Technology is EVERYTHING

Japan is known for having Technology before anyone else. I have to admit that the moment I arrived here I understood what they've always been talking about. I've been avoiding writing about it simply because I didn't have the words to describe it.

Before I mentioned that electronics are typically not available in any supermarket, department store or little shop. Sometimes you do find a little camera shop because the Japanese are crazy about cameras. But overall, there is no electronics section in most places that I could name. So for the first couple of weeks I kept asking where all the advanced Tech was... Well within a few weeks, we found it.

Electronics are almost exclusively sold in electronic stores. The biggest one we found is called BIC Camera. They sell everything that is electrical in some way. Air conditioners, hair dryers, fax machines, video games, TVs, stereos etc. Imagine Best Buy or Future Shop compared to a Loblaws or Costco. Basically it's huge.

In Canada and France most electronics you come across are from some unknown company. I suppose, for example, your air conditioner, escalator, or drink machine are probably made by either companies you're not familiar with or companies that only make that product. Here in Japan, from the moment I arrived in Japan, the security camera was made by Toshiba, the drink machines by Hitachi and the scales at the airport were made by Kawasaki. I now know that Mitsubishi ,the Korean electronic company, makes EVERYTHING!

Now when I was saying that BIC Camera was huge, I wasn't lying. This is the section to choose your style of mouse for your computer. Every shape, colour or mold in any pattern you can think of.

There's THREE rows of it. Don't get me started on little add-ons for an MP3. That's just a sea of consumerism.


Here's a video from BIC Camera to give you an idea of what kind of craziness I'm talking about.

Hiroshima Technopop Perfume

This is a Technopop group from Hiroshima. They've been around for a few years now. They're so cute. It was released on March 25, 2009.




This one is Computer City January 11, 2006.




This is Love the World July 9, 2008.

Autumn Colours

From the beginning of October, everyone Helene and I met told us about how beautiful the autumn season was. At the time, I could hardly care. Living in Canada most of my life made me pretty immune to trees changing colour. Besides, it was October and the season would be over soon. At least that's what I thought. Well that's somewhat true by Canadian standards as by Halloween nothing much is left on the trees. But the season here doesn't really start until the second week of November and it goes until the first week of December or so. Then all of a sudden one cold day comes along and all the trees loose their leaves and you get that barren look.

When the time came to see what all the fuss was about we were absolutely amazed by how beautiful the trees started to look. It was right out of a painting. Looking at one tree, the tips of the tree would be red (and by red I mean a strong vibrant red that I've never seen on a tree before) and the middle would be yellow but the centre still green. I think it has something to do with the fact that it gets only slightly colder here everyday through the season and thus the trees change just a little at a time. In Canada, you know the Autumn season is over when you see snow. But that's Canada for you.

For the entire month of November, the major topic of conversation in every class was where to go to see the trees. Now this may not sound like a big deal to you but look at it this way: many of the most important temples and shrines in Japan are located in the big cities. During WWII, the Americans bombed the hell out of most of them but for some reason left most of Kyoto intact. Thus this is the number one tourist spot in all of Japan, especially for Japanese people wanting to travel within Japan.

During the month of November, and from what people tell me April as well, mass flocks of people pour into Kyoto to visit the shrines and temples on the backdrop of the beautiful colours of the maple trees. Some of the gardens at these temple sspecifically plant maple trees for their Japanese garden to get a more Zen effect.

I know these pictures are three months late but I wanted to put it together in a fun way. The video is about 4.5min. I threw in some pictures that I took beforehand so that you can see the change. The video starts off with the view from outside our door. I saw this sight everyday. Enjoy

5 Months...What a Change

Two days ago would have been the five-month anniversary of our arrival in Japan. I can honestly say that I'm not the same person I was when I arrived here. Almost every day I feel that things in my life are changing and I really don't see the world in the way I did before. Not all of these changes are directly from Japan itself. Honestly, it is simply the atmosphere here in Kyoto that helps me achieve a focus that I've never had before. Kyoto has a incredibly relaxed atmosphere certainly not found in other places in Japan. Osaka and Tokyo are busy metropolitan areas but Kyoto has a speed where I can really feel in control over what's happening in any given day. Very Zen.

