Japanese coffee shops and restaurants

Cafe in Ghibli museum

Hi, Everyone.      
I am so sorry that I haven't written any on this blog for a long time.


Ok... what should I start with...
I will talk about Japanese coffee shops and restaurants.

There are many coffee shops which are called "kissaten" in Japan.
Of course they have Starbucks too!
By the way do you know what Japanese people calls Starbucks?   It is "Su-Ta-Ba".

Kissaten are particularly popular among students or business people, like salary men.
Kissaten serve coffee, tea, soft drinks, and food such as sandwiches, toast, spagetti, sweets, etc...
It depends on the place, but if you go shopping in a popular town, it is naturally to see girls enjoying some "tea-time."

There are Kissten that have different themes. For example, if they have a lot of manga books, it is called "Manga kissa". If they wear maid clothes, it is called "Maid kissa".  These Kissa means "kissaten".

CAUTION! Most coffee shops and restaurants are not refill free.  
For example, if you order coke, they will serve one can of coke and a glass with ice.    That's it! If you get refill, they will charge another one.
 Compared to the cups given in the US, these cups are really small! So if you are thirsty, one sip is all you need to drink it all.
Just remind you..... the portion of the food is also small compare to here in US.


If you go to a family restaurant, like Dennys and Cocos, they usually have a drink bar. 
These are refill free and you can get as much as
you want.








 At last, if you have a chance to visit Japan, please stop by a Japanese convenience store.
They are totally different.  They have all kinds of drinks (everything is so tasty), sweets and
bento.  

Kamidana - Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America

Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two major religions. Most of the Japanese consider themselves Buddhist, Shintoism or both. Usually there is a large red gate in front of the Shinto shrine calls "Torii"

                                                  Temple - Otera                    Shrine - Jinja


Butsudan (Buddhist altar)

Kamidana(Shinto Shrine)



Most of the Japanese use both Shinto and Buddism in their daily life. They visit temples for funerals, New Years Eve, and New Years.  They visit shrines for local festivals (matsuri), weddings, and also New Years.  

Most Japanese houses have Butsudan(Buddhism alter) and Kamidana(shinto shrine) in their homes.

         



   

 Kamidana is a miniture Shinto shrine.  Sometimes they can be seen in Budo dojos, offices, and shops as well.  Japanese people believe that Jinja(shrine) is the guardian deity of the area(town) and Kamidana is the guardian god for the house.  It is said that Kamidana started more than 1300 years ago.  The present Kamidana has a deep relationship to the Grand Shrine of Ise.

Kamidana is usually displayed on the high shelf of the house.
Sometimes Kamidana may also include a shimenawa, a sacred rope of twisted rice straw traditionally used to demarcate a sacred area. They also offer water, sake (rice beer), food, and green twigs which are placed daily at the front of the shrine.  When you pray for Kamidana, first bow twice and then clap your hand twice, then you pray, and after that you bow once.

 In the Kamidana, they usually put amulets(ofuda) into it.

Ofuda is a talisman issued by a Shinto shrine.  It is made by inscribing the name of a kami and the name of the Shinto shrine or of a representative of the kami on a strip of paper, wood, cloth, or metal.

If there is no kamidana, it can be attached to a door, pillar, or ceiling.  It is believed to protect the family in residence from general harm and disease.

There is a portable form of the ofuda, it is called Omamori.  It is wrapped in a small bag made of decorated cloth.  This originates from Buddhism, but was subsequently adopted by Shinto.  Both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines give out these omamori.  While an ofuda is said to protect a whole family, an omamori offers support for personal good luck, protective power, and blessings.

Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America is the traditional Jinja Shinto Shrine and the direct North American branch of Tsubaki O Kami Yashiro in Mie prefecture one of the oldest and most prestigious shrines in Japan with a history of over 2000 years.

They offer Kamidana, Omamori(amulets), Ema, Hamaya, Omamori Jewelry and bracelets.

Please visit Tsubaki Grand Shrine today!

                                      http://www.tsubakishrine.org

    Also you can check on MegaMall Japan - Meditation page

                                                                  

Japanese Culture - Are Japanese humble?

If you know the Japanese culture and Japanese people deeply, you might think they are a very complicated race.

I do not think many countries have characteristics like Japan. Today I am talking about "謙遜する-Kenson suru" - humble (being modest) Japanese.

