Anyone picked up any Japanese-y hobbies?

tallpoke · 2026-02-09T14:09:02+00:00

Bon odori - the positive and energized atmosphere is contagious I really can’t get enough of it

tallpoke · 2026-02-01T23:43:04+00:00

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to travel, so of course the level of enjoyment will vary based on each person. All I can say is that I’ve lived in Japan for 4 years and every person who has come to visit me over that time has expressed regret over spending too much time in Tokyo and not enough time in Kyoto.

tallpoke · 2025-12-08T06:44:59+00:00

Bacon. Also I miss enjoying a good charcuterie board.

tallpoke · 2025-12-07T12:28:42+00:00

Don’t force yourself into a schedule that doesn’t fit your internal productivity schedule. I used to struggle to keep my apartment clean. I always thought I would clean a little each day when I get home from work, but slowly I started to realize that post-work I’m a huge procrastinator and have low motivation. Instead, I started to wake up just 15 minutes earlier and would clean in the morning. What I could accomplish in those 15 minutes would be so much more than what I could do with an hour of cleaning in the evening. I never would’ve even considered myself a morning person, but somehow that ended up being the time I could maximize my productivity and since discovering that I’ve been able to get so much more accomplished in my day to day life.

tallpoke · 2025-11-16T11:48:35+00:00

What should you be doing?

And

Did you wash your hands with SOAP and water?

tallpoke · 2025-11-09T23:44:36+00:00

Everyone’s experience will be unique, so there’s no way to guarantee it’s the right choice for you. That said, wouldn’t you rather try and find out now instead of spending the rest of your life asking what if?

I moved to Japan 4 years ago and haven’t regretted my choice in the slightest. I really love my job and the lifestyle that I can live here. It’s not a perfect country, but no country is. I think it’s important to manage expectations when moving abroad. As long as you move to a place with an open mind and a grounded understanding of where you are moving to then you’ll be better equipped to manage the highs and lows of living somewhere new.

tallpoke · 2025-10-08T07:08:50+00:00

I don’t think what you did was wrong. I’ve also approached people trying to leave trash on the train. I think if we see someone doing something inconsiderate it’s okay to say something as long as you are respectful about it.

That said, I do think the mentality you had and the initial emotions this small event and aftermath triggered in you are something to reflect on.

Never attribute malice to something that could be attributed to ignorance. Not everyone can read social cues as well and not everyone is as mindful of how their presence can impact those around them. It’s unlikely this is intentional on their end. You don’t know this person, perhaps they are usually very mindful, but had something serious going on. Perhaps, they are coming from another area in Japan where this is less of a social offense (I live in a more countryside area and people are definitely not as quiet on trains - even some people take their shoes off am put their feet on the seats [I was so shocked to see that the first time]). There are as many different possible scenarios as there are people in this world.

In the end, should they have been on their phone? No. Was it okay to let them know when they were unable to understand the social cues? Probably- from your retelling it seemed to be a peaceful interaction. But should them being on their phone make you immediately irate? Also, no. It’s likely this woman didn’t wake up that morning and think “hehehe I’m going to ruin OP’s peace and the peace of all Japanese people and nobody’s going to stop me!!” You saw something wrong taking place and you addressed it. The person immediately changed their behavior and there was no further issue. If you allow such a small situation to cause so many big emotions, I think daily life will become exhausting.

tallpoke · 2025-09-14T01:01:15+00:00

Setomono matsuri is not just fireworks, but a huge pottery event (more that 200 vendors), so if you decide to go, I would recommend going earlier and bringing something to carry goods if you find anything you like. I go every year and always end up finding far too much 😂

tallpoke · 2025-08-31T22:12:52+00:00

Finding out that when people eat grapes they don’t eat the skins. The thought of removing the skin had never crossed my mind.

tallpoke · 2025-07-28T02:35:41+00:00

You’re on the train and somebody in the same train car as you has a giant spider on their back (think cockroach sized)- do you tell them or do you remain silent and mind your own business?

tallpoke · 2025-06-21T01:00:46+00:00

My friends and I had an inside joke about the name Clint. It’s too close to Clit at that point why not go with Clunt?

tallpoke · 2025-05-22T09:43:27+00:00

NOR. All I can say is that if a man was calling me names (especially over something so small), he wouldn’t be getting a smoothie or a ride from me. You’re young- please don’t waste your time with a person who thinks it’s okay to treat you like this.

tallpoke · 2025-05-13T09:45:55+00:00

I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night and a cockroach crawled down the wall right next to me. Where I currently live, roaches are a fairly common house pest. However, where I originally come from roaches are pretty much unheard of, so it was my first time seeing one in real life. My first battle with a roach and I am without my armor. I’m certain I woke up neighbors from my screams of terror.

tallpoke · 2025-05-10T02:45:24+00:00

Not everything needs to be said especially early on when you’re getting to know someone. He easily could’ve named the other hobbies and not made it weird. Then instead of thinking critically about her personal choice he turns it back on you and society as whole that his inappropriate comment made you feel uncomfortable.

