I love Japan for it's high social morale. I guess i'm pretty strong about the issues of simple manners and social conduct that i rarely see in the western world and it just really pings me off to live in one. I've only clocked 7 days in Japan so far, but even that little amount of time spent there has shown me that society still is strong somewhere in the world. I really envy Japan for this.
what i love about Japan -Akihabara (undisputed) -Go Go No Koucha -Easy to pick up girls -doing live shows -Cars What i hate about Japan -too controlled -everybody behave like robots -too polite that it sickens my stomach -girls too skinny -KAZU
I first encountered Japanese culture studying Aikido when I was a boy, and it's been with me ever since. (Never thought I'd get so into Gundam though.) As Danny noted, I think that honest responsibility and diligence are admirably strong characteristics of the Japanese mentality. Additionally, the emphasis on politeness and respect was perhaps the most important thing I picked up from studying Japanese (the language) in high school. Those very qualities may have a tendency to be carried to sometimes harmful extremes, however. I marvel at how hard it sounds like Japanese people work, in terms of long hours and few vacations, both as students and thereafter. (Danny's accounts of his long days are a little worrisome, though it seems he gets along as well as anybody, and probably better.) Similarly, while respect is important, sometimes hierarchy needs to be overridden to address harmful situations, and I'm under the impression that Japanese are reluctant to do this. The existence of stories like Gurren Lagann, which so strongly emphasize breaking through restriction, are a testament that the people who tell such stories probably know all too well what it is to be restricted, and to want to break through. Then again, as long as structure is balanced with a little healthy de-struction, as it were, things tend to be alright. Sorry for being so long-winded...
Good reasons why I want to visit japan, I do want to see what real japanese people/life is like & not just in anime or manga.
I'd probably say... the otaku culture. Pretty much it.
My first poisonous effect from japan was from L'Arc~en~Ciel, didn't know why , me just like the music they played.... And the other side effects would be the politeness and culture they have....me have no proud to my country culture shame on me!!! hell yeah....who cares ^^
I gained interest for Japan after watching Haruhi (I watched Naruto first, but after seeing it I didn't go nuts about Japan, a month later I watched Haruhi and instantly tried to find out more). As I learned more and more about various anime and the otaku culture itself I also begun to think about getting to know rest of the country. That's how I became a Japanophile. However, I still spend 90% of my free time watching anime, playing eroge and get to know more new stuff about otaku and their world from this site (Thank you, Danny!)^^
Strangely enough one of the main reasons why I love Japan is it's mythological culture and it's performance/literary history e.g. Noh, Kabuki, tanka poetry. Hahaha, quite odd for someone who's predominantly an anime/manga otaku. :D() Maybe it can be even better described like this, I like Japan for the fact that it is everything that my country isn't! I mean, if Japan was totally the same, then it wouldn't be so fun to love it like this!
Well, more or less, my reasons are the same as yours, Danny. Otaku culture, high standard of living, low crime rate, ~100 mbps internet. Well, if there is one thing I dislike about Japan, it's their continuous decline in GDP per capita. That's going to hurt me later when I start looking for job there. >_< The Japanese government really need to do something about it.
i don't like japan...I LOVE IT!!! *insert McDo "i'm lovin' it" theme here* the first time that i've encountered japan was through anime, manga and video games and falling in love with the japanese pop-culture (mainly the otaku culture) ^___^ but that's not the only thing that made me to love japan. just like Danny, i also like the diligence, honesty and politeness of the japanese ^________^ another thing that i love about japan is the innovation and creativity of the japanese not only in terms of technology and fashion but also in everyday life ^_______^. weird is cool in japan ^^
the only obvious thing i dislike about Japan is the absurdly high cost of living. but someday i will definitely see myself permenantly staying put in Japan, hopefully in the near future.
things i like about japan (not in order of preference) 1) animes 2) gundams 3) figures 4) moe 5) AV 6) kipi 7) idols 8) hard gay
Good things: - Vending machines. - Cleanliness. - Abundance of anime and game merchandises. - Polite attitude. - Excellent public transport. - Insane connection speed. - Good food, great restaurant service. - Tengas. - Related to above, Japan's open views towards sex. Bad things: - Small, cramped living conditions. - Houses and apartments are expensive. - Long working hours; may be depressing to work there. - It's expensive to maintain a car. Oil ain't cheap.
