Whenever you see a garbage can you wont just see one, you'll see many in a row. Burnable, PET bottles, cans, and plastic. When you finish a bottle you should remove the label and the cap, throw those in the plastic bin, and throw the bottle in the PET bottle bin. But why do I say wasteful? First of all individual packaging. EVERYTHING is individually packaged. I got some frozen (Nasty, BTW) chicken things last night, opened the package and each one was individually packaged, the suggested serving size was 4! You go to fast food and they'll put your drink in a paper bag and the warm stuff in another paper bag, then put both those bags in a plastic bag, then put the plastic bag in a box. OK, OK, just joking, it stops at the plastic bag. But still, seriously?
As long as were on the subject how is fast food in Japan? Now, I try to stay away from it because it's expensive (Only more so than the US if you want the same amount though, an amount no one needs!) and because it's not that good... Well, compared to American fast food though, it's gourmet. Even McDonalds which they have in the US. The fries are the identical soggy imitation potato... But the Chicken is higher quality! I can't say for the burgers as I've never had a McDonalds burger in the US, I did have a Teriyaki burger here though.... Never again. McDonalds is not without competition though, Mos Burger immediately comes to mind. They're not in the States but they are in some other countries, I can't say which though. There quality of food is about three notches above McDonalds, but I still don't like them.
Recently my best friend, Matt, whom is training and will be leaving for Iraq and so I'd like to give him a big shout out! He sent me an email and asked a hole mess of questions. I'm going to post them and my answers.

1.what is the culture like in japan?
Well it's really different than what I expected. But I didn't know what to expect. Customer service is well beyond imagination, and efficiency is insane. You go to a store and get in a huge line to check out and you'll be out in like four minutes. The food is different of course, but many things are familiar at the same time. Like yesterday I found fried chicken he he he. I also found corn dogs which they call "America Dogs" ha ha. Theres so much more but wording it is nearly impossible. I love it though.

2.is it clean there?
You better believe it. You almost never see litter and the air even smells cleaner. Of course the first time I saw graffiti (which is rare) it was in English!

3.are they friendly?
In customer service yes, extremely, outside of that well... It's different, they are very quiet but they wont hold back from pushing you out of there way etc. Especially on the trains.

4.is college tough?
Ha ha he he he ha! I think that sums it up. OK, well for the first time in my life I'm studying for multiple hours a day, not including in class studying.

5.how is the true Japanese food?
I haven't had much actually. I usually cook (It's cheaper) and I cook what I know. I have had authentic ramen (Technically Chinese but it's just as popular here) It will change any Americans mind (By authentic, BTW, I mean restaurant Ramen) made with real ingredients it was good. I have yet to go to a real straight up Japanese restaurant though.
Update: I went to a Okonomiyaki place...
6.do they have good sushi?
I've heard so...

7.do you sleep in a bed or is it one of those floor mattresses?
I'm gonna call it a wannabe bed

8.do you have to speak Japanese all the time, or do they speak english?
The safe bet is to go into any situation and assume they don't speak English and be grateful if they do. Most Japanese learn some English in High School however most forget it all and then a large majority of those who don't are afraid to use it. So that leaves less than 10% speaking English and often times that remaining percent only speaks a few words so it comes down to us speaking a hybrid language of half English half Japanese. If they speak no English (Most of the time) It gets very difficult but I do speak some Japanese so I always get through it.

