White Tuna

White Tuna

When I visited the States, I went to a sushi restaurant and stumbled upon a new type of sushi, “white tuna,” or as some Americans call it, “Super White Tuna.” Now I have tried just about every type of sashimi out there and was amazed to find something that I have neither heard of nor tasted. As soon as I got home, I checked online to find out what it was. I found out that most restaurants that serve this “white tuna” are not actually serving tuna but rather, escolar, snake mackerel. Escolar is super high in fat, causing a laxative effect in many people and has been banned in some countries, including Japan, because of this. That would explain my surprise at finding this at a sushi bar in the States. The real “white tuna” is actually albacore and is known as shiro maguro in sushi bars. This is what is usually considered the white tuna in Japan but of course, if you're surprised by the look and taste of the “white tuna” here in the states, remember, its probably escolar. Be careful!

School Lunch

School lunch in Japanese Elementary Schools

In April, I started teaching at elementary schools. One of the biggest differences that I noticed between elementary schools in Japan and the U.S. was the lunch system. In Japan, the students eat with their classmates and are required to eat EVERYTHING off their plate. I don't know about all of you, but being forced to eat everything is a bit extreme. Some people can eat more than others, and some have certain dislikes of food. In my case, I do not like hijiki or konyaku which is a main ingredient in most school lunches so I just leave it untouched. But as soon as the children see that I haven't eaten, all hell breaks loose. Kids start telling me that I have to eat it and then tell the teacher that I didn't eat everything. Even worse, some kids who just can't eat everything because they are full are bullied by the other kids into eating and aren't left alone until everything is clean off their plate.

In the U.S., kids are allowed to bring their lunches from home. Those who don't are allowed to choose what they want to eat from the school cafeteria so every one is happy. Now this is for me, the ideal school lunch system.

Hiroshima and Miyajima

Hiroshima and Miyajima

I recently took a trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima during Golden Week. Hiroshima is definitely a place that everyone should visit. As it is the site of the first atomic bombing during World War II, it has a very deep and sad history. Despite the horrors of the atomic bomb, the reconstruction of Hiroshima goes to show that there is always hope even at the bleakest moments. For anyone who hasn't been to Hiroshima, I highly recommend that you visit at least once. And be sure to try their okonomiyaki...its declicious!

Miyajima was also a lot of fun to visit. The Itsukushima shrine and red Torii gate were very beautiful, especially during high tide. I was even able to touch the gate during low tide. Be sure to check the tides before you visit so that you can see it at high and low tide. AND...be sure to try their barbequed oysters and momiji manju...wonderfully delicious!

Sightseeing in Japan

Living in Japan is really wonderful because there are so many wonderful spots to visit and all within a reasonable commute. I recently took a trip to Ise, Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa in 3 DAYS!!! Kanazawa was my absolute favorite. The fusion of traditional and modern really set it apart from the other areas. The 21st century contemporary art museum was stunning and just a few steps away were the famous Kenrokuen garden and Kanazawa castle park. The huts in Shirakawago and the old Edo private homes of Takayama were also a sight to see. For those who haven’t been, I highly recommend that you go.

So what’s next on my list of places to see? A trip to Kyoto and Nara in a week. Exciting!!

Renting an apartment in Japan

Since arriving in Tokyo, I have moved 3 times. When I first arrived, I was living in a guesthouse. For foreigners, especially when first arriving in Tokyo, this is the best choice. With only a 1 month refundable deposit and 1st months rent, you’re ready to move in. But the downside is that the rent is high and everything is shared (bathroom, shower, kitchen and living room). For someone private like me, this is not the ideal living situation. After one month, I moved into a private apartment. But of course, the new apartment, which I had found through an agency catering to foreigners, was about the same. Although no key money or guarantor was needed, the rent was high and the apartment was very small and old.

Once I felt settled into life in Tokyo, I decided to look for a better apartment, this time through a Japanese agency. Now I must say, the options are much better (auto-lock, separate shower and bath, closet), the rent is reasonable and there are many apartments to choose from. But the downside to this, the deposits! For someone willing to commit to several years, this is great. But for those unsure of their length of stay, this can really break the bank. I put down 5 months rent to move-in. Ouch! 2 months deposit, 1st months rent, 1 month non-refundable gift money to the real estate agency, and 1 month non-refundable guarantor’s fee. Despite the excess of rental fees, it was worth every penny to finally have a place to call home.

KFC Christmas

KFC = Christmas?

In the U.S., Christmas day is very quiet and the majority of shops are closed. Everyone gets together with family to feast on Turkey or ham and exchange gifts. But in Japan, transportation continues on as normal, shops stay open and everyone goes to work. What is even more interesting is that unlike the 20 pound turkey or ham we, Americans, eat on Christmas with family, most Japanese feast on KFC and Christmas cake. Since arriving in Japan, I have been told time and time again that Kentucky Fried Chicken is a Christmas tradition. I even heard that many make reservations weeks in advance for their KFC Christmas dinner. Now how did they come up with a tradition as unusual as that?

Although it exists, turkey isn’t common in Japan and isn’t even associated with Christmas. Colonel Saunders and the numerous advertising campaigns surrounding KFC has embedded into the minds of most Japanese, that KFC = Christmas. Maybe it’s the fact that Colonel Saunders bears resemblance to the jolly Santa Claus himself. Better yet, it might just be because his statue outside every KFC is decked out in full Santa Claus gear. Whatever the reason may be, KFC has become the image of Christmas, a tradition that I must say, is a Japanese twist to the Christian Christmas tradition of turkey/ham.

Fuji-san Conquered!

On September 6, 2008, I climbed Mt. Fuji. Because my friend was visiting from the States, it was the one and only thing she wished to do during her stay. At 11 p.m. from 5th station, we started our climb up the mountain. Though at first we were practically running up the path, the steep steps slowed us down almost immediately. Since we started our climb so late in the evening, we were a bit worried that we might miss the sunrise and therefore, rushed up the mountain. Despite the steep steps, we charged up the mountain with much determination, taking a break only after reaching 7th station. Even then, we merely stopped for 5 minutes before battling the mountain again. Rushing however, proved to be a bad idea. By the time we had reached 8th station, my friend became very sick from the altitude change and decided to rest for awhile. After 30 minutes and food, we began the hike again. As we came close to the summit, our hike slowed down once again. Masses of people were lined up, all rushing to get to the top without much success. Because the climb had slowed down so much right about the time when the sunrise was supposed to begin, we stepped off the path and situated ourselves comfortably on the side of the mountain to watch the sunrise. Despite the arduous climb, witnessing the sunrise made it all worth it. It was truly a sight to see and I recommend everyone to attempt it at least once.

The iPhone Craze

The iPhone Craze

The iPhone has finally reached the public of Japan. The first-generation iPhone was never sold in Japan. I remember, however, when it first came out in the U.S. Thousands of people camped out in front of Mac Stores across California as they awaited the opening of the store to rest their hands on the then "new" iPhone. Now that the iPhone 3G has finally been released in Japan, I can only begin to imagine the craze that has swept over Japan. Yet, it isn't only the consumer who has become caught up in the hype of the iPhone. Although Softbank Mobile is presently the only service provider to offer the iPhone in Japan, other providers are scrambling to make deals with Apple so that they too, can join in the profiting business of Mac electronics.

We have become a technology-dependent world...