Bicycle safety on and off-campus + Tips and tricks

Cycling is an essential part of Japanese life and more so in Tsukuba than anywhere else. This post treats an essential part of this daily means of commuting in hopes of spreading better awareness around it, making it safer and serving as a fair warning for potential students and researchers coming to Tsukuba University or really anyone who has chosen Japan’s Science City as their new home.

First off, let me start by advising you on something I found to be relatively common: If you don’t know how to ride a bike, learn how to before coming. Don’t be so naive as to think you can go about, trouble-free and live your life without a bicycle. Not that it can’t be managed, many do it except it is impractical, wastes time and will make you feel a bit left out since groups usually rely on bikes for everyone to go out to the same places and accompany each other on the way back home especially when/where the buses don’t run. It is fun, essential and can help you discover your city so much better and this is made very easy by the adaptability of the campus and city roads to accommodate cyclists.

Onto the topic at hand: Bicycle safety is an issue that comes up at every entrance period and is prudently explained to students in hopes of avoiding accidents and dangerous behaviour. Of course, nothing can completely prevent that; things happen with all the people flocking to classes at the same time in the morning, coupled with the fact that they’re stressed, late, not completely awake or unfortunately too distracted by their cellphones swerving around like drunks. People go fast, turn abruptly, text and do all kinds of stupid things. This is not to discourage you from owning a bike because that will likely be the case anywhere in the world where bicycles are a dominant means of transportation.

From the obvious to the not so obvious, to the very Tsukuba-specific, here is a list of smart things you should do, and dumb things you shouldn’t in the hopes of improving bicycle safety on and off-campus:

1. The obvious: Don’t text, play games on your phone or ride one-handed while holding something that doesn’t allow you to take proper control of your handlebars. Countless accidents have happened because of that notably during the Pokémon-Go craze and still does today. A head-on collision on a bicycle is far worse than you can imagine. Lots of exposed metal and so much potential to cause multiple accidents.
2. Stick to the left on campus roads as indicated by signs. Not everyone follows this but it helps to, especially considering that there are pedestrians as well, who are supposed to walk on the right side.
3. Don’t ride parallel to others. Most campus roads are narrow enough to hinder circulation if cyclists ride side by side. Not to mention that there won’t be any room to dodge obstacles or oncoming people.

Asakusa. Ok, it’s a little far from campus but it’s a nice picture!

1. Avoid riding on busy narrow streets in areas such as Amakubo Ni-Chome 天久保2丁目, Kasuga Yon-Chome… and take either the inside roads or the campus road if you can, even if it means taking a slight detour. Not only is it safer for you, it is much less of a hassle for buses and cars alike as they cannot overtake you on these particular streets seeing that they witness busy traffic all throughout the day.
2. Avoid riding with an umbrella even though everyone does it. Not only is it technically illegal (although I don’t know of anyone who’s been stopped for that, but bear in mind that the police do have the jurisdiction), it is very dangerous as you are left with only one hand to control and steer your bike be it in heavy rain, fighting the wind and trying not to slip on wet surfaces. For practicality’s sake, either get a rain suit, a poncho or simply a convenient umbrella holder that attaches to your handlebars.
3. Beware of your surroundings at all times. Not everyone is attentive and will sometimes ride absent-minded. This is a minor problem but much more common than you might think. Also in some areas, you could be caught by surprise by a pedestrian coming from behind a blindspot.
4. Lock your bike. Theft is very uncommon in Japan but for some reason bike theft (notably around campuses) isn’t so uncommon. I’ve only ever heard of a small number of cases and that was partially due to the bike being either too flashy and expensive or being very poorly locked. So if you prize your bike as much as I do, lock it. I’ve seen some Japanese students with high-end road bike even take them up to their apartments. It is generally ridiculously safe but you don’t want any regrets when things like this do happen.

Casualties of strong winds.

1. Do not ride without lights. Also illegal. Highly. It is crucial that cyclists render themselves as visible as possible. There are many ways to do that and the accessories required are plentiful and cheap. Visit your local hyakuen shop 100円ショップ for inspiration. I’d recommend either Daiso or Seria being two of the bigger ones around here. They have a great collection of lights and reflectors.
2. A helmet is always a good idea. People rarely wear them though but you wouldn’t see a proper cyclist on his road bike without one. So if you’re planning on doing day trips to nearby towns and all, then by all means invest in one, otherwise it isn’t so common around campus.
3. Sidewalks are bumpy but are generally safer than roads although legally bikes are required to ride on the road unless a bicycle lane is clearly marked. In areas near Tsukuba Medical Center Byouin 筑波メディカルセンター病院, the bicycle lane is marked as part of the road. On the big highways Nishi 西 and Higashi Odori 東大道, the bicycle lanes are on the sidewalks. This law isn’t enforced to be honest so wherever you ride, ride safely and watch out for cars and buses.
4. Keep the buses in mind when riding on the road. Because of their regular stops, buses sometimes get caught behind cyclists as they approach the bus stop. The drivers will either drive very slowly (if they’re close enough to the stop) or communicate a message to you via the external speakers telling to be wary of their approach to the bus stop, to speed up or to make way by slowing down.
5. Bicycles normally don’t have turn signals although they are available to buy at some cycling shops and hyakuen shops 100円ショップ and make unique and safe additions to the bike. As an alternative, be sure to give warning to the oncoming cars (if it’s safe to cross) and the traffic behind you that you will be making a turn.
6. This is one of the more basic codes of conduct: Don’t park your bike like a jerk. Don’t park where it’s not legal/indicated, don’t park where it might hinder the movement of pedestrians or passage of other bikes and most importantly do not park too close to or on braille blocks.
   

   

   How to park like a douchebag.

