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I asked some foreigners about thoughts they’ve had regarding their physical appearance since living in Japan. Here are some of the things they had to say:

“It’s ridiculously frustrating to go shopping! Sometimes I’m afraid to try things on, even though I start with the largest size because I don’t want to be disappointed.”

“I feel like Pam Anderson because I have a bust!”

“Big nose. Big ears. No hair. I’ve been told that I look older than people ten years older than me.”

“I’m forever bumping my head because I’m too tall!”

“Jeans here aren’t created for girls with hips or butts.”

“I think I look better after a little sun, but everyone always comments in an almost horrified way about how I willingly allow my skin to get darker. It makes me feel really self-conscious about my skin.”

Many of us have learned to grin and bear it when we are shopping or hear strange remarks about our physique. However if you find it still gets to you, my advice is to relax and just roll with it. More often than not those comments are meant to be compliments, not meant to single you out for looking different. You can even use the blunt honesty to your benefit! Says one respondent, “If they say something like, “Hmm…look’s like you’ve put on a little weight there, haven’t you?” I think, “It’s time to hit the gym again,” and not, “How rude! That’s a personal assault!” Treating physical appearance like public domain can be healthier in a way sometimes.”

You can also use the comments as an opportunity to enlighten curious minds. Says another respondent, “My students always comment on my nose, which amuses me. I show them pictures of my friends to illustrate how other foreigners can have small noses too, so they don’t build stereotypes.”

There’s no way we’ll be able to avoid those unexpected remarks. You many even get caught off guard  on a day when you’re feeling particularly homesick. Just take a deep breath and try to remember that it’s not always so bad. I’m sure you’ve encountered numerous people who have been absolutely mesmerized with something on you, whether it be your “tall nose,” “small face,” “big eyes,” eye color, eyelashes, or naturally curly hair.

Enjoy the attention while you can! Where else will you encounter a tiny child who will look up at you and exclaim that you’re “CUTE-O!”, or a store clerk who will tell you out of the blue that you look like a man who “gets a lot of action”? And where else will you be able to elicit a wild chorus of “kawaaaiiiii!!!” or “kakoooiiiii!!!” from a group or random strangers you pass on the street? That’s right, only here.

Admit it. You know you love Japan!

-Mutia Adisoma

As he explains, “Have you ever heard of “お樽”, which literally means, “O(an honorific article) + Taru (a barrel of sake)?  A long time ago, a guest used to bring some sake instead of money for the party.  That custom lingers on in a party with Japanese people. At a welcome party, or a farewell party, or whatever, a guest is not supposed to foot the bill, but is expected to bring “お樽” instead, which is usually some money folded in a small paper envelope.  Nowadays, though some guests still bring some sake to the party. This custom is sometimes confusing to a guest because it is not mentioned officially, but expected customarily. In addition, a guest may wonder how much money he/she should bring. In order to avoid such a confusion, some Japanese expect each participant to foot the bill, including the guest.”

So there you have it.  As much as I’d like to see the look on the teacher’s faces if you showed up to your Kangeikai or Wakarekai with a nice bottle of sake rather than the usual ¥4,000 something tells me you’d still end up paying your own way.  Still somehow it’s nice to know that occasionally there really is a method to the madness.

-Andrew Morris

Enjoy night views, but don’t like cold weather or paying for gas?  Then you need to check out this website.

I just came across it today, and it appears to be dedicated to night view photography from all across Japan.  In Nagasaki-ken, make sure to check out:  Sasebo, Ohmura, Nagasaki (Inasayama), and my personal favorite Nagasaki (Nabekanmuri-yama).

Cheers.

- Jason Howard

Here we present to you a few of our personal recommendations for great places to visit, mountains to climb, onsens to soak in, restraunts to dine at, and bars to relax in with friends.  We love where we live and we want to share our favorite places with you so that they might soon become your favorites as well.  Who knows, in not too long, you might be the one sharing your own personal hotspots with the rest of us.

A quick word about our sponsors:  We really do love our sponsors.  It is with their help that we are able to print this magazine and make it available to the international community and to the travelers who make their way here.  We asked the businesses who are sponsoring us to do so because we have enjoyed them over the years and hoped that we could help them out as they help us out.  Every one of them is worth a visit.  If you do get the chance to visit them don’t forget to mention to them that you heard about them from the NagaZasshi.  I’m sure they would be happy to know that their sponsorship was a good investment after all!

And so without further ado, please check out the articles below and keep an eye out for our upcoming Sep/Oct edition!

What to See and Do…

If you make it into Fukue on a Friday, you’ll find the sleepy downtown doesn’t offer much in terms of nightlife, which is great because you’ll want to get an early start. Catching a sunrise (or sunset) along the coastline is like watching the Japanese flag unfurl before your eyes. Takahama Beach in Miiraku, Osezaki Lighthouse in Tamanoura and Gyougasaki park in Kishiku are just a few great places to view the natural inspiration for the hinomaru. If you’re a reluctant riser however, consider renting a room with a view. Private cabins at San San Camping Village in Tomie town or Gyougasaki Park offer spacious and affordable accommodation as well as bbq facilities. The park is especially gorgeous at sunset when pink skies, juxtaposed with jutting grey cliffs and a blue expanse of ocean, unveil in colors you’ve only seen in a crayon box.

But the island isn’t just a feast for the eyes. It also boasts some significant sightseeing for history buffs and culture vultures alike. Once an enclave for exiled Christians, there are a handful of churches, built during the Edo period, for your architectural viewing pleasure as well as monuments to the venerable founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi, whose envoys set off for China from Goto.