In Japan when you talk to people, you have to refer to yourself of lower level (modest or humble) than
your actual situation, ability or value.
This is the very basic thing the Japanese people do every day.

For example, if someone says " I heard you bought a new house" -

What do you say?

"Yes, we have 3000 sqf with a pool and it is beautiful and we really like it" ??

Answer is "NO!" In Japan they will say " No, it's not that great house. The yard is small and we have to work hard to pay off our mortgage... : ( with a sad face ... even if you live in a huge house

How about when someone says "Did you buy a new car?"

-"Yes, we had a really good deal - We will drive it until it's broken"   even if you got a porche

"I heard you got promoted. Congratulations!"

-"Oh, thank you, but I still have a long way to go..." or "I can't even reach to your foot.

(I am not in your league)"

"I like your outfit today - it is so nice!"

- "No, not at all - it was a bargain" or " It is nothing special." 

even it was expensive...

This Kenson(humble, modest) attitude is for family members, too.

If someone says "I heard that your son is excellent at the school!"               
Japanese people will say "No, No, I am afraid he is terrible."
-They never say " Yes, he is a good boy " or something like that.

"Your daughter is so cute!"
- "Thank you, but she is a handful, I always have to keep my eyes on her...."

Japanese people prefer to use following answers:                            

That's not true... ( sonna koto arimasen yo)

No, No (ie ie...)

I am not that (Watashi nante ...)

No way! (Tondemo arimasen)

Compare to you, I am nothing (anata sama ni kurabetara watashi nante...)

Did you think the Japanese are negative? We are not. We are just being humble.
I already talked about when you give a gift , you have to say "This is just a little thing.. but..." or "It's nothing fancy.. but.."before you give a present. There are some more.

When you invite someone to your house:

It's a mess, but please come in. (Kitanai tokoro desuga dozo ohairi kudasai) - even if house is perfectly clean

It's a tiny house, but please come in. (Semai uchi desuga dozo) - even it is a huge house

We really don't have anything to serve you, but please come in. (Nanno okamai mo dekimasenga, dozo)
-even if you already prepare nice dinner

When you serve food at your house:

I am not sure you will like it or not.. ( Okuchi ni auka doka wakarimasen ga...)

This is nothing special, but please help yourself. (Nanimo arimasenga dozo meshiagatte kudasai)

- even though you bought special snacks for them

When your guest leaves:

Sorry, I couldn't serve you enough, but thank you for coming. (Nanimo okamai dekinakute sumimasen)
-even though you did enough for your guest

If you didn't serve tea or anything, you can say
-Sorry, I didn't even serve you a tea.  (Ocha mo dasazuni sumimasen)

Most of the Japanese believes  "A clever falcon hides his claws." or "Modesty is a virtue"
and they use it in everyday life.

If you have Japanese friends, why don't you try this and see if they will be humble or not.
If they are not, then maybe get a Japanican. (very Americanized Japanese)  ^_^

New Listing on MegaMall Japan - Bellabolla....beads

Tombodama are Japanese glass beads.  They have beautiful patterns and designs with vivid colors. 

They are wearable arts!

Tombodama means "dragonfly bead" as they are thought to resemble the color reflected in a dragonfly`s eye.

It is believed that tombodama beads were originated in Mesopotamia about 3,500 years ago. In ancient times, they were made by craftsmen for members of royal families and aristocrats and, were regarded as precious accessories.

The technique used in making the beads were brought to Japan via the Silk Road during the Nara period (710-794), but the craft was lost during the Heian period (794-1192).

Now Tombodama beads are used for obi dome, cell phone strap, jewelries, and can be collectable items.

Tombodama prices are in a wide range. 
"Bellabolla" owner Karen-san is sharing her collection with an affordable price.  Also Bellabolla carries vintage Japanese beads. 

Please check out "Bellabolla" today.    Bellabolla Link

You can find Bellabolla store on following MegaMall Japan page:

Hobby page

Jewelry Page

Japanese culture blog - Japanese hand gesture and body language

Japanese love the peace sign when they take pictures, but I don't think they really mean it as 

"Peace" . The peace sign is a kind of pause they can show cheerful attitude and make them smile

to the camera since the Japanese really are not good at smiling.  ^_^

Some of the gestures the Japanese use might be different from your country.

Japanese people do not use body(hand) gestures(language) as much as another country when they talk.