7. Ride with gloves in the winter. Cold hands make for a lesser sensitivity to the handlebars and a decreased ability to control your bike in case of emergency. On the more logical side, why would you prefer pain and dry knuckles when you can have them warm and toasty?
8. Do regular maintenance of your bike: You don’t want a brake failure when you need it the most. Change them regularly they’re quite cheap. Chain cleaning and lubrication can prevent chain slipping and potential injury. These kinds of accidents are more prevalent when going uphill which puts tension on the chain and gears. So if they aren’t well lubricated, they will slip and this can cause you to lose balance and fall more often than not. Keep your tires pumped as it can be quite frustrating to be have a flat tire especially when you need the bike the most. Watch for degradation of the tire rubber and tread.
9. Bicycle parking around the center could be hard to find as all spots tends to be taken. There is however somewhere you could go for cheaper and relatively more available parking. There’s a bike parking under Bivi right next to the bus station with bike racks on two levels. The upper level is quite cheap especially if you’re using it to park your bike for a day or two while you’re out of town. It costs 円50 per day as opposed to 円150 or more for other options, some as high as 円750.
10. Always carry a tire patch-up kit. Sometimes you might be forced to use it when for instance riding out of town to nearby Tsuchiura or along the beautiful Ring Ring Road. Puncture repairs can be expensive and for that I recommend the 円100 patch-up kits and some elbow grease.
11. In case you don’t feel like repairing your own tire, pop down to Nakajima Motorcycles for a quicker and cheaper repair. On average cycle shops charge 円1000 for a tire puncture. Although nominal, their 円900 fee comes with better and faster service than any of the nearby cycle shops. Here is their location: https://goo.gl/maps/6vgQRVW2Yjy
12. Ring Ring Road つくばりんりんロード is where the old Tsukuba train line (Tsukuba Testudou) used to run. Today it is a 40.1 kilometer route that links Tsuchiura City to Iwase Town. It is great for day trips; it passes through beautiful little towns, between rice fields and some of the famous sights of the area like the Amabiki Kannon Temple.
13. Register your bike with the police and the university. The police registration can be done at any cycle shop while the university registration has to be done through your academic service office. Of course you don’t need to do the latter if you aren’t coming to Tsukuba Daigaku but if you are it’s mandatory or it can result in your bike being impounded.
14. Carry your bicycle’s registration papers. It is not uncommon for police to stop you and ask to see them especially during entrance periods. They will come in handy when selling your bike on the second hand group (Stuff for Tsukuba Residents).

The immersive world of Edo Wonderland

Don’t you sometimes imagine yourself living in different era than your own, projecting yourself into a world that you deem perfect for you to experience? Have you never pondered into the potential of virtual reality for example, and how you could finally experience a world designed to be as immersive as possible and transport you where no car or even your feet could take you? Some of us still think that actually living the experience is way more interesting than merely experiencing a digitised version of the real world, facing the random and the improvised, real emotions, real interaction and the ability to walk in and out of the world through a mere ticketing gate. Sometimes, this can be even more interesting than anything the 3D digital era might be able to put together simply due to an element of natural human behaviour.

Now this may seem like a bit of a far-fetched introduction and it might as well be but what 3 of my friends and I experienced during a charming weekend has left us smiling, surprised and pleasantly shocked by the amount of detail that was put into the immersive Edo era experience Nikko calls Edo Wonderland.

Almost all of us are fans of Disney and at one point or another visited Disneyland to really get a feel of this world of fantasy and magic. However, what happens at Edo Wonderland is of a different calibre. Yes Disney may have the bigger budget, it may have the bigger theme park, it may have more mascots and the massive spaces but what it lacks in comparison to this is the realism of a trip through time into the most iconic eras in the world and the East. I would say it is slightly easier to create a fantasy world than to mimic a real one. Harder to build a museum than it is to build an amusement park. That is a bit of an exaggeration of course but still; there is so much history to account for here, so much detail to take into consideration and so much expectation to live up to.

It is not a park built for children yet it hosts them as well as it hosts any age group. There is plenty to entertain your little ones as well as delight the most humourless adults. It is not a place where parents sit with their chin in their palms watching their kids run around yelling and dragging them into their messy little games with their sticky little cotton candy hands.

I expected to walk into something only half done, grazing the surface of what an Edo Wonderland would be in my mind but oh did it prove me wrong! Everything from the buildings, the roads, the bridges, the nature surrounding the spot, the river, to the games, the people, the mood, the noise, everything rose above expectation.

Surrounded by mountains, with the fog creeping in and the rain drizzling every now and then, the weather set the perfect mood for a typical “Memoirs of a Geisha” type of setting. Every little thing fit in like the perfect puzzle piece. Whatever you were looking for, you’d find it sooner or later. Wanted robbers and policemen chasing them, katana-wielding kimono-adorned men, owners welcoming you into their shops and inns, introducing you to their arts and crafts, museum exhibits, wood workshops, eateries to serve you what traditions you wish to experience (along with some more modern catering of course), a police station, a prison, actual shrines, a firefighter’s station complete with its bell tower. Everything from a Geisha parade in its full attractive allure, down to the intricately clothed, good-humoured commoners and workers, all the way to pop-up Matsuris and festive parades, it is not only entertaining but also holds the mystical essence of a period in time that defined and still defines many aspects of modern day Japan.

Here’s a look, a merely photographic perspective on what Edo Wonderland looks like. The experience however is not anywhere near what the pictures can show.

The Streets of Edo Wonderland

Enter the gates of this miniature town and you will be greeted by the humble and cheerful folk, while you look around starting to explore, peeking into shops, behind curtains and casually trying to observe a well-played act. Here, the old clashes with the new so hard it creates its own enchanting charm. You and hundreds of others are dressed up in your modern clothes, sporting cameras, travel bags, cellphones and walking shoes, while yours hosts welcome you in their yukatas, eccentric traditional hair styles and clunky geta.

