Archive for the ‘bloggers’ Category
When in Japan… an interview with JapanItUp
On February 17, 2008 in Interviews, bloggers
Hi All. We’re back for our last romp with Steve from JapanItUp.com. If you are just joining us here is yesterday’s post. Today Steve is going to point us to a few of his favourite posts. And he has some Japan advice for us too.
DailyJ: Which are your favorite posts so far and why?
Steve: My favorite post is “Going to the Doctor” because it was a very affordable and different experience than seeing a doctor in the U.S. My other favorite post has to be the video of Yoshio Kojima. No matter how many times I see the video I can’t stop laughing. Japanese TV is awesome! I have no idea what they’re talking about but I’ve been more entertained by TV then I have been in years!
DailyJ: I really like your post and videos about Japanese capsule hotels. Are you planning to do any more videos like
these in the future?
Steve: I found the capsule website while looking up info about Japan and I’ve heard about them so I did some research and created a post. Those are videos from youtube users (not created by me). However I do hope to upload my own videos soon.
DailyJ: I noticed from your categories that you focus a lot of everyday living in Japan. If you had to give one piece of
advice to someone looking to live in Japan, what would it be?
Steve: While in Japan, think like a Japanese person. I haven’t spoken about this yet, but this is by far the best advice. When you’re in a new part of the world you should learn to adapt to your surroundings. Life will become easier for you. And remember, you can still be wild and crazy without disrespecting anybody or acting like a fool.
Sounds like good advice to me, but I thought it only applied to Rome 
Thanks, Steve, for the interview! And thank you all for reading. Now go forth and JapanItUp!
And… Have a great day!
DailyJ
How you can Japan It Up with the man behind the site - an exclusive interview with JapanItUp.com
On February 16, 2008 in Interviews, bloggers
If you missed it, yesterday we had a little chat with the blogger behind JapanItUp and found out why he loves Japan. Originally I used his alias, Smoother, because that was what he had been using on his site. But he just contacted me and asked me to use his real name, Steve.
So now you know the man behind the mask 
Today we’re back with Steve taking a look what makes his site special and how you can Japan It Up with him.
DailyJ: What is JapanItUp’s mission/vision?
Steve: Let’s face it, too much information can get boring. I hope to keep the site upbeat by talking about all of the crazy things I’ve experienced, how Japan is different from what I’ve ever imagined, and at the same time provide useful info while sharing all of the web sites I’ve bookmarked over the last year.
DailyJ: What makes your site unique? How can readers get the most from JapanItUp?
Steve: I think that I make it unique. I might have a similar experience that another person has had, but my experience is just that, mine, and that’s what makes it a different flavor. I also like to tell stories, so I think people will be entertained.
DailyJ: What can others do to interact with your site and contribute?
Steve: I love it when people post comments on my site, even to share some “LOL” action or even if they disagree. Also I have put up a contact and link suggestion form so now people can send me stories they’ve found, share topic ideas, or even ask me questions. Also if anybody wants to do a ‘guest post’ on my blog they should definitely let me know.
So be sure to drop by the site and Japan It Up with Steve (i.e. have some fun and maybe leave a comment). And be sure to join us tomorrow for the last part of the interview, we’ll be looking at some of his favourite posts and hearing a word of advice on living in Japan.
Have a great day!
DailyJ
Why Smoother loves Japan - an interview with JapanItUp
On February 15, 2008 in Interviews, bloggers
If you missed it yesterday we Japan’ed it up with blogger/interviewee Smoother and heard about why he started JapanItUp. Today we’re going to find out about how he made it to the land of sun.
DailyJ: First of all, can you tell us a little bit about yourself (for instance how you ended up in Japan)?
Smoother: I’ve always been a big fan of traveling, but most of my travel has been within the United States. In 2006 I was ready for a change and ready to move, but then I met my fiance. While she was finishing up college she asked if I wanted to visit Japan. I’m fortunate enough to only need a laptop to run my consulting business. So I instantly told her yes, and here we are.
