Many of you are familiar with my younger sister, the Nose, so nicknamed for her savant type recall of maps, ability to identify geographical landmarks, and unsurpassed skill at navigating around a place with which she has no familiarity. In an unusual turn of sisterly responsibilities, she was able to visit Japan without being encumbered by another sister or two desperately clutching the back of her shirt.
Here are her impressions:
1. What were your favorite aspects of Japan?
Hmm. Well, Ouiser-san was there with a ready-made itinerary, slightly better than marginal command of the Japanese language, spoken apparently with an unintelligible accent (thank God for the offspring), and a purse full of yen when I ran out of cash and couldn`t find an ATM willing to take my card.
I loved Kyoto, Buddhist temples and the crazy monks that run them, tempura, ramen, tiny smiling ancient Japanese men, the cab drivers all wearing suits and white gloves, gaggles of schoolchildren waving and saying “hall- oh!!!! Hall-oh!!” because we were the only Westerners they`d seen, green tea, pottery, the toilets (yes, but not the squat kinds- the ones with the fancy bidet, lights, auto lid lift etc)…
The capabilities of the Japanese Toto toilet are endless...
Japanese design aesthetic.
The Very, Very, Sweet Japanese People.
I’m having a tough time narrowing it down.
2. What was hardest in Japan?
Eating eyeballs and boiled tofu at every meal (almost). Complete inability to order my own latte at Starbucks, the heat and humidity (and the resultant feeling of being the fat, sweaty American tourist). Inability to exchange money or use my ATM card.
3.When did you feel most out-of-place?
Well, look at me. I have red hair, blue eyes, and a large bust. No wonder all the cooks left the kitchen to get a better look at me. Of course, the places Ouiser-san took me may have never seen a non-Asian person before. Or. They may have seen my pallor combined with the sweat stains on my clothes and thought they should call an ambulance.
I also felt out-of-place (frustrated really) feeling helpless, unable to figure out the Tokyo subway system (I am the Nose after all), unable to remember the simplest and most used phrases (please and thank you anyone?) I just hope a sincere smile and hopeless look express the feelings I was unable to express with a diatribe of kanji.
4. When did you feel most at home?
I felt most at home when we were laughing together (oh shit, now I’m crying), drinking coffee, hanging out with my sweet smart niece and nephew, and digging through your closet.
I also felt strangely at home at the Buddhist temples in Kyoto.
Does one bang one`s own head, the head of the rabbit, or the heads of passersby?
5. What were your favorite foods?
The inner noodle ramen shop (Ouisar-san- that is Koh Men ramen in Omotesando across from TGIF`s), sashimi, Sapporo, tempura, cold soba noodles, magic cabbage (how do they make it taste so good??), (Ouisar-san-That would be the monja in the last post) Japanese pickles especially the pink ones alone or with rice, manga (Ouisar-san Umm- manga are cartoon characters, but monja is what we ate )cooked by Andretti-San.
Tantanmen Ramen- Koh Men
6.What is Ouisar-san`s most annoying habit?
Hmmm this will require a few subdivisions as she has many.
A. Her history and cultural lessons delivered while The Nose is trying to pray at a 1500 year old Buddhist Temple. And her assumption that I was not praying at the next 100 or so temples because, well, I already prayed that day, so new lessons came with every temple. Thankfully I learned to let her get all her talking done outside before going in.
I`m really praying...
B. Dragging The Nose on not one but two 4 mile runs through Yoyogi park AND actually expecting conversation at a sub- 10 minute mile pace and 85% humidity.
C. Realizing while raiding Ouiser`s closet that during the past year she has lost two inches off her waist and they were magically deposited on mine— greatly limiting my outfit choices ( Tunics and leggings anyone?? )
7) What advice would you give someone visiting Japan?
A. Stop at the currency exchange booth at the airport and get as much money exchanged as you can afford.
B. When taking random cabs have the address of your destination written in Japanese. Don’t assume that the name of the site said in Japanese (or English) will suffice.
C. At least taste every food placed in front of you. You may think it looks unappetizing or has ingredients that you don’t like but 9 times out of 10 you will be pleasantly surprised. Next to being polite and speaking the language, the best way you can truly show interest and appreciation of another culture is to show an interest in their food. If you don’t like it, smile and keep your mouth shut because someone around you will understand enough English to know you just insulted the cook at their favorite neighborhood noodle shop and that reflects badly not just on you but your host, and your country.
D. If you can’t use chopsticks you better learn before you leave or bring a fork.
E. Carry toilet paper and a handkerchief (see dabbers) with you at all times.
Finally I would like to thank Ouiser-san for taking me on what was truly a trip of a lifetime and thank my sweet hardworking husband for not only paying for it but taking care of three homesick for Mama kids while I was away for 10 days.