Some of what you may encounter is an act or a setup, but including real elements loyal to the environment adds a little pepper to the mix, making it all seem a little more real and immersing you further into it. And if that’s not enough to make you believe in it all, you can rent era-appropriate clothes and accessories. As for the kids, to really experience the magic, they can participate in many pop-up acts, shows and activities including Matsuris, parades, Shuriken throwing practice and many more.

In the following pictures you will get a glimpse of how nice it is to be parachuted down into a world that existed 414 years ago. The contrast is simple and beautiful.

A shop displaying umbrellas and various straw and bamboo products.

Japanese Chimera.

Traditional prints.

Bonsai display.

People making way for the Oiran Dōchū.

A Tayu (a top level Oiran) NOT a Geisha

The Oiran Dōchū.

The Oiran Dōchū.

Shrine for the God of Fire.

The entrance to Edo Wonderland.

The entrance to Edo Wonderland.

The streets of Edo Wonderland.

The streets of Edo Wonderland.

The theatre of magic.

A picturesque Japanese setting (Photo by Sietske Visser).

The entrance to the Ninja Kaikai Tei, House of illusion (Photo by Sietske Visser).

A public execution turned surprise birthday celebration (Photo by Sietske Visser).

Cosplayers (Photo by Juan Martin Uehara).

A kushi yaki stand.

Learning how to spin a Traditional wooden spinning top. I think the ring is meant for a battle (Original photo by Juan Martin Uehara).

The scenery from across the river.

Kids assisting policemen in catching a thief (Original photo by Juan Martin Uehara).

A water mill. The pillars on the right crush the grain (Original photo by Juan Martin Uehara).

The Oiran Dōchū (Original photo by Juan Martin Uehara).

The Oiran Dōchū (Original photo by Juan Martin Uehara).

The Oiran Dōchū (Photo by Juan Martin Uehara).

The Golden Tea Ceremony Room.

The streets of Edo Wonderland.

The river.

Kokeshi doll at a toy maker’s.

The Ninja Kaikai Tei, House of illusion (Photo by Sietske Visser).

Prison storage cell (Photo by Sietske Visser).

Prison cell complete with individual tatami, futons, makura and Mahjong set (Photo by Juan Martin Uehara).

 

Edo Wonderland’s Noren 暖簾

Upon setting foot in Japan, you will notice a type of curtain hanging outside the main entrance of shops, izakayas and sometimes of private homes. It is a relatively widely preserved traditional element called “Noren”.

Noren 暖簾 are traditional Japanese fabric dividers, hung at entrances, between rooms, in doorways, or in windows. They usually have one or more vertical slits dividing the fabric, allowing for easier passage or viewing. Noren come in a variety of different materials, sizes, colors, and patterns. You can even buy one for yourself from shops in Tokyo’s Kappabashi.

Noren have for a long time been used by shops and restaurants as a means of protection from the sun, wind, and dust, and as a display for their shop name or types of services. They are also hung at the front entrance to a shop to signify that they are open for business, and they are always taken down at the end of the business day (so that’s something to look out for when you’re searching for a place to eat for example).

Following this brief introduction to this piece of Japanese heritage, I present you with a gallery of some of the many beautiful Noren hung all across the streets of Edo Wonderland to help you appreciate this form of minimalist Japanese art.

A collection of Japan’s manhole covers

Wherever we go in the world, however much we travel, whichever streets we walk, we are bound to be captivated by what’s around us; this new place or culture manifests itself in so many things and ways that we find ourselves feeling so small, looking up in astonishment, almost gaping.

However, we rarely think of looking down, though for the most part the world is literally at our feet. Many of the little things escape us while we’re in this trance of looking up at things; towers, trees, buildings, statues… One of the more iconic things to elude us is one of the things most particular to the cities we visit.

More so in Japan than most other countries, manhole covers are an important display, a sort of medal that the streets bear to pride themselves in the landmarks of the cities they form. Some are even coloured, some bear intricate designs, others kawaii mascots and some are plainly as practical as a fire hydrant sign.

There is no historical background to the images in this post as of yet or any design or artistic background either. So far, this is just a plain old gallery that showcases some of the most beautiful hidden gems the Japanese streets have to offer.

Of course, I’ll be adding more images over time.

Tokyo.

Tsuchiura.

Tsukuba (Fire hydrant).

Yokohama.

Tsuchiura.

Nikko.

Nikko.

Nikko (Fire hydrant).

Kasama.

Osaka City.

Osaka City.

Osaka City.

Osaka City.

Osaka City.

Tsukuba.

Kumamoto City (Photo by Joshua Gallagher).

Japanese Bicycle Names

When you decide to sell bikes to the Japanese, you have to take your decision very seriously. This nation runs on bikes, maybe even quite literally. Take away the bikes and you’ll hinder millions for it is a predominant means of transportation. It is practical, you get plenty of exercise, not to mention economical and a whole lot of fun. You won’t find a Japanese that doesn’t know how to ride one; young through old they all benefit from this marvellous piece of simple machinery and as an ode to it, they have kept its iconic image well preserved (I’m talking about the mamacharis in particular).

Now once you’ve made your decision, chosen your favourite of Japan’s “sweetheart” mamachari designs, manufactured your high-end durable product, all that is left for you is to pick a name out. A name so attractive it alone should sell your bikes. French-inspired names come in handy in these cases because the Japanese are quite fond of everything French. You have to pick a name that is the face of your company, a logo that will be stamped on your bikes for years to come, a name that you will need stuck in people’s minds for generations, synonymous with quality, style and practicality.

This post is here to showcase that part of the creative process, something that bewilders me when I ask myself “what happened to naming things after popular names?”. I would have thought Honda, Suzuki, Toyota, Toshiba, Shiseido, Yamaha would make excellent choices. I mean there’s so much to go on here.

If cheese was not enough, have a side of rosette.

We’re down to specific kinds of cheese.

Abou el Mich? Is that yours?

