Merry Hot Fantasy Christmas
I had an excellent Merry Hot Fantasy Christmas here in Japan. I would have posted sooner, but I’ve been too busy and not even near my computer.
This past Friday (22nd) was Akeno Junior High School’s Bounenkai (Forget-the-year Party). It’s a time for all the faculty to get together, reflect on the year, and get teetotally hammered. Ichijikai (First Party) involves everyone eating and drinking A LOT. Sometimes, the parties involve party games. At this year’s Bounenkai, we had a quiz show game over the past year’s events. There was even even a question about whether or not I’m capable of eating natto (fermented soybeans). Natto has a horribly bland taste, but I can eat it.
The calm before the storm.
If only I could understand what they say…
Check out my sweet bow-tie.
I was on Team Santa with my Principal. We totally owned everyone with my exceptional Japanese skills (I cheated). Our prize? Cheap Japanese junk.
At nijikai (second party), the party breaks up into smaller groups. The different groups go to their favorite yaki-tori/ramen/niku-yaki shops, bars, or karaoke. I chose karaoke yet again. I can’t sing worth crap, but all my coworkers think I do. So, I get unnecessary positive reinforcement. When I return to the U.S., I will receive constant jeers.
Putting beer caps in your eye and then singing takes skill. It’s a cornerstone of Japanese culture.
You can see all the pictures from the Bounenkai here.
After nijikai, those left standing always go to sanjikai (third party). This usually involves more shady establishments. I better not receive calls from Japan 18-20 years down the road…
After the Bounenkai, I crashed at my principal’s house. He has wanted to me to visit for a long time, but my weekends had been too busy. I didn’t realize that staying over at his house for one night would turn into three nights. This was just fine since the family was extremely hospitable. I got crap-tons of food, a Christmas present (underwear, socks, and wine), Christmas cake, and a lot of Japanese practice. Also, I got three free onsen trips. Nothing helps male bonding like getting naked together at the public bath. We even washed each other’s backs…. Principal Furiya goes to the onsen everyday, so everyone there knew him.
During my three day stay, I helped my principal trim back the shrubbery in their garden. A couple of trees were too tall for ladders and the principal had to borrow his friend’s cherry-picker. I was like a little kid and enjoyed riding in the cherry-picker. The weekend was also spent helping his fifteen year-old daughter practice her English and do her winter vacation homework. After describing my brother, she was said she would like to meet him when he comes over here. I’ve got plenty of other girls lined up as well. It must be his long flowing locks.
This is my principal’s house. It’s an old farm house surrounded by peach and grape farms. The house seems to have been part of a few generation of the Furiya family.
Christmas in Japan is just as fun as an American Christmas. It lacks the same feeling, but all the fun stuff is still there. Christmas songs (sung horribly), Christmas cake, Christmas dinners, Christmas lights, and Christmas presents. These things aren’t as prominent as in America, but they are there and most Japanese enjoy Christmas even if they have no clue about its origins. Fried Chicken is considered a Christmas food due the brilliant marketing of KFC. Christmas Cake is much different than an American cake or pie. Christmas Cake is like angel food cake covered with icing and fruits. Christmas Cake isn’t supposed to be eaten after the 25th. Since Japan hasn’t had it’s femine revolution, girls that aren’t married by the age of 25 can be called the slightly derogatory term of christmas cake.
Wednesday (27th), I went snowboarding with several other foreigners who didn’t go home for winter vacation. We went to Fujimi Panorama in Nagano-ken. Fujimi Panorma has the best course that I’ve been on yet. Fujimi has a 3 km course that requires a long gondola ride to the top. It was a great day for snowboarding. It wasn’t too cold. The skies were clear and the view from the top of the mountain was fantastic.
Gareth, Me, Julia, Brian, Sachi, and Shereena at the top of the 3km run.
Two Wild and Crazy Guys
Julia (from Singapore) and Gareth (from England)
Ain’t no mountain high enuff’
Mt. Fuji from inside the gondola.
The bunny slope.
You can see all the pictures from Fujimi Panorama here.
Today, I got my christmas candies from America. Only four months in Japan and my taste palette has already changed significantly. I ate only a few pieces and felt sick. American candy is too sweet. It’s a good thing I have many friends to give this stuff to. There’s no way I can eat all this. The only safe stuff would be the jelly beans, pretzels, gum, and nuts.
Thanks for all the candy. Too bad it makes my stomach turn.
Saturday, I will head down to Gamagori-shi, Aichi-ken to visit my host family again. I’ll be spending a little over a week with them. I’ll be celebrating New Years with them and taking trips to some of the more interesting things in the area. I’ll probably head up to Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto during my week-long stay.
Now, for your Japanese moment of zen:
Japanese style can be very unique. For women, go-go boots are very popular. Most young Japanese girls wear the go-go boots with short skirts or short shorts.
When they wear normal boots, they tuck the pants into the boots.
