Imagine the modes of entertainment for middle class youth in the sub-continent. Only when you start making a list do you realize, there are fewer responses than you would have thought. Out of these, one of the most prominent is gaming zones. These are quiet common as they cater mostly to the lower, lower-middle and middle class youth. And such gaming zones have a strange location: small rectangular shops, stacked with 8 to 10 coin gaming machines, congested with people on all corners. In Japan such gaming zones are a million times different. In fact, to the surprise of many, they form a franchise with outlets in almost all important sectors of the city. These are called: Pachinko.
A pachinko machine is similar to the pinball machines; however it does not have flappers and has comparatively a large number of balls. Similar to the pinball game, the player can control the initial firing of the ball and then earns points accordingly. Usually they all require 100 yen coins. Having a majestic decorated entrance, the ambiance inside Pachinko is ideal to create an environment to facilitate enthusiastic players: loud music, constant announcements, glazing lights, amazing interior decoration, hi-tech glossy machines and what not. The machines are aligned in a perpendicular line, one after the other. Players sit comfortably on a chair, insert a coin and enjoy the game with active involvement. It is contrastingly different from the gaming shops that we usually find in Pakistan where the environment is gloomy, with dim lightening, no seating arrangement and dusty outdated machines. Environment here is much cooler! And this can be clear by observing the faces of the players in Pachinko: clearly focused on the game with limited or no eye-movement. These games have this thing in them to keep the player glued to them.
However, it is not only the environment that creates a difference. In contrast to gaming zones in Pakistan with older machines, dysfunctional buttons and games that have been running since years, Pachinko in Japan feature hi-tech machines with updated games keeps the interest of the players alive. Moreover, the rules are strong and it is made sure that they are followed. The best example is of smoking: unlike Pakistan where people randomly smoke with no restrictions, Pachinko has special reserved areas for smoking which facilitates both the smokers and non-smokers. Since cash gambling is prohibited in Japan, the organization makes sure that it is restricted. Winners are not paid in cash, but in gift tokens which they can trade later.
In short, Pachinko provides an ideal setup for people to release off the long day’s work tension and take a breath of relief with exciting games. This is further enhanced by the astounding environment and loud music which keeps the players interested. For a person coming from Pakistan, and used to the gloomy gaming shops, Pachinko is Japan would provide a mind-blowing experience. It’s worth visiting!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
NIGHT LIFE IN JAPAN (Amirali)
As the sun rises from the ‘Land of the rising Sun’- Japan, it brings to life almost everyone in the country. The roads are jammed and trains packed to their utmost capacity; people go to work early and most of them work for long, exasperating hours. After the exhausting day, one would expect to sleep early to prepare for yet another tiring day. However, Japan is different; it is cool!
In Tokyo, the capital city of Japan people may toil arduously during office hours, but they certainly know how to make the most out of their night lives. It is as if there are two parts to the city: the morning half with bustling offices and talks of business all around, and the evening half with bustling joy in the streets and sense of enjoyment in the air. The major centers including Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo have major inlets of people in clubs, restaurants, cafes and every other place one can imagine that serves enjoyment.
Commuting can be tough, but it can be an amazing experience. All major trains including Japan Railways (JR) have stations at the mega centers of the city. Finding a taxi is easy but can be expensive; most people prefer walking. In any case, you get to observe the city that has come alive with shopping malls, departmental stores, clubs, cafes, restaurants and what not. For a moment, one gets lost in the new world of bustling activities, glittering lights and luscious aroma of the food; he wishes that the road never ends!
During weekends, clubs have the most number of visitors. People dance as much as they can on the groovy music enjoying beer, wine or juices. What is cool is that unlike the stiff, planned schedule of the day, people rarely plan out their schedules in the night. As they say in Tokyo, ‘let the music design your destiny’. They visit several clubs during the night and the interesting thing is: you often see two Japanese strangers, buying a drink together, and in no time they would start having a friendly discussion. This is what makes Japan unique and special; the people are polite, friendly and respectful. In short, once you are in a Japanese club, you won’t walk out without making a Japanese friend.
Several people visit restaurants with their families and enjoy a peaceful weekend while observing the city’s skyscrapers and the glittering lights. What makes Japan cool is the immense variety of options it offers to the people to enjoy their nightlife. Either it is a visit to an intensive, musical club or a peaceful walk alone in the spacious, glittering streets of the city or a delicious dinner with your friends at one of the finest restaurants in the city: everyone can enjoy the nightlife the way they want. And this is what makes Japan one of the coolest nations in the world.
In Tokyo, the capital city of Japan people may toil arduously during office hours, but they certainly know how to make the most out of their night lives. It is as if there are two parts to the city: the morning half with bustling offices and talks of business all around, and the evening half with bustling joy in the streets and sense of enjoyment in the air. The major centers including Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo have major inlets of people in clubs, restaurants, cafes and every other place one can imagine that serves enjoyment.
Commuting can be tough, but it can be an amazing experience. All major trains including Japan Railways (JR) have stations at the mega centers of the city. Finding a taxi is easy but can be expensive; most people prefer walking. In any case, you get to observe the city that has come alive with shopping malls, departmental stores, clubs, cafes, restaurants and what not. For a moment, one gets lost in the new world of bustling activities, glittering lights and luscious aroma of the food; he wishes that the road never ends!
During weekends, clubs have the most number of visitors. People dance as much as they can on the groovy music enjoying beer, wine or juices. What is cool is that unlike the stiff, planned schedule of the day, people rarely plan out their schedules in the night. As they say in Tokyo, ‘let the music design your destiny’. They visit several clubs during the night and the interesting thing is: you often see two Japanese strangers, buying a drink together, and in no time they would start having a friendly discussion. This is what makes Japan unique and special; the people are polite, friendly and respectful. In short, once you are in a Japanese club, you won’t walk out without making a Japanese friend.