Pictures

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:56:21 GMT

http://flickr.com/photos/22820060@N07/

Japan!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:42:23 GMT

So it's been a while sine I last posted. But heres what's happened. First of all allow me to tell you the story of the dumb gaijin and the honest Japanese. On Monday, my first day in Japan, I went to school for orientation. Then at one point I realized my wallet is gone. I had over $400 usd in it. Plus credit cards, my id, etc. I looked everywhere for it. But could not find it. Later I told the assistant dorm manager, Paul, about it. He went and got the dorm manager, Aki, whom then called the railroad stations, contacted TUJ but nothing came through. Two days past in which I had to borrow money from dorm mates, but I learned everyone is very helpful in these situations. On the third day Aki and I walked to a koban. Koban means police box. Basically in Japan, they have small buildings stationed around the cities where police are readily available. There job is to assist the public. This includes giving directions and lost and found. However when Aki and I arrived we found that the cop was on patrol and so we decided to go back tomorrow. Later that night Aki came running up to me, "Good news! Good news! They found your wallet at TUJ, someone turned it in!". Sure enough the next day I picked it up, all money and cards intact! Japan has a reputation for there lost and founds last year over a million dollars was turned in.
This event did have some advantages though. One I cashed a travelers check, why is that good? Well I had to use my Japanese quite a bit to do it and that's all it took for me to start using my Japanese. Two I got to really talk to Aki, me and him now have frequent conversations.
Anyway, in Japan, the main method of transportation are the trains. In fact the trains are so packed they literally shove you in so tight the doors have problems closing. They fill trains way beyond maximum capacity, if you are claustrophobic or have a problem with being too close to people you will not survive in Japan. If I was good with scents I could tell you what shampoo people use here.
So I told you about Monday, Tuesday was placement exams, Wednesday I found my wallet but did nothing much else, Thursday I went to Shibuya with another guy and two girls. Shibuya is one of the biggest parts of Tokyo, Friday I went to Shibuya again this time for Karaoke. NOw let me tell you, I did not want to go to Karaoke but everyone was going so I went. We got there and no one was really into, I just hung out in the back and did nothing. But then something magical happened. Somebody chose Master of Puppets by Metallica and the entire room lit up. I mean everyone stood up and got so into it, it was amazing! Granted we had all been drinking quite a bit at that point (All you can drink!! Just charges you hourly!) Then at one point someone put on Cleaning Out my Closet by Eminem. I mean there were two mikes but everyone was singing along anyway. But then this one girl, Kira, heard me and she grabbed the mike from this one dude and gave it to me. So I just took it from there, by the end everyone stopped singing it, instead they were cheering me on! For many of you who know me, this is probably a surprise to you, but I can rap to Eminem like nobody else, except Eminem of course. At the end, my new friend Tom, got on the Mike and did a cheer to me, Kira, had a beer and she was yelling "Kanpai!" at me (Japanese cheer) but I didn't have anything so she just grabbed someone else's and gave it to me. I've now been told numerous times that people want to do it again with me. I mean this was one of my greatest experiences ever, now lets never speak of it again.
Saturday, I got a cell phone finally. Cell phones here are crazy, incredibly thin with every feature you can imagine. I love the phone I got. Today I have no plans yet. Tomorrow, I have a second orientation. Then Tuesday, class starts, so I got get all my partying done now! BTW, I have lots of photos which I'll put on Flickr, but Flickr is down at the moment.

I'm in Japan!!!!