Another well-known style is ganguro (literally “blackening the body”). Basically, the girls get a heavy tan and wear lots of make-up and accessories. I’ve only run into a few ganguro girls. None as flamboyant as this since the above is an advertisement. However, there are way more flamboyant ganguro girls in existence. I suppose the heaviest concentration of ganguro girls in Harujuku or Shibuya. Only a small percentage of people actually follow this style.
This is an interesting look at ganguro girls. The subtitles are decent, but not entirely accurate. It’s a pretty funny look at a niche subculture within Japan. If you can’t see the video, follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blUMErw6VBU
This video is great since it shows off some horrible English. The best part is Dr. Nakamatsu’s Formula for Sexual Sensitivity. There’s a formula? If you can’t see the video, click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_eptqUDh30
I wish every one was a ganguro girl…
Snowboard, GET!!!
Old man winter has come to Japan. It’s cold. It sucks. Fortunately, I live near the mountains and can easily go try out some winter sports for the first time. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase a discounted snowboard from a friend in Yamanashi. Saturday, I went with another ALT and two other Japanese friends to Koumi Re-Ex in the Nagano Prefecture. Right now, it’s fake snow. However, I didn’t really care since it was my first time. Koumi Re-Ex is definitely a good place for beginners. Also, the prices on the ski lifts are not bad. It’s only an hour away from my house, so I will most likely go there and other places in the area several times during the ski season.
My ichi-nichi-ken (All Day Ticket). It was very cheap that day since only one slope was open.
My sweet new board.
I’m sorry that I don’t have any pictures from the ski trip. I actually forgot to bring my camera for once.
Monday, I hung out with Sakamoto and his friends (Takashi, Kouichi, and Kei) again. Thanks to them, I know some of the better places to go in my small town. Sakamoto’s mother was kind enough to drive us to the izakaya. I had the usual self-introductions. After dropping us off, she said in surprisingly well-pronounced English, “Oh, nice face!” Japanese women love me.
I love the fact that the Japanese have no clue what they’re wearing. Sakamoto is a cool guy. I am now the proud owner of this cap. Now people will know that, “This Bitch Starts Automatically.”
Takashi, Sakamoto, Kei, Some White Guy, and Kouichi. I’m the master of karaoke in two languages.
As of now, there aren’t any plans for this weekend. My first unscheduled weekend in a long time. As I said in the previous post, next weekned is Akeno’s Bonenkai (Year End Party). The next day, Tomita and I will head to Chiba for his wrestling friend’s Christmas Party. To live in Japan, one must have strong intestinal fortitude.
For winter vacation, I will probably go and visit my host family down in Aichi again. Since I will have more time, I will get to stay over longer.
On the topic of travel, I will most likely need to come back to America during the summer. Why? One of my best friends, Jon, is getting married on July 14th. Maybe I can be the wedding singer due to all my karaoke experience.
Now, for your Japanese moment of zen:
It’s almost Christmas time. So, time for the Christmas videos.
This is Ayumi Hamasaki and Kyoko Fukada performing White Christmas. Ayumi’s English is okay, but Kyoko needs more practice. Since they can’t sing all of the song, they just turn it into some rock version of White Christmas and dance around. The redeeming factor is the Japanese Santa on the bongos.
If you can’t see the video click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1-nfm2uGsI
The following two videos are from a Japanese program covering W(Double You)’s trip to Tokyo Disney for Christmas. Altogether, it’s about twenty minutes. Don’t worry about missing any meaningful dialogue. It’s pretty much themsaying:
- “OHH, soooo cute!”
- “Look! It’s Mickey! Soooo cute!”
- “Look! It’s Minnie! Soooo cute!”
- “WOW! That’s sooo pretty!”
- “We’re popular for no apparent reason!”
Maybe it’s better that you don’t understand. There is some English in the video since there is some goofy English guy in there for comedic effect. Of course, there is the usual Japanese tradition of eating something and overexagerrating the wonderful experience of tasting the food.
If you can’t see the videos click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSCT1yMVvgE and this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DGWv1rOOOE
Spicy Ramen? Spicy $|-|¡+
Super Spicy Ramen? Check. Naked Figurines? Check. Super Spicy Naked Figurines? Check.
Tokyo has all this and more. Once again, I had a great time in Tokyo. Thanks to Tomita’s friend, Chunta, we had a free place to stay at over the weekend. It’s nice to have several connections in Tokyo. Makes staying over a much cheaper experience.
Friday night after school (12/1), Tomita and I took the train from the desolate Anayama Station to the human maze of Shinjuku Station. We then we to Ikebukuro to meet Chunta and eat at Antonio Inoki’s Restaurant. Antonio Inoki is a famous Japanese pro-wrestler. At some point, he fought Muhammad Ali. The restaurant is quite famous and was packed when we got there. The dinner was great and I actually had a half-way decent steak (for Japan). Here are some good pictures from the restaurant. For more pictures from the restaurant, click here.
