Blogs on Japan

Blogs on Japan has started a new feature where we interview different bloggers who blog about Japan. Today we will find out What Japan Thinks.

If you would like to be interviewed, please contact me! Also if you are looking for some interesting blogs on Japan, take a look at the previous interviews.

So, what does Japan really think?

Just like in any other country, there are many different ideas and ways of thinking present within the Japanese culture Despite the population being 98% of Japanese descent, and despite popular stereotypes of groupthink there really are very few matters where you find anything close to unanimity.

What has been the most surprising poll/results from one of the polls? Lire le reste de cet article »

Blogs on Japan has started a new feature where we interview different bloggers who blog about Japan. Today we have one of our own authors of this site and the author of Japan Photo Guide babibubebo.

If you would like to be interviewed, please contact me! Also if you are looking for some interesting blogs on Japan, take a look at the previous interviews.

OK, first I gotta ask, what the heck is babibubebo?

Hehe, well, as far as I am aware of it has no real meaning. Japanese language is based on 5 sounds:

1. a (as in paw)
2. i (as in key)
3. u (as in food)
4. e (as in hay)
5. o (as in low)

Then to make other sounds you just add another letter infront of that sound, for example, ka ki ku ke ko, ra ri ru re ro and so on. I just liked the way ba bi bu be bo sounded (bah bee boo bay boh) and went with that. Most people don’t know what it means so I also have the domain Japan Photo Guide .

When did you start blogging about Japan and why did you start?

I started about one year ago, July 2006 I think, because basically I was traveling around Japan taking a lot of photos and decided I wanted to do something to share them with people. Also, after I went to most of the famous places it became harder to find information in English about the lesser known but sometimes equally beautiful/interesting places in Japan. So I decided I would try and share that information from my past travel experiences.

Describe your blog in one word.

Photography

If you could introduce one of your posts to new readers which one would it be and why?

I am going to cheat here and introduce them to two. The first is my favorite specific place (not city) in Japan, Himeji Castle. IMHO, Himeji Castle, during cherry blossom season, is the best. The second is about internet cafes. I am not sure why, but I have a slight obsession with Japanese internet cafes and find them just so cool and relaxing.

What blogs do you read?

• Engadget
• TUAW
• Japan Probe
• Tokyo Times

What is your favorite place you have been to in Japan and why?

Whoops, already answered this one. Specifically Himeji Castle, but if we are talking about a city, I love big cities, so I gotta go with Tokyo. If we are talking about an area of Japan, I gotta go with Kansai just because it has so much to offer (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Arashiyama, Himeji…).

How long have/did you live in Japan?

About two years and 5 months.

The best thing about Japan is…

Wow, really difficult for me to choose one, but I won’t cheat here. I am going to go with the food.

The worst thing about Japan is…

Wow, really easy for me to choose. A lot of ATMs (especially outside Tokyo) close as early as 5-7pm on the weekends! What’s up with that? This bothers me a lot more than it should! Why does an ATM need to close at all? GRRRR!!!

What is the most delicious food you have had in Japan?

Shabu Shabu

What is the most disgusting food you have had in Japan?

This

What is the coolest gadget you have used or seen in Japan?

As much as I want an iPhone, the only thing I am more obsessed with than the internet cafes in Japan are the cell phones in Japan. I especially enjoy being able to use my cell phone to pay for things (including train fares and food) by simply touching my cell phone to a sensor. Much faster and easier than dealing with cash or swiping, waiting, signing for credit card. Oh, and my cell phone has facial recognition to lock and unlock these money paying functions!

Blogs on Japan has started a new feature where we interview different bloggers who blog about Japan. So far, we have interviewed bloggers that view Japan from the outside, but today’s interview is with a Japanese blogger that writes in English on a few different daily photo blogs, Macky.

If you would like to be interviewed, please contact me! Also if you are looking for some interesting blogs on Japan, take a look at the previous interviews.

When did you start blogging about Japan and why did you start?

I started two blogs, Tokyo Daily Photo and Kyoto Daily Photo, about a year ago and would like to let people outside Japan know about the modern and traditional side of Japan, which won’t be seen in guide book.

Describe your blog in one word.

Tokyo Daily Photo: modern
Kyoto Daily Photo: traditional

What blogs do you read?

I prefer reading the other members’ Daily Photo in the Daily Photo Community, which is made by Eric of Paris Daily Photo. Most of the blogs really share nice picture.

What is your favorite place you have been to in Japan and why?

One of my favorite places is Tsukiji fish market because there are so many kinds of fish sold there at the high-dense small shops. The place is just like aquarium. If you go there early in the morning, you can see the tuna auction and then also enjoy sushi in the market if you want.

How long have/did you live in Japan?

Since I was born

The best thing about Japan is…

The sensibility of Japanese arts, such as architecture, gardens, artworks, cuisine and more. They are in general small and look simple but elaborate.

The worst thing about Japan is…

Though it might be my prejudice, bad manners of some middle-aged women’s often annoy me. Their bad manners call them “Obatarian”. The heat and humidity in the summer also makes me feel bad.

What is the most delicious food you have had in Japan?

I prefer sushi. There are delicious sushi restaurant in Tokyo, though it is rather expensive.

What is the coolest gadget you have used or seen in Japan?

The toilette seat whose cover open automatically when someone stand in front of it. The vending machine where we can buy canned drink at cell phone with plastic money.

Thanks for taking the time for the interview, we really appreciate it!

Blogs on Japan has started a new feature where we interview different bloggers who blog about Japan. Today we got a real newb, JapanNewbie. If you would like to be interviewed, please contact me! Also if you are looking for some interesting blogs on Japan, take a look at the previous interviews.

If you could introduce one of your posts to new readers which one would it be and why?

I would recommend this post where I report on the results of a lecture by Jay Rubin that I attended. Jay Rubin does most of Murakami Haruki’s Japanese to English translation, so he has a lot of interesting things to mention regarding the topic. Most of my posts are usually just humorous or strange, so this serious one could easily get lost in the pile!

What is your favorite place you have been to in Japan and why?

I love the entire Kansai area, but recently I went to Tamaki Shrine in Nara, and had a great time. I have been to many shrines in Japan, but this one really stands out in my mind as one of the most beautiful.

How long have/did you live in Japan?

I have been in Japan for 5 years now, not including one year as an exchange student back in 2000. It’s been a long time!

The best thing about Japan is…

The language!

The worst thing about Japan is…

The language… It’s a love hate relationship.

Who is your favorite Japanese celebrity?

I’m a big fan of Hiroyuki Sanada from movies such as Twilight Samurai and Last Samurai. Twilight Samurai is one of my all-time favorite Japanese movies, and Sanada does a great job in it. Highly recommended!

What is the most delicious food you have had in Japan?

Maybe living in Osaka has given me a biased opinion… But I love Takoyaki! A quick search for “takoyaki” on JapanNewbie will reveal just how often I post on the subject. Everyone in Osaka loves Takoyaki!

What is the most disgusting food you have had in Japan?

Easy. This fish head that was served at a wedding I went to. I couldn’t even look at it… Even though it was staring right at me…

I understand about the fish head… believe it or not yours actually looks appetizing compared to the time I was given fish head on a stick! Anyway, thanks again for the interview!