Going on Japan Mission Trip in July - Any CAAers in Japan to answer some questions?

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Sam (Warrior4Christ) and I (Warrior 4 Jesus) and some other church members are going to Japan on a Mission Trip in July. We will be working alongside a Japanese church there (Grace Community Church) and reaching out to the people who don't know Jesus.
This is both an exciting and daunting prospect as neither of us have been outside Australia before and there are many more people in Japan than Australia, not to mention the language barrier (and the all manga!).

We have done some training and have found there are many rules in the culture that seem strict, or even ludicrous.
I was wondering if there were any CAAers who live in Japan that know of any things we should do and what to avoid doing?

Some we know so far are to say the Japanese word for 'a little different' instead of 'No' (its too final).
Also not to say 'sayonara' because that means 'goodbye and I'll never see you again' and will upset some.

(Also do you know of the best places to buy English manga in Japan? - We are staying in Ome (on Honshu, just out of Tokyo and around that area).

These are only some examples. But it would be helpful if those who live in said country could give a helping hand.


Thanks and God Bless!

[Debitt]

I don't think you'll be able to find much manga in English while you're out there - but while you're there, look for an Animate or Anime Gamers store. =3 Tons of great stuff there.

And, well, I don't live in Japan...but I'd offer some hints if I could think of any right now! o.o Drawing a blank!

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I know (some) English manga is available in Tokyo somewhere because a Japanese friend has sent several bilingual (English and Japanese in one) manga to me before.
Thanks for the suggestion Kokoro!

[ClosetOtaku]

I'm not living in Japan, but for what it is worth...

I do almost all my anime and manga-related shopping at Mandarake. There are a number of outlets, but I've found the shops at Nakano (in Tokyo) to be very good, and the one in Shibuya to be almost as comprehensive (although harder to find). I really don't know if you'll find English translations, though. Your best bet, it would seem to me, would be at a large bookstore like Kinokuniya.

On my trips there, I've never used "sayonara", preferring to use "Ja matta ne" ("see you later"), although this (coming from a foreigner) still gets me funny looks. Maybe my pronunciation is off.

It kind of funny the things you should avoid doing. Like, if you are a guy, you shouldn't eat sweets. Seriously. I knew about this before going, but I still decided to get a chocolate/banana crepe at one of those crepe stands (they look just too delicious). I was eating it, and some older gentleman came by, saw me, pointed and started laughing.

Seriously, though, the people I've run into have always been willing to cut me a break because (a) I'm a Westerner and (b) I'm trying, however clumsily, to speak the language and respect the culture. I don't think you should get too worried about causing an international incident.

Enjoy, take lots of pictures, and tell us what your experiences were!

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Thanks ClosetOtaku! We'll be sure to take lots of pics and relay the experience.

One of the hardest things I'm coming to terms with is the simple idea of using tissues when you need to blow your nose and instantly throwing them away. Handkerchiefs are a big no-no. And the Japanese prefer to just sniff instead of blowing their noses with tissues. I've also got to come to terms with coming from a country with 20 million people, to a country with 124 million (and much less land).

I hope I survive the heat then (will be Winter in Australia then).

[Mr. SmartyPants]

so not fair yo >_> I wish I could go to an asian country for a missions trip! Like Korea!

[Puritan]

so not fair yo >_> I wish I could go to an asian country for a missions trip! Like Korea!

Actually, I know that there are many missions trips to Asia, especially *ahem* East Asia *ahem*, that I have seen, although most of them are for college-age students. I know Campus Crusade does Chin... I mean East Asian missions trips on a regular basis, and I have known several Churches to send people there, although people are sent to Japan and Korea far less often.

I, unfortunately, don't have any advice for you, but I hope your missions trip goes well, W4J!

[TriezGamer]

The only suggestion I have for you is that you pay me a visit. I'll be in Japan during that time frame. =p

[bigsleepj]

Wish I could say "Meet you there" but that's impossible. Maybe you should read Shusaku Endo's "Life of Jesus", a book by a Japanese Christian which focuses on his musings about Christ and how he tried to put Christ not in a Western Perspective but in a Japanese perspective. I haven't read it, but it might help. Here's an article on Endo that you might find interesting too.

Christology of Endo

[ClosetOtaku]

One of the hardest things I'm coming to terms with is the simple idea of using tissues when you need to blow your nose and instantly throwing them away.

Not to worry -- at any number of subway stations, you will encounter an army of people handing you free packets of disposable tissues for your use (the packets are advertisements for particular products, of course).