Yep, the only thing I dislike about Japan is probably the high living cost ^^; I wanted to visit Japan atleast once in my whole life XD Tour or anything I don't care!!!
I could come up with a list of thing including Japan's high social morale, low crime,Japanese mythology and various other things but I think the most important thing for me is an accepted otaku culture. Something that's not the case where I live.
Got quite a few reasons on why I would love to live in Japan. 1. The fact that there's 4 seasons. (Not just one burning season for the whole year like SG) 2. The people are alot more gracious and courteous. 3. Anime! Akiba! Moe! 4. Japan is one of the leading countries in Robotics Research Development (besides US, but sadly I don't enjoy US culture), which I would love to work on when I move over. 5. Cultural History and Traditions. 6. There's something about the Japanese Language which I like, about able to express emotions more readily? OR either I've been watching too many anime and Jdramas. Sadly every country got their cons. 1. The government is weak. (But at least it's not a dictatorship like here) 2. The economy of the country is on the decline, which bad for me as I intend to work stay there in the future. 3. More places to run around and nicer scenery to see (Love Hokkaido ^^), rather than being constraint to a small island. Got quite a few more to add for both but that will be too long a comment, but that's more or less the gist of it. Can't wait to move over!!
Well, to say that I am not a Japanophile would be a lie, seeing I am living here now. I must say, it was anime and manga that first got me interested in Japan but now it has turned into a passion for Japanese Culture on a whole. Just the juxtaposition of ancient rituals and high-tech things in this country alone makes it quite remarkable and interesting. My friend once told me that to have a quick snapshot of Japan is to look at its toilets. You have the ancient squat toilet placed right next to an ultra-modern toilet with built in seat warmer and bidet. Cost of living isn^t too high. Living in Australia has become quite expensive, and I have found things in Japan to be usually around the same price and sometimes even cheaper (like eating out). Things like transport however is much more expensive, but then again, the service is so much higher. Trains actually run on time.... (unless there is a blizzard or something as experienced when getting home from Wonderfest recently). Another wonder is the takkyubin serivce - the price is so reasonable and its so convenient! Saves you from dragging all your loot from akiba all the way back home :)
I got interested in Japan via its art (historical) and film. This then progressed to finding manga and anime, among other things. I like the the food culture and personal responsibility the best. There are a lot more but I'll leave it at that. I don't like the sluggishness of decision making, especially if there's a time-constraint, and I hate katakana English (not the loan words but the method of teaching).
There are so many things i luv bout Japan. Of cos there's anime otherwise i wouldn't be here in the first place! hah I also absolutely luv Japanese food! everything from the taste to the beautiful presentation. i luv spending time at the shopping mall basements with all the food. there r so many other things that i like, from vending machines to the bullet trains. my only regret is i'm just too lazy to learn the language. I try to visit Japan at least once a year. Last year was lucky cos i had a chance to work for a week in Tokyo on a photo shoot and then go on vacation a few months later in Osaka. Most of my japan photos are on my blog too.
Interessting topic! I personaly love Japan, the landscapes which vary from the rural areas to the high tech city of Tokio. The culture from anime up to tea ceremonies, not to forget all the wonderfull festivals - matsuri etc. The awesome language, i imagine if i would have grown up with Japanese i would imagine to be smarter by 10 times then with lazy 26 signs german. The school system, even though it is a lot of stress on some kids, it seems still to be one of the best around, not because the Sailor Fuku, only part wise. Compared to germany you have really to work in Japan to archive something in school, in germany it's a cakewalk. (It did bore me to death.) The art which is behind anime and exspecialy how anime seems to be around everywere in Japan, in the behaviour of some people and... oh my, seriously i gona start to cry if i go on - i miss Japan tons and i need to go there again asap. The only thing i dislike is the whaling, seriously i don't understand the japanese in that way... of course it's not much better to slaugther tons of cows or pigs. But why do they kill whale mothers and their kids... the pictures i have seen of that did seriously shock me. Though pictures of tons of chicken babys threatened like a product in a TV docu about a german factory i accidentaly zapped in burned into my brain too. Non the less i really want to work and live in Japan, though my past is messed up pretty much and in case of WebDesign it seems rather bad to get a Job in Japan if your a gaijin + not living there right now. I'm trying to change my job field to System Integration starting from second June... once that's done i should be around 30y old :( and then i gona see what i can get over there... educate educate educate i say, only for one goal... living and working in the land of my dreams were everything (almost) is how i love it. Oh, and i have been there 7 times, it's not like i imagine it to be like in animes. ;)
Bueno mi admiracion por japon se inicio por los años 80 cuando vi y jugue street fighter las artes marciales me llamaron la atencion es por ello que me intereso Japon años despues Robotech y alli comenzo mi busqueda por mas anime. En resumen lo que me fasino son las artes marciales el anime, y la cultura japonesa, y como todo fanatico conocer japon es el sueño lejano. //////////////////////////////// Well my admiration for Japanese started by the 80 when I saw toys street fighter and martial arts called me the attention that is why I am interested Japan Robotech years later and there began my search for more anime. To sum up what I fasino are martial arts anime and Japanese culture, and like any Japanese fanatico know is the distant dream.
