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!)