why japan?

[Cherika]

why would you go to japan if you could?

i would go because i love the culture and maybe i could learn to make anime..i like the food too, and it is beautiful there..would like to visist the place that brings me anime^^

[JevexGondala]

i would like to go there because i find it actually interesting and it would be a nice change, it tis were anime is from, they have cool swords, it would just be all around fun ^_^ but it would be odd with new foods and all :\ im used to my americanized meals of grees

[Sage Brushfire]

id guess that i would go for probably the samne reasons that you would go, the culture, and probably a change of scenory most of all

[Omi]

I'd go for anime as well as the buildings. I love the way some of the buildings look. Like the one in Jevex's sig. The food is also another upside. I think I better learn to speak japanese first though.

[Minnie]

culture-contrast, technology and people who are slightly my size. :p

any culture and country is interesting. maybe it's because of japan's advancement that it's at the top of my "places to see before i die" list.

[Yurika Star]

Originally posted by Scarlett Fire
culture-contrast, technology and people who are slightly my size. :p

any culture and country is interesting. maybe it's because of japan's advancement that it's at the top of my "paces to see before i die" list.

he he

/me towers over scarly :p

Me likes cultre, cheap stuff, technology, anime, love hotels etc.

[Griveton]

Really, the anime isn't a determining factor.

I've been wanting to go to japan since years before I even knew about anime as such. I've loved the language since then. Also, the culture seems very interesting, not only the classical culture (Samurais, shogunates, architecture) but also their current one, including their work culture. I think learning some of that will help tremendously.

Besides that, I would love to go study in there. Japan and the U.S. are the 2 countries that are in the lead when it comes to mechatronics and Computer-controlled manchinery, which is the career I entered at College. Thus, a benkio trip to japan would give me an advantage that can't be measured.

And the amount of anime not obtainable elsewhere is the icing on the cake, the cherry on top.

[Sleeping Buddha]

Everyone has basically stated the aspects that draw me to Japan. The culture is one I'd like to experience. . . For example I've always wanted to participate in tea ceremonies since I first sat in one a long time ago. Then the technology, Japan has always been a leader in the tech sector and I'd like to see first hand at what they have to offer. Then there are other small factors that draw me into Japan, such as natural hot springs. . . I've always wanted to try it out since they can't offer such things up here in Canada.

Then there's always the anime. =P

[Otacon]

Well the culture for one thing. Also the great forests they have. Also all the great cerimonies they have

[Ritalin]

Culture, food, buildings, technology etc ^.^ Its an interesting place, i've always wanted to visit japan, and of course, the anime is an added feature when you go there =P

[Jin-Chun]

Culture, food, anime, technology...oh heck basically everything of Japan. Probably main reason I would go is for the technology and cultural aspects of a trip there. I'm fascinated by all things Japanese but it's mainly the technology and cultural aspects that draw me in the most. Perhaps this thread should be...
What's the biggest reason you have to go to Japan?

Oh yea Yurika...you know since you're a foreigner you wouldn't get cheap stuff. The stuff there is actually expensive, particularly anime, and if you're an American usually they make you pay in American dollars rather than changing it to yen to pay. (They make more money that way.)

[Bloods Lord]

I would go to Japan because ummmm... its Japan! I would definately go to scope out the babes ^_^ and also just to expand my knowledge of the Japenese culture.

But the BIGGEST reason I would be going to japan is to check out the ahsum toys they sell there. I can't help myself when it comes to toys and their toys are always the most 00ba :)

~Blood

[philnicau]

Oh yea Yurika...you know since you're a foreigner you wouldn't get cheap stuff. The stuff there is actually expensive, particularly anime, and if you're an American usually they make you pay in American dollars rather than changing it to yen to pay. (They make more money that way.)

this simply isn't true i've been to Japan 4 times since 1996 and have never been asked to pay in US $ (or any other currency but Yen ), and its not because i'm an Australian either the Japanese tend to assume that English speakers are either from the USA or UK,
the reasons i go
mainly to pick up Manga, also because i find some aspects of Japanese Culture fascinating, i like going over the temples and shrines, i like being able to walk the streets any time in complete safety, and find the Japanese to be very polite, but sometimes shy in the presence of foreigners.