I love Japan because it never fails to surprise or even shock me. Like just when you think you've seen the absolute weirdest thing ever, you'd be surprised that they'd come up with something waaaaaay more weird than that. Though at first that's the only thing I like about Japan, but eversince I've read your blog, I'm beginning to think of moving there just so I can enjoy going out, leaving my stuff anywhere, or sleeping on the street when I'm too tired without worrying that I'd wake up naked and mugged.
Ah! The Ai madonna group! I remember doing a post on them when I was in Japan last Sept. There's a thing I dislike about Japan is probably 社交辞令 【しゃこうじれい】where one uses a polite or diplomatic way of putting things. Prefer if they were more straightforward ^^;
If I can live in Japan I can get frozen, baked, soaked and wither as well XD. Ok, than was a joke. Some of the reasons I want to move to Japan is because then I can get fresh anime; it's annoying to rely on companies that hand out kid's stuff like Machine Robo Rescue, and ignore potential hits like Gurren Langann. Secondly I won't need to fear being tarred and feathered for buying eroge, and finally, I want to get a chance to work with a manga artist. I don't care as his assistant, his servant or whatever. As long as I can learn the art of manga, I am happy. :)
My wish is to go to japan for being a tourist guy in short "i am a Lakwatsero boy".Because the first thing that i mentioned is the technologies and the environment an especially i am a Otaku fan like myself..
I've never been to Japan, but would love to visit sometime. As far as things in Japan I don't like, I'd say the cost of living. From what I heard its pretty expensive, especially in cities Tokyo. That and some of the more perverted perversions. As for what I really love about Japan, the Japanese people to be exact, is their attitude of being the best they can be. Maybe Danny can comment on this since he's living there, but I get the impression that the Japanese have a drive to be the best at whatever it is their profession, be it Swordmaster, painter or simple janitor.
Likes: Games Anime Culture - Festivals seem really interesting too. I heard there is one where they make a giant wooden phallus or something and worship it. Girls all wear skirts :O All the things that make you think only in japan: H-games, candy girls, candy man, maid cafes, girl drinking your feet tub water (ok I was lying about the last one....) Too many to list.
Anime got me into Japan, and I soon found out that there was way more to discover. The culture fascinates me a lot and the people seem to be so much more friendly,polite and honest over there. Another thing I love about Japan is the criminal rate, I already had enough problems with violence in my town and I'm tired of it, living almost completely without it sounds amazing. Of course I love anime and manga too and how it's used almost everywhere in Japan. Can't say too much about things I dislike because I haven't been to Japan yet, but things that definitely annoy me are: -Whaling -People living like robots (working all day without any social contacs) I'm sure there are more pros and cons but they won't come to my mind right now ^^" @Martin Wandering: I agree with you about the working part. @Tami: I think it depends on the school you attend, I wouldn't say it's that easy. I don't have big problems with things we do at school but some of my friends do, and I wouldn't call them stupid :0
Japan offers a lot of opportunity from what I understand, and the culture is is much more attractive than American culture. Japanese culture has deep, deep roots and lots of historical background. To me it truly genuine, unlike American culture which has very little roots. American culture isn't even one of its own when I think about it. It's basically all the cultures of the world all smashed together, where it takes the bad and the good. It looks nice on top and to the outside world, but when you've lived in it you learn it has a bad aftertaste. Most people are also extremely rude,grouchy, dishonest, selfish and sneaky here. I've heard many stories of people being robbed and mugged in front of a crowd of people, where they do absolutely nothing to help. Playstation 3 launch day had a few of these. IMO there is no true American culture. The Japanese tend to take only the best things from different cultures of the world and then modify them to fit their needs. If I had another choice of places to go other than Japan, then it would be Australia or New Zealand because they're both islands secluded from the crap in the world.
