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After immersing myself into a sea of websites dedicated to Japanese culture and language I found myself overwhelmed by the vastness of information available to me. As I "surfed the net," I drifted upon sites that sort of flowed into one another like the tides of the Pacific ocean. It was no sooner that I would come ashore to get some information on Japanese food that I would find another link, and in an instant I was sent back to sea like a message in a bottle. I floated around for a while just to see where the current would take me, and where I washed up was always a surprise. Some surprises were fortunate, while others were utterly useless. Ultimately, that was the purpose of this project. To sift through the information and compile it is such a way to make it easier for others to find information about living and teaching in Japan. Moreover, the goal was to help make the transition from the United States or Canada to Japan as smooth as possible. By the end of my journey I collected some treasures of Japanese culture and language.
To begin with, anyone thinking of living and teaching in Japan should try to familiarize themselves, at least somewhat, with the language and culture of the country. This should be done not only as a sign of respect, but as a mechanism for survival. Without some prior knowledge of the Japanese culture, one may find themselves in an extreme state of culture shock immediately upon arriving in the country. Furthermore, possessing some knowledge of Japanese customs can save a newcomer from getting into uncomfortable situations or making embarrassing mistakes that could send them home with their tails between their legs. In general, one should know that the culture of Japan is unlike the cultures of America or Canada, and doing some research will prove to be a worthwhile endeavor. The number of websites dedicated to teaching and living in Japan is countless, and one could spend hours upon hours (which I did), gathering and extracting information for the journey overseas. This paper is the result of my exhaustive research into the language and culture of Japan.
Along the way I discovered that Japan is a place where politeness, manners, and respect are valued most. In addition, they are known for possessing a high degree of honor, respect, and dignity each of which are worth more than money, power, or fame. Consequently, the Japanese are not greedy or materialistic people. I felt that I knew this going in, but after visiting some Japanese websites and reading some stories and articles I feel truly enlightened. I found the Wikipedia.org website to be a valuable resource for information about ethnic issues in Japan. I discovered a lot about the Japanese as a people from the articles on this site.
When compared to other countries, especially the United States or Canada, Japan is an ethnically homogenous society. In Japan, the emphasis is placed on the group rather than the individual. Therefore, the people are content to look the same, dress the same, and conduct themselves in the same manner. Aside from the "gaijin" or "foreigner," which according to the Go Japan.com website literally means "outside person," the people in Japan are very similar to one another. Furthermore, being a member of a group is paramount in Japanese society, the most important of which are family, school, and work. In their daily lives they actively seek to achieve a greater harmony with whatever group they may be part of.
Along the way I found The Japan Land of the Rising Sun website. I really like how this website offers valuable insight into the work ethic of the Japanese people. It explains in great detail how the Japanese place education and work high on the level of importance. They have a strong principle of "Business before pleasure," and they never combine the two when they are working or enjoying time off. I also really love The Foreigner Japan.com website. I learned a great deal about Japans history and culture from this site. What I found the most interesting and relevant to the project was that the site covers most categories of Japanese culture including the religions. I learned that "there are two principal religions in Japan, Shintoism and Buddhism, officially followed by 54% and 40% of the population respectively." Christianity is only recognized by less than 7% of the population. In addition, the University of Texas website is a nice comprehensive resource for Japans culture and history from politics to pop culture.
The absolute best part of searching the sites for language and culture was the food. I love Japanese food, and half the time I was drooling over my keyboard. I found many excellent resources about the food in Japan. One of the best that I found is The Japan Corner Benihana Guide to Japan. Overall, it is a comprehensive website that contains a wide array of information about Japanese customs, traditions, lifestyle, entertainment, language, cuisine, and festivals, but the info on food was the best. The "cuisine" section of the site covers every type of food typical to Japan. It provides descriptions of the foods with pictures, details and tips on how to eat the food, and a nice glossary of the vocabulary words associated with the food.
