Hello everybody,

Recently, I am studying instensely at Japanese magic. Have you guys ever been to Japan? The last time I been there was last summer during vacation to a place in Kobe, Japan called Rokko Islands. Had hella fun there. Anybody share the same experiences with me or want to share their experiences?

Best,
msc455magic

I was stationed in Okinawa Japan for 3 years, and I found that the Japanese love magic. They are much more receptive to it and appreciate the art more so than the people in the US, in my opinion. The language barrier wasn't too much of a problem, they understand enough english and I knew enough Japanese to get the point across.

I was stationed there the same time Jason England was, but never got to meet him. Now I'm kicking myself for not trying to session with him.

I'd go back to Japan in a heartbeat. The local magicians there have a fresh look at magic, and some devious methods. It took a while to gain their trust from a few of them, but it was well worth it.

Well, I don't know, but I HEAR, THAT:

You've Been In Japan Too Long When…

… you find yourself bowing while you talk on the phone.

… you don't think it unusual for a truck to play "It's a Small World" when backing up.

… you really enjoy corn soup with your Big Mac.

… you buy a potato-and-strawberry sandwich for lunch without cringing.

… you are not surprised to wake up in the morning and find that the woman who stayed over last night has completely cleaned your apartment, even though you'll probably never see her again.

… you think "white pills, blue pills, and pink powder" is an adequate answer to the question "What are you giving me, doctor?".

… you have discovered the sexual attraction of high school navy uniforms.

… when you no longer find anything unusual in the concept of "Vermont curry".

… you have a favorite bush to pee behind.

… a gaijin sits down next to you on the train and you get up and move. You're not prejudiced, but who knows what they might do?

… when you think one kind of rice tastes better than another kind.

… when you rush home from work to catch the last few minutes of sumo.

… when you pull out your ruler to underline words.

… when you think that coffee goes perfectly well with squid pizza.

… when you're impressed with a girl with a 94cm bust.

… you forget about July 4th, but get all worked up over Tanabata.

… you claim a seat at a Wendy's by putting your bag on it, fully expecting it to still be there when you return with your burger.

… when you are uncomfortable using the word "bathroom" for "toilet" since they're really totally different.

LOL!!!

Japan is my favorite country to visit but I'm kind of biased.

The closest I've been to Kobe was from the window of a train just after the earthquake. Didn't see too much from that distance but most of the houses had blue tarps on the roofs to cover the damage. That was quite a few years ago.

Kyoto is everyone’s favorite place to visit and I hope you had time to see it while you were there. Next to that I'd say the farm village of Shirakawago, simply because it hasn't been touched by modern intrusion yet. Or maybe the snow monkeys because, well, they’re snow monkeys! And are just so cute to watch.

Ross, you're post rings of too much truth to be just hearsay. Very funny comments.

I go almost every year and I love it .... I have in-laws in Tokyo.... I love the hot spring hotels ... for me this is the closest thing to paradise.... food and baths ,food, baths ...... and more baths outside in a natural hot-spring .... naked .... oh and more food.....

I think I'm going to Tokyo this summer. I went to Osaka and Kobe for my last three visits.

Best,
msc455magic

I just got back from a year of magic in Japan. Only thing I can say is, GO! You will have one heck of a time. I loved every moment of it. Went to every major city there; and performed in some of the smaller ones too. By far the coolest time I've had.

Cardone, those natural hot springs are amazing. However, I wasn't too excited when I found out that there were like six other naked Japanese men going to be in there. Ha; kinda took the mystique out of the whole experience. But alas, it was great.

rossmacrae, ha where did you find all that? That's hilarious. I still bow by the way! But, not over the phone. Got a good laugh from reading that,

best,
T.

I have lots of Tattoos...so when all the naked old men see them ...they slowly leave ... then I get the whole place to myself......... some hot springs do not allow tattoos.... ... Taipei ...is a great city too.......I was there in 1993.. for 3 months.....lots of good food and fun !!!!!

LOL! Good one, cardone!

Cardone,

That's right! I heard about the tattoo thing. I was told that they didn't wish for the tattoo to decleanse the purity of the hot water spring; is that right? I heard that while I was over there.

best,
Matt

I lived there for 5 years in Northern Honshu, Misawa.

Tony

I don't know about the purity thing but they do think that tattoos are sleazy ,dirty and associated with the mafia...... oh well.... some people in the USA think that too.......

It's a great place for sightseeing but not a good place for settling a good period of time. The reason I say this is because almost everything a tourist has to see is ALL that we have!

Best,
msc455magic

Cardone,

You should've just said that you were in the Yakuza. Might've met some cool people!!!

I actually got a tattoo in Japan. I also enjoyed rare access to a few joints that were operated by folks that weren't exactly on the "up and up."

Good times, I like the country very much.