[Jin-Chun]

Really? You didn't have to pay in other currency? Everyone I know who has been to Japan had to pay someone in American currency at least once. Maybe not all the time but at least once. Also according to most people anime costs more money than compared to the USA. Supposedly it goes for like 50 or so? That's what I've heard from stores.

[SaitouHijime]

I would go because I was born there and it's my homeland.

But my real reason is the food and the manga!

[bakashinji]

I could get anime and manga that couldn't be found anywhere else, the people are really friendly, crime is very low, and I'd be able to improve my Japanese speaking skills.

[HappyDonut]

Well, I would go there because of cultural differences, technology, the people, and to get away from America. Maybe before I get into college, I'll plan a trip with my Japanese classmates so we can go sometime in the summer. Notice how I didn't put anime because I have all the anime I want in my area. So why should I get anime from a place where I can get it from home?

[Raiden]

I'd go because of the:
Culter
People
Exsperience
Anime/manga
Food
(At the moment) Football (Soccer)

[SamuraiX]

hmmmm.......

culture

food

ANIME/MANGA

um....i think japanese r very intresting(i mean gurls not boys)^_^

they r so cheerful n everything

Japan is just hmmm....PARADISE

[Griveton]

Originally posted by SamuraiX
hmmmm.......

culture

food

ANIME/MANGA

um....i think japanese r very intresting(i mean gurls not boys)^_^

they r so cheerful n everything

Japan is just hmmm....PARADISE

Is it me or someone here has a way too high impression of japan?

Japan, like every other country in the world, has it's positive aspects and it's negative aspects. Not all japanese girls are beautiful and interesting, not all japanese are cheerful. Japan is probably not paradise. Much less for a Gai-jin, I can bet.

[Toad Licker]

Why Japan?
Because it's Japan!

[Human_Fighter]

Well, I guess somewhere in the back of my childish mind, I think that by going to Japan would be like being in anime or something like that. (I sort of have a feeling almost all anime fans think this)

But trying to ignore that id emotion, I would like to go there to see a culture that I've always found interesting. It'd be cool to see the cherry blossoms in bloom or Tokyo tower. ^_^

[Baka Neko]

I've always taken interest in Japan ever since I was introduced to it. I would go to Japan for well - everything ^_^ but for the culture more than anything. ;) Sure, they're the land o' anime, but really, that's such a minor factor in my wanting to go. Japan's culture is just so much different from ours...their way of life interests me. So yeah, my main reason is for the culture. ^_^

[Hiiragizawa_koi]

I'd go to Japan for the culture and the fact they have a lower crime rate than here! Also the anime!

[animegrl22]

i would want to go to japan to learn more about the culture, and eat the food (YUM!!! ^_^) and pick up some anime of course... maybe learn more japanese too

[Hyoung]

Japan is very intresting. I would love to see some of their landmarks, Empireal Palace, Tokyo Tower. I would also like to see their temples and shrines. If I ever did goto Japan I would probably goto China too, that also seems like an intresting place.

I also like how Japan tends to make every thing look cool. Like they will take something like a notebook, and make it look more futuristic. And they seem to make everything, for example, about month ago in a Wired mag, I found a Hello Kitty Vibrator!

[Ritalin]

That's just sick, a hello kitty vibrator O.o;;;;;

They have a lot of weird things there, and places. I read somewhere they have Sex Spas just like we have regular spas o.0 Er...thats not right XD I'm very curious what else they have there, i always seem to learn something new about japan and what they have o.o

[Minnie]

Originally posted by Ritalin Girl

They have a lot of weird things there, and places. I read somewhere they have Sex Spas just like we have regular spas o.0 Er...thats not right XD I'm very curious what else they have there, i always seem to learn something new about japan and what they have o.o

i heard about that too. they have sex therapy. XD

now, keep this a hush hush for the, ahem, guys who would love to take advantage of this. i don't think they're stressed enough as the japanese to have this treatment.

*cough*

[Kenju]

anime, anime anime, and...oh ya, anime.

Also, sushi, katanas, culture, and...

...I have this theory that if you take a person and drop them in a place where everyone is speaking a foreign language, they'll learn that language in no time. And I want to learn Japanese so...