DailyJ: What’s the one thing you like most about Japan so far?
Smoother: Japan. That’s right, Japan! It’s pretty sweet so far. The countryside is amazing, the people are interesting, the people in big cities are trendy, the food is spectacular, public transportation rock, getting lost in a place where nobody speaks English is fun, Japan is clean, ramen, I’m surrounded by mountains and ocean, customer service is intense (even from Dell http://www.japanitup.com/dell-warranty-inspiron-170/), you can experience an affordable ‘all you can drink’, things feel very safe, things are cute, baseball games are intense instead of boring, people shout in your face and at the top of their lungs “Irrashai mase”, no tipping, many other things, basically things are very different
DailyJ: Wow! Is there anything you don’t like?
Smoother: The thing I like the least so far is that no clothes fit. I haven’t tried pants but all shirts and jackets and shoes are a no go. Sleeves just aren’t long enough, and shoes just aren’t big enough! I can order everything online and have it shipped here so it’s not that big of a deal.
Do you remember your first impressions of Japan? Ahh, the memories…
Join us again tomorrow when we’ll look at some of smoother’s favourite posts.
Until then, have a Japan it up kind of day!
DailyJ
Why Japan It Up? - find out in this exclusive interview
On February 14, 2008 in Interviews, bloggers
Today, after a bit of a delay, we are ready to rock it up. No? Shake it up? I guess not. Japan ItUp? That’s the one!
I proudly present to you the first part of our little chat with Smoother of JapanItUp.com.
DailyJ: What motivated you to start JapanItUp?
Smoother: At first I was writing down experiences to reflect on the past, then I thought about creating a blog to share with family and friends. Then I started thinking about how I felt before and after heading to Japan. Before coming to Japan I didn’t know what it was really like. I couldn’t find all of the info I needed all in one place and I didn’t know any Americans that have been to Japan. Japan it UP! was then launched.
I know that many of the bloggers reading have started their sites for similar reasons. I tip my hat to you J-bloggers, keep up the good (and fun) work.
Join us again here tomorrow (or subscribe via RSS) to hear the unique story of how Smoother made the Japan leap and what he loves about Japan.
And be sure to visit JapanItUp and say hello.
To all a great day!
DailyJ
How Tofugu was born - an exclusive interview
On February 03, 2008 in Interviews, bloggers
Hi All. Today we are back one last time with Koichi of Tofugu.com (Japan Humour Blog of the Year 2007). I first heard about Tofugu from Thomas at NihonHacks.com when he recommended them as a good possible interviewee. So, thanks to Thomas, today we get to hear the story of how the wonky Tofugu was born…
DailyJ: What motivated you to start Tofugu?
Koichi: I originally just started my other website, Koichiben (www.koichiben.com) for an independent study class in Japanese. I made a couple of posts in English, and they became surprisingly popular (though they have since been hidden or remade over on Tofugu). After a while, there was enough of a following to split off and create an English website. I did it in the name of branding, since I didn’t want to mix the English and the Japanese, and everyone called me crazy. Still, it’s worked out okay, I think.
DailyJ: What part of running the site do you like the best?
Koichi: I really enjoy responding to (some) emails. Interacting with new people is always a lot of fun. I just wish I had more time for it.
DailyJ: Where do you see the site going in the future?
Koichi: I have no idea. The internet is so unpredictable. I really hope to make an alternative Japanese learning book someday. I think the site will help.
DailyJ: Are there any projects/etc. you are working on?
Koichi: What? That’s secret.
DailyJ: What posts/content are your favourites?
Koichi: I kind of like everything we write, sorry about the mass of links
The pokemanz one is a little… hmm.
Thomas was impressed with the Tofugu post “How to Win at UFO Catchers” (a good post with some good video). Maybe he might also like to add Studying Japanese with a Nintendo D as a nihonhack.
Lots of good stuff there on Tofugu. Wonky and wonderful. So check it out!
And a big thank you to Koichi for the interview!
