dang I'm from U.S. and I was planning when I graduate from college to go to Japan but now I realize japan is pretty bad... What I like about Japan is the Culture, Anime,and Music. It would be nice getaway for me to straighten my life... are there bugs in japan that get on your face all the time? because in india flies and mosquitos are always bothering you...
What do you not like or hate about Japan?
- Thread starter Ancient_Samurai
- Start date
Flowerbird
後輩
- 22 Dec 2004
- 15
- 0
I didn't like the way some people treat their pets. For instance, I used to live next to a family with a dog, which they always kept chained. I never saw them taking the poor thing out for a walk. I complained to my host family and they told me the dog was 12 years old and had always been chained like that. What a miserable life! Then I started to notice other dogs being kept in the same way. It's really a disgrace to see this happening in a first world country.
Shibuyaexpat
先輩
- 19 Jan 2005
- 195
- 25
Things I love about Japan (Tokyo specifically):
- Though rare, ATMs that take coins when depoisting money!
- Cigarette vending machines (and the cost of cigarettes)--now. now. I know all about the health risks so spare me ;P
- Trains that actually run on time (barring the occasional accident). I lived in the SF/Bay Area and anyone who's taken the Muni or BART will totally understand what I'm saying.
- Clean taxi cabs! Ever take a cab in NYC? One feels like a perp in the back of a squad car or a caged animal behind that plexiglass shield.
- Little hand towels at restaurants.
Things I find irritating:
- People (more guys than women) who "slip" through closing doors without a thought to keep it open for the person behind them
- People who see a crammed train car, and think, "Yeah, there's room for me still!" and jam their way in.
- Not being able to deviate from a set menu. Onion rings instead of fries; not lettuce, extra onions, etc.
- Being of Korean descent, going to Korean restaurants and being charged for rice and the little side dishes that are normally complimentary. I could forgive the side dishes, but RICE?!!! That's an integral part of the meal. It's like ordering a ham sandwich, and being charged extra because you want bread!
- Eki-net Shinkansen online ticket ordering. What an absolute nightmare! The only way to know if there is a seat available is to go through the hassle of reserving and then wait for a confirmation email. If that particular train you selected is full, you have to repeat the process from the beginning. They don't even suggest which trains have available seats. And there is no way of doing a round trip reservation. If you're planning a trip during high season, you can generally expect to receive a least 20 emails from Eki-net. Advice for foreign visitors planning trips within Japan: have your local travel agent do your booking. The money you spend will equate into time saved and aggravation averted.
- Though rare, ATMs that take coins when depoisting money!
- Cigarette vending machines (and the cost of cigarettes)--now. now. I know all about the health risks so spare me ;P
- Trains that actually run on time (barring the occasional accident). I lived in the SF/Bay Area and anyone who's taken the Muni or BART will totally understand what I'm saying.
- Clean taxi cabs! Ever take a cab in NYC? One feels like a perp in the back of a squad car or a caged animal behind that plexiglass shield.
- Little hand towels at restaurants.
Things I find irritating:
- People (more guys than women) who "slip" through closing doors without a thought to keep it open for the person behind them
- People who see a crammed train car, and think, "Yeah, there's room for me still!" and jam their way in.
- Not being able to deviate from a set menu. Onion rings instead of fries; not lettuce, extra onions, etc.
- Being of Korean descent, going to Korean restaurants and being charged for rice and the little side dishes that are normally complimentary. I could forgive the side dishes, but RICE?!!! That's an integral part of the meal. It's like ordering a ham sandwich, and being charged extra because you want bread!
- Eki-net Shinkansen online ticket ordering. What an absolute nightmare! The only way to know if there is a seat available is to go through the hassle of reserving and then wait for a confirmation email. If that particular train you selected is full, you have to repeat the process from the beginning. They don't even suggest which trains have available seats. And there is no way of doing a round trip reservation. If you're planning a trip during high season, you can generally expect to receive a least 20 emails from Eki-net. Advice for foreign visitors planning trips within Japan: have your local travel agent do your booking. The money you spend will equate into time saved and aggravation averted.
- 10 Apr 2004
- 1,398
- 81
zero g said:
Japan is great. This thread is just about the bad things. Everyone here, despite the bad things they've listed, really likes Japan or they probably wouldn't be here at this site. There's bad points about everywhere. Don't let any of this scare you.
- 13 Jan 2005
- 145
- 5
Dislikes about Japan
High prices.
Incredibily stressful education system.
That's all I can name at the moment.
High prices.
Incredibily stressful education system.
That's all I can name at the moment.
- 18 Oct 2004
- 2,497
- 110
Haven't found anything I don't like about Japan, but...