Several people visit restaurants with their families and enjoy a peaceful weekend while observing the city’s skyscrapers and the glittering lights. What makes Japan cool is the immense variety of options it offers to the people to enjoy their nightlife. Either it is a visit to an intensive, musical club or a peaceful walk alone in the spacious, glittering streets of the city or a delicious dinner with your friends at one of the finest restaurants in the city: everyone can enjoy the nightlife the way they want. And this is what makes Japan one of the coolest nations in the world.
New Year in Japan (Amirali)
In most countries around the world, the New Year is celebrated with zeal; large gatherings, glamorous fireworks, lucrative sales and groundbreaking parties make the headlines. However, celebrating New Year in Japan is a unique experience. Japanese greet the New Year with respect and excelsior. Excessive festivity is avoided. It is a contrast from the glamorous, socializing Christmas parties to the calm, peaceful streets on the New Year’s Eve.
It all starts a couple of weeks before the start of a new year. People usually send cards to their relatives and professional contacts. The cards contain written text describing their feelings towards the receiver and warm wishes for the upcoming year. This depicts a sign of respect and alleviates affection. To facilitate such massive exchange activities, the Japan Post makes special arrangements so that the New Year’s greetings are received in time and spread joy all around.
Finally comes the much awaited day- the New Year’s Eve. Considering the traditional ceremonies performed and the peace of mind it requires, most people get holidays from 29th December to (around) 3rd January which gives them ample time to celebrate the event with complete ritual ceremonies. It is amazing to know that rather than partying and dancing people prefer to spend the day at homes with their family and friends. Traditional food is prepared including raimen and moochi (a special rice cookie). The Japan Railways (JR) is operational throughout the night to facilitate people travelling to shrines and relatives.
One of the most attended ceremonies takes places near the Zojoji Temple, besides the Tokyo Tower where the start of the New Year is attended by thousands of people carrying flags and silver balloons. The outlook is perfect: glittering lights on the tower with pitch dark surroundings. The start of the New Year is marked by a countdown with a constant sound of the holy bell from the shrine accompanied with roars from the audience greeting each other a Happy New Year- a moment worth experiencing!
Later all the attendants make way towards the Zojoji Temple which is a classical masterpiece of architecture. Inside the temple is intricately decorated with a golden altar. In large rectangular boxes, people pay monetary tribute before worship and pray for a successful year ahead.
Overall, the New Year celebration in Japan is full of diverse rituals and traditions, which makes it different and worth experiencing.
It all starts a couple of weeks before the start of a new year. People usually send cards to their relatives and professional contacts. The cards contain written text describing their feelings towards the receiver and warm wishes for the upcoming year. This depicts a sign of respect and alleviates affection. To facilitate such massive exchange activities, the Japan Post makes special arrangements so that the New Year’s greetings are received in time and spread joy all around.
Finally comes the much awaited day- the New Year’s Eve. Considering the traditional ceremonies performed and the peace of mind it requires, most people get holidays from 29th December to (around) 3rd January which gives them ample time to celebrate the event with complete ritual ceremonies. It is amazing to know that rather than partying and dancing people prefer to spend the day at homes with their family and friends. Traditional food is prepared including raimen and moochi (a special rice cookie). The Japan Railways (JR) is operational throughout the night to facilitate people travelling to shrines and relatives.
One of the most attended ceremonies takes places near the Zojoji Temple, besides the Tokyo Tower where the start of the New Year is attended by thousands of people carrying flags and silver balloons. The outlook is perfect: glittering lights on the tower with pitch dark surroundings. The start of the New Year is marked by a countdown with a constant sound of the holy bell from the shrine accompanied with roars from the audience greeting each other a Happy New Year- a moment worth experiencing!
Later all the attendants make way towards the Zojoji Temple which is a classical masterpiece of architecture. Inside the temple is intricately decorated with a golden altar. In large rectangular boxes, people pay monetary tribute before worship and pray for a successful year ahead.
Overall, the New Year celebration in Japan is full of diverse rituals and traditions, which makes it different and worth experiencing.
Museums and the History of Japan (Amirali)
Imagine your elementary schooling years and think, which the most boring class was. Physics, Mathematics or Language? No, can’t be any of them; these were one of the best subjects for most of us. The most boring was probably history. And why is that so? Because it had everything in it to be boring: heavy textbooks, lengthy text, no illustrations, strange names, fictitious description and what not. But the Professor always held the same view, “Learning history is important, my child!”
Actually the Professor was right, but there is a need to find a better way to learn history; a way that is cool, yet effective. And Japan has found such a way. In fact, in Japan people now simply love to know their history. It is now the most interesting and cool subjects. How? Because you can know all you need to know about the history of Japan by visiting the Edo Museum in Tokyo.
Edo Museum is a gigantic seven floor building that illustrates the history of Tokyo with models, paintings, artifacts and even live performances. It takes a visitor step by step to various aspects of life in traditional Tokyo. It shows the city map as it was centuries ago and the important places, including the railway line. It shows the housing structure both in rural and urban setup and how the people from rural areas came into contact with people of the city due to trade contacts. Next it shows the formation and different designations in the army and how they were paid their salary. Through artifacts of pottery and clay it shows how long life has existed in the area. The museum also shows daily life in the city, formation of houses, modes of attaining water and means of entertainment. The political influence is also shown though various illustrations. Another interesting feature is the Kabuki theatre which was a common mode of entertainment in the past.