So... Do we get arrested for being Japandophiles?
I love Japan most for the otaku culture (must visit holy ground of Akiba still), the gadgets and the overal get-things-done-the-best-you-can mentality, the latter of which I think has been present even before the dawn of society here in Europe. On the other hand, what puts me off is the work-so-hard-you-have-to-sleep-in-public mentality and I guess the sometimes closed society in which you only get by if you know the rules of the game. As a gaijin who has never been there I don't really know anything of course, but it's especially the latter that makes me doubt about trying to do my year-long master's thesis in Japan or not.
BTW @ number1guy: I really agree with you on the last bit, if I had to choose anywhere else to live, it'd be Japan, Australia or New Zealand. Islands who mostly watch the crap of the world float by XD
the very thing that I liked about Japan is gotta be Gundam. Have been a fan since young. Like the anime and model kits that comes from it. I have also loved the great scenery of all the mountains, be it snowy or rocky. I have always like to picture myself in those nice scenery photographs. It would really be so cool if I personally could go and really experience both the climate and see how mother nature represents herself there, in Japan. And lastly, its gotta be the food. Ramen and Sushi are my favorites. I would really loved to go into one of the sushi and ramen shops in Japan, whereby all the food you ordered are made instantly in front of you by the chef. Can't imagine the freshness. Damn, I am salivating now..XD
Great question. I always thought I was a little different than most because I am not a Japanophile born out of anime and manga. Most people in my Japanese classes are, and it is really annoying. But that could be another topic. I visited back in '89 for a few days and always have had a special place in my heart for Japan since then. I love the traditional culture, the temples, the food, the electronics and how futuristic the place is. Yet, you don't have to look far to find a quiet temple or shrine to escape the overload of the senses.
Japanese people, besides being firmly intolerant regarding peoples of other origins than Honshu, are very polite when they find out that one is a German. On my ten day trip Japanese've been kind and polite, but doors only opened whide when they found out where one is from (speaking english perfectly can cause serious troubles, though). The country is clean, structured, people are productive and friendly, just as one is used to if he/she is from Germany. Japanese businessmen show great respect for a European. And the best: Japanese girls admire "tall" white guys.
Hmmmm. Japan is a very nice place, from what I see in pictures. They move to the future without forgeting the past (big cities, yet there are multiple shrines). Electronics capitol of the world. They seem lighthearted, some of the stuff they do to there people for comedic purposes will get you sued over here. For some reason or another, at this time in my life, I have a asian fetish. hmmmmmm. Japan is the only place I know if you were to dress up as a star wars character, walk around in the street, meet hot chicks, and people would take pictures. Just seems lieka fun place to be. I LOVE RAMEN NOODLEN. I cant wait till I have a real bowl of the stuff. Oh well I guess its back to the packaged.
I wrote such a big paragraph, but I hit the home button on my browser (DAMMIT). Anyway, I'm not writing it again. Long story short, nice people(once you get to know them of course), B-e-a-utiful place, from the big cities to the rural landscape. The food. The Electronics. Everything. Oh, and Matsushima Hatsune (read the profile). Wow, I still wrote a paragraph, not as big though. XD
WoW it still showed up. LOL
My interest in Japanese culture sprouted from Pokemon in the late 90's. I then moved on to more monster-based anime(Monster Rancher, Digimon etc) I hunted down any and all anime I could watch on tv, and I was thankful for CNX(the brief time it existed and showed ALOT of anime(Big O, Tenchi, DBZ(ack) Gundam to name a few)) After Pokemon I moved onto more Japanese games(hadn't played many games before then anyway) Klonoa was one of my favourites. Googling Klonoa led me to furries, which eventually led other Japanese-related discoveries. After using Virtual pet sites for a couple of years, someone told me about something called Tokyo Mew Mew. Which I was lucky enough to get ordered from amazon right away. This was 2003. Ever since then, I've been learning more and more about anime, manga the the culture of Japan. Admitidly alot of it is through anime or manga, but after finding out about it, I can find out more online. One of the many reasons I love anime and manga is that is has an insight into Japanese culture that British animations never really have had. Not to the extent Anime does anyway. I just love the vibrance of part of the Japanese culture, and the traditionalness of another part. It's got everything, brilliant cities, beautiful countryside, gorgeous temples and so much more. Japan has flaws, but everywhere does, its just Japan's have been made more apparant recently(the whaling issues for instance). My original reasons for liking anime and manga were purely aesthetic, but now I've aged a bit, I have grown to appriciate the difference in stories and content. I've just grown to love the culture so much.