Have a great day!
DailyJ
Why Koichi is embarrassed about the Japan Humour Blog of the Year Victory - an interview with Tofugu
On February 02, 2008 in Interviews, Uncategorized, bloggers
If you missed it, yesterday we found out that Tofugu’s mission is to “make interest in Japan cool again”. Today we are back with Koichi taking a look at some of the great content on Tofugu that earned it Best Japan Homour Blog 2007 and why he is embarrassed about it.
Here is some of Koichi’s favourite content related to learning Japanese (good stuff!):
Learn Japanese from Anime in only 5 minutes a day (not)
Beginning Japanese 1: Where do I start
Beginning Japanese 2: Hatsuon is King
Beginnine Japanese 3: Taking steps
DailyJ: Congratulations on becoming the undisputed Best Japan Blog of the Year 2007. But did you have to beat us all so badly? I mean 365 votes, come on!
Koichi: I was very embarrassed about that, I really shouldn’t have gotten so many votes, considering how great all the other blogs are, and how much support they have.
The runners up were:
Great blogs all. DailyJ was cheering for Gaijin Tonic (a past interviewee).
Well, that’s all for today. But I have some more Tofugu for you tomorrow when Koichi will tell us a bit about how he got started with the site and other fun (”behind the scenes”) facts.
To all a good day!
DailyJ
Why interest in Japan is cool again - an exclusive interview with Tofugu
On February 01, 2008 in Interviews, bloggers
Hello everyone. Today we are back with Koichi, the panda hat wearing blogger from Tofugu.com. If you missed it, yesterday we had a fun time watching Koichi’s video on Segat Sanshiro (the Chuck Norris of Japan).
DailyJ: What is the mission/vision of your site? What is Tofugu all about?
The overarching goal (I suppose our mission statement) is to make interest in Japan cool again. We don’t hate otakus or anything, but we want to encourage people to be interested in Japan for the “right” reasons … not because they love seeing Naruto and Sasuke make out.
Other than that, we really go for quality articles. We don’t try to come out with a post every day; rather, we want to bring original content to the table, and even if we find something off of another blog, we are going to research it better.
DailyJ: I’m not big on anime either (I had to look up Sasuke if that is any indication), but what would you say are “right” reasons for people to be interested in Japan?
Oh man, that’s a tough one. I can’t go and say that there are any “right” and “wrong” reasons to learn Japanese, because sometimes some of the “wrong” reasons lead people to the “right” ones. I think people should learn another language because they are genuinely interested in the culture (and meeting new people that are a part of it). I think a lot of people think they know about Japanese culture because they watch a lot of anime, and think that is a good reason to learn Japanese. I mostly just get irritated when people watch a ton of anime and try to learn Japanese solely because of it. EVERY language should be learned because because you respect their culture, not because you are obsessed with their TV shows … though drama might be a teeny-tiny exception (jk).
HaHa. Didn’t know we play hardball here at DailyJ did, ya?
Join us again tomorrow (or subscribe) to hear what Koichi has to say about Tofugu being crowned Japan humour blog of the year 2007!
And be sure to give your comments on the interview. Let us know what you think, what you like and what we can improve.
Submit or suffer the wrath of Segata Sanshiro! - the official Tofugu world domination interview
On January 31, 2008 in Interviews, bloggers
It’s here. It’s wonderful. It’s … wonky
I am excited to bring you the first part of an interview with our new panda-headed overload Koichi of Tofugu.com! Today he is going to show you why Japan has Chuck Norris beat.
> 
Despite what you might have read about Chuck Norris Facts (which have even been translated into Japanese on Rocking In Hakata) there is someone you should fear even more than the famous Texas ranger.
DailyJ: Segata Sanshiro is so awesome. Is it really possible that he could have been destroyed by that nuclear bomb? Should we be playing Sega Saturn just in case?
Koichi: Everyone should at least be playing the Dreamcast, in Segata Sanshiro’s memory. Shenmue is awesome, and Segata Sanshiro voice acted one of the characters in it.
