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CheapyD

CheapyD

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Welcome to the YMIJ Forum!

This is place to read about all of CheapyD's adventures in Japan.
Feel free to post here with any comments or suggestions.

You may not create topics in this form, but you may post replies.


FAQ (in progress)
Q: Why did you move to Tokyo?
A: Mrs. CheapyD (she is Japanese) got a great job here working doing legal work for a big insurance company. It was an offer we couldn't refuse.

Q: How did you meet Mrs. CheapyD?
 A: We met in a nightclub (Twilo) in Manhattan. There is a long story behind us getting together, too long for this space.

Q: Do you speak Japanese?
A: No, not really. I know a little as I took some classes in NYC, but I am going to take more classes here.

Q: Do most Japanese speak/understand English?
A: Hardly. Although Japanese take compulsory English classes starting in Jr. High (I think), it seems that most do not understand very much English at all.
 
Pretty cool. I'll be watching this forum for your latest adventures. :D

What would be really cool is if you had a digital camcorder and you documented your adventures. Then, you (or someone else, if you aren't skilled with video or just don't want to be hassled) could edit together some sort of documentary (or documentaries). Then, we could make a CheapyD in Japan DVD.
 
[quote name='WeaponX2099']Please write about the Japanese Porn that is over there. Not hentai, just the porn with humans. Only humans.[/QUOTE]

Isnt censored for some odd reason?
 
[quote name='Maklershed']Isnt censored for some odd reason?[/QUOTE]

In Japanese cultural it's shameful to show pubes. So it's blurred out in porn.
 
This is super sweet, those that are stuck in the land of absolutly horrendous customer service appreciate it greatly! I cant wait to read more.
 
Ya I'm wondering if 1) You speak Japanese?(How much if applicable) and 2) Does nearly everyone speak english like I imagine?
 
One request: try your hardest to get into J-rock and J-pop at least a little? Please? I study music and enjoy it quite a bit, and there are some truly terrific artists in Japan, that truly are every meaning of the word artist. And even the bubblegum stuff is better in Japan than it is here..so please? I'm so jealous you get to live where there's J-music available everywhere..so please..just like I know you are immersing yourself in every beautiful nature of Japan, please give the J-music a chance? Not telling you to stop liking Western music, just let it speak to your heart.
 
this is quickly becoming one of my favorite forums. I knew Japan was different, but wow, some of these threads are hilarious! Keep it up cheapy!

Also, just wondering, can we post our own threads, just in case we want to ask questions to our man in Japan?
 
Cheapy, you have to do this!!!!

I was watchignt eh Daily Show and they ran a series of hilarious clips of celebrities in Japanese commercials. there was one with Arnold giving the peace sign. And another where Bruce Willis wore a gas tank on his back a-la Ghostbusters and went running to fill up a car while electricity was pouring out he nozzel. (that dooesn't seem safe.)

Anyway, you have to do the Commercial Celebrity Sighting Thread. Whenever you see some high and mighty celebrity in some absolutely absurd japanese commercial you'll have to post about it!
 
As a gaijin, Is it really easy to get a seat in a crowded sinkansen? I heard japanese would get up and leave as soon as they see an English speaking Gaijin in Sinkansen.
 
Anybody wants to answer my question above? I feel as if I am playing CounterStrike in this forum (Everybody seems to ignore me).
 
I havent seen to many answers to these people's questions. How did you meet an asian lady, do you speak japanese?, do all japps speak english?
 
I'm coming to Japan this summer with my friend for graduation present from my dear mother...what's where to do there?
 
I updated the OP with some new FAQs.
Here are answers to some other questions.

[quote name='praystation']As a gaijin, Is it really easy to get a seat in a crowded sinkansen? I heard japanese would get up and leave as soon as they see an English speaking Gaijin in Sinkansen.[/QUOTE]Its really easy to get a seat on the Shinkansen if you reserve it ;)
No, people have been nice to me (at least I think they are nice, I don't really know what they are saying). I haven't had anyone get up and move after I sat down on the subway, bus, or Shinkansen.


[quote name='Dingleberry']I'm coming to Japan this summer with my friend for graduation present from my dear mother...what's where to do there?[/QUOTE]That's like asking what is there to do in America. Where in Japan are you traveling to? I recommend picking up a Fodor's Guide or something like that to see what might appeal to you.
 
We don't have cable tv yet so I haven't watched too much.
I'm gonna make a thread of all funny J-videos since there are so many on Google Video.
 
is it possible for you to get a job there? do you work? there are english speaking private schools there you could probably work at.
 
If you are looking for work, once you get a grasp of the Japanese language, you could try teaching English to the local kids. When I was in the Air Force, I had a bunch of friends stationed in Japan, and for side jobs, they would teach English and make really good money. The kids would just come to your house, it's like tutoring. Of coarse my friends knew how to speak Japanese.

Enjoy the Yakisoba (spelling?). I ate noodles all the time when I was there.
 
Hey Cheapy, I'm really enjoying reading about your adventures in Japan. Just wondering, are you currently working in Japan or do you get to spend you days exploring the city?
 