-Kenju

[Cherika]

good lord>_< i forgot about this postO.O i also would go for the lovely fact of maybe meeting an anime artist and him teaching em all he knows^_^

[Ritalin]

I never thought of meeting an artist, would be nice to get some tips, but what are the odds of meeting some? Unless you go to some convention *shrugs

[JevexGondala]

good lord>_< i forgot about this postO.O i also would go for the lovely fact of maybe meeting an anime artist and him teaching em all he knows^_^

even thou it would be highly unlikely that would truly be the best thing ever :P

[Baka Neko]

/me gets big childish grin

My high school is going to be starting a Japanese club (and the language course too, obviously :P) which will get to go to Japan...seems too good to be true. ^^;;

I can't wait for that. >^.^<

[JevexGondala]

that does seem to be to good to be true.. lucky :P well if you do go would you please walk around saying jevex says hi to misc people?? everyone else is saying no :P wonder why

[Nanami]

I'd love to go.

I'm planning on being a translator or working on some aspect of international relations. So of course I'd love to visit any place I can. ^^

[Merialiss]

Before I became intrested in anime I wanted to go to Japan.
I'd love to go vist some of the shrines there. Both traditional, shinto and buddhist. The architecture amazes me.

I'd also like to visit some of the WWII memorials, museums, old bunkers ect ^^,

It's a very intresting culture. Much more exctiting then boring ol'Alberta eh?

[Cherika]

Originally posted by Baka Neko
/me gets big childish grin

My high school is going to be starting a Japanese club (and the language course too, obviously :P) which will get to go to Japan...seems too good to be true. ^^;;

I can't wait for that. >^.^<

LUCKY;_;

i wish my school did that stuff. but unfortunalty it did not...i am hoping to one day travel the world and go to japan and egypet and greece. along with other places i have always dreamed about..

[Minnie]

Originally posted by munky
It's Japan..... any more questions Fayefaye??
http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/japanlg.GIF

erm, that's a little shallow of an explanation, if i do say so myself. if anime wasn't concerned, saying that "it's japan", doesn't seem seem valid enough. if you wanted to say that you wanted to go to iceland because "it's iceland", fayefaye will not be convinced that was a rational explanation, to say the least. :p

ah yes merialiss! i've always wanted to visit the shinto and buddist shrines in japan! ever since i've learned a bit about it, i've been rather interested about it lately.

well, i think i may have failed to state why i like the japanese culture in my past post(s); japan seems different from western culture. how people present themselves for example, or how they dress (fasion), their music, their.... environment. i can't really say what i think about right now, but there is something to experience over there.

i would also know more about japanese history. sure, we all know about the french revolution, america wars, etc., but there is stil little known about the asian world. japan is among one of those countries too, and as much as i want to explore other asian countries too, japan is just part of the of the package.

[Takeshi Nakazato]

Originally posted by SaitouHijime
I would go because I was born there and it's my homeland.

But my real reason is the food and the manga!

Really, Japanese, huh? Where do reside now?

I like the conservative nature of the japanese, they keep all the stuff no one wants to know is going on, private.

I have some Japanese freinds (that reminds me; got to touch base with them!) and some people I meet that are in business with Japanese car COs. I plan to have more direct bussiness related ties and maybe an office in Japan (we hope!). I see a big future in import tuning in America and tapping into the Japanese homeland will help!

I also want to go to Japan for one other reason. I want to pay a visit to Mr. K on his home turf. Oh, and visit NISMO, do a little racing, and see all the nice Fairlady Z's; maybe even see a Z432!

[MirMir]

WHY WOULD I GO TO JAPAN?!!

Well it's quite simple really. I wanna become a manga artist. I love drawing anime characters and I really love their plots and ideas.

But my real reason would be because of all the wonderful buildings and hot springs. lol. It would be a really big change of scenery for me. I live in the country and all I see is woods. woods. woods. House! Really that's how it is near me. I think it would be an awesome experience for me or anyone! I hear alot of wonderful things about Japan from my Sensei. Not to mention all the pictures that he showed me from his trip to Japan. So beautiful!! At KFC, they have a life size Colonel Sander's that they dress up in different outfits for each season and holiday! haha. That's so cool!!