What's there not to dislike about Japan. Maybe the only thing is that people there would call you Gaigin(foreigner). They can tell that you are and will or maybe treat you differently. Well, that's what I hear anyway.
I forgot to mention the music! There are lots of japanese bands with a unique and innovative style(And I don't mean Visual Kei, which is quite boring imo).
Been trying to figure out my Japan obsession for a long time... still not quite sure. Superficially... I love the language (especially all the dialects!), the manga, the anime, the figures, the food, the temples, the onsen, the relative safety, the kanji... Whenever I go I feel so at home... struggling to figure out whether that feeling would wear off in a couple months, or if i should just move there now ^_^; Well, in the meantime... two weeks and I'll be in Tokyo!
I played arcade and read manga when I was little back when I was in Korea. Then I moved to USA and one of my friends showed me raw Japanese anime such as Bubblegum Crisis and Macross: Do You Remember Love, Gun Buster and that's when it slowly started. Then eventually, anime got officially brought into USA starting popular titles such as Tenchi Muyo and Ah! My Goddess and now here we are. What really got me into Japanese subculture was the introduction of Mandarake in USA. They happen to open the USA branch right at my area and so I was exposed to many things such as figures, doujinshi and everything else they had to offer. And I even visited Japan few times so it's pretty much game over for me ^_^ I like Japan mostly same reasons as Danny mentioned above, I even concur about smoking, that's really bad in Japan! I learned to read and write Japanese from playing Japanese RPGs like Fire Emblem and Dragon Quest so it all starts from something of similar.
I sense a HUEG list comming.... Likes: - Animu/Manga - Culture - Politeness - History - Sights and Seeings - Open Mindness on some subjects - Food - How they treat tourists - Diligency - Cleaniness - Security, and sense of security Dislikes (though mainly, those are not my complaints): - Extremely rigid working hours - Prejudice with foreigners who lives there (I heard this is becoming less of a problem nowadays) I already said this once here... one of my dreams is moving to Japan... defnitely. The only things that I need are: - Convince my mom to go with me - Find a way of living in Japan without having to kill myself working - Learn Japanese That's it. Unfortunately, that's a whole lot. Oh, and all this considering I've already been on US and Europe.
Japan is LOVE :P I love their cute culture, and shopping -- everything is so thoughtfully done and nicely packaged, many choices, pretty convenient to get around, want to go back again ^^!
ETA: don't like the passive smoking either ^^;
#1 reason I like Japan ( Tokyo ) - - Lawson's 3am. I'm in my bathrobe / pajamas and slippers heating up a ready made meal while reading manga / hentai and there's three other guys doing the exact same thing.
The massive amounts of smoking drives me nuts...The last 2 states I've lived in banned smoking in restaurantes and bars. I love just about everything else. -public transportation -Akihabara -trying/learning to love the food -very safe -The beauty of the parks and festivals -the history -the fact that my wife is easy to find at the Tokyo anime fest or akihabara because she's practically the only blond around -The politeness of nearly everyone we met. -I feel tall/big in Japan. Which is a nice change...people kinda just move out of my way.
I love the Japanese games and anime and manga. American shows by comparison are all so boring and melodramatic. I also noticed that all of my friends who are "proud to be an American" are extremely lazy. I hope that Japan is different because I hate lazy-ness. I haven't been to Japan yet but by what I've heard the smoking would probably drive me nuts. I also don't like the insistance on whale hunting. But I could totally live with both of those things.
Is Japanese hard to learn? I think English is much easier.
Japan is hyper about anime...That's what I like...