Advertising at its best.

Really, Bridgestone?

That’s what Icarus rode. Ended badly for him.

Take a note of this one.

Lui il s’amuse? Is that what they were going for?

It literally says: The new perfume of of of the water style of the secret fashion.

This is getting a bit NSFW

Epic. Biblical.

Badass isn’t it?

I think the whole of the bike is custom-made.

Look at the attention to detail.

The hottest bike I’ve yet to see.

Okay I admit this entry has nothing to do with the name of the bike, I just couldn’t leave such a cool thing out of the post. Since it’s all bicycle-related and so on.

The first step is admitting it.

These NSFW stuff are a bit too popular.

Random name generator.

Drugs.

This has got to be one of the coolest entries so far. Great find in Tokyo!

So…

Forget NSFW, this is a university for God’s sake! Casual, yeah sure!

He got a new bike. It got a new customer.

They’re quite humble here. Could have gone with Eagle Wing… Nope, Canaries are cute.

Moving the business from Escort Town to Escort City (sorry for the bad focus)

We’re on a roll with the NSFW here.

The classic motorbikes of Japan

I did expect to see a lot of classic Japanese cars when I came here, iconic machines like the Skyline GT-R, the RX-7, the Supra and I did. More than I expected. They’re locally bred cars that ruled the streets of the world for a long time and the price tag on one of those in Europe or the US is quasi-astronomical (that’s if you managed to find one that’s up for grabs).

What I did not expect to find was a lot of classic motorcycles. I pictured the streets buzzing with Japan’s latest two-wheeled pocket rockets, the most advanced, high-tech, sharp-looking bikes. Instead and to my most pleasant surprise, the most popular ones are the older models. They have a certain charm that never fades away, old-school modelling and accessories that are rather odd to find on modern bike. The yellow-ed white plastic of the body, headlights and taillights that seem to be coming off a smaller car model, the boxy shape of the ride. There is a certain appeal to everything that comes from the basics. There is respect for the resilience of a machine that powered through 30+ years of reputable performance and that is still growing strong today.

Without further ado, here are the gems I was fortunate enough to lay my eyes on.

The Honda VT250F Super Sport (1986 Special Edition)

Location: Tsukuba Daigaku, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki.

Specs: Four stroke, V-Twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder | 35 hp at 11000 rpm | 21.5 Nm at 10000 rpm | 6 speed transmission | Liquid cooled | Front brakes: Single disc, 2-piston calliper | Rear brakes: Drum | Top speed: 100 mph | Dry weight: 149 kg | Ground clearance: 140 mm | Length: 2030 mm | Width: 715 mm | Height: 1140 mm | Wheelbase: 1370 mm.

The BMW R100RS (Likely an 1982 model)

Location: Tsukuba Daigaku, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki.

Specs: Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 2 valves per cylinder | 70 hp at 7000 rpm | 76 Nm at 6000 rpm | 5 speed transmission | Air cooled | Front brakes: 2 x 260mm discs, 2-piston calliper | Rear brakes: Simplex 200mm drum | Top speed: 121.5 mph | Wet weight: 230 kg | Ground clearance: 165 mm | Length: 2130 mm | Width: 746 mm | Height: 1300 mm | Wheelbase: 1465 mm.

The BMW R100RS & The Honda VT250F Super Sport (SE)

My friend Hani found the two beauties hanging out outside his lab on Friday so the pictures are credited to him. I guess the riders are friends too; motorcycles circles are closely-knit wherever you may find them, and it’s no different here especially when you have two remarkable models such as these.

The Honda Super Cub (Circa 2006)

Found this iconic beauty outside the mall yesterday. It is a testament to Japanese quality and continuity. It has been in production since 1958 and it has continued to evolve in order to accommodate the needs of the 21st century without losing its charm and authentic looks. For me this is by far more iconic than say a Vespa; it was built to withstand massive amounts of abuse (a drop from a 22 meter high building to be exact), carry over 200kg and run using cooking oil as engine lubrication.

Today it is the best-selling motorcycle in the world with close to a 100 million models sold until 2017, and the numbers keep on growing; You cannot go a day without seeing one wherever you may be in Japan.

Location: Iias Mall, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki.

Specs: Four stroke, single cylinder | 3.88 hp at 7000 rpm | 4.7 Nm at 4500 rpm | 3 speed transmission | Air cooled | Dry weight: 75-79 kg | Wet weight: 82 kg.

The Honda CT250S Silk Road (1981)

Not much information about this one, my apologies. It turns out that it’s quite a rare bike; I’d say that even here in Japan, it is quite uncommon. For those of you who know more about this splendid bike, please let me know in the comments.

Location: Tōshō-gū, Nikkō, Tochigi.

Specs: L250SE 248 cc OHC 4-valve, single-cylinder air-cooled 4-stroke engine | 6 speed transmission | Air cooled | Length: 2140 mm | Width: 815 mm | Height: 1125 mm | Wheelbase: 1390 mm.

The day we cycled 21km to eat soba.

My friend Vishal (from pessimismisrealism.blogspot.jp) and I decided to get off our asses one Sunday, skip the labour intensive process of doing chores and take a ride to the farthest Soba place we could find. 21 kilometers: Now that’s obviously the trip to the restaurant and back, a restaurant that sits close to the base of Tsukuba san. The ride there was totally worth it because cycling allows you to see more of the landscapes than if you were driving there, feel the road, the surroundings, the gusts of wind. It is easy for you to stop and let your eyes wander, take pictures and check out things that would sometimes require you to take less-chartered paths.

We were starving and looking forward to tasting what fresh soba this charming-looking place has to offer. A little information on soba: It is a traditional type of Japanese noodles made from Buckwheat. It has a somewhat raw beige colour, a bit like packaging cardboard if I may say. Some may argue that it tastes like that as well, but coupled with the right sauces and/or broths, this type of noodles is one of my favourites.

