The point about the hobbies really resonates with me. During my most recent trip, I was amazed at how deep their appreciation is for photography. And just not 'commercial' looking photography. They appreciate and uplift all types. It's wonderful!

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, I dont think I even close to conveying in the video just how serious the depth of knowledge and passion goes. Dan Carlin's quote, "The Japanese are just like everyone else, but more so." springs to mind.

I like your videos. I get the feeling you are multi tasking on your way to the train. I've been married to a Japanese woman for 20 years. Now we have retired to Japan. Our daughter is attending University here. I have only been here 2 years and I have lost 20 pounds without really trying. (I do go to the gym 3-4xs/week). I love it here. The only snag is I'm 68 and trying to learn Japanese is way more difficult than I ever dreamed.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Japanese isn't easy, that's for sure. Especially since you can't just "pick up" the reading like you can in countries like Italy etc. Kanji is a tough barrier to crack. The place where I filmed is actually my old station, close to where I used to live. I like to go to that area to film because I know the streets well, and I try to find places that are lively but not too noisy (traffic).

It's nice to know that you were actually walking while you were doing this video. That is the one big thing that is different from living in the United States and Japan. That you walked everywhere and got your steps in everyday. In the United States I wear a fitness band to count how many steps I take. People don't use rapid Transit because it's poorly planned and poorly implemented. I miss the clean on time, trains and buses. But I don't miss the crowds at during rush hour in the trains and buses.

Good information good videos!

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

ZUSHI ❤ 8:00 my uncle and aunt’s grave is in SEIJO-ji

Regarding additives and and generally food/drink products available in Japan, i have mixed feelings. Coming from Europe I think additives rules are much more strict. Also in Japanese restaurants it's sometimes a challenge to order vegetables, they do have a salad or cold appetizers but main dishes usually do not include many veggies. Home cooking is entirely fine, also Ryokan food has much more sides. It's true however that tea is a much healthier drink than whatever I had before

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Another problem is Japan doesnt require labeling the type of oil used in a product. It just says 植物油 which isnt helpful if you want to avoid palm oil, for instance.

Another nice little video, thank you. Indeed, I have heard about the hobby stuff, it's wonderful. I'm into such things. As for food I don't know what it is, but the US in particular is notorious for having a bunch of weird ingredients in food that are regulated and not allowed in other countries. Also the portion sizes are notoriously large in the US, that's certainly a large contributing factor to obesity. As for the Japanese foreigner interest, I'm very surprised to hear that. "Conventional wisdom" probably puts Japan as such a xenophobic nation, when ironically I suppose they aren't. Though they still are in some ways apparently, but still.

@Hay8137g

2 ай бұрын

Have you been to Japan? There were many obese people in Tokyo. Lots of the food is drenched in Mayo and sugar. Convenient 7-11 is decent; Japn fried chicken was gross. The only fried food worth eating is tempura. Ramen is fatty and how much fatty beef can you eat without getting fat? Forget about desserts; the western influence there has an agreement with sugar plantations. I could go on and on..I just think the western pallet is so desperate.

@bobbinsthethird

2 ай бұрын

​@@Hay8137gcompare the obesity rate in America, Mexico and Australia, and Japan. The former can be 5,6,7 times as obese as Japan

@Hay8137g

2 ай бұрын

@@bobbinsthethirdsadly people always compare Japan to US to China etc.. Japanese people are shorter and smaller, they can’t eat much because their constitution will be fatter easier. You have to look BMI. Besides, it’s unfair to always compare Japan w so many other countries; non Asian, and developed; island; Japan isn’t Tokyo and Tokyo isn’t Japan. I saw many obese people (could or could not be Japanese) in Japn (esp Tokyo) PERIOD.

Hi Paul - great work always fella, thanks! Could you please repost the podcast link? The one in the description doesn't seem to work.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Thank you for letting me know. I think it should work now. Please let me know if it still fails to load. Alternatively, you can search for Journal of Japan Journeys in whatever podcast platform you usually use, and it should pop up.

Thank you very much for providing insightful view of Japan & Japanese! You actually proved what you said, as I am quite positive that most North Americans would have huffed and puffed after walking the distance you did in the video.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

If you can't handle a 10+ minute walk in Japan, that's a potential problem.

This don’t seem anything special but I guess it depends where you came from. 1.intense hobbies 2.improve health; fresh food and unsweetened tea; walk 3.Japanese pride / helpful 4.invitations

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Well if you put it that way, lol.

@msmith155

2 ай бұрын

Still is noteworthy to people who don't know.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

To answer more in depth, yes, it certainly depends on where you are from, especially when it comes to food additives and diet - I am from the US and so are the majority of my viewers. However, I think the final 2 things on the list will surprise some people. The Japanese have a reputation of being polite, but reserved or cool at best, xenophobic at worst. What you actually find is friendly, helpful, and open people - the opposite of the stereotypes. That's the message I, perhaps clumsily, was trying to convey.

@Hay8137g

2 ай бұрын

⁠@@ExJapTerhi I’m not trying to butt heads w you. But being immersed into the culture/neighborhood and something different than yours always take time, and most people eventually open up. You see this when starting new jobs- finding friends, finding niche, finding your people.. Friendships take time. And yes Japn people could be as prideful similar to that as an italian or other elitist national. Personally, I always find a way to make friends with someone different to myself. So honestly, not too compelling video, but I watch as always.