“Sounds brilliant, but where can I get some food?” you may ask. Head along Highway route 162 and you’ll hit the lush green foothills of Okura (Hirazo-cho). Here, you can feast on a locally grown brunch at Katashi, an organic foods, crafts and alternative health co-op where 600 yen gets you a set meal that patrons all eat together along a narrow table (Saturdays and weekday reservation only). Afterwards treat yourself to an in-house shiatsu massage by Yuko. For only 3500 yen you get an hour and a half of unparalleled muscular bliss.

Across from Katashi you’ll find a sign for Otomari dragnet fishing where you can test your hand at the local pastime. But, if fishing doesn’t tackle your fancy you can also go surfing, snorkeling, or scuba diving and catch a glimpse of the pink Sango Reef Tomie town is famous for.

More land inclined? Single speed bikes can be rented at Furusatokan Pavilion in downtown Fukue or at San San camping village and are great for perusing the Oceanside bike path to Osezaki lighthouse or the Miiraku area at a leisurely pace. While you’re on your nature binge, why not climb a mountain? Both Nanadake, named for its seven rake like peaks, and Tetedake, located near Sakai National Park, are challenging yet rewarding hikes. Note to the wise though, neither boasts tourist friendly trails, so make sure to bring appropriate hiking footwear.

Next, work your way back into town to see Goto’s second most famous tourist destination, Onidake.　At 315 meters tall, Onidake looms large over Fukue city and is home to the Baramon kite flying festival every May. The view as well as the high winds from this old volcano’s caldera will truly blow you away.

Finally, re-live your Kodak moments over a nightcap at Oruka. This eclectic restaurant is heavy on quirk and curry spice. If you get on the owner’s good side he will proudly immortalize you in Polaroid (along with most of the other diners he’s had since 1973) on one of the restaurant’s trinket-infested walls. My favorite thing about this place however, is the owner’s self-commissioned landscapes using dollar store markers. A hand full are scattered across the clutter-adorned walls and the style is best described as Seurat meets grade five art class prodigy.

On day #2 of your detox pack your sunscreen and head to one of Japan’s most pristine beaches, Takahama. White sands and generous waves make this a popular spot for beach bums and surfers alike. Positioned above the surf, a monument to Kanon, the goddess of mercy, serves as protector to weary seafarers. Other notable surf and sun therapy spots are Koujushi, Mukata and Tantomari Beaches.

Before you set off for home, reward your sightseeing efforts with lunch at the Bike House, located on route 164 along the ocean in Sakiyama.  Retro bike paraphernalia as well as antique photographs detailing some of the island’s local history adorn the walls. Exhibit even a minute understanding of Japanese and Mr .Ideguchi, the owner, will gladly regale you with stories of the Hetomato festival held here in January. A sight to behold, Hetomato consists of macho men and boys, smeared with soil and clad in nothing but loincloths, hoisting unsuspecting single women onto a 300 kg straw sandal. Can’t quite envision it? You’ll just have to come back in winter to see for yourself.

Getting There and Around:
Ferry : Ferry “Tsubaki” one way; 2520 yen. (approx 3.5 hours) Ferry info and schedules at: www.kyusho.co.jp, 095 822 9153
Rental Car: Nissan Rent a Car 0959 72 5175
Bicycle Rental: Kentoshi Furusatokan Pavilion (Miiraku) 0959 84 3555

Accomodations:
San San Camping Village: 1333 Tsuchitori, Tomie-machi 0959 86 2920
Gyougasaki Park Cabin:  1218-1 Kishiku, Kishiki-cho. 0959 82 0402

Restaurants:
Oruka ( near Fukue Port) 16-1 Shinminato-machi ,Goto-shi. 0959 72 8311
Elle Pizza ( Ohama Beach area) 090-5023-4954
Bike House 983-4 Shimosakiyama-cho, Goto-shi. 0959 73 6588 http://www.fctv-net.jp/~zen_1948_24/
Katashi Shokudo 1-4-3 Miono Goto-shi. 095 72 7002

Activities:
For scuba and snorkeling tours in English call Mike at 090 593 75406
Scuba tours in Japanese 0959-74-1690
Massage by Yuko 0959-74-6588
Dozaki Church: 2019 Dozaki, Okuura-cho, Goto City 0959-73-0705

-Marika Galadza

From Shijiki-san (志々伎山) near Hirado-shi, you can see as far as the Goto islands on a good day.  Fugen-dake（普賢岳） in Shimabara gives you a view not only of the ocean back toward Nagasaki, but you can also see Kumamoto in the distance.  From the relatively flat peak of Kokunzo-san（虚空蔵山） in Higashisonogi-cho you can take in the landscape in every direction over Sasebo, Hasami, Omura, and beyond.

Even Isahaya, not much of a sightseeing area otherwise, has some amazing hidden hiking gems. One local favorite is a full-day route that takes you around several mountains including Tara-dake（多良岳）, Shirakimine（白木峰）, and Gokahara-dake（五家原岳）, from which you get a 360-degree view that spans two prefectures (Saga and Nagasaki), several cities, and the ocean on three sides.  Each of these mountains can also be hiked individually and the sunrise and sunset views over the ocean are simply stunning.

So grab your bento and frozen water bottle, and head to a trail near you!  You may however need a car to get around, so if you don’t have one, mention to your colleagues that you like hiking.  Japanese are fervent hikers, and chances are someone with a car will invite you before too long.  What better way to learn about your new home than to view it from 1,000m up?

Eric’s Top Picks

Best sunrise view: Shirakimine (Isahaya)
Best overall view: Gokahara (Isahaya)
Best full-day hiking plan: Fugen-dake and Unzen-dake early in the morning, followed by Unzen Onsen in the evening (Shimabara peninsula).

Be sure to check out the Nagasaki-Ken Google Map on this Blog for more detailed location information for all these hikes and more!

-Eric Franz