In short, the Edo Museum provides a cool and effective way for children and adults alike to learn the history of Japan in an interactive way and, at the same time feel proud of their traditional roots and cultural values.
Actually the Professor was right, but there is a need to find a better way to learn history; a way that is cool, yet effective. And Japan has found such a way. In fact, in Japan people now simply love to know their history. It is now the most interesting and cool subjects. How? Because you can know all you need to know about the history of Japan by visiting the Edo Museum in Tokyo.
Edo Museum is a gigantic seven floor building that illustrates the history of Tokyo with models, paintings, artifacts and even live performances. It takes a visitor step by step to various aspects of life in traditional Tokyo. It shows the city map as it was centuries ago and the important places, including the railway line. It shows the housing structure both in rural and urban setup and how the people from rural areas came into contact with people of the city due to trade contacts. Next it shows the formation and different designations in the army and how they were paid their salary. Through artifacts of pottery and clay it shows how long life has existed in the area. The museum also shows daily life in the city, formation of houses, modes of attaining water and means of entertainment. The political influence is also shown though various illustrations. Another interesting feature is the Kabuki theatre which was a common mode of entertainment in the past.
In short, the Edo Museum provides a cool and effective way for children and adults alike to learn the history of Japan in an interactive way and, at the same time feel proud of their traditional roots and cultural values.
Memories from Japan (Amirali)
When you visit a foreign country, what do you want to take back for your friends and family? Usually people take back chocolates, accessories or clothes. But these things can be brought from any country. Why not buy something special for your loved ones. This is the perception of people when they come to Japan: “If we are in a cool country like Japan, we should get cool souvenirs for our loved ones”. And these expectations are never led astray. Japan is the best place for souvenirs.
Normally what can one expect as a souvenir? The possible answers may include a showpiece of an important landmark or a national symbol. But what makes Japan is everything here is exotic, unique and loveable. Therefore, souvenir shops are found in abundance throughout the country; some have even developed into multiple storey buildings. These shops are fully stuffed with objects so much so that is makes it difficult to decide what to buy and what not!
Most noticeable are the traditional goods. Osake cups are displayed in various colors, sizes and designs. Traditional Japanese fans look colorful and attractive. Of noticeable appeal are kimonos- the traditional dress of Japan- which make up as ideal souvenirs. One can choose from different cloth fabric and design. For males there are t-shirts and wallets, and for females there are hand purses with Japanese art designs or kanji text which looks elegant. Small colorful magnets and key chains with Japanese anime stars or kanji text are affordable and can make up as an attractive gift.
However, Japan is also well known for its technological innovation. Therefore, some people prefer buying the latest model of laptops, cameras or IPods for their friends. Whatever one buys, these souvenirs are unique and cool. They surely leave a deep impact on the ones who receive them as gifts.
Normally what can one expect as a souvenir? The possible answers may include a showpiece of an important landmark or a national symbol. But what makes Japan is everything here is exotic, unique and loveable. Therefore, souvenir shops are found in abundance throughout the country; some have even developed into multiple storey buildings. These shops are fully stuffed with objects so much so that is makes it difficult to decide what to buy and what not!
Most noticeable are the traditional goods. Osake cups are displayed in various colors, sizes and designs. Traditional Japanese fans look colorful and attractive. Of noticeable appeal are kimonos- the traditional dress of Japan- which make up as ideal souvenirs. One can choose from different cloth fabric and design. For males there are t-shirts and wallets, and for females there are hand purses with Japanese art designs or kanji text which looks elegant. Small colorful magnets and key chains with Japanese anime stars or kanji text are affordable and can make up as an attractive gift.
However, Japan is also well known for its technological innovation. Therefore, some people prefer buying the latest model of laptops, cameras or IPods for their friends. Whatever one buys, these souvenirs are unique and cool. They surely leave a deep impact on the ones who receive them as gifts.
The language of Japan- Nihongo (Amirali)
Artistic expressions are the depiction of a country’s traditional values and rituals. Several countries use two or more ethnic languages which strengthens the cultural base. However, what makes Japan unique and cool is that it uses one language, albeit with a mixture of 3 scripts. Yes THREE scripts! A major part comes from Chinese characters kanji; other components include hiragana and a script for foreign words katakana. Recently to help foreigners and facilitate usage of computers, another script, named romaji is used.
Therefore Nihongo encompasses rich traditional roots which are a matter of pride for the Japanese. Unfortunately some countries have been trapped in the spell of Modernization so much so that they have given up their native language to learn English; this case is most prominent in developing countries. In these countries people prioritize learning English and the one who can speak English fluently is considered an ideal. Japan is no way follows this trend. People in Japan take pride in learning and communicating in their native language- Nihongo. It is true that ability to communicate in English is distinguished and such people are given priority in the job market. However, Nihongo is still the medium of communication in both public and private spheres. And this is easily noticeable. In trains, most people can be seen reading manga, traditional Japanese comic books; in stores, the workers greet in Nihongo; the direction at all important place are given in Nihongo and only recently is romaji used to facilitate foreigners. Though excessive exposure to Nihongo gets tough for a foreigner, yet I feel great respect for the people as they honor their language and preserve its cultural identity. I think this is really cool.
Moreover, the expressions in Nihongo are worth mentioning; it is one of the most expressive languages I have ever come across. It is not just spoken; it makes the speaker involved completely with expression, highs and lows in tone and hand movements. Add the humble attitude of Japanese people to this scenario and the result is even better. Therefore, a foreigner may come across times when he won’t know Nihongo, but communicating with Japanese and looking his expressions and movements almost always gets the message through. Isn’t that cool!