I'm actually planning on going there sometime next year. I hear March is the best time to visit. The cherry blossoms are out!

[Pachinko]

Mine is indeed the culture's difference; it'd just be a relaxing, hectic, marvelous experience. I want to feel the rush of Japanese culture around me. It just be something I'd remember forever. There's no definite answer; something just places Japan in the path of my fate.

[Natsumi xD_!]

Culture, some friends are there, also i love the food and language - actually i'm learning japanese in my country and i want to practice with my friends - =)

[Morgris]

Culture, anime, food and sights. This thread made me remember how much I studied Japan, my friends ask "Why Japan?" I say my mother was born there. As a result I have good storys. I guess some of the storys draw me there.

[Dimesion 12]

i would go for all the sushi bars. i love sushi.

[ant]

Why Japan, because Bush is not the PM here!!!!!

[Ninja Realist]

Why?

I have a few reasons and none of them are related to Anime.

Japan has some of the coolest Modern Art in the world. As far as modern art and architecture, two things I love, Japan is on the cutting edge, and it would be interesting to go see all of it. One of my distant cousins is an Arhictect working in Nagoya, and I'd like to visit him perhaps.

Also, I have wanted to visit some of the, supposedly succesful, Japanese Anarcho-Communist Communes. They are really neat. There's one outside of Tokyo that is almost entirely self-sufficient, surviving off of the food they grow, and selling the surplus. They also make money running a kind of retreat within their commune( which I'd like to try and do). I've always been kind of an Anarcho-Communist, and I wanted to see a succesful iteration of those ideals.

Oh yeah, the Harajuku Fashion District is one thing I'd like to visit. I just think the whole Harajuku Fashion movement is so cool, and individualistic. I'd like to maybe take some photographs there, and talk to some of the people about what it's really all about, outside of the picture you get in magazines.

Finally, I have to admit that I am a total geek when it comes to robotics. Robots are so interesting, and the rapid development that robotics have undergone lately is really cool. Tokyo is one of the epicenters of modern Robotics, and I've heard from friends who went there that the Toyota Robotics Pavillion is amazing. They saw a robot rock band, and a really cool display on humanoid robots. Robots are cool. :3

Oh yeah, I'd like to go to a hot spring. I also would want to try some hot sake, and just a lot of the food in general. Oh yeah, I'd have to go visit some Ninja Museums if I was there. Edo Castle would also be cool to see.

[Ashuri]

why japan? i have all ways liked japan as far as i can remember. i have been interested in things like samari, ninjas, katanas, and anime. also some of the scenary(?) is really cool. :samurai:

that is why i would choose japan.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Why Japan, because Bush is not the PM here!!!!!

Er... Bush isn't the PM anywhere.

As for Japan. Eh. It's just another expensive tourist trap filled with 18 million castles and temples that all pretty much are the same thing. I'll go someday, but Europe is far higher on the priority list.

[Pachinko]

Oh yeah, the Harajuku Fashion District is one thing I'd like to visit. I just think the whole Harajuku Fashion movement is so cool, and individualistic. I'd like to maybe take some photographs there, and talk to some of the people about what it's really all about, outside of the picture you get in magazines.



*gasp* How did I forget?:smash:

Yes, totally. Harajuku would be my first stop. Then Shibuya, then Ikebukuro. The world's wackiest fashions arise from Harajuku Station... I know it'd be a treat, definately. I'd totally fit in~

[ant]

Er... Bush isn't the PM anywhere.

As for Japan. Eh. It's just another expensive tourist trap filled with 18 million castles and temples that all pretty much are the same thing. I'll go someday, but Europe is far higher on the priority list.

Er you don't get it so let me elaborate, Bush is not the PM, President, emperor, or shogun here.

[/sarcasim]

[Pedro The Hutt]

How can you guys forget about the Akihabara district? XD The highest concentration of anime, computer and game shops in the world! Geek Mecca!

[f1rst children]

Er you don't get it so let me elaborate, Bush is not the PM, President, emperor, or shogun here.

[/sarcasim]

We know all that already.

Bush is the Super-Saiyan Hokage over there, right?

[Ninja Realist]

We know all that already.