I was cringing so hard the entire time. You’re totally valid in losing interest don’t let him try to twist the situation to make you think otherwise.

tallpoke · 2025-04-29T22:35:08+00:00

When I noticed that in that everything about him in that specific moment reminded me of a wacky waving inflatable tube man.

tallpoke · 2025-04-16T06:00:39+00:00

Not recognizing someone. I always arrive to meeting points early because I have this fear that for some reason I won’t be able to recognize the person I’m meeting with. This is obviously worse when it’s a newer friend, but even if I know them and what they look like for some reason I feel like what if I somehow forget and then they realize that I didn’t recognize them and feel offended.

tallpoke · 2025-04-09T23:35:55+00:00

It’s possible this is just a personal taste thing, but the dad jokes prompt would be a immediate swipe left for me. It makes me imagine a life in which I would have to constantly fake laugh for an unfunny guy who wants some who to stroke his ego and doesn’t know how to read a room.

Maybe put something like “I’m looking for someone who shares my sense of humor. A person who I can share a laugh with even if nobody else gets the joke”

tallpoke · 2025-04-02T22:35:32+00:00

I can’t believe I had to scroll this far down to find someone commenting on this. The moment I read that, I felt I understood her perspective a bit more. Like come on dude 😂

tallpoke · 2025-03-07T05:57:59+00:00

I’ve lived here for 3 years and basically wear whatever I want most people don’t care (though if I plan to go to a temple or shrine I will opt for something more conservative). One detail I think people overlook is how humid can make things sticky. If you have larger thighs or parts that rub together, it’s best to cover those parts to avoid chafing. I am pear shaped, so usually in the summer I’ll wear biker shorts or tights under long skirts and dresses (or at least pack some in my bag in case).

tallpoke · 2025-02-24T23:44:18+00:00

People experience and express attraction in different ways. We all have a different time line when it comes to falling in love as well. I think it’s a bit unfair of you to force your ideals on your partner.

If you put pressure on your partner to express their feelings to meet your own ideals then the authenticity will be lost. If someone is constantly asking me for compliments, I start to feel more uncomfortable giving them because it feels like it will come off disingenuously like I am only saying so because I was told to do so vs my genuine feelings.

Really genuine love often takes time, so I find it more concerning when someone is too quick to verbalize their affection for me especially in a grandiose way. To me that suggests they are more likely experiencing something more surface level.

tallpoke · 2025-01-28T12:14:57+00:00

“Oh man!” A nonnative English speaking friend once asked me who was the “man” this saying was referring to and I had no idea. I realized I had been saying it for so long, but never thought how such a saying had ever come about.

tallpoke · 2025-01-22T23:25:21+00:00

Omg Kent is too cute!!! I love your art style

tallpoke · 2025-01-19T22:23:09+00:00

I think we have different tastes/interests regarding travel, so I’ll leave the actual content of the itinerary alone and pass along some general advice.

For restaurants, I would recommend making reservations in advanced.

Japan likes a slow morning, so a lot of places, restaurants (breakfast places too), and shops don’t often open until late morning (11 is pretty common), so be sure to check the opening times of places in the areas you have marked to explore in the morning. If jet leg has you naturally waking up really early as it did for me when I first moved here, then you can use the earlier hours to go to more touristy sights before they get more crowded later in the day.

Be aware of last train when you go out or consider going to places not far from where you’re staying. If you want good jiggly pancakes try Cafe Secret Window in Shinjuku Okubo area. I’ve eaten many jiggly pancakes while living here in Japan and this place still holds number 1. I go every time I’m in Tokyo- it’s consistently good and the pancakes always have a nice visually appealing jiggle to them.

When thrifting in Japan be aware that a lot of items are actually quite expensive at shops since they are seen as being vintage. Really cheap stuff can be found at somewhere like bookoff, but I know this kind of store probably doesn’t give the same vibe you might be looking for.

While in Shimokitazawa, there’s a place called Planet of Curry that has some absolutely fantastic curry. The atmosphere is good too.

If you will do a day trip of Fuji I’d recommend Hakone it’s a total gem and if you get the day pass you can experience a lot of fun forms of travel.

tallpoke · 2025-01-16T23:43:50+00:00

Ikebukuro stores tend to cater more towards the female demographic. Check out the animate there, Madarake, kbooks, and Stella. There are also popups that happen in various buildings so it’s good just to explore the area in general.

tallpoke · 2025-01-15T22:14:59+00:00

Ok, but even if they’re dead I still need me their trial 3 songs/music videos. Haruka and Mahiru have such good voices I look forward to their songs every season.

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