Funky Confusion

Bucket List Item #3: See Anime-CHECK

Bucket List Item #4: See Hello Kitty-CHECK

And Other Randomness

Tokyo, Japan

I’m not sure where to start with my love or my thoughts on Japan. As I mentioned in previous posts, I had wanted to visit Japan as a child and it certainly didn’t disappoint. It was one of the most interesting, unique, quirky, entertaining, mystifying and stimulating countries I have visited. I am still unsure how I was always lost, specifically in Tokyo, because it is so organized and there are so many rules of etiquette that are strictly followed by everyone. I actually found it really fun to be lost in translation and confused because everywhere I walked, with or without a plan, my thoughts were full of curiosity. It was almost like playing a little game; trying to figure everything out. Even the smallest tasks took effort. Trying to grasp the concept of how to use the toilet, when and where to take my shoes off, where to throw my trash, how to stand in line, when to eat and drink in public, how to say “hello” depending on the time of day, how to bow appropriately and what side of the street to walk on was challenging yet awesome. It eventually occurred to me that it would be beneficial to watch what everyone else was doing and follow along. I found myself doing that a lot.

But, once I understood the way things worked (for the most part), they made so much sense! It seemed as though the Japanese really understand what a person needs before they even know they need it. It was fascinating to see how a culture has become a functioning combination of traditional and modern. It’s crowded yet quiet and mannered. The people are incredibly kind, polite and respectful. It was one of very few countries that nobody stared at me or treated me differently because it’s obvious I’m a foreigner.

There is this quirky subculture underneath all the perfection. Whatever your interests, fantasies and passions are, I’m sure you can find them in Japan. You can visit a temple and attend a funky robot show all in the same day. You can even wear a traditional kimono and use your selfie stick everywhere you go. There was so much more to the culture than I had originally thought. Not one day lacked surprises. So, here are some-I could add so many more to the list-of interesting things I came across and learned mostly because I was always lost and confused!

TOILETS

Obviously this was one of the first things I had to figure out how to use. You wouldn’t think it would be so complicated but when there are numerous options for your visit it can be. It was an experience in itself.

1. Decide which style toilet you would like relieve yourself in. Do you prefer Japanese style? Western style? Maybe a children’s urinal? Ok, that one was pretty easy.

2. Is your preference available? Yellow is occupied and blue is vacant. Cool, there is availability! In case you have to wait for your option to to light up blue then be sure to stand in line to avoid congestion.

3. Alright, so you made it this far. You got the toilet your most comfortable with and feel right at home. But wait, there are more decisions to be made so take your time.

It really depends why you came in the first place but there are options for any situation. Are you trying to hide something? Then turn up that volume and hit the music note; your good to go. Feel free to hit stop whenever you would like. There are also various cleaning up options. Some like a low pressure and some like it high. It’s great to have so many choices right?! The powerful deodorizer comes in handy too. Why is there even an on/off option for that one? Congrats! You made it. Thank you for visiting.

4. Let’s say you choose a Western style toilet, it’s not available and you just can’t hold it or don’t care so you decide to opt for the Japanese style toilet. Don’t worry, there are instructions for that too!

These instructions come in handy because most squat toilets you do need to face the other way and finding the flush button can be tricky. The bathroom organization was really comical to me but the organization was actually a great idea if you think about it.

FOOD

Japanese food was so delicious and once I learned how to use the food ticket machine (and open the door to get inside), it was so convenient.

Choose which display item looks the yummiest (they look so real you could almost eat those). Take your time finding the corresponding item number on the machine to the left. Insert your money and wait for the ticket. Bring the ticket inside and wait for your meal. This whole process took me about 10 minutes to figure out.

Maybe I’m just slow but there was a lot going on. I struggled to even get inside sometimes. Many of the doors didn’t have the hand image as a clue so at first, I stood in front a few doors, staring inside, pulling on the edge, pressing my foot on the ground to trigger a possible automatic opening, wondering if the place was closed because I didn’t know how to open them. I was starting to think my brain just wasn’t advanced enough for these common sense concepts.

I also noticed that some locals loudly slurped their noodles, which I was told is a sign of their deliciousness. As much as I try to do as the locals do, I had to pass this one up for fear that the noodle would end up looking like a loose water hose whipping hot broth all over my face. But, they were delicious!

Vending machines were everywhere and the only place it was actually appropriate to drink and smoke in public (besides the designated smoking areas). You are supposed to finish the beverage and the cigarette by the machine and toss it right away. It’s not respectful to drink or smoke while your walking or to bring food and beverages on the metro; another mistake I made at first. To clear up more confusion, it was later explained to me that the beverages coded in blue meant they were cold and red was hot. Wow! I guess I didn’t catch that one either.