Bush is the Super-Saiyan Hokage over there, right?

SSJ 4 Hokage-sama

[Sakito]

For me, Japan is a place that I have wanted to live at for a long time now.
I enjoy most of the arts they have, many of my favorite game creating campanys are in Japan. Not only there I love there language and they way they live. I will be heading there soon, I hope, I want to learn there language and alot more from there. Anime is one main reason I love japan.


~Sakito~

[ant]

SSJ 4 Hokage-sama

Damn, my ass is gonna move to China now, but before I do that I will enjoy the extremely expensive hostess bars in Ginza, Hokkaido's Sapporo Snow Festival, the Buddha statues in Nara and Kamakura, and the giant ferris wheel in Yokohama, but by the time I did all this Bush would be out of office.

[Kyoko Naruko]

Why? Well, of course I would want to go there because it brings me all my anime. But also, the culture is very interesting and it seems like a beautiful place to go. Plus, I really want to learn Japanese and the school system seems very interesting as well. I am hoping to visit there one day.

[Itachi Uchiha]

An earthquake a day is better than an apple anyday...

I think it would be more enjoyable to visit China than Japan, but it would be fun to visit Kyoto and Nara

[Kyoko Naruko]

I totally want to visit Kyoto. I have a friend who lives there and she says it's awesome.

[M.Baka]

it would be a different sort of culture. So i wouldnt mind visiting the whole area including Korea, Japan, China, etc. I would love to learn to speak the language. I heard it is one of the toughtest to learn, and i love the places. I had family that lived there for a while. They taught me a few things.

M

[NEJI_HYUGA8876]

I LIKE JAPAN BEC OF THERES BEAUTIFUL TOYS!!!!!
AND THERE COUNTRY TOO OF COURSE!!!!
IT IS MY DREAM COUNTRY

[Major Tom]

How can you guys forget about the Akihabara district? XD The highest concentration of anime, computer and game shops in the world! Geek Mecca!

d00d! The place to go! OK, not for the anime DVDs, I could get a better deal at home, merchandise maybe, but computer and gaming.....still probably overly expensive but window shopping is fun too.

Another reason I'd go is to visit the Tamiya headquarters, maybe get a tour of the place. For those who don't know Tamiya is a company that makes model kits. Damn good model kits. I've been a Tamiya fanboi for many years, and I'd love to just see the place, look at the kits in their museum....maybe even pick up a kit that not released anywhere else!

And the food. I've always loved Asian food, and I've been prefering Japanese food long before I really delved into anime. I'd like to have real Japanese food made by real Japanese people, pretty much for the same reason I'd like to eat hamburger in Hamburg, and drink Vienna coffee in Wien. It probably tastes better there.

Then there's the whole different culture thing, which will be interesting....I've always had a thing for aviation museums, if there's any good ones I'd make an effort to see it and so on.

[kLaUS]

motsly for the culture,, but i really wanna go to practice my japanese,, i dont have anyone in here to talk with !!!!!!!!!!!
but yeah,, to visit.. i would be so great...

[RuKiAsShAdOw]

i would go to Japan cuz its the land of anime/video games. and cuz ive never really been anywhere outa this country

[TonoTheHero]

To get drunk! After that I'd call one of my friends that are interested in going to the place or visit AA to figure out if there's anything else to do around there :XD:

[Neo-Hunter]

I would go their because of the Culture and some of my friends are stationed their. Marines.

[amosmoss]

Even if I watched anime, I had no interest in going there before I decided to try and learn their language. Now I want to practice my language skills there, if given the chance. :rawr:

[kyubichan]

My dad's been there and he says it is "very interesting". As for me, I wanna see the Japanese combination of western stuff with Japanese culture ^^ it is very cool

[ant]

My dad's been there and he says it is "very interesting". As for me, I wanna see the Japanese combination of western stuff with Japanese culture ^^ it is very cool

Go to a Denny's in Japan, it is amazing a waitress actually appears within 1 minute to take your order and you won't have to wait 2 hours to get your food.