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:20:57 GMT

I'm on a plane headed for Japan as I write this... I've been trying to do "As the Romans do" except in my case as the Japanese do. I mean this is a Japanese airline. I'm already a foreigner, but I want to respect customs and etiquette. The plan is spacious, right now I'm drinking sake as a follow up to a glass of champaign. They served a very traditional orderb consisting of raw prawns, an unknown meat or fish wrapped in an unknown green wrap (Not nori), a bar of, I have no idea, and some bread like sticks. The bread sticks were alright, but I wont dare touch the prawns or the unknown meat and the bar was disgusting. The sake is good but a little sweeter than I'm used to.
Other than having a hard time communicating with the flight attendants (16 I believe, Japanese females) my only complaint is the plug socket wont work with my laptop. Besides the language barrier is my own fault for not speaking enough Japanese.
It is now about 12 hours later, I'm still on the plane. And I still can't plug in my laptop. But I'll start from the beginning. Today I woke up at 5:30am and had little time other than to make a cup of coffee and then I was off. I arrived at the airport an hour and half early got my boarding pass with little trouble other than trying to figure out the passport scanner. Got to security and that's when the problems began. First of all my Nintendo Wii set off suspicion so I had to remove it from the bag I packed it in and run it through the x-ray separate. Then after being hassled They dropped my open suitcase making things fall all over. But I got through it and made my way to my Plan to Chicago. It was a nice flight for domestic with United. Arrived in Chicago found my gate in the gigantic airport. An older Japanese couple sat between me and another gaijin and so when they got a chance they moved away, I don't think it meant offense as I don't like sitting next to strangers either and they just moved across from me, but as they left the man said, "jaa ne" (good bye) it was cool because my first ever authentic confrontation with Japanese was understood. I mean I've taken two years of classes but this was a real situation although it was a joke.
I had to wait two and a half hours for them to begin boarding. At that time they started boarding by announcing in Japanese I caught some of what they were saying but it's so much different in the real world. They started with shiju (40) but I had to double take, row forty or rows four through 10? I'm still not quite sure... When the line was at the longest point I got in and nobody complained...
I explained the beginning of the flight above. After that came the dinner course. They had bot a western meal and a Japanese meal, although I would like to get used to the Japanese meals I couldn't justify ordering sea food! If you know me then you know I don't like sea food and that's exactly what the Japanese meal was. So I got the western with was beef tenderloin. But it wouldn't really make a difference. It was, to put it bluntly, disgusting. It was rare, I like medium well, the texture was way off, and the flavor was bad. It looked gourmet though... I tried just slamming it down so I could get food but it was so bad the taste was making me ill so I left most of it.
Next came the light course meal. This time the Japanese was quite good, Udon noodles, although they are served in bonito broth (a type of fish) I have learned to like it.
I just finished watching Rush Hour 3 for the fourth time, I saw it in the theater, bought the DVD and watched it, then showed it for another, and now they had it on the plane. The difference, it had Japanese subtitles, which was good kanji practice. I'll probably finish this at the dorm when I can plug in and talk about my first experiences in Japan. Jaa ne for now.
A lot has happened in the last few hours, and lucky you, you don't have to wait. Back to the plane, one last light meal was offered which I declined because I didn't like any part of it. A moment I will never forget is when we first descended below the clouds and I could finally see land. It was amazing to think that's Japan. Really other than rice fields everywhere it wasn't to different though... But to know it was Japan was amazing. The plane landed and I disembarked. First stop was to the immigration counter. The woman spoke no English, or at least she didn't want to. After motioning back and forth to each other she got the documents she wanted. Within two minutes I was on my way. The trip to baggage claim was a bit longer as the Narita airport is quite large. The signs were in both English and Japanese but the Japanese was far larger, as was to be expected but it still was easy to find. I mostly followed the group. I made it to baggage claim. Anyone whom has been on an airplane knows what baggage claim is like. You get there and nothing is happening, not only that but you don't know which carousel it will come out of. Then it starts moving and suddenly stops. In Narita however, it is different though. Not only was the baggage already circulating and they had attendants directing you to the carousel. Got my bags and fast but then had a problem. I couldn't find the damn luggage racks, I saw plenty of people with them, but where did they get them? I never did find out instead I lugged two fifty pound suit cases, a twenty-two pound suit case, and a laptop case that probably weighed about twenty pounds, around. After killing myself pulling them around I made it to the customs desk. He asked for my passport gave it back and let me be on my way. THATS IT. All that worrying about nothing. I then picked up my stuff and stumbled around with my two hundred pounds till I found the exit. From here I was to buy a bus ticket to Miyako hotel. I went up to the bus ticket desk and first of all forgot the name of the hotel. I then had to dig out the paper that had it. I finally found it and told the girl at the desk that I need a ticket for Miyako hotel. "Is that in Tokyo?" she asked in broken English. Yeah I believe so, "What part?". TUJ never told me I needed to know that. Finally I found that it said on the paper it's near Shirokanedai. It's near "Sh sh shirrr ro kannn" "Shirokanedai?" "Yes!". I mean I know how to pronounce Japanese but I just couldn't get it out. 30,000 yen later, and I think the girl had trouble with numbers in English because she typed it into a calculator to show me the price, I had a ticket for a bus that departed in fifty minutes. Great another fifty minutes. I decided to wait at the bus stop outside. This was interesting, just sitting on a bench outside in Japan. The first thing I noticed is a lot of mini vans. They're everywhere, but not one SUV. While waiting a cop walked by and I just thought watch he'll stop me just because I'm a gaijin, but he didn't, the second cop did though. He then wrote down my passport information, after that he moved n to another group of gaijin and took there information too. What he's doing with it, I do not know. He was friendly though. He spoke very broken English. Finally the bus came. While I waited many buses came and went but none were to busy until this one, of course. I mentioned above that I don't like sitting next to strangers but had no choice here so I found a nice looking gaijin girl and asked if I could sit next to her. As it turned out she had the same name as my sister and had been living in Japan for a couple years. I believe she said she was a student first but then didn't want to leave. The first landmark I saw was one of Tokyo's giant ferris wheels although I don't know which it was. Later I saw a smaller one as well but the first was defiantly one of the large ones. Japanese roads are funny as all the cars are small I'm used to the American way, bigger is better. I like Japans way better. But motorcycles and motor scooters are very popular as well. Far more popular than in the states, and of course bikes are everywhere as well. Everyone on the bus was silent which felt strange as well. The only voice heard was a recording announcing every stop. First in Japanese and then English. The same recording also advised not to use cell phones as they annoy your neighbors. Nearly every gaijin on the bus laughed at that comment. When I reached the hotel a man helped unload. I believe he was a bellhop for the hotel. I kept trying to help with my own stuff but he kept insisting. He was very polite and respectful, he kept trying to use what English he knew. The way he was dressed just seemed very modern Japanese, like a salaryman, with that top hat like hat. Anyone know what I'm talking about and what that's called? I found a Japanese girl and a gaijin male outside the hotel both wearing nametags so I assumed they were from Temple so I approached them. "Temple?" the male asked. I was greeted and they had the bellhop/salaryman/whatever the hell he was (DGMW, he looked cool) wave down a taxi. The "Guy" then insisted on loading my luggage into the cab. Here's where it gets interesting. The taxi driver drove like a, well a taxi cab driver if you know what I mean. But then he had to pull out the map at every red light because he didn't know where he was going! At one point he actually pulled over and started walking down the street looking for addresses (He stopped the clock for that). He did find it though. When we got into the main part of the city there came a point where I said Wow, I live here. This part of Tokyo looks like mini Vegas without the casinos (Or would it be mini casinos ha ha) everywhere neon lights! They even have lights built into the street or the divider or something, they kept flashing red, anyone know the purpose of those? When we finally found my dorm and new home :) he popped the trunk and I unloaded and then paid him. Remember they don't tip in Japan. Everyone at the dorm seems pretty cool. We all went out and walked around Tokyo with some of the experienced students and then had dinner at a vending machine waiter Ramen place. I got some pork ramen. Basically a creamy pork broth, pulled pork, onion, scallops, a half a hardboiled egg, and fresh ramen. It was decent, I might order it again. Problem though was that I'm out of one thousand yen bills and the machine doesn't take anything higher than a thousand but I didn't realize that so I couldn't figure out why the hell it wouldn't take my two thousand yen bill. Then I saw in big bold black numbers 1000. One of the employees came running up to me "chienji chienji" (change) so I gave a 2000 and he gave me back two 1000 yen bills. He was very polite to. In fact everyone has been polite even though my limited Japanese is making things difficult. I really need to work on it. Tomorrow I get to learn the trains, I know I have orientation and then I think they're taking us to Roppongi but I don't know what else I'm doing. Maybe I'll try going out on my own? No pictures today but hopefully I'll take some tomorrow.

