Japanese Body Language - 足を洗う

April 7, 2008 - 7:49 am by Bill Belew in Culture  

足を洗う[あしをあらう, ashi o arau] - go straight; become a decent person; turn over a new leaf.
This doesn’t seem to happen very often in Japan. Once a crook, always a crook is the norm. And Japan seems to have more than their fair share of bad guys, the very low crime rate notwithstanding.
Still, [...]

Why My Dad Would Hate Japan

March 20, 2008 - 12:55 am by Bill Belew in Culture  

My dad was usually quite even tempered. He didn’t get mad, excited, frustrated, irritated.
However, he could get riled up a bit if any of us kids were to say to him, “Pop, I can’t.”
“You can, Willy. You can do anything if you put your mind to it.”
“But, it can’t be done.”
Then, he’d get mad. One [...]

20 Steps Closer to Living with Robots in Japan

March 3, 2008 - 7:49 am by Bill Belew in Culture  

Japan is closer to having live in/work in robots than any country in the world. Imagine a kid who doesn’t talk back, a wife who doesn’t nag, a husband who doesn’t come home soused, a friend who makes sushi, plants rice and cleans the house.
Japan is the country the closest to making all of these [...]

Kinomiya Shrine (Atami) “Kodaman’s J-TRIP”

February 18, 2008 - 7:33 pm by kodaman in Culture  

In Kinomiya ,which is the next station from Atami by JR Itoh line, there is a shrine called “Kinomiya Jinjya.” This Shinto shrine has been worshiped by people in the vicinity from 1300 years ago. Why it’s called “Ki No Mi ya” is because people have worshiped “Nature” and “Ki” [...]

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Miyazaki-ken Power Spot (Sacred Place) “Eda-jinja Shrine”

December 14, 2007 - 6:42 pm by katchaman in Others  

“Eda-jinja Shrine” is situated near the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort in Miyazaki.(within a 10 minute walk to Eda-jinja)  One of Shrines(Jinjya) of Japanese myths and legends in Miyazakiis Tsuma-jinja Shrine. Here is Power Spot.  Here is my favorite place. I can relax and regain composure. I recommend this power spot strongly.    
In Eda-jinja Shrine,  November [...]

A Free Guided Bike Tour in Chiba

December 9, 2007 - 10:00 am by Shigehiro in Others, Travel  

Japan Cycling Navigator (JCN) is a group of cyclists and volunteers who support visiting cyclists by providing cycling course information, answering cycling-related questions, providing an one day guide to cycle together, or offering home stay, all for free. This JCN-organized one day cycling tour is intended to provide urban residents [...]

Try Best and Freshest Ikesu squid ? Visit koga @ Hakata

July 21, 2007 - 1:12 am by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

Among gourmet businessmen in Japan, Hakata has a good reputation as the best place for business trip.
Out of many Hakata food, the most dynamic one should be ikesu squid!
Ikesu is alive seafood, and in Hakata Ikesu restaurant, squid are directly sent from Yobuko port nearby.

This is the shop I was recommended by Hakata locals, and [...]