VALENTINES DAY

Yes, the Japanese celebrate Valentine’s Day. Unlike the states, the Japanese women are expected to give the gifts of chocolate to the men on that day.

Yeah, Snoopy is popular in Japan also

To offset this, one month later they have another celebration called White Day. On White Day, the men repay the women that gifted them, with chocolate gifts, often white chocolate to keep in the spirit of White Day.

White Day Ad

Same offerings except this is for the men 

Classic choices, flowers or candy

SMOKING

Many shops specialize in only cigarette and tobacco related items

Smoking is still very common in Japan. I’m not at all sure about any laws related to smoking and I believe each prefecture may have its own rules, but it is not uncommon at all to see smokers. I’ve even been in a few restaurants where smokers were puffing away. Often you see smokers grouped around a single ashtray in a “designated” area.

Hanging out for a quick smoke break

There are cigarette vending machines along every block. There are also many little “Cigarette booths” (my name), tiny shops, with just a single window, that only sells cigarettes.

Plenty of choices

It is considered rude to be smoking while you’re walking. I suppose because non-smokers would not be able to avoid/go around you while you’re on the move. Some shopping malls have glass enclosed smoking rooms where a smoker can do their thing.

Room in large department store

Smoking ban in public facilities would infringe on constitutional rights: LDP lawmakers
Excerpt: The draft called for banning smoking in schools, hospitals, municipal offices, restaurants and other public areas.
Source: The Japan Times News, 09 Feb 2017

Historic(?) ash tray

 Look close these are Marlboro Menthol

One of many signs on sidewalk of Yokosuka

MORE MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOGRAPHS

Outside Cosmo World in Yokohama (that gadget is my GPSr for Geocaching)

These boots are made for...

Chopper, Shin-Yokohama

Subtle? Not here!

InterContinental Yokohama Grand Hotel

Outside "SKiP" chain store

Another cop just cruising with his lights a flashing!

Ya ever wonder what a Subway serves in Japan?

Floor tiles depicting Yokohama Sister Cities

ANOTHER CASUAL OBSERVATION

Imagine me walking into a bank in the states with this on

COLDS & ALLERGIES – If your sniffling, coughing, or have signs of a cold, you are expected to wear a mask. Most stores sell them or you can get them from vending machines.

Masks are a common sight

Cheaper by the box

I’ve read that it is also considered rude to blow your nose in public. Me, my nose has been running since I got here in December (oh, so cold compared to San Diego where I spent my last 20+ years). I’ve had to make sure I’ve had tissues with me whenever I go out. I blow my nose
whenever/wherever the need arises. My thinking is that a flow of snot running down my face would be far worse than the sound or sight of me blowing my nose.

On the topic of tissues, whenever you’re in a main shopping district, there is no need to worry about having enough tissues. As you walk along the bustle of the crowds, you will come across people hired to hand out advertisements. These advertisements come in the form of a small package of tissues. How cool and convenient is that?

Free tissue!

CASUAL OBSERVATIONS

STREET PEOPLE – There are homeless “street people” in Japan but I'm not seeing them.  In the first two months, I’ve been here I’ve seen exactly two. One, I’ve seen multiple times, as he has set up “housekeeping” in a park I regularly transit on my way to visit my sister-in-law in the hospital and the other, seen on only one occasion, sleeping on a park bench, in a very small park adjacent to the Tennocho train station.

Since being here, a month and a half, I've not seen a single panhandler yet. No one on the street corner with a "god bless" sign smoozing for bucks. I understand that in Tokyo there are large homeless encampments but I have yet to see it.

Taking a break from a busy day

JAPANESE COURTESY EXCEPTIONS

The Japanese are extremely courteous and mindful of their behavior in public EXCEPT at train stations and drivers of cars vs. pedestrians.