What has changed in 5 months: First of all was my huge change in weight. I'm still working on making that a permanent change in my life but I can already see the huge impact that it has made to my energy and attention. Secondly, I've really started to enjoy foods that I normally wouldn't eaten in the past. Kiwis for example are a daily thing for me. I find new and interesting food here all the time and it always surprises me. It never tastes like what you expect it to. I've also become more daring in trying some of the local foods.

But overall what has really changed is how I see of myself. both physically and emotionally. The new body just comes with the new mind. I've been thinking a lot about France and the overall meaning that it had in my life and I will always look back at that being the moment where my life began to change for the better. When I arrived in France, I was very lost, personally, physically, emotionally, and professionally. In reflection, I have now realised that I was so badly institutionalised that I didn't have the ambition or the direction or knowledge to make the kind of decisions I wanted to make in my life. What I'm talking about is really knowing myself and knowing what I need to do to be happy. Up until I left to go to France, most of my life was a reaction to the events of the day before and preparation for the following day. I didn't have any long term goals and for that matter I didn't really want to think about it. Most of my life up until that point was laid out for me in some form. Go to school, graduate, get a job you'll hate, get a mortgage, have some kids, stay in debt until you die. I honestly, don't see that as a window to being happy and even though I will have to do it in some form, I want to do it in the best way I can and not simply settle on what comes my way.

In France, I went through a breakdown period to really see what I was made of. And I have to admit it was very hard. I can honestly say that that experience will probably be viewed as one of the hardest in my life simply because I had no idea where I was going. Paris is not the most welcoming place. The people are rude and life is expensive and not easy. I know that I would have never gone through the necessary changes that I needed if I had come to Japan first. Life here is much more accommodating for the foreigner then it is in Paris. What I mean is that a Gaijin here can just spend time with other Gaijin and never really get involved with Japanese culture altogether. That's probably what I would have done if I had come here first.

The biggest change that has happened since my days in France is that at least now I know where it is I want to get to in my life. I know what I have to do to be happy. I'm not sure I can or should spell it out right now. I've read different books on how to redirect my life and what every program, book and podcast I've listed to has in common is simply this: Really look at yourself and write down everything about who you are, what you value and what you believe. The more you can commit to paper the better. Then write down everything you ever want in any manner of your life. See the path that needs to be made to go from where you are to where you want to be. Make baby-steps to get there. The problem for me and probably for most people is the part about really knowing yourself. That's the steps that I've made and the direction that I'm going.

I think its important to constantly re-evaluate one's long-term goals and come June I'll let you know where things are going with me. In April my boss is returning to his home here in Japan and as such I lose my job and my accommodation. To quickly recap, I've been doing teacher substitution for him while he was away and house-sitting for him. Thus in April, Helene and I will be looking for a new place to live in Kyoto. I've also decided that I will devote April to learning Japanese. I need a better kick-start to that project. What I meant when I say is that June is when I will hear back from the universities I plan to apply to. After a great deal of contemplation I believe the best course for me is to go back to school and get a Master's degree in International Relations. This means that, if I'm accepted, I will remain in Japan for at least another two years from October when the first semester starts.

I'm scared as hell over the prospect of going back to school and I know how hard that is going to be. On top of that it is really hard to live in another culture. Sometimes I feel really welcomed here because Japanese people are really welcoming but other times it's always made clear to me that I'm not one of them and I never will be. So it gets lonely out here and I would really like to thank everyone who comes to my blog and reads my stories. You comments really mean a lot to me and I would love everyone who somehow finds my blog to say a little something when you come and visit. It will encourage me to keep this thing going.

Miss you all and I hope to come and visit soon.

Fortune In! Devils Out! Sushi!!!!

Last week was Groundhog Day in North America which, as you know, can predict the coming of an early spring. Now, that always sounded stupid to me because in Canada we always have 6 more weeks of winter, AT LEAST!

In Japan they celebrate Setsubun on February 3rd. Setusbun is the day before the beginning of Spring. Last Wednesday this also sounded stupid to me as it was by far the coldest day this winter. It was snowing that day!!! The word means "the division between two seasons" (winter and spring). The focal point of this day is a bean-throwing ceremony held throughout the day. If you catch the beans that are thrown then you get extra luck or so I've been told. I've never heard of Japanese people being as aggressive as they are when they fight to get these beans.