Written text in Nihongo depicts beauty too. I met a friend in Malaysia who had a tattoo on his arm with text in Kanji. Surprised to see a Malaysian with such interest in Japanese, I inquired, “The tattoo on your arm, what does it mean?” To my astonishment he replied, “I don’t know. But it looks cool, isn’t it!” I think this explains the artistic beauty of Japanese Kanji and its lovers around the world who may not understand it, but find beauty in its text.
Therefore Nihongo encompasses rich traditional roots which are a matter of pride for the Japanese. Unfortunately some countries have been trapped in the spell of Modernization so much so that they have given up their native language to learn English; this case is most prominent in developing countries. In these countries people prioritize learning English and the one who can speak English fluently is considered an ideal. Japan is no way follows this trend. People in Japan take pride in learning and communicating in their native language- Nihongo. It is true that ability to communicate in English is distinguished and such people are given priority in the job market. However, Nihongo is still the medium of communication in both public and private spheres. And this is easily noticeable. In trains, most people can be seen reading manga, traditional Japanese comic books; in stores, the workers greet in Nihongo; the direction at all important place are given in Nihongo and only recently is romaji used to facilitate foreigners. Though excessive exposure to Nihongo gets tough for a foreigner, yet I feel great respect for the people as they honor their language and preserve its cultural identity. I think this is really cool.
Moreover, the expressions in Nihongo are worth mentioning; it is one of the most expressive languages I have ever come across. It is not just spoken; it makes the speaker involved completely with expression, highs and lows in tone and hand movements. Add the humble attitude of Japanese people to this scenario and the result is even better. Therefore, a foreigner may come across times when he won’t know Nihongo, but communicating with Japanese and looking his expressions and movements almost always gets the message through. Isn’t that cool!
Written text in Nihongo depicts beauty too. I met a friend in Malaysia who had a tattoo on his arm with text in Kanji. Surprised to see a Malaysian with such interest in Japanese, I inquired, “The tattoo on your arm, what does it mean?” To my astonishment he replied, “I don’t know. But it looks cool, isn’t it!” I think this explains the artistic beauty of Japanese Kanji and its lovers around the world who may not understand it, but find beauty in its text.
JAPAN- THE TECHNOLOGICAL HUB OF THE WORLD (Amirali)
Japan is one of the most developed nations of the world offering lucrative economic prospects and comfortable, high quality of life. But what makes this possible is the immense technological progression made by the country. In the words of Arthur Clarke, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. True, life in Japan seems no less than living in a Magical World!
How do you know the importance of something? By observing its presence in the lives of people, isn’t it. In Japan one can never run blank on technological information. Neither do you need to browse internet, nor do you need to go over piles of magazines to keep up with technology. Simply see the ones around you and you would know what’s new in the market. Isn’t that cool! People in Japan worship technology; either it be a Microsoft innovation or a breathtaking Apple gadget, the day it is launched in the international market, you would see it in the hands of people all around you in Japan. And this makes you feel cool by being in a magic world- a world where technology bows at your doorstep.
This magical world spreads like a web and seems an anomaly to a stranger. In trains the passengers are seen playing PlayStation. On streets everyone seems to carry a brand new mobile phone. The best part is that the organizations are using this technology for educational development too. In classrooms every student carries an electronic dictionary to translate English vocabulary with Japanese meanings and vice versa. Some carry software that reads out written text, others browse information via internet to participate effectively in the classrooms. On the whole, technology in Japan is not a mere showoff, but an effective medium to update people with adequate information and facilitate learning.
In fact Tokyo has reserved an entire town for its technology lovers: the Town of Technology- Akhiabara. It is not a hyper-mall or a super gadget street; it is a home to thousands of shops and malls reserved to every possible technological innovation you can think of. Either it be a tiny screw, a cool model of IPod or the latest laptop, you can get anything, and everything in Akhiabara. In short, if you can’t find anything related to technology anywhere, you can surely find it here in Japan- the technological hub of the world.
How do you know the importance of something? By observing its presence in the lives of people, isn’t it. In Japan one can never run blank on technological information. Neither do you need to browse internet, nor do you need to go over piles of magazines to keep up with technology. Simply see the ones around you and you would know what’s new in the market. Isn’t that cool! People in Japan worship technology; either it be a Microsoft innovation or a breathtaking Apple gadget, the day it is launched in the international market, you would see it in the hands of people all around you in Japan. And this makes you feel cool by being in a magic world- a world where technology bows at your doorstep.
This magical world spreads like a web and seems an anomaly to a stranger. In trains the passengers are seen playing PlayStation. On streets everyone seems to carry a brand new mobile phone. The best part is that the organizations are using this technology for educational development too. In classrooms every student carries an electronic dictionary to translate English vocabulary with Japanese meanings and vice versa. Some carry software that reads out written text, others browse information via internet to participate effectively in the classrooms. On the whole, technology in Japan is not a mere showoff, but an effective medium to update people with adequate information and facilitate learning.
In fact Tokyo has reserved an entire town for its technology lovers: the Town of Technology- Akhiabara. It is not a hyper-mall or a super gadget street; it is a home to thousands of shops and malls reserved to every possible technological innovation you can think of. Either it be a tiny screw, a cool model of IPod or the latest laptop, you can get anything, and everything in Akhiabara. In short, if you can’t find anything related to technology anywhere, you can surely find it here in Japan- the technological hub of the world.
Elementary School (Amirali)
Raised and educated in a third-world developing country I had a different perception about the elementary schooling education system. However, these perceptions were modified and shaped drastically when I visit an elementary school in Tokyo, Japan. Almost everything I knew of was given a new dimension. Compared to what I had previously known, this was way cooler!