I have not found anything yet I don't like about Japan itself, but there is one annoying thing that the Japanese do: their penchant for the avoidance of "no." Instead, they use "it is difficult" or similar phrases.
I have not found anything yet I don't like about Japan itself, but there is one annoying thing that the Japanese do: their penchant for the avoidance of "no." Instead, they use "it is difficult" or similar phrases.
Hmm, apart from everything else that's probably been mentioned so far, it "really" annoys me that they love white people, and increasingly black people , so much, and the rest of the world (especially asian people, I'm of indian ethnicity) get screwed over in the pecking order.
Things that I like about Japan:
1) They make good video games
2) Japan is nice place to shop although goods are too expensive.
3)Shinkansen
Things that I hate about Japan:
1) Young teenagers who wear stylish clothes. They swear(saying nasty words) in the public too much with broken english. Plus, they intentionally pick up fight to people they don't even know.
2) Subway stations.Some places are OK, but some are really unclean.
3) Japanese beer
4) Japanese people's attitude towards other Asians.
1) They make good video games
2) Japan is nice place to shop although goods are too expensive.
3)Shinkansen
Things that I hate about Japan:
1) Young teenagers who wear stylish clothes. They swear(saying nasty words) in the public too much with broken english. Plus, they intentionally pick up fight to people they don't even know.
2) Subway stations.Some places are OK, but some are really unclean.
3) Japanese beer
4) Japanese people's attitude towards other Asians.
Shibuyaexpat
先輩
- 19 Jan 2005
- 195
- 25
Kleenex said:
And they are different from teenagers in the US and S. Korea? U.S. teens are awful (I should know, I probably trained most of them ;p), and S. Korean teenagers are no better. I was in a train in Seoul with a Caucasian colleague (speaking English) and a group of teenagers started making comments about us. I immediately shot them a look to tell them that I understood what they were saying, and then they started to harass us even more!
Kleenex said:
Compared to what? Either I've been to many crappy subways or you're living in a hygenic bubble.
Kleenex said:
I haven't sampled all of what's out there, but on the whole, I think it's pretty decent. Ebisu draft (not can or bottle) is pretty good. Recently tried some of that happoshu, and it's pretty much akin to beer flavored soda water.
I don't know that it's the individual citizens or the government (which I classify as coddled, middle- to late-aged men, more obsessed with groping young girls and taking kickbacks than running a government for people). Individuals I have met have been extremely kind and interested in other cultures, whereas the gov't policies seem based on the narrow-minded, under-educated, reality via manga attitudes. Don't get me wrong. I think the same way for American government as well. Government's means of perpetuating its existence is to create the fear of the unknown and then act as the solution. The beauty of this scenario is that there really is nothing to fear so they can sit on their fat asses and do nothing and it looks as if they are successful. What a crock-o-sh#t!Kleenex said:
mad pierrot
I jump to conclusions
- 22 Nov 2003
- 1,453
- 85
Man, recently the NHK man has been getting on my nerves. He's hunting me down like a dog. Last week he sent a bill to my Board of Education because he couldn't find me. I hide in fear......
Ancient_Samurai
paint your wagon
- 1 Mar 2005
- 5
- 0
- Thread starter
- #40
This has all been very interesting. I have learnt things about Japan that I had NO idea about. I think I should put in my two cents now.
One thing: Certain things are very irrelevant, and answers will change for the individual preferences. I have no reason to see how weather would say anything positive or negative about a country. People are ALL over the planet- from tropical to sandy deserts to deserts of ice, and people have survived fine all these years, so yeah, no need to complain about the weather- Land plants and water animals/plants need water to survive! (duh)
Also there was a comment about gray buildings in Japan. Gray gloomy buildings are in many cities and Japan may have some, but it also has many beautiful buildings. I much admire their amazing ancient craft of architecture. Although this link does not have many old buildings some of the new buildings are interesting. check it out!: http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/?id=100297 and check the icon "Images" to see some neat pics. Of course cities always look scary with their many people and high buildings, but around the world many amazing buildings have been built.
This building from Tokyo is amazing, check it!: http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=233474 To find it: Go to the first link and click on the buildings Icon, then the famous buildings link to find a page of interesting buildings.
Also for those of us who LOVE graffiti you can visit some Japan Tokyo graffiti at: http://homepage3.nifty.com/Graffiti/ Sorry, this link seems broken, I will update when I can find out a way to get it to work. If you click on "what's new", then try clicking back and forth enough- it works eventually!