Even before seeing the menu, all we could think about was what to order. We were distracted for a few minutes taking in the view of Mount Tsukuba and the setting of the restaurant but our stomachs soon called out to us. Loudly.

Going in we immediately noticed how charming the place was. It was constructed out of and decorated with wood. We chose to sit in the tatami area as opposed to tables and get the best view of the place. Shamisen music played low in the background and the ambience seemed very calm.

We ordered and got our food after a short wait. Vishal got the cold tsuke soba: This consists of serving the noodles and the broth separately and having the person dip their noodles in the broth before eating them. I ordered a hot duck soba and we split a plate of assorted tempura. The green powder served with the tempura is salt mixed with matcha. An interesting combination that turned out to be a real treat with the tempura.

Needless to say, the taste was rich and the experience was enhanced by the mood. We savoured our dishes till the last bit and couldn’t get enough of the freshness of the noodles. I mean, I speak for myself here but I assume the experience was mutual.

It was worth it, every bit of it. It was worth postponing a chore day. The company was worth it, the ride, the scenery, the fresh air, the food, the experience and the pictures.

Ask-a-Panda [Check regularly for updates]

Thanks to two of my very good friends, this section is finally online.

You now get to profit from your very own source of information living in Japan, your very own “creative explorer” [as M so eloquently called it] giving you the chance to ask any question that is boggling your mind, inquire about anything that tickles your brain and get the stories behind some urban myths and crazy trends going on in intriguing Japan.

So far, thankfully, the questions and requests have been within reason.  But since I am essentially a student and this is a pro-bono sort of initiative [pro-boner as we in the advertising community like to call it], it might take a bit more time than expected to get to the bottom of things. So bear with me, I promise I will deliver.

Sleeping on the job is acceptable in Japan. It is viewed as exhaustion from working hard. Some people fake it to look committed to their job.

The first request came from my good friend M.

One of the most known and surprising facts about Japan one could find on the wide world of the interwebs, at least compared to the rest of the world.

Well as it turns out, contrary to popular belief, the Japanese are not quite as efficient in their work as they seem. Of course I don’t want to generalise, I am merely portraying this fact in the context of the question asked. They slack off, idle and spend a lot of time chatting around. This eventually leads to them having to stay late to finish the job [I can relate to that from an advertising point of view]. What evidently follows the next morning, and over a long period of time if this routine sticks, is snoozing on the job or crashing on top of the keyboard or in most cases on the train. In the latter case though, it has more to do with hours of commuting which we will definitely talk about at a certain point.

So as far as I know, it’s less common for Japanese to put an extensive work effort and sleep on the job due to that. And as far as being acceptable yes I guess so.

Visitors to the Japanese city of Kawasaki today might be in for a shock. For it will be celebrating Kanamara Matsuri: the “Festival of the Steel Phallus”.

This next seemingly innocent and solely curious inquiry on the wonders of crazy Japan came from the bro. Guy, also known as Guybou or Bou who bears the astrological sign of Aries. Challenge accepted.

A note from the asker himself on some of the history behind said festival: “Its origins are well worth explaining. Legend has it that a young woman’s vagina was once cursed by a rather hungry and sharp-toothed demon – the result being that her first two husbands were both castrated on their wedding night. A local blacksmith stepped forward to create an metal phallus to break the demon’s teeth and a shrine was built in its honour. But of course. These days the city celebrates with penis-shaped sweets, vegetables and decorations.”

This is as real as it gets here in Japan. It’s not one of those internet hoaxes or meme material. Granted, it is weird. But really after spending only 2 months here I’m starting to realise that I will never cease to be surprised by what Japan throws at me. I am yet to go to the festival or see it live but I can explain some things about it as soon as I acquire some sources.

Discovering the wide variety of KitKat flavours.

Also a request by Guy; “why” should be obvious to the people who know him. He and I are part of this group of taste-testers. Tongue twister. Yeah.

Bear in mind that most of these if not all the ones I’ve tasted so far are white chocolate Kit-Kats and might not appeal to everyone. Most have a hint of flavour and for the most part taste like sugar. Some are quite decent though. Read-on to find out the recommendations.

Matcha 抹茶 KitKat

The first and most obvious choice was the Matcha 抹茶 (green tea) flavoured KitKat. By far one of the most popular flavours in the country.

Onto the review if you wish to call it that: Not to say I was disappointed by it but I definitely expected more than what I got. Nearly everything Matcha-flavoured tastes really good (granted, if you like the taste of green tea) and usually that flavour tends to stand out. In this case it doesn’t. The taste closely resembles that of Kitkat White with a bit of difference in texture. It is only towards the end that you can feel an extremely subtle Matcha flavour. Not to say that I don’t like it, it simply doesn’t make my favourites list.

Nihonshu 日本酒 KitKat

Arguably one of the most sought-after flavours in the “Japanese sake” flavour. It is very original and over the years alcohol chocolates have gained quite the rep. This one doesn’t disappoint that is if you are a fan of white chocolate. The flavours go well together and the aroma is quite strong due I think to the distinctive smell of Nihonshu. The taste is subtle but present.

Houji cha ほうじ茶 KitKat

A toasted tea-flavoured creation that sits on top of my favourites list for the simple reason that it has quite a strong and present flavour. It’s great! It’s never and overpowering flavour with these Kitkats but it’s nice to taste something distinctively recognisable for a change.

Wasabi わさび KitKat

One that I got so excited about, that my high expectations ruined the entire experience. Not that there was much “experience” to be had. The flavour is subtle and really dormant contrary to what you’d expect from a bold condiment such as wasabi. It is not sharp and mustardy like the actual thing but if you look hard enough there is a hint of the actual flavour and that’s about it.

