Things you miss about Japan.

[Scott]

For those of you that have been there, what are some of the things you miss most about Japan?

I miss curry rice and vending machines everywhere... I also miss Karaage-kun at Lawson's - actually, I think I just miss conbini in general. Every once in a while I start missing Japan's customer service.

But to go outside of the food arena, I really, really miss the train system in Tokyo - especially the Yamanote Line. Any time I see the interior of a Japanese train or hear the warning sound that goes off at railroad crossings, I feel a bit of nostalgia. Yesterday, I swear I was walking around hearing 'densha mairimasu' and 'tsugi no wa takadanobaba' in my head.

A little stupid, but then most cases of homesickness/nostalgia are. What do you miss about Japan?

[I ARE 1031]

Scott, how long were you in Japan? Just wondering.

[Frankey-eh]

*stays away from this topic* :p

[stsparky]

The cute waitress at the Fukuoka Hard Rock Cafe. Five English book stores within walking distance. This chocolate hot fudge sundae thing at Royal Host.

- Sparky

[DarkToaster]

You know it's weird, some of the stuff that irked me has become fond memories. Every time I go into a shop now I kind of expect to hear the customary ear-shattering "IRASHIMASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" only to be met with silence. Probably the weirdest was in an Outback Steakhouse with the servers always saying "Irashimase!" coupled with a "G'Day." Try mixing a Japanese accent with an Australian one. It isn't pretty, but it's hilarious.

I also miss good old gyouza and don taco chips.

[charrick]

I miss the train melodies and crosswalk tunes from Tokyo and Yokohama. Thankfully, you can listen to them here. This is for the Yamanote Line but you can click on the links for others.
http://hisaai-hp.hp.infoseek.co.jp/JREast/Yamanote/Yt_s_eg.html

[decswxaqz]

The toilets and showers. The shower I used during my stay was amazaing. I'd spend 10 minutes just sitting there >_>

The food. All of it... except eel.

I don't miss the chorus and echo of welcome when you enter every store, or when they bag the item you bought twice, celloptape each one shut when it's some item of food you are going to eat when you get outside -_-

[Kaji]

I kind of miss seeing something interesting on the McDonald's menu, make no mentionn of the fried apple pies instead of the baked ones...Seconding what the first guy said about Japanese food. Other than that, the biggest thing I miss about Japan is being able to put my Japanese skills to use...

[seijihuzz01]

CoCo Ichiban Curry Haus!!!

Good sushi (although I've traded up for cheaper/better beef & excellent Bier!)

Public transportation. Ditto on train convenience (if not cost)! Thanks for the link to the site w/all the songs.

I like the crosswalk songs from Osaka - don't know what they're called though.

Customer service in that they're polite & bring you warm towels, but I don't miss the charade & shit-eating grins, or having to give the English menu to my Korean-American friend while they continue ignoring me & talking to him as if he understood what they were saying, even though I was the only one speaking Japanese to them...

Hokkaido green musk melon & the cantaloupe-flavored melon milk from various Tokyo vending machines.

Being an intriguing cultural and sexual attraction to millions of women rather than just another white guy as I am in the States & Europe... I think I might miss that the most... :p

[Chinpokomon]

CoCo Ichiban Curry Haus!!!
You can say that again? What spiciness level do you go for?
I'm a 3-kara kinda guy, although I've tried all 5 spiciness levels.

Being an intriguing cultural and sexual attraction to millions of women rather than just another white guy as I am in the States & Europe... I think I might miss that the most... :p
http://karatethejapaneseway.com/photos/charisma_man_01s.jpg

[BluZytrix]

You can say that again? What spiciness level do you go for?
I'm a 3-kara kinda guy, although I've tried all 5 spiciness levels.





Only 5? I'm acutally here right now and they have 6-10 with the stipulation that you have finished a plate of 5-kara! Now that is some spicy stuff. I love the place. I now know the beauty of good curry.

[DoM of the South]

Sparky, would the waitress your talking about dress in all white and wear those big socks?

DoM

[seijihuzz01]

You can say that again? What spiciness level do you go for?
I'm a 3-kara kinda guy, although I've tried all 5 spiciness levels.

[Charisma Man Comic - Good Stuff]



Hah ~ the guy who did that has a whole book of similar comics where he fights off Gaijin Girl & what not. Very true though :)

Curry House was different in Kansai & Kantou, and I think different every time I went. One occassion in Kansai I could barely finish a 5 (and I LOVE spicy food), and other times it wasn't spicy at all. I ordered 6 (out of 10) in Tokyo & it was never that hot. After a while I quit paying extra for spice & just dumped in a whole buncha the stuff they have on the table. Just as good, and free :) They have one in Honolulu too - not quite the same, but still good. Mmmm... dammit, now I'm hungry!