Culture shock related to cars, subtleties of language, and all about Japanese pocket tissue
When I first got to Japan, I had plenty of culture shock related to auto- mobiles. Cars are very important ...
Tag: convention
San Diego Comicon 2006
I sure know how to keep busy. The San Diego Comicon ended just two days ago, but I'm already several ...
The end of Comicon again, thoughts on math and the abacus, and strategies for communication
It's that time of year again: the crowds have gone home, the D.C. Comics banners have been pulled down, and ...
Some useful phrases for making a good impression in Japanese, Japan and the sweet potato-bank ATM connection, and fun at the San Diego Comicon
The San Diego Comic Con is underway, and although it's just gotten started, we're tired already, however it's the good ...
All about bowing, something America has that Japan does not, and a strange buzzing sound
Can you hear that? The buzzing sounds you hear are the murmers of excitement being uttered by everyone who's going ...
What you can learn about public baths from Street Fighter II, Japan and Yellow Cabs, and the end of 0%
There are many things to like about Japan: beautiful temples, delicious food, cherry blossoms, and Hello Kitty bento boxes. But ...
The end of Anime Expo 2006, North Korea and their damn missles, and views on my ESL teaching days
Once again, Anime Expo has come to a close, and we're all going home, tired but feeling very energized. The ...
Notes from Anime Expo, culture shock and toilets, all about MOS Burger, and fun in Graceland
Hello again from an extremely enjoyable Anime Expo, which is still going on here in "Animeheim, CA." We're having lots ...
Back in the USA (and sleepy), English and my son’s spelling, and a theory of macro-economics
I've made the hop from Japan to the U.S. once again, going from the world of sushi and bullet trains ...
Japan’s education and going to school on Saturdays, the Protestant Work Ethic in Japan, and all about Japanese dentists
I've always been impressed with Japan's dedication to education, the great amount of national resources that are put into teaching ...
Election comparisons in Japan and California, Marie Antoinette’s anime connection, and wow, a dollar buys so much!
It certainly is nice to be back home in San Diego for a brief vacation in between anime conventions, and ...
Looking back on 15 years of anime fandom, Japan’s culture of flowers, and pouring your own drink
Hello from beautiful San Jose. We've been enjoying the vibrant anime fans here at Fanime Con, and if you're in ...
How universities work in Japan, my fond memories as an ESL teacher, and battle of the sexes, Japan style
Some of the biggest differences between Japan and the U.S. can be seen in higher education. Japan has an extensive ...
Golden Week in Japan, “indoctronating” my bilingual kids, and all about the otaku
We're right in the middle of Golden Week, a cluster of Japanese holidays that usually fall near each other. One ...
Traffic safety week, things you have to get used to in Japan, and all about the Yakuza
Japan has one of the lowest birthrates of any modern nation, with just 1.38 children born per couple, which will ...
Bilingualism and “English wars” between my kids, the American-or-British question, and 4-kanji phrases
I've always been fascinated with the subject of bilingualism, of how the brain adapts to thinking in two languages, and ...
Good and bad foods from Japan, three Japanese words for you, and lack of “DIY Culture” in Japan
My diet has certainly changed since I came to Japan back in 1991. Like some Americans I wasn't too keen ...
Japanese Buddhist attitudes about land, and ruminations on when I first arrived in Japan
One big difference between Japan and America is the attitude people have towards land and personal mobility. In the U.S. ...
Wedding bells in the Imperial Palace, beautiful autumn in Kyoto, and George Bush in Japan
Every autumn in Japan the leaves change to beautiful shades of red and yellow and vermillion, a spectacle called koyo ...
On the creativity of children, social change in Japan, and what’s up with Steven Seagal
Children are very creative, and it seems there's nothing that a child is incapable of imagining, especially when it comes ...
Lexus is coming to Japan, the concept of Idioms in Japanese, and more about OH! Mikey
A new car company is coming to Japan, but Japanese consumers are already quite familiar with their products. After years ...
Japan’s population peaks, immigration, and all about Japanese car names
Hello again from Japan. I've made the 6760 miles (10,879 km) hop from Baltimore to Japan, and have slipped into ...
Otakon and comparisons to Woodstock, all about Japanese politics, and Buddhism
Hello again from J-List. Well, Otakon is over, the 20,000+ anime fans have gone home, and I'm headed back to ...
Notes from Otakon in Baltimore, diappearing Japanese buildings, and more on bilingualism
Well, we're here at Otakon in Baltimore, and we're having a great time, surrounded by America's most vibrant young people, ...
