Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

Japanese People I Have Met

Peter Payne by Peter Payne
14 years ago
in Your Friend in Japan

Before I came to Japan, I thought I knew pretty much what kinds of people I’d find here: lots of Japanese salaryman types riding the train to work, overstressed students struggling to get into university, and so on. This was 1991, when there were no blogs to provide “slice of life” information about Japan, and it seemed that every book on the subject was written by old-timers who came here after World War II and never left. I was naturally surprised to encounter Japanese people of every imaginable type here, which makes sense of course since I only had stereotypes to work from before. For example, I met a normal Japanese businessman who was an “airport otaku,” able to discuss the features and history of just about every major airport in the world in great detail. Then there was the time some very average high school students I’d been teaching asked me to come and watch them dance. They were in a “rockabilly circle” (club) that dressed in extravagant 1950’s era outfits and put on impromptu street performances — it was really cool. Even the seemingly mild-mannered Jun, the J-List staff member who keeps our site stocked with interesting snacks and toys, surprised me: in his younger days, he traveled along the Silk Road through China, India, and Iran, and had perfected the art of eating with his fingers without making a big mess.

Screen Shot 2019 03 22 At 5.25.08 PM

All things considered, I did not expect to meet Rockabilly fans when I came to Japan.

Tags: historyJapanotakuTokyo

More Posts Like This

Vinland Saga Season 2
Your Friend in Japan

Vinland Saga Ends! Why Was This Anime ‘Peak Fiction’?

by Peter Payne
3 months ago

The Spring 2023 anime season had a lot to offer fans, from a bizarre story of idols and revenge to...

New The Making Of Harry Potter Experience
Your Friend in Japan

Do Otaku Live in the Past? Let’s Ask Japanese Harry Potter Fans!

by Peter Payne
4 months ago

Sometimes Mrs. J-List will see me watching anime about high school students half my age one-third my age discussing what...

Vinland Saga Season 2

Seven Reasons to Watch Vinland Saga!

7 months ago
How Oppai Affect Gravity Albert Einstein

What Did Albert Einstein Find When He Visited Japan?

12 months ago
Most Embarrassing Otaku Moment

What’s Your Most Embarrassing Anime Otaku Moment?

1 year ago
Typhoon Nanmadol Dangerous

Five Ways Japan Might Try to Kill You!

1 year ago
Next Post
Screen Shot 2019 03 22 At 5.19.23 PM

Interesting Japanese Foods: Takoyaki

Trending Today

Why Is Umi Yatsugake So Popular
Your Friend in Japan

Why is Umi Yatsugake The Most Popular JAV Actress?

6 days ago
Ayakashi Triangle Blu Ray Censorship
Your Friend in Japan

Are the Ayakashi Triangle Blu-rays Uncensored? YES THEY ARE.

2 days ago
Roxy Migurdia Blog Post
Figures

This is the Roxy Migurdia Figure We All Needed!

1 week ago
J List Staff Pick Waifus 2022 3
Featured

Fashionable Gyaru Girls in Anime

2 days ago
Megami Magazine November 2023
Anime Magazine

Need More Anime Posters? The New Megami Magazine is In Stock!

1 day ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
Megami Magazine November 2023
Anime Magazine

Need More Anime Posters? The New Megami Magazine is In Stock!

by Peter Payne
October 3, 2023

Anime Rewind! Let’s Look at Koi Kaze, the Best Sister Love Anime!

My Tiny Senpai, Episode 11: Smol Fan Wants Big Hug!

Tokyo Game Show Celebrates the Return of Cosplay

20 Years of Saya no Uta Pt. 2 — Story Analysis

TenPuru, Episode 12 [END]: Where Are You Looking?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.