[Selius Raine]

I would go because I love the culture. I'm not completely obsessed with anime like I used to be, but I admit there are a few things (maybe a suitcase full or two) of things I'd like to buy >_>;;

Honestly I didn't even wanna go there until I started to learn the spoken Japanese... then I was like
'woot'

[amosmoss]

Honestly I didn't even wanna go there until I started to learn the spoken Japanese... then I was like

'woot'


Same with me. I would like to practice what I know as of now. However, I am currently trying Korean.

[lady_kiyano]

i would go back to japan to go back home. i miss it there. in the usa its ok but i still miss it. the only problem is i have to wait for 3 years to go back home.:love:

[Senshi]

hmm... I have never posted here... interesting...

Well I think its a question I need to ask myself... especially after getting a D+ in Japanese last semester, and my life plan is to goto Japan on Jet Programme

I guess the main reason I want to go is that its not where I am now... I really need a change of scenery...

but that still doesnt answer the question... why go to Japan specifically... well I suppose the reason I want to go is "everything"... I really like just about everything culturally about Japan... the food, the history, the geography, the pop culture... oh sure there are things I dont like, and I really havent talked to alot of native Japanese, but I guess thats just part of learning about the culture... Its just a very interesting culture...

[Saya-biki]

honestly...unless I had a lot of money to go and nothing to do I wouldn't go unless

1) some sort of Iaido competition I would enjoy competing in
2) business related
3) school related (ie foreign exchange)

[FaithMemory]

:love: I like to go to Japan! Yea I like their culture too... And I like to see Yokohama!!! That's my favorite place there! I like to see temples too!!! Also animes!!!:love:

[jaejae]

i would goto japan because: i've heard about so many good experiences, and because of the good food

i wouldn't goto japan because: i dun speak japanese, its expensive (yes i know its cheap if you know how, but i don't), and i don't like how crowded some of cities are supposed to be

at the moment; cons outweigh pros so i'll wait till i learn japanese to go one day, probably after graduate...

[Jeannie]

I'm going to Japan in exactly 1 year :)

But why? Well, I really want to do something that no one in my family has done before. I want to be immeresred in a culture and society completely different from mine and be the only one to talk about it.

Odd thing is though... I hate asian people.

[Rove]

Odd thing is though... I hate asian people.

What the....?!

You just can't say such a stupid racist thing like that. Have you met every single Asian in the world? How is this different from saying you hate any other ethinicity for that matter? WTF?!!

Either back it up (though I can't imagine what kind of logic excuse you could use to do so) or just don't say it at all. Do you have any idea how ignorant, retarded, noncivilized, and racist that makes you?!

[Jeannie]

What the....?!

You just can't say such a stupid racist thing like that. Have you met every single Asian in the world? How is this different from saying you hate any other ethinicity for that matter? WTF?!!

Either back it up (though I can't imagine what kind of logic excuse you could use to do so) or just don't say it at all. Do you have any idea how ignorant, retarded, noncivilized, and racist that makes you?!

Whoa there...

I don't mean it like that. I was kidding... I'll disclaim that next time.

What I mean is... Asain people dislike me. They're usually the people I have the most problems with (being the only white person to speak Japanese... gets you weird looks). I don't "hate" them so to speak, I just dont care much for them.

(Plus, most of the asians I know are Chinese... all the other asians I know are really cool :) )

[ant]

Whoa there...

I don't mean it like that. I was kidding... I'll disclaim that next time.

What I mean is... Asain people dislike me. They're usually the people I have the most problems with (being the only white person to speak Japanese... gets you weird looks). I don't "hate" them so to speak, I just dont care much for them.

(Plus, most of the asians I know are Chinese... all the other asians I know are really cool :) )

What are you doing, speaking Japanese to non-Japanese speaking people? Chinese people probably think that you are a racist who think all asians speak Japanese! Unless they just don't like you. Shit you can't even spell asian right. Sorry Sara Jean I am just venting. If you ever come here I can indroduce you to some nice guys who can give you a nice part time job meeting many interesting people. You can dress up and help serve them drinks and talk all night. :hyper:

Italic=sarcasm

[Jeannie]

Chill out people... It's not a big deal. Let me say it once more. Asains don't like me because they think I'm a poser. I don't like asians because they think I'm a poser... They think I'm a poser because I speak (very little) Japanese. It is very stupid. Don't worry about it.