Another great source for food is The Tokyo Restaurant Reference Guide. The website lists the more than 350 restaurants in the Tokyo area that have an English menu. A site such as this is probably quite helpful for those just arriving in Japan for the first time. Too avoid all out culture shock and feeling too much like a fish out of water I think that it would be nice to have some places to go where you can regroup and use the language that is most comfortable to you. However, I feel that teachers should try to assimilate as much as possible to the ways of the Japanese, as I think the experience will be that much more rewarding in the end.
Lastly, not sure what to pack for the trip, the Tokyo Essentials website provides you with that essential information for living in Japan. It covers everything from how to dress for the weather and for every occasion in Japan to public holidays, apartments, and money issues. If I had to recommend just one website for the journey it would have to be the Travel TST website. It is a comprehensive guide to traveling, living, teaching, and studying in Japan. The National Clearing House is a web portal through the University of Indiana that provides helpful links to resources and materials relating to the topics of music and study in Japan. This is an excellent resource for both teachers and students planning to visit Japan.
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About.com: Japanese Language
Just about everything you need to know about teaching and living in Japan is on this page.
The page offers details on many Japan related topics including information articles and resources
about finding jobs and living in Japan. There are also several other helpful resources such as
translations, games and quizzes, and numerous links to related sites.
Free Japanese Lessons
Offers free basic Japanese lessons. The site is organized into ten lessons. The lessons begin
with the Japanese alphabet and proceed through subjects of grammar and vocabulary.
The Japanese Language School
Links to a comprehensive list of schools throughout Japan that give instruction to non-native
speakers of Japanese. It includes information about the costs of the courses at the various
schools, and what is required to attend. The site also includes links to useful information
and resources for the procedure to enter Japan, and tips on living there once you arrive.
Japan Visitor
Information to foreigners about the basics of the Japanese language. It includes
useful phrases and popular words for travelers without a general knowledge of Japanese.
Language Schools
Extensive information about finding a good Japanese language school. The site serves as a
portal with related resources and links to learning Japanese. It includes information about
Japanese language schools located not only in Japan, but in the United States as well.
Relo-Japan
Provides links and articles for relocating to Japan. The site provides an extensive list
of telephone numbers and addresses for International Language Schools for adults and children learning Japanese.
The Japanese page
Take free online lessons and chat with others who are learning too! This site is a great resource
for teachers who would like to learn a little Japanese and get a little practice with conversation
before relocating to Japan.
Travel TST
A comprehensive guide to traveling, living, teaching, and studying in Japan.
Amazon.com
The official website of Amazon.com provides an extensive list of books devoted to Japan. There are
books on language, culture, history, and living and teaching in Japan.
Tokyo Food Page
Good information about the food in Japan. The site offers sections such as, exploring Japanese foods,
the Japanese kitchen, Japanese foods in history, as well as a reference section with Japanese food
vocabulary and a pronunciation guide for certain Japanese foods. In addition, the site discusses
the different types of cuisine found in different cities, and provides an ample amount of pictures
and recipes. Warning!: this site will make you hungry.
CIA World Factbook
Essential information about Japan with the following categories: geography, people, population,
government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues.
English OK!
A web directory providing A listing of service businesses in Japan with basic English communication
abilities & English menus. This website is a good source for coupons to popular American
establishments like T.G.I. Fridays.
How to Bow
Dedicated to teaching tourists and those who travel to Japan on business about Japanese culture
and etiquette, and how to avoid embarrassing mistakes. The site is partially free, but in order
to receive the detailed information one must subscribe. However, the free portion is adequate for
a mini lesson. The lessons are delivered via video examples which cover the following three topics:
Make business, Visit home, and Have drink.
Jet Set Japan Info Zone
Extensive information about relocating to Japan. Topics include, Coming to Japan, Daily Life, Transport,
Telephony, Computers, Money, Holiday and Leisure, Japanese Studies, and leaving Japan.
Japanese Food Glossary
Vocabulary and meaning of the various staples to Japanese cuisine. The glossary is extensive,
and will prove to be a very helpful tool when trying to figure out what exactly it is that youre eating.
Planet Tokyo
From Bento to Yakitori, this page provides overviews of the various types of Japanese cuisine.
Teanobi.com
A very nice peek into Japanese tradition. This well designed website discusses the history and
tradition of the Japanese Tea Ceremony or sado. The Japanese Tea Ceremony is something taken
very seriously in Japan, and having at least some knowledge of the tradition would be a sign of respect.