Rum-Raisin KitKat

Also one of my favourites due to having a strong taste and nice aroma. Nothing complex by any measure but you can taste a good kick of spiced rum that is complimented by a hint of raisin, enough to satisfy those looking for it and not enough to ruin it for the people who can’t stand the wrinkly little fruits.

Butter Cookie KitKat

I like this one. Any of you who have done a bit of research on the northern prefecture of Hokkaido, knows that it’s famous for its butter cookies. This KitKat flavour isn’t as glorious as the real thing, not even close, but offers a quite a sweet tasty experience.

Raspberry KitKat

I’m personally not a huge fan of this one. It’s not bad, I just normally shy away from berry-flavoured chocolates. But from a more objective point of view, the flavour is there and so is the aroma.

[In Japan] Noodles, especially Soba, are slurped somewhat loudly when eaten. This indicates that the food is delicious, or an interesting way to give compliments to the chef.

Once again an inquiry by my good friend M whose identity will be gradually revealed. Her name is Marina and she’s one who came up with the idea for this section.

This time the question is one that has quite an interesting answer:

While it does show that you’re enjoying the food, slurping has a more practical reason for being part of Japanese table manners. Noodles are almost always hot, scalding hot; taken freshly out of boiling water, poured into a hot broth and served in a matter of a few minutes if not less. It is nearly impossible to eat any sort of noodle-based dish without either letting it cool for a while (which somewhat ruins the experience) or slurping them. Slurping lets some air in while you’re eating which relieves some of the pain resulting from the contact of the noodles with the lips and/or tongue. Even with this technique you still have to be careful because it only works to a certain extent. Thicker noodles like Udon tend to hold in even more heat for a longer period of time and Ramen is no different even when it’s relatively thin.

Almost every type of noodle dish has a hot and cold option, but even if you choose the cold one, slurping is still a common practise.

Naked man casually buying a train ticket at Akihabara Station in Tokyo: “Is there any connection between this incident and the Japanese (allegedly common) Kancho prank?”

This time, I will tackle two of the questions posed by my good friend Marina.

As recently as last week, a man in all his glory, wearing only his backpack (which failed to even hide his buttocks) casually walked into the bustling Akihabara station (as if Akihabara doesn’t have its share of striking sights) to buy a train ticket.

That only proves that Japan will not cease to offer its share of bizarre news or fashions, and while it is not uncommon to witness eccentric occurrences especially in Akihabara among others, it is not something the Japanese deal with on a daily basis. It must have been quite the shocker for most commuters that day. Thankfully, the Japanese are not ones to make a fuss about something or blatantly express their surprise. Local police handled the issue in the best way anyone could under the circumstances and in the most Japanese way possible: by encircling the man and eclipsing the moon.

The question therefore arises: Is this in anyway in relation to the Kancho prank. Is the incident remotely connected to it or a consequence of it?
Well, not really. Although both phenomenons exist, I doubt anyone would seriously think about Kancho-pranking this man; he seems like one who has got nothing to lose.

Kancho is a very immature prank that some teenagers or hooligans would play on each other. It is more annoying than anything and is a reason to punch someone in the face rather than laugh it off like a normal prank.

On the other hand, stripping naked and walking into one of the busiest stations/parts of Tokyo isn’t an act of hooliganism, but an underrated act of courage that stems from the interesting thought process of a man whose logic is impaired due to snorting large doses of Natto slime.

 

Essentials: A post about the indispensable things you will need while living in Tsukuba [Check regularly for updates]

Before my arrival to Tsukuba or even my departure for that matter, I spent a lot of time researching what are the important things to have/get, the things that would otherwise make my life easier, or even to a certain extent liveable. Some of those things I had accounted for, others not so much and trust me when Japan wants to make it hard on you, it won’t spare you anything. Everything comes at you all at once.

So without further ado, here is a list of the things I found to be essential to have while living in Tsukuba:

First and foremost: A bike.

Tsukuba Daigaku campus is large. 4 km long and 1 km wide to be more precise. 25 minutes by bike from North to South, 20 by bus, more than an hour walking. We have a highway running through the university at one point for crying out loud!

It’s not really the distance that matters, or the effort it takes to travel that distance on foot, it’s really all about convenience and keeping to a reasonable schedule. It takes me 10 minutes to get to my design classes by bike. If I had to walk that distance I’d spend a solid 30 minutes getting there. So for your own sake, get one as soon as you arrive, either from a recycle shop, from a fellow student who is willing to sell [or donate], online if you can, or from any local bike shop.

Whether you’re headed to the nearest convenience store, going out with a group of friends, having to sort things out at Tsukuba center, going out for lunch or just visiting local sights, all will be made much easier if you’re commuting by bike, not to mention the benefit of the exercise.

You will notice a lot of people riding “Mamacharis”, the kind of city bike that is most popular around here. I opted for a sort of a mountain bike because I wouldn’t want to worry about my back suffering from the shallowest crest or bump plus the gears really come in handy when you’re in the mood for some vigorous cycling.

Five things you have to account for when you buy a bike:

1. Anti-theft registration. After you purchase your bike, you need to register it, get a number sticker and put your name down on a basic document. In case it’s stolen you can report it to the police using this number as identification and proof that the bicycle is yours. This can be done at any bicycle shop but preferably right on purchase otherwise you will be asked to provide receipts.
2. University registration. This can be done at your Academic Service Office. This sticker will be proof that you are in fact a student and are allowed to park on university grounds.
3. Your very own tire pump. You wouldn’t want to be desperately scouting around for one when you need it the most. Try to have one handy.
4. A sturdy lock. Japan is a relatively safe country, sometimes even ridiculously safe but theft happens and it’s happened to people close to me in the places they least expect. I recommend buying a heavy duty one especially if you value your bike as much as I do.
5. Chain lubricant and cleaner. Especially with the rain, the chain and gears tend to get dirty and the original lubricant will in time wash off. Keep your bike well maintained and it will serve you well.
   

