Category Archives: Culture Shock

On Always Having an Empty Train Seat Beside You in Japan

Posted on May 23, 2012 by

On a recent trip to the near-abandoned coal mining town of Tagawa, I took the wrong train three times, taking me into the true inaka – Japan’s rural backwater.

Posted in Culture Shock, Thinking, Uncategorized, Zen | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

On Going and Coming Back in Japan

Posted on May 17, 2012 by

I carry my Japaneseness in my shoulders.

Posted in Culture Shock, Homesickness, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

On Drinking Too Much in Japan

Posted on May 9, 2012 by

When someone assures me, with profound sincerity, that they don’t have a drinking problem, I assume they have a sincerely profound drinking problem.

Posted in Culture Shock, Food, Fun, Uncategorized | Tagged | 12 Comments

On Letting Go of a Tree Branch in Japan

Posted on April 4, 2012 by

There’s about 4,000 kids outside my apartment screaming about cherry blossoms. 

Posted in Culture Shock, Homesickness, Thinking, Tradition, Zen | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

On Grocery Shopping in America in Japan

Posted on February 22, 2012 by

Costco may be in Japan, but Japan is not in Costco.

Posted in Culture Shock, Food | Tagged , | 6 Comments

On Sneezing in Japan

Posted on February 15, 2012 by

In Japan, no one can hear you sneeze.

Posted in Culture Shock, Homesickness, language, Tradition, Uncategorized | Tagged | 10 Comments