Four City Impressions: Tokyo, Saigon, Columbus, San Francisco

It has been three and a half years since I first came to San Francisco to work on the career aspect of my life. Things have gone according to plan, I’ve settled into a routine and time has gone quickly. In fact, this is the most time I’ve spent in once city in the past…… Continue reading Four City Impressions: Tokyo, Saigon, Columbus, San Francisco

At Narita Airport – Move to San Francisco

Well, the day has come to move back to America and the culture shock has already begun. I’m writing this in the departure lobby of Narita Airport but will post later because they charge 500 yen to use the Internet hotspot! The culture shock actually begins here at Narita since Narita has the shakedown mastered.…… Continue reading At Narita Airport – Move to San Francisco

Japan Stories – Trouble in Roppongi

Trouble in Roppongi By tok_matthew July 30th, 2005 @ 6:43 PM Life in Tokyo Every month I receive an update from the American Embassy about Visa info, security situations, etc. I usually never read it since the visa info doesn’t apply to me and the rest just tells us that the rest of the world is still…… Continue reading Japan Stories – Trouble in Roppongi

Japan Stories – Climbing Mt. Fuji

Climbing Mt. Fuji By tok_matthew Perhaps one of the most exciting, yet least attempted things to do while visiting Japan is climbing Mt. Fuji. It is quite close to Tokyo and only takes about an hour and a half to the fifth station of Mt. Fuji by bus from Shinjuku Station. I attempted the climb and…… Continue reading Japan Stories – Climbing Mt. Fuji

Japanese Youth and Manners

Japanese Youth and Manners By tok_matthew June 3rd, 2005 @ 12:13 PM Life in Tokyo Everyone knows that the Japanese are the politest people on the face of the earth. I was completely amazed when walking into even a McDonald’s in Japan and having the employees bow to me. In the trains I quickly learned to not…… Continue reading Japanese Youth and Manners

Tokyo – 日本人と外人の関係について

日本人と外人の関係について By tok_matthew May 29th, 2005 @ 5:35 PM Life in Tokyo 私は三年間東京住んでいました。その時に日本の文化、言葉と生き方についてたくさんならって、日本の生活たいしてすごく住み心地の良いになりました。でも外人に対して日本で住むことをあまり住みやすくないんです。 日本で住むことを始まる時に外人が日本の文化と言葉、についてなにも分からない。そして日本人とあまり連絡をできません。色々日本人は英語をしゃべれる、だけどまだ日本の文化についてよく分からないで誤解がたくさんがあります。 例えば: 1.日本人にはじめてと日本人よくLets go to the Izakaya sometimeを言っています。外人はこの文を聞くと本との招待だと思っています。そして、外人の答えは、