EDIT: I don't speak Japanese at all to anyone I know. (Unless asked)
It is common knowledge in my school, however, that I do practice it. Don't harp on things you know little about.

[Jun_Inohara]

Don't harp on things you know little about.

Then try not to say such utterly tactless things? If you thought such a statement was merely going to be glossed over, you're amazingly naive.

[GunGrave]

yea it would be fun to go there. i would go because there so much there that not here

[Yodatsubato]

Along the lines of GunGrave's last post, my main attraction to the Japanese culture stems from how utterly different the Japanese culture is from ours. I mean, most countries of the world adopted Judeo-Christian ideals long ago. As such, there is a huge similarity between Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and the surrounding areas. Even China had some contact with the European world.

However, when Western Imperialism finally got around to showing their face on the shores of Japan, they were restricted to the Nagasaki area. Heck, during the Tokugawa shogunate, a Japanese who left Japan was not allowed to return to his/her own country. As far as I know, very little Western culture was able to leak into Japan before Commodore Perry. (Exceptions include basic tennants of Christianity, which was often shunned anyway, and I think there was some sort of short-lived popular craze with eating meat in the 1600's? Additions to this list would be appreciated...)

The point I'm trying to make is that if you're looking for something different than American culture, traditional Japanese culture is the way to go. I'm sure there are other cultures that can make similar claims, but Japanese culture seems like it was so... developed (granted, we can thank the Chinese for a lot of that). Japan wasn't just a bunch of barbarians chopping each other's head's off. They did it with style, and with meaning.
:samurai:
All these factors lead to a culture that appears as a total shock to anyone not of that culture. Western culture was developed by commerce; Japanese culture was developed by honor. I think the Hagakure (a sort of codification of bushido) demonstrates this nicely. The result? Pre-Meiji Japan. Even after Western influence was able to seek through, it hasn't nullified what the Japanese had spent well over a thousand years creating. Western culture is now everywhere in Japan, but it hasn't replaced Japanese. As far as I know, they merely follow *both* cultures, as they had with Shinto, Confuscian, and even Buddhist ideals beforehand.

My fascination with the Japanese language is of a similar nature. I'm not a linguist, but of the languages I know about, none of them have a sentence structure even remotely like that of Japanese. For example, who puts their verbs at the end of a sentence? I honestly dont' know; there probably are some, but I doubt you'll find any of them in Western culture. Perhaps someone who knows more about languages knows more about this... (Niner?) Also, the role honorifics play in the language has never failed to amaze me. Like, you actually conjugate your words based upon how much you respect the individual(s) you are speaking to.

I'm of the opinion that going to a country is the only real way to learn a language. I picked up that viewpoint in Israel. Even if you don't think it's the *only* way, one still finds it hard to argue that it is not the *ideal* way. I hate using subjective phrases such as "the ideal way" in a sentence presented almost as fact, but I can't think of a better way to state it. I really want to learn Japanese, and I'm not getting anywhere by sitting on my butt in America (especially considering the difficulties I have had in scheduling a Japanese course in college).

If and when I ever go to Japan, I'll probably have to search to dig through the layers that Western culture has laid over the Japanese society. But I would love to be able to experience Japan as much as possible, as a true Japanese would have barely a century ago (minus the killing and the class inferiority and other minor issues ;)).

As a side note, technology that others mentioned in previous posts is also an attraction to me, since I'm a computer engineering student. But that's a side benefit; I feel that the Japanese technology sector and national historical culture are mutually exclusive, at any one point in time.

My only big issue: As a religious Jew, I cannot, and would not, divorce myself from my own Jewish culture. To experience things such as real Japanese cuisine and Shinto shrines, I would have to do exactly that. Ahh well, one does what he can...

Disclaimer: Please feel free to correct me on my analysis of Japan. I'm not a history major; most of what I have written is my own analysis on the topic. And some of it may be wrong. If it *is* wrong, I want to know so I can ammend my knowledge. Thanks. :)


The thread creater (Cherika) used the phrase "Why Japan..." She had to be prepared for someone with a long-winded answer. :D

[[-=[montney]=-]]

Well I would go there most definitely for the Culture the Anime and the Raman. I'm tired of Instant noddles and Top Raman. I want the good stuff.