In developing countries, the school structure is mostly a residential plot; thus, it usually has a small cemented playground and cramped classrooms. On the contrary, elementary schools in Japan provide an ideal place to nurture children with broad, airy classrooms and a wide playground for recreational activities. Moreover, what I found cool was the excessive usage of magnets which help to hold charts on the board rather than the instructor holding it with no hand to write on the board simultaneously. This is rarely founds in the schools I have been to.
Fortunately 99% of children in Japan gain elementary education, but what is most important is the level of knowledge and confidence these children have. I had the opportunity to conduct a session in an elementary school in Tokyo with children aged 9-10 years. Contrary to my expectations, they were way smarter. They prepared for the session with adequate research before the session, participated actively and were eager to learn more. Watching young children, the leaders of tomorrow, being groomed in this extra-ordinary way seems so cool and gives a feeling of happiness.
Another cool thing that is a norm in most elementary schools in Japan, and which is rare practice in most developing countries, is that is it the school’s responsibility to give out lunch to students in the Lunch Break. Being exposed to this idea for the first time, initially I felt a little strange; however, later I realized how cool this practice is. All students align the chairs and tables in a way to make small groups and eat together. Everyday new students have a turn to serve the lunch which in itself is learning. Eating the same food together gives a sense of solidarity and most importantly eliminates the social strata amongst the students. As the Vice Principal of the school said to me, “In this way, the students coming from poor financial backgrounds do NOT need to hide their lunch boxes thinking that their lunch is inferior than that of others. Everyone is equal”. I found this a cool way to create a sense of solidarity as a moral value amongst children right from elementary schooling years. I hope this practice can be adopted by the education system in all countries.
In developing countries, the school structure is mostly a residential plot; thus, it usually has a small cemented playground and cramped classrooms. On the contrary, elementary schools in Japan provide an ideal place to nurture children with broad, airy classrooms and a wide playground for recreational activities. Moreover, what I found cool was the excessive usage of magnets which help to hold charts on the board rather than the instructor holding it with no hand to write on the board simultaneously. This is rarely founds in the schools I have been to.
Fortunately 99% of children in Japan gain elementary education, but what is most important is the level of knowledge and confidence these children have. I had the opportunity to conduct a session in an elementary school in Tokyo with children aged 9-10 years. Contrary to my expectations, they were way smarter. They prepared for the session with adequate research before the session, participated actively and were eager to learn more. Watching young children, the leaders of tomorrow, being groomed in this extra-ordinary way seems so cool and gives a feeling of happiness.
Another cool thing that is a norm in most elementary schools in Japan, and which is rare practice in most developing countries, is that is it the school’s responsibility to give out lunch to students in the Lunch Break. Being exposed to this idea for the first time, initially I felt a little strange; however, later I realized how cool this practice is. All students align the chairs and tables in a way to make small groups and eat together. Everyday new students have a turn to serve the lunch which in itself is learning. Eating the same food together gives a sense of solidarity and most importantly eliminates the social strata amongst the students. As the Vice Principal of the school said to me, “In this way, the students coming from poor financial backgrounds do NOT need to hide their lunch boxes thinking that their lunch is inferior than that of others. Everyone is equal”. I found this a cool way to create a sense of solidarity as a moral value amongst children right from elementary schooling years. I hope this practice can be adopted by the education system in all countries.
Diversity of Food in Japan (Amirali)
“Hurray…I am going to Japan!” Imagine how cool one feels when they say this. The opportunity to visit one of the coolest countries gives a feeling of excitement and thrill. However, as the day approaches, you start packing and planning for the trip, a question flashes through your mind, “But, what about food?” And this is where it really starts troubling your mind. The situation gets worse especially if you are from Pakistan or sub-continent generally, where Japanese food is excessively expensive and reserved for the elite population. Most of the people haven’t even tried sushi- leave alone the other specialties of Japan. The Muslims, who eat ‘Halal’ food and avoid usage of alcohol, and vegetarians, may feel concerned of the availability of food. To all those out there, with such questions throbbing in their minds, the simple answer is: “Don’t worry. You will find extreme food diversity here that will certainly make your taste buds!”
Diversity of food in Japan in the last decade has increased significantly. In short, you can get the food you want; either it be Thai, Korean, Indian, Malaysian or native Japanese food, just name it and there is a high probability that you would get it. There are several restaurants specializing in food from various parts of the world. If you are coming from Pakistan or India, you can find an Indian or Nepali restaurant in all major districts of Tokyo. In fact these restaurants work exceptional well and are usually filled with Japanese customers because foreigners and Japanese both love Curry and Nan. So if you need Indian food, be sure you can definitely find a restaurant meeting your needs near your residence. Also recently several Halal shops have sprung up in different parts of the city making it convenient for Muslims to buy and eat Halal food.
Another thing that I found particularly cool and unique is the exterior setting of restaurants. Most of the food items listed on the menu and the special dishes of the restaurant are displayed artificially outside the restaurant. And trust me, it looks nowhere near artificial. It illustrates specific details including the price (before and after taxes). Therefore, rather than going in a restaurant and deciding whether you want to eat here or not, you can simply see the dishes offered by the restaurant on the window and select what you find best for yourself. It is more of a ‘window menu’.
However, to foreigners coming to Japan I would strongly recommend to try Japanese food. It is different and delicious. Most food dishes are not spicy in Japan as Japanese people are not fond of spicy food; however, you can request for additional spices in your order in almost all restaurants. Interestingly, Japanese style of presentation resembles to a South Indian plate where small quantities of various dishes are presented in one serving for someone to enjoy different tastes under one roof.
