Welcome to this site, a sort of resting space for you to study up on Japan. I’m the moderator here. Call me Wye, Wye for Wyoming. I’ve rearranged a series of write-ups for you to read and wise up yourselves with – on Japan, my own home country.

I don’t intend to build a series of square talks on politics, economy, culture and all. Instead, I intend to give a sort of side look at various features of my country so as to give you short cuts for your tour to the heart of Japan.

When you travel you won’t expect to see what you see at home; you are out here to see with your own eyes things that are different, things that are hard to find at home. Well, you are in a right place. Things are extraordinary here in Japan.

So, take a moment to just skim through the lines. I’m sure you’ll be better off.

The other way around

In Japan, most things are the other way around: we drive on the left hand side of the road, our tea is green rather than brown, we take off shoes rather than walk right in with shoes on, etc. You laugh it out when some dry joke is cracked, whereas the Japanese laugh only when they can think of nothing else to do. This is a land of paradox and contradictions.

But, then, that’s what makes Japan charming to travel around. You’ll have hard time learning how to use those chopsticks. That’s fun. Challenge it to the point of picking peas in a jiffy.

How’ the weather?

Of course, the first Japanese phrase you ought to learn is “Benjowa doko desu ka?”( Where is the toilet?). But, the next phrase of equal importance is “Ii otenki desu ne.” (Nice day, isn’t it?) and “Ainiku na tenki desu ne” (Bad weather, isn’t it?) To smoothen your contact with the Japanese, you must learn to recite these phrases as often as you spot telephone poles. Why, ‘cause that’s the way we keep elbow space in conversation. More than elbow space, in fact. When you meet a Japanese acquaintance, not that untimate yet, in the street, your first phrase should be either of the two phrases about the weather. Both of you can then stand there, for a while anyway, with your bare faces hanging out not saying anything else. Fineness or ugliness of weather has nothing to do it; just a cute way of survival.

Brainwashing

A moment of mental brain flushing will do you a lot of good. On top of the “other way around “, you have at least half a dozen keywords that require you to flush your minds for. Right now, I’ll turn you to three, basic ones:

First and foremost, you must prepare yourselves for an out-of-the-world draggy noise in the noodle house. Making sound at the table is a vice in western culture, but not here – in the noodle house, at least. When we eat noodles, we slurp the noodles to the accompaniment of a “sound” – the one that you mistook for a noise. Don’t be upset. No offense meant. An alien friend of mine once jokingly said that it is advisable to remove any loose accessories such as eyeglasses, false teeth, hearing aids, etc. “since these are likely to go first”.

Then, there’s this tradition of constant bowing. In the initial point of contact, the Japanese never miss bowing to one another. But, don’t over do it. Bowing too deep, too often symbolizes “submission”. This is unproductive in business scene.

Driving can be fun and risky

You will of course drive while in Japan. When you do, follow the car in front of you. I remember some knowledgeable American, long resident in Japan, having said this, quote:

“Let us not overlook the delight of mixing alcohol and gasoline. Be certain that if you drive while drinking you are in an automobile or larger type vehicle. The saying “You’re too drunk to sing so why don’t you drive,” is most applicable in Japan.

Well, that’s all for this issue. Getting acquainted in a strange land is never a nuisance. Particularly so in a country like Japan. Japan has, as I said in the outset, a lot in stock for you to enjoy. Be on your wings now and have fun. Be sure to fly back here if and when you find yourselves in a mess. I’ll be here to fix you up.

Bye.