[Tyrdium]

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/1876/animedumb4qf.jpg

Seriously, going to Japan for the anime and ramen is an incredibly stupid idea. If you really want the anime, you can import it. I'm sure there are some good ramen shops closer than Japan.

[[-=[montney]=-]]

Well to you it may be but I've set a goal! *Rambles on about goal setting and dreams for the future.* Well actually I live in the middle of nowhere event when I go out of state I can't find a good raman hop. Well there was this one in Denver but I don't event live in Colorado. And yeah your kinda right about going there for anime. But I do have other reasons that I really don't feel like listing.

[KiraraKim]

Well I think anyone who says that anime is not one of the reasons they want to go to Japan is fooling themselves. I was interested in going to Japan (and the rest of Asia for that matter) way before I got into anime, back when I was a little girl and flipped through my grandparents photo albums of their trip there but I am not going to deny that when I finally do get to Japan that I won't be stopping at Akihabara in Tokyo. And although there are many countries I want to visit in Asia the reason I will go to Japan first is because of my interest in anime. But overall I just love to travel and see places I've read about or saw on TV. Because I do know firsthand that traveling to different countries is really an amazing experience.

Now that being said I am hoping that next summer I will get to go to Japan with my friend and her sister. We have been planning this for awhile so I really hope it works out. I think we would only be able to see Tokyo and the Kansai region (Kyoto and Nara) but it's better than nothing. I also would die to see the Himeji Castle because it is absolutely gorgeous and if I could take a one-day excusion that would be it. I also hope to see Mt Fuji and stay at least one night at a Ryokan. Right now I am just excited with the mere thought that this could work out next summer. :)

[madpierrot]

I'm sure there are some good ramen shops closer than Japan.
I was actually a little disappointed with the ramen in Japan. It was good, but I perfered so many other things to it like yakitori. That was by far my favorite.

Also as far as the whole going to Japan b/c you love anime thing I also think that's not the best idea. Perhaps it might peak someones interest to going or be a secondary reason, but hopefully it's not your first. I love the cultural and during my stay their anime was a distant side note behind seeing as many temples, shrines, gardens, museums and other sites that I could. Though it was sweet winning an action figure of the major in an arcade and playing this one lupin the 3rd game.

[GunGrave]

What ever ur reason 4 going 2 Japan moust be good or its dum

[MeAndroo]

I was actually a little disappointed with the ramen in Japan. It was good, but I perfered so many other things to it like yakitori. That was by far my favorite.

Blasphemer! Proper ramen is divine ambrosia, borne by the teat of mother earth herself.

Seriously, I became one of these people who ate ramen 4, 5 times a week in Japan. Some of the chains were good (Tenkaippin was my favorite chain store), but if you can get a local to suggest a spot, that was the way to go. I've had my share of mediocre and just plain bad stuff, but it's still impossible to get anything as good in Japan for me in So Cal, whether it's Torrance or Little Tokyo.

[Mana]

why would you go to japan if you could?

2 words: Hard Gay.

[Spilled Milk]

I've been told that anime isn't even all that big in Japan. Or atleast its not as popular among regular people as its made out to be. I dunno how true this is..but i'd believe it.

[Mr. Otaku]

I'm already saving up for a plane ticket and an apartment in Japan.

[[-=[montney]=-]]

Originaly posted by: Spilled Milk
I've been told that anime isn't even all that big in Japan. Or atleast its not as popular among regular people as its made out to be. I dunno how true this is..but i'd believe it.

Well don't forget what anime means (anamation;for people that don't know) So really you could be hearing a whole other aspect of anime.

[Spilled Milk]

Montney-the person who told me this and i were discussing anime as in like..the anime this forum is bnased off of when they told me this.

[Tyrdium]

Do not advertise the fact that you watch anime to the general public. You will be instantly labelled as an otaku - a social outcast. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otaku) has more information. Oh, and watch Densha Otoko; it's quite good.

2 words: Hard Gay.Winz.

[Jeannie]

"Manga is really popular there from what I've heard. Anyway, I would never go to Japan for anime. That is just stupid. That's like going to England for tea."