In short, food is no more a ‘Question Mark’ for your preparations to come to Japan. In fact the diversity of food offered here would surprise you. You can eat whatever you want and refresh your taste buds either with native Japanese food, your country’s food or the food of other countries. This is what makes Japan special and cool.
Diversity of food in Japan in the last decade has increased significantly. In short, you can get the food you want; either it be Thai, Korean, Indian, Malaysian or native Japanese food, just name it and there is a high probability that you would get it. There are several restaurants specializing in food from various parts of the world. If you are coming from Pakistan or India, you can find an Indian or Nepali restaurant in all major districts of Tokyo. In fact these restaurants work exceptional well and are usually filled with Japanese customers because foreigners and Japanese both love Curry and Nan. So if you need Indian food, be sure you can definitely find a restaurant meeting your needs near your residence. Also recently several Halal shops have sprung up in different parts of the city making it convenient for Muslims to buy and eat Halal food.
Another thing that I found particularly cool and unique is the exterior setting of restaurants. Most of the food items listed on the menu and the special dishes of the restaurant are displayed artificially outside the restaurant. And trust me, it looks nowhere near artificial. It illustrates specific details including the price (before and after taxes). Therefore, rather than going in a restaurant and deciding whether you want to eat here or not, you can simply see the dishes offered by the restaurant on the window and select what you find best for yourself. It is more of a ‘window menu’.
However, to foreigners coming to Japan I would strongly recommend to try Japanese food. It is different and delicious. Most food dishes are not spicy in Japan as Japanese people are not fond of spicy food; however, you can request for additional spices in your order in almost all restaurants. Interestingly, Japanese style of presentation resembles to a South Indian plate where small quantities of various dishes are presented in one serving for someone to enjoy different tastes under one roof.
In short, food is no more a ‘Question Mark’ for your preparations to come to Japan. In fact the diversity of food offered here would surprise you. You can eat whatever you want and refresh your taste buds either with native Japanese food, your country’s food or the food of other countries. This is what makes Japan special and cool.
The Magic world of Tokyo Disneyland (Amirali)
"It’s a small world after all" are the chants as you enter one of the most exciting places on Earth- Tokyo Disneyland. Freeing you from office work anxiety, Tokyo Disney is one place that welcomes you wholeheartedly and makes you feel special; it takes you to a unique journey of aspiring dreams and wild imaginations. In short, it is ensured that every person entering Disneyland feels the joy in the air and goes back with a lasting smile.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Tokyo Disney is a different city in itself. That’s why; they don’t refer to the entrance ticket as "TICKET", but as a "PASSPORT" to Tokyo Disney. Its novelty makes it one of the coolest and busiest places in Tokyo; therefore, if you want to avoid long queues at the entrance gate reach there early morning. And trust me, your expectations at no point in time would be ruined or even reduced!
The majestic entrance and excitement of the ones around you give hints to the fabulous place a first-comer is yet to experience. To craft a special morning and enrich memories of all-time beloved Disney stars, the central courtyard has a ‘Special Morning Parade” to welcome all the visitors. And what a remarkable welcome it is! The much loved characters of Disney whom we have seen via our television sets since childhood come alive waving, dancing and singing in front of our eyes. It seems none less than a dream come true. And trust me; it takes time to realize that we are indeed in reality!
After the parade, people disperse to explore the magic land of Disney. The most excited are the children. While walking there are numerous moments when you hear children shouting in excitement to their parents, “Mama Mama, I wanna see this … and that”. However, elders are equally astonished and excited. Some of the most loved Disney characters including Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Peter Pan and Toy Story are assigned a house, in fact a mansion! All you have to do is to sit in a trolley which will take you to different rooms where you can witness pictures, animations, models, characters etc related to these characters; in short, their stories are brought to life. Trust me, it takes you long time to realize that all these characters and exact depiction of places are unreal; if you keep aside the thought that you are at Disneyland, you may not be able to distinguish whether what you see is real or not. It is perfectly crafted to give you a dream experience in the world of your favorite Disney characters.
Once done with characters, the park offers rides that are thrilling, adventurous and mind-blowing. The most noticeable are Space Mountain, the Amazon River ride on a boat and the roller coaster revolving the mountain. The thrill takes your breath and the ambience snatches your senses; after every ride you see people around you saying, “I want to go there again!” That is the magic of Disney. The day ends with spectacular fireworks which marks an ideal end to the day.
There were so many things to do at Disney that it was not worth leaving early. The place makes you stay longer! All the times you hear melodious songs including: "It’s a small life after all" and "When you feel lost". To add to the charm, there are theme based restaurants offering delicious food at reasonable rates. Furthermore, there are souvenir shops, some of them related to various Disney characters, giving the visitors an opportunity to take back memories of a magical day in the shape of stuff toys, cookies, clothes and what not.
In short, apart from several other things, what makes Japan cool is to have a place that ensures each visitor a thrilling, enchanted journey to a dreamland and bring smiles to everyone around. It has the magic of Tokyo Disneyland!
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Tokyo Disney is a different city in itself. That’s why; they don’t refer to the entrance ticket as "TICKET", but as a "PASSPORT" to Tokyo Disney. Its novelty makes it one of the coolest and busiest places in Tokyo; therefore, if you want to avoid long queues at the entrance gate reach there early morning. And trust me, your expectations at no point in time would be ruined or even reduced!
The majestic entrance and excitement of the ones around you give hints to the fabulous place a first-comer is yet to experience. To craft a special morning and enrich memories of all-time beloved Disney stars, the central courtyard has a ‘Special Morning Parade” to welcome all the visitors. And what a remarkable welcome it is! The much loved characters of Disney whom we have seen via our television sets since childhood come alive waving, dancing and singing in front of our eyes. It seems none less than a dream come true. And trust me; it takes time to realize that we are indeed in reality!
