| The Beer Geisha I bought this beer server at a Japanese "recycle shop" (thrift store). This is apparently a famous Japanese actress or talk show host. (because the box has her photo and autograph on it). She holds an entire Japanese conversation with you, then pours beer into your glass. Finally, she says, "Kompai!" (this is "to the bottom" in Japanese and is a popular toast in Japan.) Japanese love their beer with a full head of foam. Self-serve beer machines at our local Sushi spot have 2 spouts..the first for the beer, the second for about two inches of foam for the top. |
Culture Shock: Some Things We Didn't Know About Japan
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| We have been consistently amazed by how much alcohol is consumed by the Japanese. It seems that Osake and Sho Chu are to the Japanese what vodka is to the Russian. Here are some of our favorites: Grapefruit Chu HI 40% Sho-chu 40% grapefruit juice (either grapefruit mixer from a Japanese store or you can use frozen concentrate mixed double strength) 20% club soda Juice or 1/2 fresh grapefruit Juice of 1/2 of a fresh lemon Sake: Called "Osake" here in Japan, this can be served hot or cold, depending on the style. The brands always have interesting names like " Divine Droplets" , "Shadows of Katano", or "Shrine of the Village". Osake breweries have long histories dating back to ancient monks and Buhddist temples. One of our favorites is to the right . Favorite Japanese Beer: "Yona Yona Ale" made in Nagano, this is the only beer that is remotely similar to our favorite "northwest microbrew" style beer. |
| OSAKE Brand: NANBU BIJIN Name:Ancient Pillars Nihonshu-do +3 Alcohol 17.9% Seimaibuai 35% Acidity 1.4 Rice Yamada NishikiYeast Iwate #2 (original Iwate yeast) DESCRIPTION: Junmai Daiginjo. Made by Nanbu Bijin Shuzo, Iwate Prefecture. A fruity and elegant sake, with a long, pleasing finish. Brewed by a famous veteran master brewer with more than 35 years of experience in one of the coldest and snowiest regions of Japan. |
"Kawaii" means cute in Japanese. And, as with most things or ideas they take on, the Japanese take it to the limit. Every billboard, storefront, semi-truck and product package features some kind of cute character. 20-somethings go out to the clubs in full "Kawaii" costume. Being a person who is not into "cute", it can get kind of irritating, but this is offset by the entertainment value. This cute culture thing bisects all strata of Japanese society...the little preschoolers are into it..as are their parents, grandparents, teachers and garbage men. "Hello Kitty" and Disney are probably the most popular...(our local thrift store has "Hello Kitty" toasters, refrigerators and microwave ovens). Everyone has little "Kawaii" characters dangling from cell phones and belts. Hoe intimidated can you be when the motorcycle gang members, wearing all the black leather gear, also have plastic "Winnie the Poohs" dangling from their cell phone? |
The few,
the proud,
the Kawaii....
(this sign
advertises the
merits of the
Japanese
military....
the proud,
the Kawaii....
(this sign
advertises the
merits of the
Japanese
military....
Girl headed out
for the evening in
costume in
Harajuku, Tokyo.
We have also seen
"Little Bo Peep"
and "Snow White".
for the evening in
costume in
Harajuku, Tokyo.
We have also seen
"Little Bo Peep"
and "Snow White".
Hello Kitty gravestone anyone?
| WILD CAR NAMES The cars here are generally tiny and either amazingly rounded ...or totally boxy. Many have cute or bizarre names like "Sunny": "Bluebird";`"Life Dunk"; "Multiplay"; "Bongo"; "That's"; "Voxy"; "Mr. S" and the ever popular "Light Dump". |
Favorite Men's shoe styles