Me - Watashi

Whe you are listening - Aiduchi (un un) - instead of like uh-huh, right, sure... etc

Just nodding one's head up and down - this is not the meaning of agreeing.

Embarrassment

Usually Japanese women covered their mouth with a hand when they feel embarassing. 

Come here!

Waving the hand in a back and forth motion with the fingers pointed downwards        

Just like Meneki neko.

Other hand gestures

 

How to count

My hand gesture of 3 is like an OK sign though....  : )







Mad - Angry
EX) When I went home late last night and my wife was ...... (Gesture)

              

I am going to pass in front of you (Mae wo shitsurei shimasu)               

Round the back slightly, place one hand up with your fingers together and the thumb up, then gently move your hand up and down when passing in front of someone.

(From Nichi bei Body Talk)

No, thank you. or No, it's not ( iie kekkou desu or iie chigaimasu)   

Shake one or both hands with the palm facing the other person.

Ugly (Busu)

Push up the nostrils with the index finger.

Please or Sorry (onegai shimasu or gomen nasai)         

Place both palms together and lightly bow your head

                      Sometimes I get this gesture when foreign country people say "Thank you-
                      Arigato"  to me, but we don't use this gesture when we say it.
                     



Am I cute? (Kawaii?)  
When a Japanese teenager takes pictures, they sometime do this pose. They put a 'peace' sign on their cheek, or some part of their face to ask, "Am I cute?"

Snooty - put fist on your nose.

Gay (Okama) 

(From 70 Japanese gestures)

By the way this is kind of like a Japanese slung - they use the "gay" word for men who like men and
they dress up with regular men's clothing. "Okama" is the word used for men who dress up in women's clothing.


We have more interesting gestures.  If you can think about something or you realized when you were in Japan or around Japanese friends, please let me know through my facebook or blog.
Here is the link MegaMall Face Book page.

If you would like to sign up on my personal Face book page, click here.
My personal FB page is more casual than MegaMall Page, so
you can talk about a lot of things !! :)   - Yoroshiku Onegai shimasu.....

Japanse Culture - Basic Japanese manner, etiquette & communication

It is very hard to learn about each and every countries' culture and manners(etiquette).

Regular things you can do here is a big no-no if you go to a different country.

In Japan, if they see you as foreign country people, they understand if you do not have the proper manners. However, if you know at least a few, you will gain their respect. Today I will explain the traditional basic Japanese etiquette - manners when you go to Japan : )

Bow

You know the Japanese bow a lot, but that bow has many angles to show respect.  I learned this when I first got a job at a hotel business in Japan.

Konnichiwa(Regular bases) - 15°
Irassyai mase  - 30°
Hajime mashite(Nice to meet you) - 30°

Great to see you again - 45° - 90° (depends on how much you respect to the other person)

Thank you very much - 45°
I am so sorry - 45° - 90° (depends how deep you apologize)
In business scene - 30°

 President Obama and Japanese Emperor:

You can see President Obama's respectful attitude.

Visiting somebody's house

When Japanese people invite you to their home, you should feel very special, because the Japanese don't invite many people to their home.  They do not have many house parties, get togethers, etc.

1. Keep on time to get there. ( You should be there on time or 5 min earlier ) If it is for business, arriving 10 minutes earlier is common.

2. Bring a gift.  (Please refer my Gift Blog - click )

3. When you go into their house, take off your shoes and arrange your shoes   

    (point toes toward the entrance)  Most houses have slippers, so wear

     it, but when you go into Tatami room, you have to take it off.

    When you use the bath room they usually have another slippers for the

    bathroom, use it and don't forget to change the slippers when you go back to the room  : )   

4. When they serve food - Try to say "Itadakimasu" - (Thank you for the 
     food) before you start eating.
    Please try to sample each food. (Even if you don't, I'm sure they will hand out every dish to you -
    Yes, this is Japanese way!)

5.  When you share dishes with somebody and they don't have anything to take,  use the back of the
      chopsticks to take the food onto your plate.   Some people says this is unclean, so it depends on that
       house people.  If they say you don't have to, it is not nesessary.
    
6.  After you finish your meal, please say "Gochisou sama deshita" (Thank you, it was delicious!).
     Do not stack up oily dishes together.  Most Japanese houses don't have a dish washer, so it is easier
     for them to wash if you do that way.