Temple of the Golden Pavillion, Kinkaku-Ji, Kyoto, Japan, We still like to dress alike.
Much love. The Nose
Hey from Japan- or wherever the moving van arrives- Emily Cannell 
Loved this one! Would have liked to have met her, but happy at least to have met a different sister. Still waiting for my turn to wear that vest – let me know if you want to trade something for it…
🙂 J
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You`ll have to pry that off my back TJ!!! But- now I know what your price is I`ll keep it in mind. And the next sale, I`ll be first in line. That was the hottest ticket in town! So glad!
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You two must have had such a great time together! Love the last picture!
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We had such a good time. I`m worn out!
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Wahhhh!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday!!!!
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Thanks! The thirties are the greatest…
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Good advice about getting money exchanged before leaving the airport. Unless you know, 7-11’s are about the only place where you can use a foreign card to get cash from an ATM.
Glad your sister still enjoyed herself. Did you take her to the restaurant you wrote about on Japingu?
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Of course I took her there! I couldn`t miss out on that chance! By the way- they sell GREAT tshirts down there which make fantastic gifts and souvenirs!
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How is the radiation thing going? How long range time-wise will it sill exist? How widespread health problems? Food contamination?
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Tough stuff. The area around the Fukushima plant has been evacuated since the earthquake with all the food/livestock contaminated. So, within the 20km radius of the plant no one is allowed in. The rest of Japan is still on restricted power due to the shortage from that power plant being out. Which will continue for quite some time. Radiation levels around Japan are back to normal- radiation in Denver higher than Tokyo for instance. (it was the same pre earthquake) All food is labelled so buyers know where it comes from but all products from that area were stopped at the beginning. The plant clean up will take at least 10 years. The replacing of nuclear power in Japan with an alternate source continues to be on the front page however the economic hit to Japan from the tsunamis was catastrophic to the country. Those areas are still being cleaned up- most people still in shelters who lost homes. It is a terrible situation- and one that will take years to fix- estimates ranging from 10-20 years.
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I was laughing out loud reading this fun post! I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see you two sisters laughing your way through Tokyo!
Priceless!
Hugs, Heidi
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I think watching the Japanese react to our loud laughing the way through Tokyo was also worth watching!
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I can’t wait to have my own opinions on travelling to Japan!
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You will love it! Thanks for stopping in.
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Great post, ladies. Here I thought those two inches Emily lost had been deposited on my waist! Hugs to the Nose. Happy Holidays to you and those sweet kids of yours–and to Ouiser-san, as well.
Hugs,
Kathy
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Very funny Kathy! We had a great time with you and Sara!
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I can see the Nose all serious about her prayers to the different spiritual entities being interrupted by her older sister’s need to educate. Its almost a great visual like spongebob and squidward interacting during an interpretive dance number. Perfection!
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I think calling her Squidward is funny- but me as Spongebob doesn`t work as well….
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Hi Nose! Thanks for the very interesting and informative (and independent – one never knows when to believe Emily or not!) info about Japan.
Hi Emily . . . just getting around to catching up on all my favourite blogs. See I’ve got several of yours still to read . . .
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Now Lisa- would I sacrifice a good story on the alter of truth? Congratulations again on your well deserved Freshly Pressed!
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I enjoy your stories – I just don’t believe all of them! 🙂
Thanks! Yes well, say nice things about the WordPress folk and you jump straight onto the front page. Unlike you, I don’t have exciting natural disasters to write about!
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Thank goodness for the rest of us benefiting from your input! And I know I`m busted- the gods really didn`t chase us down in Kyoto…
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What a great story. How lucky is the Nose to have you as a sister!
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You`re so sweet! We had such a good time.
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Looks like you two really enjoyed your time together. Great photos and documentation of your sister’s visit.
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Thanks L! Always good to hear from you. Glad you are doing well!
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Love it…wish it were me though!
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Me too!
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Aw, sisterly love! It sounds like you had an awesome visit together, eyeball-eating and all! 🙂
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It was so much fun!
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I used to carry the whole toilette roll, not just small pieces of tissue, esp. when I had to travel by train. As for the gadgets in the loo, I just love the butt warmers keeping the seat so nice and warm during winter when there’s virtually no heater in the toilettes and draft keeps coming in.
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Had to re-read this post!! This is so sweet, and I always enjoy the the fantastic sense of humor involved. I can’t wait to have my own sister visit me (she is the only one who has yet to visit)!
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It is so much fun with sisters neh? My other sister came out over Thanksgiving. More on that later….
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I love the toilet functions! It’s gadget! I wish I have one at home
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I have to agree! Will have to have a few when we go back home!
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XD XD XD
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