I love picturesque Japan- that is I love the traditional culture, the clothing, food, the language, the celebrations. Much of Japans history is quite fascinating, especially if you read some of the myths such as- The floating world, or Izanami and Izanagi, or World without sun.
But the new Japan has some amazing contributes, along with some sad decisions- Just like in many parts of the world, at this time.
Years ago, China gave the Western world (Europe/Britain) Paper, writing and gun powder but in these last few decades Japan has opened up to present us with Anime, Video gaming, and superior technology. It can attribute much more then that, just as China has much more to share then paper, but only Japan came up with its unique animation style that captivates many, its supreme technologies that spawned Video Gaming, and the Japanese Cities contain some of the most brilliantly built transportation the world has seen.
A person can go to the Japanese Temples and absorb the life of the monks, then switch to a completely different lifestyle just by going into one of the cities and amercing ones self with anime, lots of bright lights, and video games, then one can go see another side of Japan and hit a Karaoke house. So it seems like many unique forms of life gets expressed in Japan.
(some of you may be thinking that Video games are bad news, but really many games are very impressive like: For the older gaming days; games like the bubble bobble series, to the newer games such as the Chrono trigger series or the Seiken Densetsu series (Secret/Legend of Mana.) Or puzzle games like Magical drop! So yeah, many Japanese Video games are amazing and fun and stimulate the mind and lift the spirits.) (Of course having a beautiful untouched place on this planet to go and honour and appreciate is VERY important, so lets not all get glued to the screen, be it TV or video game, and go outside and enjoy and help preserve nature!)
With a country filled with so much diversity you really wonder where this brilliance comes from. I think if you study its ancient past- you can uncover its mysterious now, and maybe realize its grate potential for the future.
-Over and out
One thing: Certain things are very irrelevant, and answers will change for the individual preferences. I have no reason to see how weather would say anything positive or negative about a country. People are ALL over the planet- from tropical to sandy deserts to deserts of ice, and people have survived fine all these years, so yeah, no need to complain about the weather- Land plants and water animals/plants need water to survive! (duh)
Also there was a comment about gray buildings in Japan. Gray gloomy buildings are in many cities and Japan may have some, but it also has many beautiful buildings. I much admire their amazing ancient craft of architecture. Although this link does not have many old buildings some of the new buildings are interesting. check it out!: http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/?id=100297 and check the icon "Images" to see some neat pics. Of course cities always look scary with their many people and high buildings, but around the world many amazing buildings have been built.
This building from Tokyo is amazing, check it!: http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=233474 To find it: Go to the first link and click on the buildings Icon, then the famous buildings link to find a page of interesting buildings.
Also for those of us who LOVE graffiti you can visit some Japan Tokyo graffiti at: http://homepage3.nifty.com/Graffiti/ Sorry, this link seems broken, I will update when I can find out a way to get it to work. If you click on "what's new", then try clicking back and forth enough- it works eventually!
I love picturesque Japan- that is I love the traditional culture, the clothing, food, the language, the celebrations. Much of Japans history is quite fascinating, especially if you read some of the myths such as- The floating world, or Izanami and Izanagi, or World without sun.
But the new Japan has some amazing contributes, along with some sad decisions- Just like in many parts of the world, at this time.
Years ago, China gave the Western world (Europe/Britain) Paper, writing and gun powder but in these last few decades Japan has opened up to present us with Anime, Video gaming, and superior technology. It can attribute much more then that, just as China has much more to share then paper, but only Japan came up with its unique animation style that captivates many, its supreme technologies that spawned Video Gaming, and the Japanese Cities contain some of the most brilliantly built transportation the world has seen.
A person can go to the Japanese Temples and absorb the life of the monks, then switch to a completely different lifestyle just by going into one of the cities and amercing ones self with anime, lots of bright lights, and video games, then one can go see another side of Japan and hit a Karaoke house. So it seems like many unique forms of life gets expressed in Japan.
(some of you may be thinking that Video games are bad news, but really many games are very impressive like: For the older gaming days; games like the bubble bobble series, to the newer games such as the Chrono trigger series or the Seiken Densetsu series (Secret/Legend of Mana.) Or puzzle games like Magical drop! So yeah, many Japanese Video games are amazing and fun and stimulate the mind and lift the spirits.) (Of course having a beautiful untouched place on this planet to go and honour and appreciate is VERY important, so lets not all get glued to the screen, be it TV or video game, and go outside and enjoy and help preserve nature!)
With a country filled with so much diversity you really wonder where this brilliance comes from. I think if you study its ancient past- you can uncover its mysterious now, and maybe realize its grate potential for the future.
-Over and out
Last edited:
cicatriz esp
後輩
- 21 Aug 2004
- 225
- 6
The increasing chav-ness of the Japanese young population is becoming increasingly annoying. But to each his own, I guess.