[quote name='Mr. Anderson']How is the nightlife around your area, Cheapy? Do you and the Mrs. go out drinking a lot? I know I would.[/QUOTE]
We have not really gone to many bars, but I think we will check out this super club this weekend (its near our apartment).
http://www.ageha.com/

[quote name='levi333']Is the Christmas season as heavily celebrated and comercialized in Japan as it is in the US?[/QUOTE]
Christmas here is more like a super Valentines Day. Men are expected to buy their ladies expensive gifts and take them out for a fancy dinner and then for a night an expensive hotel. At least they will probably get laid.


[quote name='many']Do you have a job[/quote]Nope, I'm lucky enough to be able to work on CAG full time
 
Hey Cheapy - I'm going to Tokyo for the first time for a week in mid-Feburary. I'll be staying in the New Otani which I guess is in between Shinjuku and Akasaka (Chiyoda?). I was curious if you have any recommendations for places to eat or izakaya to check out while in Tokyo?

I've been researching some clubs and am interested in checking out Space Lab Yellow and Womb, have you been to either of those?

Edit: BTW did you go to ageHa on the day Mondo Grosso was playing?
 
I guess I want to ask an interesting question.

Knowing that a lot of people here are heads over arms about anything Japanese (be it good or bad) .. take Anime for example.. theres great animes and there are a bunch of subpar animes. I was curious if people over there are like that about stuff American or "European" I mean I know Disneyland is huge there (and Sea disney) but thats kinda universal. I meant like superheros (i know spiderman over there is radically different) but in the traditional sense. Are Marvel or DC graphic novels sell like hot cakes like the Magna does over here? Are there Japanese versions of American cartoons (like turtles or Teen Titans or the Justice League)?

But I am enjoying the thread. The girlfriend and I will eventually get out to Japan.. we just want to check out stores and arcades.

I read a thread about import (american games in stores) .. is there a heavy Japanese import scene? Like in america we have a fairly big market for import games.. is there a heavy market for American games (not localized) in Japan?
 
Cheapy, are you planning on attending a Pride fighting match? It is so much more brutal than the UFC is here in America.


Do you miss eating at some of the great fast food places that we have here?
 
[quote name='technic']I was curious if you have any recommendations for places to eat or izakaya to check out while in Tokyo?
I've been researching some clubs and am interested in checking out Space Lab Yellow and Womb, have you been to either of those?
Edit: BTW did you go to ageHa on the day Mondo Grosso was playing?[/QUOTE]Hmm...I don't really have any food recommendations as I have yet to have a bad meal here. It seems as if you pretty much can't go wrong.
I have not been to those clubs yet...we didn't make it to Ageha yet either.


[quote name='urzishra14'] Are Marvel or DC graphic novels sell like hot cakes like the Magna does over here? Are there Japanese versions of American cartoons (like turtles or Teen Titans or the Justice League)?
is there a heavy Japanese import scene? Like in america we have a fairly big market for import games.. is there a heavy market for American games (not localized) in Japan?[/QUOTE]I don't think American comics/cartoons do well here. They don't contain enough girls in short skirts.

My guess is while there is a market for American games (imports), it is probably not heavy. I've been to a few stores in Akihabara, but they are small. The demand might be similar for Japanese imports in the USA, but I couldn't me sure.

[quote name='shieryda']Cheapy, are you planning on attending a Pride fighting match? It is so much more brutal than the UFC is here in America.


Do you miss eating at some of the great fast food places that we have here?[/QUOTE]Yes, I do want to see a Pride match at some point. I watched some on TV and I liked it.

I am not a big fast food fan, but Japan pretty much has the fast foot bases covered, and they do a much better job over here. Imagine a land with clean fast food restaurants (and bathrooms) and service with a smile!
The only fast food places I haven't seen are Burger King and White Castle (which I do actually miss).
 
So Cheapy,
If the average height of a Japanese male is 5'5", are you worshipped as some sort of God ?
I'm not sure how tall you are, but I'm assuming taller than 5'5".



P.S. Site is cool, and so are the CAGcasts. Keep it cheap, yo !
 
I have been to Japan between 2001 and 2003. Fast Food was always clean and smaller portions than in the US. I stayed in Aizu-wakamatsu and Yokaichi(sp). How much time did you spend in Akihabara? In 2001 the Flat panel displays were a hot thing, what is the new hot item this year?

Do you miss anything in the US?

Have you used a bidet? Do you like using the autoflushing toilets. I remeber they were almost everywhere in 2002 there. Also have you used the old style(not Western) toilets?
 
Conbratulations on your move. Tokyo has always been one of the places Ive wanted to visit forever. I start a new job in July and will be worrking one week on/ one week off. After I take my boards in August I may finally have to splurge and make the trip. I guess one minor point is I speak like 2 words of japanese so I guess Ill be just another dumb white tourist there. Would you recommend going with a tour group or just getting a hotel and seeing things solo?

err... congratulations... apparently Im not doing too well with english these days either.
 
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