Loved Japan and its culture since childhood, but didn't talked too much with people about it (it was considered strange) and kept it rather for myself...but since 2 or3 years ago I let it burst out and live it up.... I do not know what to dislike....maybe the coldness against gajin ?????But in less then 8 weeks from now I'll be in Tokyo and Kyoto for a whole month....;)( yattaaa)I'll tell you then.
XSportSeeker i agree with you completely but learning japanese (read /write) will be a pain in the A**, but hey at least itts where all the good stuff is!
Started off watching DBZ fan subs in Brooklyn. I decided to study Japanese in college for no particular reason. I just wanted to know what the anime characters were saying. I don't like how anal Japan is and how most people can't think out the box. Japanese people are highly stressed out all day. They are ready to pop if they reach the end of their rope. I don't like dealing with ticking time bombs all day. That's why I deal with the good looking females and stay away from anyone else.
I read this post title as "WHY JAPAN???" and thought you were going to post this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36w-CyqCO1A Incidentally, that video is why I love Japan.
It started with I found out that most of the cartoons I watched in Hong Kong when I was little was anime from Japan. Like, Doraemon, Chibi Maruko, Sailor Moon (!) and I really got back into anime when my cousin showed me Full Moon wo Sagashite. I loved it and I still do. Reason why I don't like Japan seems to be the hostility against foreigners esp. towards Koreans and Chinese (which I am) I have pride being Chinese so sometimes I have to ask myself why I am so interested in their culture when they did such things in the war towards my people. But then I think that I'm not my ancestors, I am the new generation and I choose to make peace and not discriminate because of things that happened before.
i luv japan but cant learn enough of language to get my mom to let me be foreign exchange student! i wanna go to japan!
It all started with Akira and Dragon Ball for me. I even took two years of Japanese in high school but it doesn't stay in my head.
Where do I begin...I like the culture, and the simplistic way of living. I like their history and architecture style of buildings. I like the Otaku culture and most all it includes, mostly anime, not so much gundams or idols though. I like the food and all the cool technology that we never see here in the states. I love the language even though I can't speak it yet. Oh, and I like Dannychoo.com. The thing I don't like about Japan is that its so far away.
Thats an easy question to answer. - Anime - Manga - Games and their adult versions. Im not into the idol thing, culture is something i only care about if it has to do something with the three things mentioned above. What i dislike... hmmm... That i have to learn that complicated language because of some Games and Mange i really want to play/read but it seems that noone else cares to translate. I started by buying Heisig's book to memorize Kana's, and i was astonished... took me ~2 days to learn them. But i read that Heisig divided the Kanji part in two books, first you learn would the meanings are and then how you read them. Did someone test this? I loved how easy it was to memorize the Kana's but im not sure about what to do know :/ ... I went Off-Topic sry... to summarize: - language is to difficult xD
Pretty much everything that Danny listed. I kind of look Japanese, even though I'm not, so I don't have to worry about the prejudice against gaijins.
I've actually tried to think of what I didn't like about Japan before and I couldn't think of anything. :S Even some of the things that people consider a minor annoyance like putting salt and pepper in a dish seem cool to me. They often seem to avoid making simple things simpler to defer laziness. I think it's a good idea and it certainly seems to work well with how hard everyone works over there. I hate laziness. I'm guilty of it myself just because everything is too easy here.
anime manga games otaku subculture: cosplay, figures kawaiiness electronics cars girls crazy stuff (breaking the norm)
the samurai!
I guess my story's kinda unique.. Long story short though, it started with a plane crash. xD I was on my way to America at that time and ended up staying in Japan for awhile. I fell in love with Japanese culture from there. Besides loving anime and all that, I love how a lot of things are allowed in Japan that would never be allowed in America. However, I would hate to go to school there. A lot of my friends in Japan really aren't enjoying the piles of homework they're getting.
My reasons? - The contrast between ancient traditions that have been kept untouched and the otaku culture; - History, including samurai and ninja; (fan of anything medieval-themed) - The hard work spirit (but sometimes they go too far) - Japanese people's sense of hospitality and respect, typical of the Asian culture; - Very particular ways of life (cosplay, ganguro, loli, etc.) that always pique my interest; - Yokai and other spirits (this began with a Chinese Ghost story -I know, it's HK- then stuff about kitsune, tanu