Doc
Government Man
- 13 Feb 2005
- 1,356
- 72
Pokemon' (Poke Your Mom as friends like to say), Digimon (don't get me started), The Big O, and the Yakuza piss me off. 
I also forgot to mention Japanese schoolgirls who like to giggle and talk about you behind your back. Then when you confront them about it, you have them both go into a straight face and say that you can trust them. That drives me up the wall the most!
Doc
I also forgot to mention Japanese schoolgirls who like to giggle and talk about you behind your back. Then when you confront them about it, you have them both go into a straight face and say that you can trust them. That drives me up the wall the most! Doc
Ancient_Samurai
paint your wagon
- 1 Mar 2005
- 5
- 0
- Thread starter
- #43
The youth population? we don't need to heckle the youth, thank you- they are the future. And enough with GENERALIZATION, thank you! It is impossible to say that a country of many, many people are ALL one way. The youth of Japan is a diverse group just like the youth in every country.
Also to add: Many Japanese youth are loaded with creative abilities. They have some of the most peculiar street fashion in the world. And if anyone is to comment on the Japanese youth using drugs- listen to this- The more something like drugs are suppressed, the more people will want to use it, sort of a silent rebel. And by the way, scientists can not find anything harmful with the plant drug, marijuana. And it is sad that marijuana isn't free around the world. I know that in Japan Drugs are a big no no, and seeing as Asia countries are very strict, I could see why people would need a drug to help release that logical 3rd demential consciousness continually chanting on their control, wile manipulating the lives of the people. Like in China, how many people turned to opium during a government suppression.
People need creativity, culture, an understanding of Grate Spirit, and we need to love our planet, and ourselves, our cities and towns. If love and freedom truly existed around the world I am sure people would want to achieve a planet that is fascinating and adventuresome- Too bad we are locked in the current human dilemmas!
Also to add: Many Japanese youth are loaded with creative abilities. They have some of the most peculiar street fashion in the world. And if anyone is to comment on the Japanese youth using drugs- listen to this- The more something like drugs are suppressed, the more people will want to use it, sort of a silent rebel. And by the way, scientists can not find anything harmful with the plant drug, marijuana. And it is sad that marijuana isn't free around the world. I know that in Japan Drugs are a big no no, and seeing as Asia countries are very strict, I could see why people would need a drug to help release that logical 3rd demential consciousness continually chanting on their control, wile manipulating the lives of the people. Like in China, how many people turned to opium during a government suppression.
People need creativity, culture, an understanding of Grate Spirit, and we need to love our planet, and ourselves, our cities and towns. If love and freedom truly existed around the world I am sure people would want to achieve a planet that is fascinating and adventuresome- Too bad we are locked in the current human dilemmas!
- 8 Jul 2004
- 675
- 27
A creative spirit?Ancient_Samurai said:
I didn't see too much of taht during my few years in Japan.
And what little I did see was ground away by a pulverising and soul crushing education system.
Remember, even Japanese youths 'peculiar' fashion is still very rigidly defined within Japan, dicatated by fashion magazines and popular (and increasingly western) celebrities. Heaven forbid a young person REALLY go their own fashion path of 100% their own design and style.
Index
窶禿塒弯
- 26 Feb 2005
- 601
- 27
FirstHousePooka said:
I wouldn't go so far as to say there is no creativity; just because a lot of people jump on to an idea and make it a fad doesn't mean that something was not creative in the first place. It's the idea that counts, not the way it goes on to manifest itself. Like Bossel said, it's an interesting effect, where individuality is expressed through a group dynamic, although I'd say it was a sense of belongingness and distinction rather than individuality. Creativity on the other hand, is not dependant on individuality; there are many case of new ideas in science being created through the work of a team.
Japanese are quite highly regarded in some fields like architecture (the new Gugenheim museaum building in NY was designed by a Japanese architect) for example.
Ancient_Samurai
paint your wagon
- 1 Mar 2005
- 5
- 0
- Thread starter
- #50
Well, I can't say I know the exact situation, because I have not been to Japan yet. All I Know is what I have seen and learnt from pics, T.V. shows and what people tell me. Ever seen Americas next top model when they went to Japan? We got to see how free and creative street fashion in Japan is. So it seems that in Japan the youth is free to express themselves through fashion, unlike some places in North America that I can think of!!FirstHousePooka said:
Obviously Japan is an extremely creative country. Of course one needs to search before they will find. You wont find creative expression in everyday wear- it may be hidden at a rave, or in a certain area of a district that may not be so well known.
