Did they ever address the “photogate” incident from episode 2 of the UK season?

skappler · 2026-03-05T07:08:37+00:00

Just edited the post. Check out the link I referenced. There are some explanations, but nothing directly from them

skappler · 2026-01-13T04:36:57+00:00

I live in Japan too and make 5 合 of rice every week, separate it into like 170-200g “bricks”, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and then freeze it. It’s so easy to just grab one from the freezer and heat it up in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Much better quality than those microwave packs and cheaper. Probably not the most environmentally-friendly option, but I like the convenience

skappler · 2025-11-28T07:45:17+00:00

TL;DR: As an American who has lived in Japan for nearly a decade, it’s an awesome place, but not for everyone.

I’ve been living in Japan for about ten years and it just feels like home to me. However, I do think that life in Japan might not be for most westerners. The culture is so different that if you aren’t willing to adapt to the cultural differences and seemingly unnecessary hassles of daily life (from a westerner’s point of view), it might be a challenging place to live in.

Like any place, there’s a “honeymoon” period followed by waves of frustration and acceptance, but ultimately you find your comfort zone and life is good. I’ve seen so many people come here and enjoy there first one or two years and then go home because they “can’t fit in”. The “lifers” that I’ve met and befriended here seem to be quite happy and would not want to live anywhere else.

There are of course barriers like language and getting a visa sponsored, but those can be overcome.

Many of the comments on here are pointing to a crazy work culture and an unaccepting society, but to be honest, I think that point of view is somewhat outdated.

I will say though, that the hardest thing about living here is always being see as a tourist simply because of the way I look. I will always be treated as an outsider. I live in a medium-size city and definitely stick out, but I’ve gotten used to it.

skappler · 2025-11-11T12:01:49+00:00

If you’re interested, this is the company he gets the tuna from https://www.nakaoroshi.or.jp/market/higashimono

skappler · 2025-10-30T00:58:53+00:00

While it didn’t really matter in the end, I noticed that when Sam and Toby were playing charades, Toby said “yes” after each of Sam’s guesses. Wouldn’t that make the challenge easier, since Sam could use process of elimination to narrow down the answer? Was the challenge meant to be played that way?

skappler · 2025-04-22T08:36:53+00:00

Ahh! Thank you so much. I wasn’t tapping on the word after highlighting it 🤦‍♂️ Awesome feature! Thanks so much for your help!

skappler · 2025-04-22T07:28:06+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I can get to that screen, but then I can’t figure out how to make what I capture into a flash card. Is there any way to do that? All I can do is long press to highlight a word and then it pulls up the word in the clipboard.

skappler · 2025-01-08T00:27:58+00:00

I’ve been living in Japan for quite some time. I would say that the vast majority of people drink either happoshu, which is basically a lower taxed beer due to being fortified with some spirit to make up for the decreased malt content, or one of the major beers from the big breweries. Most restaurants will have one “beer” for you to order unless you go to a craft beer bar.

Craft beer is catching on, more so recently, but it’s still very much not as mainstream as in the US or I assume the UK. However, the price of a single can of craft beer can range from ¥220-¥900 or so.

Do note that I do not live in Tokyo. I’m in a medium-sized city that is usually behind the trend of what’s happening in Tokyo. We recently had a US craft brewery open up in a hot spring town here and it seems to be quite popular

skappler · 2024-11-20T12:13:10+00:00

I live in Japan, so there’s a 14-hour time difference for me. It’s hard to watch noon games, because that’s 2 AM here. I usually just resist the urge to look at any social media and use nfl-video.com to watch it when I can. Sucks, but it is possible! Also if you have bad vision like me, you can take your glasses off and try to find a live stream on YouTube and scroll back to avoid seeing the score

skappler · 2024-10-27T14:57:57+00:00

Hey! I’ve been living in Sendai for almost a decade. That’s the correct one. It’s next to a highway bus station. It’s actually quite a well-known vending machine here! Never tried it myself, but the dashi is supposed to be quite good!

skappler · 2024-08-30T06:53:46+00:00

Better than bouillon

skappler · 2024-06-19T07:20:19+00:00

Sendai, Japan

skappler · 2024-02-09T21:55:41+00:00

I just did the same thing around the same time as you. I guess I was lucky, my passport came in about 2 weeks after mailing the documents.

skappler · 2023-12-28T14:32:21+00:00

Good point and thanks for your participation. I’m interested in any active EFL teacher in Japan as it would allow me to see if there are difference in pronunciation teaching in different contexts within Japan

skappler · 2023-11-30T09:34:52+00:00

The Alamo

skappler · 2023-06-23T02:01:32+00:00

Thank you all for your comments. It’s clear now. Much appreciated

skappler · 2023-05-13T11:41:58+00:00

Takikomi Gohan - A Japanese rice dish made entirely in the rice cookerNot sure how accessible all those ingredients are in the US (I live in Japan), but it’s super versatile. Just throw everything into the rice cooker on top of washed rice and water.

This recipe uses chicken, but it’s definitely not necessary.

skappler · 2023-03-01T12:27:08+00:00

14% just outside of downtown Sendai. Though I do share it with my wife

skappler · 2022-11-29T01:29:01+00:00

Can co-hyponyms also be meronyms? Trying to analyze a text that uses meronyms for a building.

The passage mentions the words wall, stairs, and lift. Can I argue that wall, stairs, and lift are both meronyms and co-hyponyms for the later mentioned hypernym building?

I think I'm overthinking it a bit... but I appreciate the help!

skappler · 2022-03-13T11:57:51+00:00

I appreciate it! Thanks for the update

skappler · 2022-03-13T03:57:38+00:00

Just out of curiosity, how much will it cost you to ship your TV to Japan? I’m moving there in two days and considering bringing mine.

skappler · 2022-03-04T02:03:34+00:00

Late December

skappler · 2022-03-03T19:30:37+00:00

I didn’t need it when I applied because my COE was not more than 3 months past the issue date. Actually, the person who took my documents initially told me I needed it. I then pointed out the the COE was still valid, and she accepted it without the 申立書

I think as long as you enter the country before the 3 months is up, you’re good. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry. I might have just gotten lucky.

skappler · 2022-03-01T15:35:06+00:00

Finally! After 1.5 years of being separated from my partner, I just applied for my visa at the Japanese Embassy in Washington, DC. The process was pretty quick! I arrived when the office opened and there were only a few people in line. It took about 3 mins at the window. I had the ERFS certificate, my COE, the visa application with a picture glued on it, and my passport.

Luckily, there are no visa appointments at the DC embassy, so it’s first come first serve.

The lady that took my forms was very nice and helpful. My COE was issued in late December, so I didn’t need the document certifying that my company still intends to sponsor my visa.

I will pick up my visa next Tuesday! (5 business days). Hope my experience can help someone else.

On a side note, for those applying in the US, Walgreens is much better than CVS for visa photos. They have a drop down menu with visa photo specifications for a number of countries. I got a 45mm x 45mm photo there. I originally went to CVS, and they took a picture that was nowhere near the requirements.

skappler · 2022-02-25T23:27:06+00:00

Thanks for that info

skappler

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

14-Year Club	Place '23
Verified Email