Leave tomorrow!

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 03:40:59 GMT

In the culture I grew up in, there comes a time in everyones life or at least there's supposed to be, when you come of age and move out of your parents home. However we slowly prepare for this day and moment. It starts the first time you go to school and you then start playing with friends, going to sleepovers, maybe even a vacation with a friend. Next you get your license and from there your hardly ever home. Then finally you move out. Now some move out for some personal reasons and stay near home while others move out to go to college. Some even go to college out of state. But then there are that vast minority that move out of the hole damn country! This might be for college, or even for the military like my best friend, but were still a minority.
It's the night before I leave for Japan. I just got back from having dinner with my parents, had one hell of a cocktail called a somokin tea. But all in all now that I'm back I feel almost nauseous, it's so unreal. Three years ago when I derived this plan it felt like it would never happen it was just a goal that I wouldn't achieve and so it was no big deal but it's a lot different when your looking down the barrel of the gun. I've been getting calls all day from people saying goodbye and wishing me good luck. It really is nice to hear from them and I can use all the luck I can get. I leave for Chicago at 7:39 am and from there I leave at 10:45 am to Japan. I'll be aboard All Nippon Airways, which by the sound of it, there planes sound quite nice. Even the food sounds like it could be decent. I'm allowed two suitcases, fifty pounds apiece, plus a carry on bag of twenty two pounds and within size restraints, plus a personal item, ie. laptop. So I'm trying to cram my laptop case with books, dvds, games, and of course, my laptop. Then I'll carry my iPod with me. I feel prepared but still nervous, about things most people don't really think about until they are in this position such as passing through customs.
I'll write on the plane and post when I can. See you in Japan.

New Years

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:05:11 GMT

It's new years eve. I leave for Japan in a little less than 6 days. I'll be in Japan for two to three years studying at Temple University, Japan. A lot of people have told me they're jealous of me. Well you try moving to a country where they don't even speak your native language! Give up everything and everyone you know! I'll have VOIP and email but still not seeing friends and family can not be made up with a phone. This might sound weired to some but I really regret leaving my cats behind as well. I speak some Japanese but still... I saw one of my best friends probably for the last time today, we went to a hibachi, how appropriate is that? Unless you've been in my position you have no idea what it's like to say goodbye because your leaving the country! I mentioned this recently though and got the response, "I thought you wanted to go". I do, but that doesn't mean I'm not nervous... Excited, scared, happy, sad, ecstatic, lonely, confused, content, unfulfilled, rhetorical, empty, full, courageous, and any other emotion you can possibly think of! I've never done anything, like this before, but I can't back out now, I'd regret it forever. Japan here I come!