Garbage cans are also very difficult to find so it’s convenient to finish the drink right away because you may not find anywhere to throw it for a while. I always had a little trash bag with me throughout the day because it was so difficult to find a bin. Surprisingly, the streets were so clean and I rarely saw trash on the ground.

My sweet tooth always kicked in at some point in the day and the different flavored treats were so exciting. Green tea and matcha were the easiest flavors to find in almost everything; chocolate, ice cream, suckers, gum, cake, smoothies..everything. I wanted to eat the crepes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  And black sesame ice cream? Yum!

A trip to the grocery store was always interesting as I never really knew what anything was. Luckily, many items had some sort of picture on the front so that helped. Thank goodness for cartoon animal clues.

ENTERTAINMENT

The world of anime and manga was interesting. I never knew too much about it and it actually seemed a little weird to me. But I knew enough, thanks to my boyfriend’s obsession and being forced to watch it excitedly wanting to watch it, to want to see what it was all about. I wondered through an area called Akihabara, the electronic district of Tokyo and the place to check out the Japanese hand-drawn and computer animation along with toys and other bizarre goodies. The area was visually stimulating; so many colors, varieties and weirdness. It was a whole different fantasy world; I felt like a child. #1-CHECK

There were numerous stores filled five or six stories high of anime, manga, figurines, dress-up clothing and souvenirs . If I was anime obsessed it would have been pretty overwhelming; like a kid in a candy store.

 

The adult toy and hentai (anime porn) shops were well, eye-opening to say the least. I won’t go into detail because I couldn’t comprehend how most of it could bring pleasure to anyone, but each to their own. In one shop it posted that women weren’t allowed to enter the top floor. However, I just had to peek my head in and see how much worse it really was. Yup, I shouldn’t have done that. There was a reason for the sign.

The Japanese also love their toy vending machines, which were scattered throughout the streets and in stores dedicated to only those. I wasn’t exactly sure what was inside or if they were collectables like we use to obsess over as children, but it was cute to see grown men putting their money inside and excitedly opening their surprise. Apparently there are also vending machines with used woman’s underwear, but unfortunately I couldn’t come across one of these, as hard as I searched.

I walked through the streets going inside any shop I saw just to figure out what is was and sometimes I never did. I contemplated getting my nails painted with anime characters (no, not really) or maybe buying a cute character dress but unfortunately I didn’t have enough space in bag. I thought about trying my luck at the many toy claw machine shops too, but I was never any good at those.

Walking by the arcades and casinos when the doors were open had to have been the loudest, therefore the easiest thing to find in Japan.

The maid cafes were another bizarre concept and apparently featured in actual anime series. Cute, young women (who actually look like high-school girls), stand outside in their little anime costumes offering to serve you a coffee and cake speaking in their innocent kitten voices and getting into character. Depending on the cafe, you can pay extra to snap a picture with her or have her sing. Some offer “cuddle sessions” if you need a quick nap but prefer to snuggle while getting some shut-eye. You pay by the amount of time your nap requires. I’m not sure if you can pay more for anything else, but I have heard sometimes it’s possible. The love hotels down the street are probably a better option for that. It’s also possible to rent a cubicle to sleep in by the hour or for a full night at a manga cafe. They are stocked with various manga (Japanese comic books) and computers and internet are available. Some have food and showers as well. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to experience a night in one of these.

I spent the next couple days constantly walking in the wrong direction, getting lost in the excitement of everything I walked by. Eventually I found an area called Harajuku; another shopping area and popular teenager subculture scene.

There were people dressed in cosplay; playing out their fantasy characters.

The stores were full of random and bizarre clothes, trinkets and souvenirs. I had expected to see Hello Kitty everywhere as the child in me was hoping so, but surprising I didn’t come across that much of it. However, I did find a Hello Kitty store! #2-CHECK

As if Japan itself didn’t seem like it already, this place was like a whole other world. Maybe for once I wasn’t the only one lost in reality. You could be whoever you wanted to be here!

The caution signs throughout the city and the metro were funny too. Many of them warned people of dangers from using their selfie sticks and mistakenly falling into the railway or into the street. Seriously, the selfie stick is striving well here and I was the weirdo not having one. There was a possibly of being wacked or clotheslined (depending if it was extended to its max) more than once throughout the day. Looks like the fella in the picture below was just out getting a sweet gift for his wife and ended up sucking down too much sake with his buddy. The woman behind him doesn’t seem to be concerned that he’s about to step right into the train. At least she got a photo! Or is she taking a selfie?

Japan was incredibly fascinating for more many more reasons than I shared here. Each day was full of surprises! I felt like I just got my toes wet. I’ll be back one day for more exploring! I be sure not to forget my selfie stick next time.

Which country fascinates you?