After the parade, people disperse to explore the magic land of Disney. The most excited are the children. While walking there are numerous moments when you hear children shouting in excitement to their parents, “Mama Mama, I wanna see this … and that”. However, elders are equally astonished and excited. Some of the most loved Disney characters including Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Peter Pan and Toy Story are assigned a house, in fact a mansion! All you have to do is to sit in a trolley which will take you to different rooms where you can witness pictures, animations, models, characters etc related to these characters; in short, their stories are brought to life. Trust me, it takes you long time to realize that all these characters and exact depiction of places are unreal; if you keep aside the thought that you are at Disneyland, you may not be able to distinguish whether what you see is real or not. It is perfectly crafted to give you a dream experience in the world of your favorite Disney characters.
Once done with characters, the park offers rides that are thrilling, adventurous and mind-blowing. The most noticeable are Space Mountain, the Amazon River ride on a boat and the roller coaster revolving the mountain. The thrill takes your breath and the ambience snatches your senses; after every ride you see people around you saying, “I want to go there again!” That is the magic of Disney. The day ends with spectacular fireworks which marks an ideal end to the day.
There were so many things to do at Disney that it was not worth leaving early. The place makes you stay longer! All the times you hear melodious songs including: "It’s a small life after all" and "When you feel lost". To add to the charm, there are theme based restaurants offering delicious food at reasonable rates. Furthermore, there are souvenir shops, some of them related to various Disney characters, giving the visitors an opportunity to take back memories of a magical day in the shape of stuff toys, cookies, clothes and what not.
In short, apart from several other things, what makes Japan cool is to have a place that ensures each visitor a thrilling, enchanted journey to a dreamland and bring smiles to everyone around. It has the magic of Tokyo Disneyland!
The Train Experience is Cool in Japan (Amirali)
“Intriguing, exotic, mind-blowing”! You just run out of words if it is your first experience coming to Japan: one of the coolest places on Earth. A tiring day at work seems glorified with the glittering streets, eye-catching malls, gigantic skyscrapers, luscious food and of course the public transportation- one of the best in the world.
Imagine driving a car every morning to work for two hours, only to know that you have to drive back home after a long, tiring day at work. To add to the woes narrow streets and jammed roads make the journey much exhausting. Such features are regular in most countries around the world, even in the developed ones. However, what makes Japan stand out is its remarkable public transportation system that is spread all across the country.
Most noteworthy is the complex train system, both inter-city and intra-city, that caters the needs of the majority people in the country, especially Tokyo. If you are a businessman, student, artist, housewife or casual fun-loving traveler, the trains and subways in Japan are the ideal choice. The JR (Japan Railways) covers all important destinations, while the other trains and subways reach out to specific routes in the city. Starting from a nominal charge of 130yen, the trains provide enough seats and cover for standing passengers. A day’s journey can be dynamic and eventful. Early morning experiences the “Rush Hour” with packed trains and passengers ready for a long day’s work. The afternoons are pleasant and less crowded with students going back home and working people travelling to get lunch. Evenings are amusing and the opposite of mornings; the people who were fresh in the morning, now wearily return to their homes. Nights again catch momentum, especially on weekends when mostly the young people get free from work and enjoy in clubs, shopping complexes or bars.
It’s cool how a train journey can enriches experiences. You often see two strangers starting a talk formally, only to realize they have a common friend; after all ‘It’s a small world’. They rest of their journey is full of laughter and beaming expressions which brings a smile to the ones around them. It’s fun to see some of the passengers sleeping while standing; while others enjoy reading manga or novels and make the most out of their time.
The amount of planning behind this infrastructure is cool and worth admiring; the trains literally leave no area in the city unattended. You just name an area and the trains would get you there! Yet another cool thing in Japan is the punctuality. If the schedule says a train would arrive at a certain time, it would definitely be there on time. This enables you to carry out your plans punctually with no time lags. Moreover, there are special seats reserved for pregnant women, mothers with small children and the old people. Considering the increasing foreign population, announcements are made both in Japanese and English. In short, the trains facilitate you in every way possible to make your journey comfortable, cool and safe.
However, it is not only the train journey that is full of experiences, the train stations are worth admiring too. Some of them have developed into huge shopping complexes with huge diversity of things for the passengers to choose from. It is said, a passenger can never go hungry out of a train station. Each station has a variety of restaurants which either catches your senses by the delicious aroma of food or the glittering ornamentation it possesses. You can enjoy an appetizing meal with your friends at the station and continue with your schedule.
But my friend, the journey doesn’t end here! In Japan, you don’t need reasons to smile; happiness embraces you at every spot. Just as you exit from a train station, there are public spaces with groups of people enjoying the moment. Some smoke, others cheer. But the ones who catch most attention are the casual musicians or dancers who are always successful to gather a mob and earn their applause. It actually gives you a grand welcome with music, cheers and joy all around as you exit the station.
And eventually you realize, “It’s not worth having a personal car and paying expensive parking tickets! The trains in Japan are cool and the experience to travel in them worth admiring!”
Imagine driving a car every morning to work for two hours, only to know that you have to drive back home after a long, tiring day at work. To add to the woes narrow streets and jammed roads make the journey much exhausting. Such features are regular in most countries around the world, even in the developed ones. However, what makes Japan stand out is its remarkable public transportation system that is spread all across the country.