The Japan Corner Benihana Guide to Japan
A comprehensive website that contains a wide array of information about Japanese customs,
traditions, lifestyle, entertainment, language, cuisine, and festivals, etc...
Yes Japan
Audio and video of contemporary popular music in Japan. A good source for information on Japanese pop culture.
Japan Land of the Rising Sun An Internet Hot list on Japan
The best source when looking for a little bit of information about everything in Japan. The
holist covers Japans national symbols (the flag, the cherry blossom, and the national anthem),
features of Japan (houses, geography, Mount Fuji), Greetings, gestures, and traditional costumes
(words, gestures, traditional clothing), Food (Japanese meals, sushi, rice), and School (a day at
school, all about school, games).
Japan Quick Facts
The Japan Quick Facts page of the Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Japan website provides a list of useful
and fun facts about Japan culture and history.
The Japan Zone: New to Japan Employment in Teaching
"Everything" site for teaching and living in Japan. It offers links and resources for on
topics from language schools and finding a job to eating out and shopping.
Statistics Bureau and Statistical Training and Research Institute
Extensive Japanese demographic information. The site includes summaries of the population census, labor
surveys and family income details.
Go Japan Teaching English in Japan
Essential information about visiting Japan. The website covers everything from where to stay and what to eat,
main attractions with maps and pictures, travel tips, culture and etiquette, to Japan history.
Foreigner Japan
Overview of Japans history and culture. The page provides concise explanations of topics such as,
The Country, The Name, The Language, The Religions, The Main Islands, The Flag, The Emperor, The Government,
Times and Dates, The Currency, The Climate, and the Electrical Systems.
Virtual Japanese Restaurant
Excellent resource to practice dining in a Japanese restaurant before actually arriving in Japan. The
virtual restaurant takes you through the entire dining process from appetizer to dessert. It includes
quizzes to test your knowledge about foods and etiquette, provides pronunciation of common words or phrases
used during meals, and offers information about Japanese culture in general.
Tokyo Essentials
Essential information for living in Japan. It covers everything from how to dress for the weather and for
every occasion in Japan to public holidays, apartments, and money issues. This is a comprehensive website
that is helpful for many reasons, but especially helpful on matters of appropriate attire and fashion.
Tokyo Restaurant Reference Guide
Lits the more than 350 restaurants in the Tokyo area that have an English menu. Restaurants are arranged
in three ways, by area, by cuisine, or alphabetically.
Tokyo Jazz Club Maps
Live jazz music is very popular in Japan. If you are an aficionado of jazz music then you will be delighted
to find a wide array of jazz clubs in Tokyo alone. This website provides a list of jazz clubs in Tokyo along
with a map to their locations.
Web Japan
Gateway for all Japanese Information website index offers a comprehensive look at Japan from travel and
sightseeing to politics and government. The Japan Fact Sheets page provides concise introductions of
typical topics related to themes such as Japanese geography, economy and culture. Japan Video Topics
offers streaming content on topics such as Japanese culture, society, technology, and nature.
Wikipedia - Japanese Cuisine
Comprehensive look at all things food related to Japan. The site covers multiple topics such as, food
unique to the country, eating habits, ingredients, flavors, staples, tea, and many others.
Wikipedia - Culture of Japan
Covers Japanese culture extensively. The site offers excellent information about Japanese art, food,
religion, architecture, sports, media, and popular culture.
Tokyo Robotnik
Created by an expatriate (possibly American). A nice list of links to bookstores, cinemas, a guide to
trains and getting around in Tokyo, where to learn Japanese, Japanese food, what to see and what not to
see, where to learn martial arts in Japan, and many, many more. Warning! This site does contain some graphic language.
Japan
Japans culture and history from politics to pop culture. Managed by the University of Texas Asian
Studies Network Information Center, there are also several articles and links to related sites.
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Information shown on this website is the result of a collaborative effort by Dr. Rod E. Case and the EDS491/691 Special Topics in Teaching English
as a Second Language Class, Wintermester, 2007. |
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