Recently, the festival is held on a grand scale at many temples and shrines around Japan. Well-known people who were born under the zodiac sign for that year are invited to throw beans from the stage. Apprentice Geisha (Maiko) are also known to throw beans.

In the evening some specific temples offer a kind of bonfire service. What you do is you write your problems on a piece of paper and come to the bonfire and burn them away. Like I said, it was very cold that night and even though I love burning stuff, it didn't seem worth it to go.

According to the old lunar calendar of Japan, the following day is called Risshun, which means "the first day of spring". The tradition on this day is for people to scatter roasted soy beans inside and outside their homes as they shout "Fuku-wa-uchi, Oni-wa-soto" which means "Fortune in, Devils out". It's also customary to eat the same number of beans as the the age of the person. (Some told me you eat the same number as your age, plus one). One of my students told me that after he threw the beans outside and said what he needed to say, he went and collected the beans, cleaned them and ate them. I'm sure he was lying or joking.

What celebration would not be complete without some form of marketing attached to the celebration to promote some kind of product or service? Thus, in the last few years there is a new tradition of eating Maki Sushi on that day. But people are not that gullible just to buy a product because the companies say so. No! The companies needed to come up with a good way to sell this idea to the Japanese people.
What you have to do is:
1) In 2010 you have to stand West South-West (This apparently changes every year.)
2) Eat an uncut Maki Sushi roll in its entirety.
3) You must not speak while the eating ceremony takes place.

If you do this you will have more luck. And guess what? People do it. Japanese people will do anything if they believe they will get more luck from it. Thus, all day different stores were offering discounted Maki Sushi for all your luck getting needs.

Unlike the first part of this event where there was something about catching beans in the cold, the eating Maki Sushi part for luck was fine by me. No, I did not follow the rules, but the sushi was tasty.

Final Fantasy XIII Crazy Cans

Now I'm not sure what the most popular item this Christmas was in North America but the hot item here started to get advertised at the beginning of September. I'm talking about Final Fantasy XIII. I know not all of you are into the gaming but the promotion alone on this game is worth mentioning. First of all I mentioned how many 7/11 type stores are out here. Every one of them is selling and promoting this game. There were FLAGS outside of the corner stores!! That means every day I get at least 20 different advertisements to buy this game. Every department store, corner store or electronics store is pushing this game. Why? Its the best thing on High Definition TV's out there.

I got a chance to try the demo out a few months ago and it was very impressive. (The reason I'm tiled back like that is because the cord of the controller was too short.) Now, I lost my enthusiasm with video games a long time ago but I can honestly say that this game is getting me to reconsider my interest in the PS3. It looks amazing and more then anything else it looks fun. I would have gone out and bought a PS3 and the Game by now, (They made a Final Fantasy XIII PS3) but the games is in Japanese so I'm sort of SOL.

The game doesn't come out in North America for another few months and I was thinking if there was a market for the Japanese copy out there. Turns out there is. Even though the game is due to come out in North America until March, the popularity of this thing is so big, that the sales guy at the store told me that their online sales outside of Japan are huge. I honestly wish there was some way I could jump on the Final Fantasy XIII band waggon before it comes out. Maybe even make some extra cash.

In the weeks approaching the release of the game. Suntory (a beer/drink company) made a deal with Square Enix to help promote the game by making Final Fantasy XIII ELIXIR. It sort of tastes like Canada Dry ginger ale. For all I know its poison since I can't read the damn label. They released 16 cans available at random 7-11's. I thought that these things would go quick on Ebay but I'm guessing that most people have no idea they existed. I only found out when I friend of mine was drinking one. I ran around trying to get the whole set, this took a while. Maybe I'll sell it any maybe I'll keep them. I have no idea.

The extra tall thing on the side is a special box set that comes with a new can (the one in the centre) and one of 6 action statues. These little statues are causing more huff then the actual drink or cans. AMAZING.











On a little side note, originally Final Fantasy V didn't come to North America. This box was once worth a lot of money to the right collector. The game was eventually released and thus all the value of the originals SNES game-pack was lost. I found this going for about $5.

Funny Little Useless Toys

I may have seen this at Ms. Tiddlywinkles but I don't remember. Its cool nonetheless.