   

   

A Hanko 判子 [Name seal]

There is no real issue with signing your name on documents in Japan. However, this often seemed to demand a question to be asked, a negotiation of some sort before the other party would accept your signature.

I mean, you can survive on your signature in Japan, it’s just that sometimes it’s an essential requirement to have a seal. Some transactions/contracts/deals simply won’t be closed without a hanko. It is a stamp made in your name that is used as a substitute for signatures. For foreigners, these name seals have to be custom engraved as opposed to just picked off the shelf like any Japanese would do. Their names are quite common, ours on the other hand have to be engraved in Katakana. These seals will make your life a whole lot easier in Japan. Never again will you be faced with an awkward situation trying to get by with a signature or vainly trying to outsmart their bureaucracy.

On average, a medium-sized round hanko will cost you about 2,500 Yen. A bigger one is about 3,000 Yen. Owning a hanko though comes with responsibility, as if Japan was going to let you off the hook this time by making it any easier. A hanko has to be registered, eventually, usually at city hall. Once registered you will be given a card/documents to prove that and it will be officially know as Inkan 印鑑. From this point on, losing it will cause you a real big pain in the ass. Remember how [on many occasions] I mentioned that bureaucracy here is a hassle? Well, losing your Inkan 印鑑 means your seal/signature/identity is compromised. You can’t just walk back into the same hanko shop and ask for another one. It’s bound to be different. It is in every practical sense a different one and they will treat it as such. So if you decide to have one for the sake of practicality, or for the fact that it is so cool to have your own name seal, be sure to take good care of it and keep it safe.

A durable backpack.

This may seem to you like a trivial or obvious matter but I cannot emphasize enough on the importance of a durable backpack. I even recommend waterproof ones. A lot of times you will face a situation where you have to carry a significant number of items all at once either from or back to your apartment/dorm. Your first supermarket trips won’t be much fun if you’re struggling to keep your bike balanced when you’re hanging bags from your handlebars. You will carry your books around in that bag, extra clothes during the rainy season, your gym gear, your lunch… and the list goes on. A waterproof backpack will serve you well when you have to cycle or walk in the rain, you will thank me later because the one thing we can all really use is one less thing to worry about.

Laceless shoes.

You will be faced with many situations where you will have to take your shoes off, namely at the entrance of your own house. I’m sure you all know that by now. It’s just a question of hygiene and trust me there’s no better feeling in the world than being in slippers free from the confinement of a tiresome shoe. Some izakayas demand you take your shoes off, some restaurants, some labs at university and even the gym. Save yourself the bother and go with laceless shoes even if you think that your sneakers [looking at you Converse cult] might be cooler.

Wind-breaker jacket.

If you’ve done your research on Tsukuba, you are bound to account for this one. Due to the topography of the city, it is constantly windy. I mean incessantly, with winds fluctuating between a refreshing breeze and a fierce headwind that will even slow you or knock you down when you’re cycling. Since Tsukuba is geographically situated inland, it tends to have cold evenings. That and the fact that the wind never ceases, a wind-breaker will be indispensable at one point or another.

Deodorant.

It’s not you can’t find any here, it’s just that it might not be what you’re looking for. Deodorant here is milder and less effective especially the antiperspirant kind. There’s also a chance you might not find your preferred brand. So stock up on a few bottles; you can always order more online but might as well have a safe backup plan.

Anti-inflammatory drugs: Creams and/or pills.

The milder ones tend to be OTC but once you start looking for something a bit stronger you will run into the problem of needing a prescription. Even some of the more common ones that you could get OTC in your country will also need a prescription so save yourself the trouble and get your preferred brand with you.

Also, to be on the safe side, pack a few extra things in your medicine pouch like painkillers, allergy drugs, eye drops, heartburn pills, band-aids, cold medicine and more of the things you think you might unexpectedly need.

Waterproof wear.

Japanese winters are relatively dry, with a couple of rainy days every two weeks or so (depending on the area of course) but during the early summer, you’ll witness what’s known as the rainy season. That, is hell; Humidity constantly over 90%, and torrential rains during three to four whole weeks. Non. Frickin’. Stop. Raincoats are a must but not so practical while you’re on your bike, in that case rain suits are your best bet. Cycling with an umbrella is not only dangerous (A new post on bicycle safety coming up soon), it is most unpractical; From the waist down you’re pretty much exposed, and since the rain is very heavy, you’ll be cycling through centimeters sometimes 10’s of centimeters of water, which makes splashing your number one concern. A raincoat will cover you head to ankle and from there on, your shoes will do the work.

In the winter though, you’ll need much warmer waterproof clothing to protect you. Tsukuba winters are not mild. Temperatures plummet very quickly and usually go down around 12°C. For example a January average day would see temperatures at around 6-9° C at noon on a sunny day to 3-4°C by 8pm to around -3°C at midnight (with the real feel often approaching -8°C), and that’s just the beginning. The sensation of cold travels faster in a wet or humid environment so when it rains, it’s numbingly cold. Waterproof winter gear such as ski jackets, waterproof hiking boots and waterproof thermal gloves are your best bet.

As if you could use more things to worry about, your next problem is: Mold. Another reason to get waterproof clothes is to avoid such terrible problems. In summer, you will get soaked literally in seconds. Hanging your clothes to dry would probably be fine, your shoes however is what you will suffer with. So unless you’re up for spending 500 yen everyday to dry your shoes (at some laundromats), get waterproof ones or just go with Crocs, flip flops or the good ol’ rain boots.

Good winter gloves (and hand warmers).

