T.I.J. (This is Japan)

[Yokohammer]

where's waldo?

Where's the water?!?!

[Greji]

Where's the water?!?!

Just coming out of 250 different bladders....

[Taro Toporific]

...I've got to say, I've never seen 'walking lanes' in a pool before!

Actually, the Walking Lanes are a great work out for majority of people (99%) who cannot swim laps for 30+ minutes. No matter how unskilled a person is, they can briskly "walk" laps in the pool, and if they keep going for more than 20-to-30 minutes, they will get a hell of a work out.


(Hell, I always like to add a 15-minute, high-speed, dog-paddle to my regular 40 minute swim just to boast the anaerobic workout.)

[Adhesive]

WTFBBQ?
Why do public pools in Japan have to cost so much?
Odaiba
Oiso "Long Beach"
Jesus F. Christ.. 25 dollars to get in some overly-crowded pool with inakamons? This was Ikemen's plan for the Sunday afternoon but he will have to find somewhere else he can better utilize his 25 bucks.

Isn't Tokyo awesome?

[Tsuru]

Seriously F that.
http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/s/article/2009081490090636.html

Do they still clear the pool every so often to check for bodies?

[Taro Toporific]

Oiso "Long Beach"
Jesus F. Christ.. 25 dollars to get in some overly-crowded pool with inakamons?

Isn't Tokyo awesome?

The fun part is that Oiso "Long Beach" is a costly huge pool in front of a perfectly good free beach (if the nature-worshiping Japanese would stop dumping their trash on it).



google maps

[MrUltimateGaijin]

they can briskly "walk" laps in the pool, and if they keep going for more than 20-to-30 minutes, they will get a hell of a work out.

a HELL of a workout? for the elderly and grossly unfit.

[Greji]

a HELL of a workout? for the elderly and grossly unfit.

Hey! Right in both counts, but leave me out of this!

[Amanojakuu]

What's with the ridiculous stretch your arms out as far as possible style of walking.

A lot of things about this country make me think a monty python foot is about to come out of nowhere and obliterate the scene in front of me

[Amanojakuu]

Getting stopped at night in the street for a random visa/gaijin card check, only for the policeman to become very interested in my iphone and ask me about what it can do...

[pheyton]

Getting stopped at night in the street for a random visa/gaijin card check, only for the policeman to become very interested in my iphone and ask me about what it can do...

Be thankful it isn't the US cause your iphone would have been thrown on the ground and stomped on.

Always look on the bright side of life!

[wuchan]

Getting stopped at night in the street for a random visa/gaijin card check, only for the policeman to become very interested in my iphone and ask me about what it can do...

It is called "the free engrish lesson".

[Amanojakuu]

Haha I thought that was on the cards but it was all conducted in Japanese...

[kingofmyworld01]

whoa

[D chama]

Being hit on by desperate Obasans who want to see some REAL chinko before it's too late.

[britpopboy]

Oh, I used a site whilst I was in the UK extensively called http://www.moneysavingexpert.com which offers loads of useful advice on things like consumer rights, dealing with banks, and good deals, written by a lawyer. It also offers templated letters for dealing with certain issues. Anyone know of anything similar that exists in Japan?

not a chance.....banks are trusted institutions, why else would Japan have the greatest level of public savings anywhere?

[Greji]

Being hit on by desperate Obasans who want to see some REAL chinko before it's too late.

Ahh, if that's a problem, I can send you my keitai number to pass out.....

[nottu]

[cujojpn]

Is this is as bad as it gets?
I'm ready for citizenship.

Its all the same in the end right?

[Bucky]

Posting from a sorry ass noob

Is it normal that a engineering fresh grad with various working and entrepreneurial experiences, graduated from one of the top foreign university in Asia to get a salary in Japan that is even lower than an unskilled driver of the same company that has worked for 3, 4 years?

Is it also normal to have a 3 month probation period at hourly rate of 750yen an hour before being hired as Seisyayin for the above fresh grad?

Sounds like the answer might be Yes.

[sublight]

Hanami matsuri at my kid's school today.

One thing I love about Japan: not only is it perfectly acceptable to attend school functions half-popped with a beer in your hand, the school will then give you a parent discount on your next beer.

[Doctor Stop]

[IparryU]

Hanami matsuri at my kid's school today.

One thing I love about Japan: not only is it perfectly acceptable to attend school functions half-popped with a beer in your hand, the school will then give you a parent discount on your next beer.

true that! I was at my kid's field day and my wife told me i can bring some chu hais if i wanted to... I was sorta embarrassed because I would was one of 3 gaijin dads there and I was the only one drinking.

but then some ojiichan was there with two 500 ml six packs of super dry just faded. I ended up sitting close to him and joined. Holding my son and doing the tug of war was a bit rough though, had to put my booze down, but it never left my eyes.

you bring a beer to school in Cali at some child related thing and teachers call the 50...

I love Japan:D

[IkemenTommy]

true that! I was at my kid's field day and my wife told me i can bring some chu hais if i wanted to... I was sorta embarrassed because I would was one of 3 gaijin dads there and I was the only one drinking.

It's sorta encouraged in Japan. Hell, if I can get away with pre-partying with a 500ml can of beer on the Yamanote, then it's gotta be part of the culture.

[Ketou]

Alcohol is definitely one of the good things about Japan. Hard liquors are nice and cheap, about half the price of home, and I can walk around town or on the trains having a brew and no-one bats an eyelid.

[nottu]

[Greji]

I have to say some fucking idiot wrote in my CP-
"Japan can can have you - good riddance.
What a fucking douche bag.
I'm here - Or shall I say keep fucking trying to fit in Nijojin you hapless sorry ass mf.
...........................

Damn! You get all the good fans....

[canman]

Went to watch my friend's son's team play in the prefectural summer baseball tournament. Came away with a raging headache, as during the whole game they never stopped chanting, cheering, or banging together these bull horn plastic things. On a side note, I think the soccer team in South Africa must have felt at home with all the noise made by the vuvuzellas, it is what they are used to.
Anyway during the game, one of the players hit a double that scored two runs, which turned out to be the winning runs. As he got to second base he threw his hands up in the air to cheer, and did a typical "guts" pose. The second base umpire ran over and warned him to stop that! WTF, this kid gets the the biggest hit of his life, wants to celebrate, and is told not to cheer. And people wonder why many Japanese are considered robotic. Now I understand if he was doing backflips and running around the bases high fiving the opposing players that would be a bit much, but a fist pump, is too much. Lighten up Mr. sourpuss.

[CrankyBastard]

Just got back from a quick visit to Europe.
I was handed a leaflet at Narita airport.
.........................................................................................................
We hold "NIPPON WEEK (Japan Week)" at Terminals 1 and 2 for one week from today to August 2!
This event introduces Japanese tradition and culture from "Narita," Japan's air gateway to the world.
Last time, it was popular among many people.
Once again, we will have many events, in which you can experience "Japan," which are very popular among international passengers.
You can enjoy various "Japan" through Japanese craftwork experience (knotting, mud cards, tatami coasters), buckling on armor, candy shaped in figures.
Why not experience the bodily sensation of NIPPON at Narita Airport?
.....................................................................................................
Any bodily sensations you'd like to experience at Narita Airport?

[Greji]

Any bodily sensations you'd like to experience at Narita Airport?

Wow! Mud Cards! I'm getting a stiffy already.....