Usual Life in Japan

In Japan it is common to see a "no tattoos allowed" signs at establishments such as restaurants, public bathing areas (Onsen), gyms, public swimming pools. But why is this? Tattooing is the most misunderstood form of art in contemporary Japan. Demonized by centuries of prohibitions and rarely discussed today in civilized circles, people with tattoos are outcasts in their own country — banned from many beaches, pools and public baths.   Reason Ask anyone to explain the reason for this vilification and most will blame the yakuza and their penchant for body ink; better-informed itizens may even trace the roots of negative attitudes to the 17th century, when criminals were tattooed as a form of punishment. However, such explanations for Japan’s longstanding animosity toward tattoos are, at best, an oversimplification — and, at worst, most incorrect. Instead of targeting wrongdoers, Japanese prohibitions against tattoos have historically been aimed at the working classes, women and ethnic minorities, and today the bearer of a full-back tattoo is increasingly likely to be a sensitive salaryman rather than a punch-permed thug or criminal.   Japan has had a long tattoo history. The history of body modification in Japan is long and vibrant, dating back to the Jomon Period (roughly 10,500 B.C. to 300 B.C.), when clay figurines were molded with marks that modern historians interpret as either tattoos or scarification. There isn't any physical proof that the Jomon people tattooed themselves; however, a Chinese historical record written at around 300 A.D. said all Japanese men tattooed their faces and ...

The Japanese Speaking English It is a question that has been asked many times. Why do some Japanese people struggle to communicate in English? Even though English is taught in junior high school and there are thousands of English conversation schools all over the country, the level of English in Japan remains low compared to other developed countries. This is especially problematic when Japanese students travel to study abroad. A number of professors at various school surveyed said that their Japanese students often have difficulties communicating in English. These are not students from the rural Inakadate, Aomori region of Japan but rather international students pursuing doctorate degrees, so it is pretty serious issue.   What is the problem? Why is it that some Japanese students can’t communicate clearly in English? It is the Japanese education system? It is cultural? Or a mixture of both?   Japanese education system   Although Japanese students learn English for six years (starting the first year of junior high school), many of them still can’t communicate in even basic English. It is possible that this is because the English education in Japanese schools is mainly geared towards helping the students to pass the written university entrance exams. Japanese students who want to get into national universities have to do well on the “center” exams that are administered throughout Japan once a year. The center exams do not test communication skills, only writing and grammar. Thus the students spend hours memorizing complex English grammar rules but never spend anytime actually using ...

Soy bean paste : Like soy sauce, miso is made from soy beans.It is a paste-like condiment mostly in a brown color. It's a thick paste, usually some shade of reddish-brown, made by mixing crushed boiled soybeans with salt and a koji fermenting agent produced from rice, barley, wheat or beans. Traditionally the mix was wrapped in straw and left to ferment for between two months and two years. Protein-rich miso is one of the essential elements of Japanese cuisine. It has been around since at least the 7th century, and the standard fare of rice (barley for the poor), miso soup and pickles was established by Buddhist monks around the 13th century. Soy bean paste is also an important condiment that is indispensable to the Japanese people. Recently, miso soup in particular has been valued as a health food that contributes to a balanced diet. Miso is both nutritious and adds very distinct savory flavors, especially in the universally-popular miso shiru soup.   Many Japanese have miso soup for breakfast The basic breakfast version of miso shiru is made by adding several ingredients to broth, for example, tofu, seaweed, or vegetables, then stirring in the soy bean paste. In addition to soup, it is used as seasoning for rāmen (a Chinese brand of noodle), rice balls, and all kinds of cookpot dishes.   Misozuke It's also used for preserving vegetables, fish and pickles (misozuké). Fish or meat pickled in this miso keep for a long time and yet with enhanced taste.   Different varieties ...

Japan's tap water is very drinkable. The national water infrastructure is reliable and purification facilities are well-maintained, so the tap water is of good quality and easy on the stomach. Though in the north of Japan (which would include Tokyo), the water tastes slightly more mineralised. In fact tap water is sold in Japan. Bottled Tokyo tap water is available for sale. This product was created for Tokyo PR purposes, so it can be purchased for around 100 yen a bottle.   Is the taste different? Some visitors to Japan, particularly those from Europe, may notice something strange when they drink Japanese tap water for the first time. This is because the water supply in Japan has a different 'hardness level' compared to the supply in Western countries. The hardness level is an indication of the amount of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, dissolved in water. Including tap water and spring water sources, the water in Japan is mostly 'soft water,' which has a low hardness level; this is in contrast to the water in European countries. Soft water has a milder flavor than hard water and is easier to drink, but to someone used to hard water, soft water can taste inadequate. Unfortunately, hard water is difficult to obtain in Japan. If you want hard water during your trip, it would be easiest to purchase a mineral water such as Evian from a store. You can find at most Japanese convenience stores, hard mineral water is comparatively easy to purchase.   Japanese food ...

Some Japanese toilets are an attraction all in their own, with a range of technological features that are sure to alarm the first time user. The high tech toilets, which are in most homes, hotels and shopping centres, feature an electronic panel that controls an array of handy features including seat warmers, hot air dryers and tiny robotic arms that squirt warm water at the guest. These technological marvels have become commonly known as washlet, a name that is the trademark of Toto, the largest manufacture of these high tech bidets. Japan is the world’s leader of toilet technology, some toilets can have up to 30 buttons, the majority only in Japanese but most have a few somewhat humorous graphics to give the novel user a bit of an idea what the button is for. Usually only three buttons are required The Oshiri, which means “Honorable Buttocks”; No Joke, it sprays the rear and the icon looks like a butt. Then there’s the Bidet, this is shown in pink for the woman. Then the Kanso, this is the dryer and it usually is a yellow wavy air icon. There can be various other buttons that operate things like water and blower pressure, temperature and angle.   Expensive models Some of the expensive models can automatically lower the seat or lid at a touch of a button, one of the reasons why it’s not a bright idea not to play with buttons when your mid stream. If you get into trouble there is often a red ...