As for English language manga (and books in general) the best place in Tokyo is probably Kinokuniya Bookstore. There are at least 2 sizeable branches.

I recommend the one in Shinjuku. Behind the main store is the "Comic and DVD Forest" (also run by Kinokuniya) that has manga, artbooks, anime, CDs, etc. I do not recall seeing English manga in there -- you will likely find that in the main store -- but it is certainly worth visiting to see what is "hot" currently in Japan.

[Doe Johnson]

Not to worry -- at any number of subway stations, you will encounter an army of people handing you free packets of disposable tissues for your use (the packets are advertisements for particular products, of course).

I've gotten some of those and have never even gone to Japan! The last one I got was for a Miyazaki film...maybe Howl's Moving Castle?

I'm not sure if you'd know this or how important it is, but I've always noticed Japanese people cover their mouths when they talk while eating. It took me like a month to get used to it at my lunch table, but by then they had almost stopped doing it.

[White]

Man, I Want To Go To Japan So Bad <_<

Anyway, Have Fun Bro, Hope You Learn Some Stuff and Stay Safe, I'll Keep Ya In My Prayers

Your Bro In Christ,

White

[uc pseudonym]

Kaji, a member of CAA, is currently still in Japan as far as I know. He has a blog at the following link and may well be happy to answer questions for you.

http://cultureshockforchrist.blogspot.com/

[Sakura15]

Wow! thats awesome! I wish I could go. May God bless you guys while your there ^-^

[Warrior4Christ]

Why was I not told about this thread??

We were told to introduce ourselves as Australians ("Oosutoraria jin desu"). Then they will most likely change their perception of you, because they tend to like Australians (for some reason).

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Red,
1) I've definetly heard the whole takes shoes off deal before. And it may be a good idea for me to take a paper of slippers for indoors since I have size 13/14? US shoes.

2) I've heard they don't eat while walking. It seems strange but I'll try to avoid offending people.

Kinokuniya Bookstore for English manga? Thankyou so much!

Yes, we get extremely hot summers in Australia, but they are often very dry hot summers. I'm not keen on humidity so I hope I survive it okay. Any tips to keep cool?

If I have any more questions I'll PM you. Thanks mate!


Thankyou so much everyone for the prayers and advice!

[uc pseudonym]

2) I've heard they don't eat while walking. It seems strange but I'll try to avoid offending people.

This is the case in many Asian countries. Or, at least, it seems representative of the majority of international students from SE Asia that I know fairly well. Excepting those who have adopted American customs, it typically means that they don't get a chance to talk to people in the cafeteria.

[RubyJewelStone]

Oh wow. Cool. Lucky!

I wish that I could go. Are you all going to blog this? I love reading blogs!

I don't have much tips seeing that I haven't been to Japan myself but make sure to take plenty of pictures. (I have to live my Nippon dreams through others...T.T)
Hmm...I could also say to squeeze in as much Kanji symbols and Japanese as possible to help in getting around. Besides it just plain feels good to see something in Japanese and know what it means. (or maybe I'm just weird...>.<)
Don't be offended by people who stop and stare.
Oh and I sometimes see this site thrown around.

What prefecture and city will you all be in?

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

UC, hmmm.... or maybe they just understand better than us that walking around whilst eating isn't particularly good for digestion? (lol)

Hi RubyJewelStone, welcome to CAA!
We will be in and around Ome, a city just a little northwest of Tokyo. But we will spend some time in Tokyo also.
We will be sure to take lots of photos and will keep a blog-like site of our travels and adventures. It will probably be linked to our church website and updated every night or so. My brother Sam (Warrior4Christ) is going to help in that.
Thanks for the site link!

[uc pseudonym]

UC, hmmm.... or maybe they just understand better than us that walking around whilst eating isn't particularly good for digestion? (lol)

You know, I read that much too quickly; my apologies. I thought it said "eat while talking" which is what my comment addressed. They eat in silence and then talk afterward, but that generally means the people they sat down with are gone.

[RubyJewelStone]

Thanks for the welcome and your welcome.

[ClosetOtaku]

Awesome website, RubyJewelStone!

I know this is a missions trip, but as long as you are seeing sights... you may want to check out the Ghibli museum in Mitaka. Mitaka is easy to get to on the Tokyo subway system, although a bit of a walk to the museum, and you have to get tickets at a different site (I got mine at JTB for a same-day ticket). But if you're interested in Miyazaki, it is definitely worth the trip. See this website.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Miyazaki? He's the guy that did Nausicaa, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Spirited Away and many others isn't he? I love his stuff! Thanks for the suggestion. If we have time I'll be sure to check it out.