Definitly Japan
mad pierrot said:
Lately I've heard many complaints about gaijin life in Japan. (Not just from Engrish teachers.) On the flipside, a recent trip I took back to the states reminded me how much I love life in Japan. All in all, I think I like living in Japan more.
If you don't mind me asking what was it about the US that reminded you how much you love life in Japan?
mad pierrot said:
So tell me, what would your ideal life in Japan be?
Outside of being asked for my gaijin card once in a while, getting turned down for an apartment, or receiving the usual "20 questions, "My ideal life in Japan would consist of some of the following:
A decent house or "mansion" outside of Tokyo within a decent walking distance of an express stop train station. Walking to the station and up and down the steps, provides excellent exercise. I wouldn't desire or need a car. I can set my watch to the tone on NHK and know that if the train schedule says 10:42 that that is when the train will depart.
I would have all the ammenities one would need in a Japanese abode including a
tatami mat room and a
kotatsu. I would also own a bicycle for shopping. A computer with high speed internet is a must. I would eat traditional Japanese food for all my meals including the occassional soba at the train station. My refrigerator would always be stocked with Asahi Super Dry beer delivered by the local
sakaya-san. I would enjoy ordering
soba,
ramen, pizza,or
sushi by phone and having it delivered within a half hour on real plates that I would then leave outside my door to be picked up later. I would enjoy
Yamazaki bread, the freshest I have ever tasted, for toast and sandwiches once in a while.
I would be retired and would probably be teaching English part time or I may just start up my own school again and hire some of you to teach there (transportation expenses paid of course.)
I would be able to play
pachinko and/or
pachislo to my hearts content as I usually win over 80% of the time and always come out ahead in the long run. (Once you know how to play it's quite easy if you know when to quit.) Although these days it's easier to win at
pachislo than
pachinko.
I would be going often to the local
izakaya or
akachochin owned by ex-
yakuza friends where I would have a "
key bottle" of
Suntory Old Whisky or
Hakkutsuru Sake with my name on it. They really are nice people when you get to know them. While there I would also sing
enka in Japanese once in a while. I may order fresh cucumber with
miso paste on it or broiled squid legs with mayonaise and soy sauce along with
edamame (soy beans.) I would never have to worry about walking home late at night drunk and someone mugging me or something.
I would enjoy getting a haircut and the most excellent shave and massage I ever had that comes along with it. No need to tip.
I would always look forward to
Sumo on TV and seeing a tournament live at least once a year; the high school baseball tournament in the summer; watching the Giants lose; and the typical silly TV at new years time. Speaking of new years I would very much be looking forward to the food and
omochi (hammered rice cakes)
I would enjoy going to the local festivals, carrying an
Omikoshi again, fireworks in the summer, and the occassional visit to an
onsen while eating
onigiri or a
bento on the train with "
One Cup Ozeki" sake. Maybe even take the ferry to Niijima island in the summer and stay in a
Minshuku for old times sake.
Niijima island always had the highest waves.
Sitting under the Cherry Blossom trees in April and drinking
sake and eating
osenbei (rice crackers) and dried squid. Going to beer gardens on hot humid nights and ordering a
daijooki (large mug) of draft beer.
I would enjoy the local coffee shop where I can spend a couple of hours reading a book while only ordering one or two cups of coffee and maybe a pizza and no one tries to push me out the door. Japanese iced coffee would be a must, especially in the summer.
I would enjoy shopping at the local supermarket where you can sample all kinds of foods and the cashier always bows to you while placing your change and receipt into your hands.
The hot bath every night in the winter and the cold beer that always follows, and then slipping into the nice thick
futon with the heavy quilts and the heat turned off in the winter, or just under a thin sheet in the summer with a fan quietly blowing in the corner. While slipping off to sleep I might hear a motorcycle go by, sirens in the distance and the occassional dog barking.