The origins of Japan’s cult of “studying,” more warm weather for Tokyo, and the latest in Otaku Culture from Japan
Japan is a very seasonal place, with specific things done only during the appropriate times of year. August is when ...
Tag: cosplay
Being an American in Japan during Thanksgiving, subtleties of Japanese pronunciation, and a cultural lesson for PSP owners
By and large, an American expat living in Japan has two choices when it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving: completely forget ...
Japanese tricks to memorize anything, fun with “companions” in Tokyo, and thoughts on evangelical Buddhism
Hello again from Japan, where it's believed that only good things happen on Friday the 13th. There was a lot ...
Returning to my Otaku roots, my adventures in a “capsule hotel,” and what the Japanese really eat
Time was, people would go to the Akihabara (ah-ki-HAH-bah-rah, meaning "field of autumn leaves") area of Tokyo to buy some ...
A happy day in Japan, forgetting which kind of English you speak, and feeling “natsukashii” with my old Japanese textbook
It's a boy! All Japan is currently cheering the news that Princess Kiko has given birth to a boy. The ...
The hierarchy of language in Japan, trouble for “unhurried education” and, is my wife a Desperate Housewife?
Hello again from Japan, where, when two people say the same thing at the same time, they're then supposed to ...
More reflections on “freedom” and how it relates to James Dean, my trip to the Moon, and Japanese “standing nails”
Well, Otakon has passed and we're safely back in San Diego, our long, multi-stage vacation across America finally over. After ...
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 ...
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 ...
Benefits from Japan’s homogeneous culture, drawbacks to living in Japan, and the Japanese futon defined
Japan is, by and large, quite a homogeneous place. I've travelled from Sapporo to Hiroshima and have seen much of ...
Back in Japan with culture shock, all about Japanese dialects, perceptions between countries and A-Kon wrap up
Well, I'm back in Japan now, the land of sushi and small cars and very cute things. No matter how ...
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 ...
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 ...
This year’s Meat Day celebration in Japan, my lust for American cell phones, and the meaning of “recycle” in Japan
The Japanese often play with numbers in interesting ways, converting the numerals into sounds to make messages. Through a phonetic ...
Halloween in Japan, some funny Japanese English words, and all about Daylight Savings Time
Happy Halloween from all of us at J-List. Yesterday was the big Halloween Party at my son's experimental elementary school, ...
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 ...
A small Okinawa town in Bolivia, Tomo gets a new car, and thoughts on luck in Japan
Hello from Japan. We've been having some off-and-on problems with the J-List server, which we've gotten under control again, we ...
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 ...
Peter on the other side of the world, uses for the word “kokoro,” and Japanese who can’t read their own language
I never cease to be amazed at the Internet, which enables a small company like J-List bring so many interesting ...
Various ways to say “Menstruation” in Japanese
Hello all. Kind of tired today, as it's Friday and a rough one at that. But the weekend is near, ...
Friday night — J-List bonenkai!
Hello everyone. This is my new J-List side blog, wherein I'll post various J-List and Japan related stuff, if I ...
Greetings from J-List 11/8/04
When I came to Japan, I had my share of culture shock. Women in kimonos riding an ultramodern Shinkansen. Vending ...