I don’t know about you but I think I am going to go out looking for an old Sega Saturn tomorrow…
Speaking of tomorrow be sure to join us then (or better, subscribe now) when we will have some more Q and A with Koichi.
Until then be sure to visit Tofugu
Have a great day!
DailyJ
“Remember, this is Japan” - an intervew with South Of Reality
On January 23, 2008 in Interviews, bloggers
Today we’re back again with South Of Reality. Yesterday he gave us his opinions on Nova and ESL. Now let’s hear a little bit about his site and some advice he has for anyone interested in living in Japan.
DailyJ: What is the mission/vision of your site? What is your site all about?
SouthOfReality: Mainly for networking purposes. It just kind of evolved into a blog/information site. It’s just about living in Japan. Not much advice. Just various ramblings mixed in with information I wish I’d had when I first came to Japan.
DailyJ: Tell us more about that (”information I wish I’d had when I first came to Japan”). What kind of information do you focus on?
SouthOfReality: Things that could impact a person’s lifestyle, for example. Many foreigners have no knowledge about health insurance requirements in this country. Eikaiwa companies, as well as others, never inform their foreign staff that national health insurance enrollment is mandatory for those residing in Japan for a year or more. Some companies, like NOVA, make (made?) money off their foreign teachers by selling them insurance from one of their partner companies. Some foreigners, who were unaware of the mandatory public health insurance enrollment requirement have been required to make back payments for all of the time they were in Japan and not enrolled in the system.
DailyJ: If there was only one piece advice you could give to someone interested in living in Japan, what would it be?
SouthOfReality: Remember, this is Japan. There’s a different work ethic here… Lot’s of things are different. Be willing to adapt. And, leave your preconceptions at home.
DailyJ: If there is anything else you want to say, feel free.
SouthOfReality: よろしくお願いします。
Thank you SouthOfReality for the interview! I hope all of you enjoyed it too. Be sure to check out his site and say hello.
And to all a good day,
DailyJ
What South Of Reality has to say about ESL and Nova - an exclusive interview
On January 22, 2008 in Interviews, bloggers
Smug little bunny.
Today were back with South Of Reality hearing his opinion on English teaching in Japan. If you’ve had your head in the sand and have not heard about the Nova debacle, this post ought to “enlighten” (translated disgust) you.
DailyJ: Can you tell us a bit more about your experiences with Eikaiwa?
SouthOfReality: I have several years of eikaiwa experience and have worked for two of the big-4 schools. The non-NOVA experience was thousand times better than the NOVA one.
DailyJ: Any comment on the NOVA blow up?
SouthOfReality: NOVA has to be the lowest of the big-4 eikaiwa schools. It was a shit system when I was there and I doubt that things were improved there after I left. The practice of signing students up for 3-year contracts and spending all that money right away to keep expanding was foolish and Nozomu Sahashi should f***ing burn for his part in driving that company into the dirt.
DailyJ: What advice would you give to someone living in their home country who wants to become an ESL teacher?
SouthOfReality: If that person was considering eikaiwa work, I’d tell them to browse the big Japan forums, like the one at Gaijin Pot. Dave’s ESL Cafe is good, too. Eikaiwa is a business and employees are required to work as hard as necessary to bring in the bread. This may include 6 - 8 lessons per day, assisting with sales, product recommendations, student counselings… It’s not a walk in the park. On the other hand, it’s not rocket science and the work can be mind-numbing. But, anyone who’s outgoing and likes people in general will do alright in eikaiwa.
ALT work was different. I spent half of my time just hanging out with kids during club activities or chatting with Japanese teachers. It was a great experience. I’m glad I got a chance to see what life is really like in Japanese public schools. I’d recommend ALT work to those who are interested in becoming real, certified teachers.
Join us again tomorrow when we will chat with SouthOfReality about why he started his site and how it can help you. (Click here to subscribe via RSS)
Have a great day
DailyJ