I’m not talking about regular Thinsulate gloves and don’t even think about leather ones, I’m talking thermal stuff. This specific item shouldn’t be taken lightly folks, trust me. And if you are planning on cycling during winter, either get grip warmers for your bikes, or invest in a thick pair of thermal gloves. Sometimes you might even resort to ever-so-popular Kairo, Japan’s version of the hand warmers. These things start selling like hotcakes come November and you can even find them as giveaways at some shops or restaurants. Kairo are godsent and there are many sizes and types to choose from. They also exist in different temperature outputs: The most popular are 40°C (~38°C) and 70°C (~68°C). I’d recommend the latter, I felt that the weaker ones were meaningless and could not feel their heat.

Join local Facebook groups.

These have proven to be indispensable for newcomers, students and residents alike. The following groups will help you buy and sell your second hand items online, find cars, job opportunities and even seek advice from others.  There you are sure to find what you’re looking for and normally for very affordable prices. Look out for move-out sales during February-March and August-September for the best deals. There are some cultural groups as well, make sure to check their activities out too. Names of the groups below.

Shops and Services for Tsukuba Residents (For shops or businesses selling items as well as for posting job opportunities).

Stuff for Tsukuba Residents (For second-hand goods).

Advice for Tsukuba Residents (For advice and inquiries, obviously).

A big thank you to Shaney Crawford who’s administering these groups and is putting in a remarkable effort to keep them going smoothly and insuring everyone works within the boundaries of ethics and following proper procedures. 

Rain suit.

Not a poncho, a full on rain suit. Throw in an umbrella hat for good measure. Ponchos are useless while cycling because you will still get your legs (up to your thighs) drenched and nothing sucks more than a pair of wet, clingy, heavy jeans. Find cheap ones in local kombini and drugstores (Welcia, Kawachi…) or buy a long-lasting one from Amazon.

An emergency kit in case of major earthquakes.

This deserves a post on its own and in due time I will write a detailed one. It is not a matter to be taken lightly so I promise to deliver as much information as possible as well as links to safety manuals and such.

For now, always keep a bag containing the following items handy and ready-to-go:

1. Food, canned or nonperishable. Tuna, corn, space food (you can actually buy that at Jaxa), energy and protein bars, jelly drinks (Full of vitamins, proteins, minerals and amino-acids. There’s quite the variety). Cup noodle ramen might seem like a good option but remember water is scarce in the event of a major earthquake and you want the precious little that you can carry to last you as much as possible without wastage. Putting it in salty soups only results in you becoming more thirsty.
2. Water is one of the first things to be cut off along with gas and electricity. Keep a six pack of 2L bottle handy at all times.
3. Copies of your passport, residence card (zairyuu kaado), national health insurance and student ID, as well as any official papers you deem necessary.
4. Napkins.
5. Rain suit or poncho. A light and small one would do (Available at any kombini or drugstore).
6. Heat packs (Kairo).
7. Toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and body wash. The basic toiletries and/or hygienic products such as sterilisers, tampons, pads, gauze, band-aids, wet wipes… the works.
8. Don’t forget to renew your stock once it nears its expiry date.

 

Akihabara’s SEGA Centers

You couldn’t imagine how many childhood dreams walking into a SEGA center invokes.

You could probably recognise some of the games, be familiar with a few blazing soundtracks and explosively loud sound effects, you could relive moments of your early gaming days, almost feel your grasp tighten around a SEGA Mega Drive controller or get a whiff of the nostalgic smell of “electricity” heating up the circuits of those early Japanese dream-making consoles.

You almost get that feeling, but before long you’re overwhelmed by the sound effects blasting out of speakers and the flaring lights diffused by the smoke. You are entranced in a sort of club-like atmosphere almost dancing to the absurd beat of a tachycardial soundtrack. You would be stunned by the High Definition lifestyle of modern Akihabara, the vivid alternate reality that pins gamers and spectators equally to their seats.

You barely understand anything of the mechanical way the gamers work their machines. I mean how can you? There is a S/symbiosis between man and machine, here more evidently than anywhere. The more time you spend [with] it, the more easily you can learn to play it, direct it. Everything is so theatrical really, the movements of the players, the disruptively powerful brightness, the glare in the eyes of gamers. This is nothing like the early days when we used to sit on the floor and play our cassettes till they overheated. Here nothing overheats, everything is conveniently cooled and maintained, including the gamers themselves.

You will notice that it is so easy to into the SEGA buildings but very hard to get out. Visit them, definitely visit them and you’ll know what I’m talking about. The hidden staircases, the alluring hue of everything transports you away and when you finally find your way out of this grid of temptation, you will feel as if you had been so damn detached from reality for so long.

This is not a requiem for the gaming days of old, this is the Punk Rock of gaming. Some will love it, some will hate its guts for being too idiotically rebellious, and some will have it as a guilty pleasure to blow some steam every once in a while. It’s satisfying to say the least.

Saturday Yakyū [野球] training

 

Tsukuba Daigaku 筑波大学 is one of the most notorious universities in Japan and this is especially due to its esteemed reputation in sports. Among the vast array of athletic activities is baseball, which is quite infamous nationwide.

I was on my way to finding the Kendo class; “Follow the shouting and you will find the place” my friend said [Shouting loudly in Kendo Is referred to as Kakigoe. Kiai (expression of your spirit) and Kakigoe (shout) are sometimes mistaken for each other although a big/loud Kiai is usually expressed with a loud Kakigoe the opposite is not always true]. I actually came here to talk about baseball but oh well… Couldn’t help but get carried away.

Eventually the shouting and banging led me to a baseball field where I had the chance to watch the teams train in preparation for a match, the field crew retrace the lines and the match begin. It’s rather ritualistic. Not baseball in itself. Japanese baseball. So much of the culture’s ways is manifested in everything they do, even foreign sports. I had goose-bumps when they all bowed to each other. When they bowed to the crew. To everyone on the field.

There was shouting, just like in Kendo. But here, it was to emphasize their stance, their will, their endurance, their dedication, their teamwork. Tsukuba Daigaku takes sports very seriously. It is here more than anywhere that you will be able to see such beautiful manifestation of sportsmanship, skill and devotion.