I will add some eating manners:

* Please do not stick chopstick onto rice - if you want to leave chopstick, leave it on a chopstick rest.

* Please do not pass food with chopstick to chopstick.

-These 2 things are most NO-NO things in Japanese table manner because these are for buddhist alter.

Sometime I see people doing these at Japanese restaurant  : (

Communication with Japanese people -

1. "Honne and Tatemae"

Honne and tatemae are such an integral part of the Japanese social behavior.  Japanese people use this all the time. "Honne" is honest feeling and "Tatemae" is the facade," is the behavior and opinions one displays in public.

Since Japan is to maintain wa or harmony at all points of time, opinions are never openly expressed, emotions are not shown, and public confrontations are rare.

Non-verbal message is very important to deal with Japanese people.  You have to see their facial expressions and tone of voice.  

Do not expect Japanese person say "NO" - because they never say "NO" directly.  They use "maybe", "probably" or  "OK" but it means "No"!

When my daughter asks me something, I also use those words and she knows it means "NO!"  ^_^

2. Japanese may ask you personal questions.

When you have a conversation with Japanese people, they sometime asks you personal questions.
It doesn't mean anything - they just need some topic to have great conversation with you.
I sometimes did this when I moved to U.S and my husband said that "I can't believe you asked that!" -WELL.. SORRY... I didn't know that!

Also, sometimes they say "Did you lose your weight?" or "Did you gain your weight?" In most countries this is very rude comment, but not in Japan.  Behind those words, there is a meaning of  "we care about your health, is everything OK?"  ( Interesting, right?)

Another interesting facts:
* Do not blow your nose in front of people.
* Vampire teeth are a cute symbol for Japanese girls. (They consider it cute if you have vampire teeth, so
   they don't fix it on purpose)  

Japanese culture - Japanese school system 3

Japanese Culture - Japanese school system 3

There are many more interesting things which they do in Japanese schools and not in the U.S.

1.  Jyugyou sankan(授業参観）　－　The day parents can visit their child's class room and see how

 their kids are learning in the class.  It's a little different than open house. Parents can actually see how their kids do when they are

taking the class.  ( behavior, paticipation, etc) 

There is one thing I realized when I moved to the U.S.   In the U. S, most of kids raise their hands when teacher ask some questions. In Japan, maybe elementary kids do it, but not middle school and high school kids.  I don't know why - they just don't do it even they know the answer.  Maybe they don't want to show off or what?? - Japanese people doesn't like stand out.

                                           I guess this is the one of the behavior it shows culture difference.

2.  Katei houmon(家庭訪問） -　It is a kind of house visitation by the child's teacher.  Sometime at the
                                    beginning of every school year (school starts in April- so around in May),  classes
                                    get out early and the teachers visit all their students' homes.  This purpose is for
                                    teachers can see what kind of environment their students have, seeing their parents,
                                    teachers can see if students have any problem at home.  Sometimes teachers
                                    checks students' rooms, too.  Teachers stays about 15-20 minutes in each house.
                                    I remember I cleaned up my room a whole bunch the day before. (even my mom
                                    cleaned up the house, too ^_^

3. Japanese high school test (高校入試） - In Japan, going into high school is a first big step.  Each high
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 school  has different grades.  When you go into high school, you have to take
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　a test. So smart kids go to high rank high school and not so smart kids go to 
                                       an  average high school.  Also they have public and private.  They take the private
                                       high school test first.  Then they take the public high school test.  If you fail
                                      the public high school test, you still have a choice to go to a private school. 
                                      Private schools are different than the U.S.
                                      It's not the school only rich kids can go - of course it cost more money compare to
                                      public schools, but it is a second choice for kids who can't be accepted by public
                                      school.  -Of course there are many people that like private schools better than
                                      public for many reasons.

4. Sansya Mendan(三者面談）- In the last glade of middle school, students, their parents and teacher get

          together and talk about the students' future - which high school they want to

          go or they CAN go, what they need to do, etc..  Going into Japanese college or

          University is the same thing.(They have to take a test and each school 
           has differnet grades.) so in the last glade of high school, they do this Sansya 
           Mendan as well.
      

 I think Japanese schools have more connection with parents and they believe that working teachers and
parents together are very important to raise a  good students. 

                                Do you wish if you have these kind of things in your country??