TRAIN STATIONS – In the mad rush of the train stations, especially the larger ones, like Yokohama Station, its every man/woman/child for themselves. They will push past you, cut in front of you, and edge you out of the way should you be in their intended path. To counter this, you need to be just as assertive. Even if you don’t know where you’re going pretend you do and move with purpose, that or move to the edges and get out of the main flow (but sooner or later you will have to cross thru the masses).

DRIVERS – While in a car, moving along with traffic, I’ve not noticed Japanese drivers being particularly aggressive, BUT, when you are a pedestrian, WATCH OUT! Most of my undesired close-encounters, and there have been more than I care to think about, have occurred when a vehicle is making a legal turn on a green light, but I also have the green “WALK” light. In the states, you just assume the driver is going to stop well back and patiently wait until your safely out of the way. Not so, here in Japan, the drivers will a.) try to beat you (get through the turn before you cross in front of them), b.) edge up very close and try to force their way past you, or c.) honk their horn at you to hurry your ass up. It’s happened to me (multiple times), and I’ve seen many other pedestrians have “close-encounters of a dangerous kind”. There is no “counter moves”, the laws of nature override the laws of man every time. Be aware and “move outta da way quick!”

A green walk does NOT ensure safe passage

EGGS – Alrighty then…. eggs. What’s to say about eggs? I’ve found that eggs, here in Japan, have a MUCH thicker/stronger shell. These suckers are damn near bullet proof. I’ve busted many a yolk by my multiple raps against the edge of a pan. Heck, I recently dropped one on the floor (NO, NOT on purpose) and though it cracked open a bit, only a small amount of liquid leaked out.

Hard Case!

A not so interesting note about eggs in Japan is that the standard packaging in Japan is 10 eggs (vs. 12 in the states). Also, they are sold in sealed clear plastic packages (vs. the states using cardboard or Styrofoam).

STAIRS – Oh my gosh, that which don’t kill me makes me stronger. I’ve got to keep that in mind here in Japan. Hills equal stairs. Stairs, oh so many stairs! They are everywhere, train stations, shopping malls, and throughout neighborhoods. I venture to say that in my month and a half here, I’ve ascended/descended more stairs than the combined total of my lifetime before coming here. Okay, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, but not much. Stair Machine… I don’t need no sissy machine!

Shin-Yokohama Train Station Stairs (note people staying to left on escalator)

Tennocho Train Station Stairs

Neighborhood stairs

Private stairs

Stairs to house

Street side stairs

MOVIE THEATERS

Here in Japan there is no problem finding the latest American movies. Yes, in English; they use Japanese sub-titles. Often, you have a choice of original soundtrack or dubbed.

Yep, they also have IMAX

When you purchase a ticket, you choose your seat, its printed on your ticket and that is just where you plop your butt down.  I don’t care for the concept.

G-15 is the seat assignment

 All the current films are available

We recently went to the to see a movie (Don't Breathe) that happened to have quite a few teenage patrons. They jabbered away prior to the coming attractions; through the coming attractions, and right when the movie started they went silent. No chatter, no whispering, no cell phone calls, not even the glare from a cellphone while someone texted.

Now for the overpriced popcorn, not at all up to American standards. It had way too many kernels and was not at all fluffy. Mediocre at best.

Over priced, just like the states

Oh yeah, almost forgot, they also offer senior discounts!

KARAOKE

 One of the popular Karaoke chains

Karaoke, a national past time that is popular throughout Japan. For a few bucks, you can rent a small studio that has a good sound and video system and a very large selection of Japanese and international tunes. Pretty much any American tune, from any era, is available. At most karaoke establishments, they also offer a wide selection of free drinks; and for those so inclined you can order full meals.

You don’t have to be a great singer to enjoy karaoke (most people are not). From what I’ve seen, it is the companionship and enjoyment of doing things with your family/friends that matters most. The applause is usually the same no matter how good or bad your ability to carry a tune. This said, I don’t karaoke. I once was singing in the shower and I sounded so bad I had to slap myself. Since my wife is a fantastic singer and loves karaoke, I frequently find myself in karaoke studios watching my own private concert but not participating.

Karaoke Machine