Riding a bike in Japan

Riding a bike is taken pretty seriously in Japan. For example, take a trip without your bike being registered or park in the wrong place, and your vehicle is at risk for impoundment or a hefty fine.

This is especially true if get caught riding while drunk or talking on a cell phone. These two rules are a big "no-no" here and are even punishable with up to a few years in jail. For a foreigner, these consequences may seem outrageous, but keep in mind that each culture has it’s own unique set of laws and repecting them is important.

In a few days, I will move out of the seminar houses (dormitories) of Kansai Gaidai and into a homestay. If the family I live with loans me a bike, I must make sure I go to the proper authorities and re-claim it in my name. Otherwise, if I am in transit and am pulled over, an officer will assume I stole the bike. While there is hardly any crime in Japan, bike theft is highly common.

I am also fascinated with what the Japanese are comfortable traveling with/in on their bike trips. Currently, Japan is in Monsoon season. This means it often rains cats and dogs. The Japanese are skilled riders and can travel with an umbrella in hand. Unfortunately, the roads can be slippery and accidents sometimes occur. Two days ago, I walked by two men riding in opposite directions, each holding an umbrella. I think one rider lost his balance, because when I looked back, one passenger was on the ground rubbing his head. When I ride my bike I will invest in an attachable umbrella holder and hope this gives me both rain protection and increases my safety.

Speaking of safety, I have yet to see any of the bikers wear a helmet. I was shocked by this as many of them ride long distances to work and school everyday. As for what is typical to notice about a rider: women dressed up in heels, skirts, and blazers, and men in suits or looking smart. Thus, don't get caught riding "ugly".

In general, I am noticing that many of the cultural things I am used to, like driving a car on the right side of the street, or reading from right to left, are done oppositely here.

I have only been in Japan for two days. What stories will I share in a week?

Northwest Airlines: Licensed to Reroute

My flight to Japan began three days ago. In the amount of time I have been "traveling" or should I say re-routing, due to NorthWest Airline's incompetence, I could have been around the world two or three times!

My nightmare began on August 24th when I boarded a Jet Blue carrier in Boston. Scheduled to depart at 7:50 AM, the foggy weather in New York made this impossible. Hours later, when I arrived to JFK to make my connecting flight with NWA, I was informed my flight was to be rescheduled because my other connecting flight in Detroit had left on time, and thus I'd have no flight from Detroit to Japan.

Rudely, The NWA representative informed me that I had no choice but to wait in the airport until the following morning and complicate my plans by flying from Minneapolis to Honolulu to Osaka. In the case of many international flight cancellations (even weather related), airlines usually cut you some slack and give you a free room for the night or at least a meal. Yet, the NWA rep heartlessly told me that a weather problem was not her problem.

While weather conditions may be out of NWA control, should a passenger suffer if an airline can not reschedule until the next day?

The following morning did not restore my faith in NWA; my 8AM craft had mechanical problems and I missed my connecting flight in Minneapolis. Again, I was told by NWA reps that my flight to Japan would be canceled and that I would be rerouted...this time to Detroit.

Fortunately, the supervisor in Minneapolis offered that NWA would pay for my hotel in Detroit and give me $30 worth of meal vouchers. Unfortunately, once I tried to retrieve this compensation from the service center in Detroit, I felt like an airline gold digger; I was forced to explain and prove why I should be given this "perk".

The NWA Company has poor customer service and lacks organization, thus beware in booking with them (especially out of JFK). The other day I saw a news report about the nightmare of flying these days. From my experience with NWA, I admit this can truly be something to fear. Not only do we have to worry if our luggage will arrive on time, but we have to wonder if we will! At least for this time, I can say that I made it. Today I write you from Japan. Bansai! (Hurrah!)

TV on DVD in Japan

American TV can be found around the globe and recently the transition to DVD has made it even easier to find American television everywhere. In Japan, along with a considerable number of Korean dramas, American television is found in abundance.

Many people here have been avid fans of 24, Prison Break and Lost. Even more popular for younger generations there are massive quantities of DVDs of Supernatural, The OC and Sex and the City. Stereotypes are often reinforced in these dramas. It's funny to hear what people imagine about America after watching our TV. Many students have believed that all Americans live in massive homes like the OC stars. And visions of American law enforcement must appears grim after the Fox thrillers.

Sometimes you have to question the shows that arrive in Japan. At a video rental shop yesterday I saw Pepper Dennis, Rebbecca Romain's short-lived sitcom. One time I even rented a rather dreadful Canadian sci-fi show called Charlie Jade about three dimensions all colored different tones of blue, green and red. It seems that action, dramas, and romantic sitcoms can make the cut, but comedies seldom do. I've yet to see The Office, Arrested Development or Seinfield anywhere in Japan. I hope someday we'll see more international TV make its way into America rental shops.

Ichirou, Nakamura, and Mao-chan

Whether they love sports or hate them, it seems every Japanese person can name at least a dozen athletes and their claims to fame.