Most noteworthy is the complex train system, both inter-city and intra-city, that caters the needs of the majority people in the country, especially Tokyo. If you are a businessman, student, artist, housewife or casual fun-loving traveler, the trains and subways in Japan are the ideal choice. The JR (Japan Railways) covers all important destinations, while the other trains and subways reach out to specific routes in the city. Starting from a nominal charge of 130yen, the trains provide enough seats and cover for standing passengers. A day’s journey can be dynamic and eventful. Early morning experiences the “Rush Hour” with packed trains and passengers ready for a long day’s work. The afternoons are pleasant and less crowded with students going back home and working people travelling to get lunch. Evenings are amusing and the opposite of mornings; the people who were fresh in the morning, now wearily return to their homes. Nights again catch momentum, especially on weekends when mostly the young people get free from work and enjoy in clubs, shopping complexes or bars.
It’s cool how a train journey can enriches experiences. You often see two strangers starting a talk formally, only to realize they have a common friend; after all ‘It’s a small world’. They rest of their journey is full of laughter and beaming expressions which brings a smile to the ones around them. It’s fun to see some of the passengers sleeping while standing; while others enjoy reading manga or novels and make the most out of their time.
The amount of planning behind this infrastructure is cool and worth admiring; the trains literally leave no area in the city unattended. You just name an area and the trains would get you there! Yet another cool thing in Japan is the punctuality. If the schedule says a train would arrive at a certain time, it would definitely be there on time. This enables you to carry out your plans punctually with no time lags. Moreover, there are special seats reserved for pregnant women, mothers with small children and the old people. Considering the increasing foreign population, announcements are made both in Japanese and English. In short, the trains facilitate you in every way possible to make your journey comfortable, cool and safe.
However, it is not only the train journey that is full of experiences, the train stations are worth admiring too. Some of them have developed into huge shopping complexes with huge diversity of things for the passengers to choose from. It is said, a passenger can never go hungry out of a train station. Each station has a variety of restaurants which either catches your senses by the delicious aroma of food or the glittering ornamentation it possesses. You can enjoy an appetizing meal with your friends at the station and continue with your schedule.
But my friend, the journey doesn’t end here! In Japan, you don’t need reasons to smile; happiness embraces you at every spot. Just as you exit from a train station, there are public spaces with groups of people enjoying the moment. Some smoke, others cheer. But the ones who catch most attention are the casual musicians or dancers who are always successful to gather a mob and earn their applause. It actually gives you a grand welcome with music, cheers and joy all around as you exit the station.
And eventually you realize, “It’s not worth having a personal car and paying expensive parking tickets! The trains in Japan are cool and the experience to travel in them worth admiring!”
Convenient Stores in Japan- Konbini (Amirali)
Imagine the economic activity surrounding the roads and allies in a developing country: small cubicle shops trading limited variety of goods from morning till evening, maximum till midnight. But what happens if someone’s needs to buy something after midnight. What of the people who return from their jobs late night only to find empty refrigerators and closed shops around their homes. Luckily, such worries rarely cross one’s mind while living in Japan. Offering expedient lifestyle, the country has thousands of convenient stores spread all around. Now that’s what we call: Cool Lifestyle!
The idea of convenient stores is not alien, most countries have convenient stores. However, what makes Japan unique is the sheer quantity of these convenient stores, often referred with the cool name ‘Konbini’. According to The Japan Franchise Association there were 42,345 convenience stores in Japan as of July 2009- a phenomenal number indeed. You can’t walk on a road after midnight without having sights of a colorful board open 24/7 for your service. Bet it!
And the konbinis are actually convenient. They offer a wide range of goods including: instant ramen, fresh fruits and vegetables, instant curry, snacks, ice creams, water, soda, sweets, juices, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. Everything is placed perfectly in order according to their respective sections and variety with proper price tags. One can walk with a dragging trolley or hand bag to shop around and pay at the main counter. Walking in a konbini seems rarely different than walking in a high-class superstore. And this is not all. These konbinis offer services as ATM, Copier/Fax, Delivery Service, Ticket Reservation etc. They are way cooler than one can imagine.
Amongst the leading konbinis are: Seven Eleven, Lawson, Circle K Sunkus, AM/ PM. Imagine how significantly the konbinis have shaped the lives of people in Japan. If you are hungry at the middle of night, if you return late from home, if you run out of fruits/ vegetables while cooking, if you want paper to hand In an assignment in the morning or if you simply want to smoke and run out of cigarettes. The convenient answer to all these problems is a Konbini. True, life is Japan is easy and luxurious.
The idea of convenient stores is not alien, most countries have convenient stores. However, what makes Japan unique is the sheer quantity of these convenient stores, often referred with the cool name ‘Konbini’. According to The Japan Franchise Association there were 42,345 convenience stores in Japan as of July 2009- a phenomenal number indeed. You can’t walk on a road after midnight without having sights of a colorful board open 24/7 for your service. Bet it!
And the konbinis are actually convenient. They offer a wide range of goods including: instant ramen, fresh fruits and vegetables, instant curry, snacks, ice creams, water, soda, sweets, juices, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. Everything is placed perfectly in order according to their respective sections and variety with proper price tags. One can walk with a dragging trolley or hand bag to shop around and pay at the main counter. Walking in a konbini seems rarely different than walking in a high-class superstore. And this is not all. These konbinis offer services as ATM, Copier/Fax, Delivery Service, Ticket Reservation etc. They are way cooler than one can imagine.
Amongst the leading konbinis are: Seven Eleven, Lawson, Circle K Sunkus, AM/ PM. Imagine how significantly the konbinis have shaped the lives of people in Japan. If you are hungry at the middle of night, if you return late from home, if you run out of fruits/ vegetables while cooking, if you want paper to hand In an assignment in the morning or if you simply want to smoke and run out of cigarettes. The convenient answer to all these problems is a Konbini. True, life is Japan is easy and luxurious.
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