I contemplated ripping my shirt off and running into the restaurant yelling, “AMERICAN POWER!!!”
Tomita loves wrestling. Too bad I know squat about wrestling. But at least we both know Stone Cold Steve Austin. Tomita has a pro-wrestling friend (Osamu Nishimura?) who has houses in Chiba and Miami. Nishimura lives next to Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees. Evidently, we get to attend Nishimura’s Christmas Party in Chiba the day after our school’sYear End Party.
Antonia has a bigger chin than me. Amazing.
Antonio is so awesome that he catches fire when doing his signature moves.
Tomita and Chunta, my host for the weekend.
- “Hey, Adam!”
- “What?”
- “Let us order you something.”
- “As long as you’re paying.”
- “SUUUUUPPPAAAAAA HEEEEEBBBIIIIII!!!!”
I thought I was in Japan. Not Germany. I’m not accustomed to seeing mugs the size of my head in Japan.
We’re high rollers…
Tomita loves ramen. Everytime we go somewhere to eat during the week, it’s always ramen. I think he’ll name one of his kids ramen. Chunta, Tomita, and I met up with Tomita’s friend Maeko. We then headed over to one of Tokyo’s famous ramen spots. Muoko Tanmen Shinjuku has been featured on television a bajillion times. Why? It has the spiciest ramen west or east of the Mississippi. I took on the spiciest they had to offer. Just look at the pictures. It screams, “I’m going to make your poo burn.”
I ate it all. Is this all you’ve got Japan? Come on.
We then took a trip over to Tokyo Dome. Chunta works somewhere near there. The Tokyo Dome area has a lot going on. It has many shops, a ferris wheel, and A ROLLER COASTER. The roller coaster was well designed, but low on thrill factor. It needed more speed. The roller goes on top of a building, through a gigantic hole in some important building, and through the ferris wheel. It would have been been better with more twists and loops. At 262 feet tall, it is the fifth tallest coaster in the world. But it lacked any major punch. Maybe that’s why it had the pansy name of Thunder Dolphin. This coaster has the most unnecessary rules I have ever seen. I had to completely empty my pockets before riding. Lame.
They told me strike a cool pose for the ladies. I don’t believe it worked.
I paid 1000 yen for this?
For more pictures of the Tokyo Dome area, click here.
After goofing around at Tokyo Dome, we headed over to nerd central: Akihabara. Akihabara is great for good electronic deals, but I didn’t really need anything. I enjoyed browsing around and seeing some of the weirder things.
We’re too cool for Akihabara. This was just outside a shop that sells some interesting costumes and accessories. Maybe we should have worn the sunglasses inside too.
Akihabara only looks good at night.
If you think these figurines are scandalous, you should see the other ones I haven’t posted. They are more naked and ridiculously expensive. 500 dollars for a big naked figurine in compromised positions? 500 could almost buy you a Russian bride.
At least Japan knows that Rambo rules. Too bad this costs 120 dollars.
Did I buy these? Maybe. I like to pretend I’m at the beach during the winter.
For more pictures from Akihabara, click here.
After Akihabara, we went to an izakaya (Japanese restaurant) in Tokyo. Apparently, Tomita and Chunta used to frequent this place quite often in their college days. We ate some great nabe (various vegetables and meat tossed into heated soy sauce), udon, and soba. For more izakaya pics, click here.
This old man can make a mean batch of soba. Best soba I’ve had.
If someone gives the peace sign one more time, heads are going to roll.
Maeko, Tomita, Chunta, and I.
Maeko, Me, and Chunta.
Sunday, I went to Chinzansou Hotel near Edogawa. My friend, Eri, has a hobby of modeling wedding clothes. She was modeling Japanese wedding clothes that day. Here is a picture of her. I didn’t get to stay long enough to see the completed look.
I’m glad I don’t have to wear all that heavy crap.
On Sunday evening, we went to Tokyo Tower. I’ve seen Tokyo Tower in the daytime, but it is much more impressive at night. I wish I had also brought my DSLR with me. The pictures would have been better. Maybe another time. For other Tokyo Tower pics, click here.
I kept waiting here for Godzilla to come and destroy things. But he never came. He still hasn’t returned my calls.
Maeko and I at the base of the tower.
Before leaving, we ate okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is very fun. You are given the materials necessary to make your dish and then cook it yourself on a hibachi grill. It’s really simple. All you do is poor the stuff on the hibachi and and mix it around for a while.
Maeko demonstrates the way of okonomiyaki.
It doesn’t look delicious, but you must suspend disbelief and try it.
Coming back home is always a little odd. I leave the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and arrive at a train station that doesn’t even have a ticket counter. At least the air here is cleaner.
This weekend, I have a holiday party with the other ALT’s in Yamanashi. You’ll get to see some pictures of me in my snazzy suit.
Now, for your moment of Japanese zen:
I’m think about modifying my little car into a car pool.
If you can’t see the video, click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecjqzAyu4O4