Ichiro Suzuki's recent in-the-park home run and All Star game MVP honors have continued his legacy as Japan's favorite athlete, greatest source of pride, and perhaps everyone's favorite person. In second place for baseball Matsuzaka and Matsui are in tough competition with Okajima fighting for his place too.

Outside of baseball there are many athletes that bring all Japanese pride. Among these are Miki Ando and Mao Asada (known affectionately as Mao-chan). These graceful ladies attract millions of Japanese fans to their televisions during competitions. Ando's quadruple jump at the 2002 Junior Grand Prix Final and continuous success at world events has made her a permanent star, along with the young Mao-chan who is currently ranked as the best skater in the world.

This evening another star the famous Shunsuke Nakamura is the star in the Japan-Australia game. Everyone is expecting good things from the Celtic player. And whether people follow sports or not they will know well if he does something amazing.

Monster Trucks in Japan

Yesturday, as I walked my new roommate around town, she exclaimed, "that's unusual!" After a year in Japan I felt that I could expect to recognize what a new arrival would find surprising. However, as I turned around, I was equally stunned. What barrelled down the road was a typical box-sized tiny, little Japanese truck that had been converted into a monster truck! This shocking vision also captured the attention of everyone it passed on the street.

And speaking of strange vehicles, Himeji has a famous electric blue van with wings and stripes that's supposedly driven by the Yakuza - the Japanese mafia. I've seen it driving the streets of Himeji a few times, and I must say that even if it does harbor gun-wielding gangsters - it doesn't look particularly threatening. It resembles more closely an affluent garage band's ride.

There is also in Himeji a gang of high school motorcyclists. They ride their incredibly noisy motorcycles around the city late at night much to the irritation of the citizens of Himeji. However, from what I've heard, the worst thing they do is eat dinner late night near the castle and on occasion do wheelies in front of the train station during the yukata festival.

Sabishii in Japan

It's been busy in Japan lately. My fellow blogger Sarah has returned to US and two new roommates have appeared. And just yesterday I decided to extend my contract and stay in Japan for at least another three months

The Japanese language is filled with words that have no translation. Just yesterday, a student asked me for a translation of friter - a term that applies here to young people that graduate from high school or university but continue to live off their parents while unemployed. All I could manage was bum, but this is obviously not an exact equation.

Another such word is sabishii. Lately all of my Japanese friends have said this to me while making a sad face when told about my lost roommate. They usually translate it as sad, but after a quick search through my dictionary, I found the word is more closely linked to lonely or desolate. Perhaps it is a bit dramatic, but yesterday, after moving into Sarah's empty room and realizing my phone card was empty, thus preventing me from calling my family back home, and after being hit by the enormity of three or four more months on the other side of the world, I did indeed feel a bit sabishii.

However, the things I am looking forward to with my extended stay are many. These include:

1. Improving my Japanese - I am finally able to have a short conversation and look forward to being able to lengthen my conversations and using them more widely.

2. Learning how to cook more Japanese food. With my new roommates moved in, we are starting group cooking sessions soon. Hopefully their skills will be easily picked up.

3. Talking to (maybe someday going out with) my ridiculously good-looking gym instructor.

4. Losing weight and thus finally being able to again enjoy Mister Donuts - the world's best donuts. (Apparently these really come from Boston, but I've never seen one there).

5. Traveling around Japan more. There are so many places yet to be seen. I recently learned about a desert not to far where one can go for camel rides.

6. Saving money to fund a tour through southeast Asia.

7. The Unknown - you never know what to expect in Japan - I always learn new things.

The Last Samurai - visiting Shosha-san

Mt. Shosha, or Shosha-san as its known to the locals, is located about a 40-minute bike ride away from my apartment. Another 40-minute moutain climb and you can arrive at the Engyoji temple ground.

According to Kansai Scene magazine, "The chronicle about the origin of this district says that in AD 966 the Buddhist priest Shoku received spiritual enlightenment from Monju, the God of Wisdom and Intellect. The God also advised Shoku that anyone who climbed Shosha-san would be purified both physically and spiritually. Following this belief Shoshasan became popular and principal Buddhist priests visited in order to be advised by Shoku. Even until today Shosha-san and its major temple Maniden are visited by many pilgrims throughout the year."

The area was beautiful, with moutain paths and walking trails through stunning clearings. From one shady spot, where a set of picnic tables are provided as well as benches for enjoying the sight and a quick snack. You can even take a ropeway up the mountain, which is especially nice after a long lost bike ride there. From Himeji station there are buses that leave for Mt. Shosha pretty regurlarly.

While Shosha-san might be a famous spot for pilgrimages and studying Buddhism, recently it is more famous for being the first place that Ken Wantanabe and Tom Cruise talked in the 2003 blockbuster The Last Samurai. Many of my students have noted this movie as being their favorite film, while others kind of shrug it off.